Category Archives: Tryon

Show Jumping, Tryon

Eugenio Garza Jumps to the Lead in $132k 1.50m Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake at Tryon

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Eugenio Garza and Victer Finn DH Z. Photo Credit ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – October 18, 2018 – Eugenio Garza (MEX) aboard Victer Finn DH Z jumped to the lead in the $132,000 1.50m Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake as Tryon Fall 4 CSI 5* competition continues at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC). Garza and Victer Finn DH Z, a 2008 Zangersheide gelding (Va Vite x Stakkato) owned by El Milagro, jumped the short course designed by Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) in 34.457 seconds. Fabio Leivas da Costa (BRA) riding Bonne Chance Farm LLC’s Tosca de L’eques, a 2007 Selle Francais mare (Cardento x Apache d’Adriers), came in second with a jump-off time of 34.663 seconds, while Sharn Wordley (NZL) atop Casper, his own 2006 Oldenburg gelding (Contender x Baloubet du Rouet), stopped the timers in 35.385 seconds to claim third.

Amidst 42 entries and 21 jump-off competitors, Garza anticipated a smaller jump-off from his course walk, but was pleased with his results and Victor Finn DH Z’s efforts. “I think there’s just a good field here and that happens. With so many in the jump-off we had to really go for it this time and fortunately my horse was supernatural today – I really have to give it to him,” Garza emphasized. “In the jump-off there were just a lot of twists and turns. There was a very forward eight to a double that my horse was able to do well and helped me out there. He was just really good today.”

Garza revealed his strategy in such a large jump-off was to go as fast as he could and try to ride mistake-free. He stated, “We have Saturday coming up, but then again, this is a huge money class and you never know, you might have a pole down later. We really tried to win this class and get today over with before concentrating on Saturday, so hopefully we can pull something out Saturday.

“I’ve had this horse since he was seven, but he was off and on with an injury for about a year and just came back into competition about two months ago, so I’m really happy with how he’s come back. He feels great, he feels strong, and he’s an exceptional horse – a superstar, I have to say,” Garza remarked.

Garza is now gearing up to compete in the $384,000 Rolex Grand Prix CSI 5*, in which he achieved second place honors in 2017, and commented, “I’ll just try to put him [Victer Finn DH Z) back in the box, so to speak, and he’ll be okay. He’s one of those horses that likes his job and that makes our job a lot easier.”

For full results from the $132,000 1.50m Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 5*, click here.

For more information, please visit www.Tryon.com.

Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, Tryon

A Grand Finale for Eugenio Garza and Bariano to Conclude Tryon Fall 3 CSI 3*

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Eugenio Garza and Bariano. Photo Credit ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – October 14, 2018 – Eugenio Garza (MEX) celebrated his longtime mount, Bariano, after their 33.01 second jump-off round to win the $35,000 1.45m Sunday Classic CSI 3* at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC). Karen Polle (JPN) claimed reserve honors aboard her own Little Lord 90, a 2005 Holsteiner stallion (Lasino x Calato), clearing the short course in 34.835 seconds, while Kristen Vanderveen (USA) and Bull Run’s Almighty charged to third place on a 35.043 second performance by the 2008 Hanoverian gelding (Caspar x Quidam De Revel) owned by Bull Run Jumpers Six LLC.

The course set by Michel Vaillancourt (CAN) saw 29 horse-and-rider pairs attempt the first round, with 12 entries returning for the short-course test. Early in the order of go, Garza and the 2001 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Jetset-D x Skippy) owned by David and Monica Garza put in a blazing clear performance that couldn’t be beaten.

“My horse jumped beautifully, and it was a really, really special class because it was his last class in the U.S.,” Garza revealed. “Bariano gets retired in two weeks in Mexico, so this is a nice way to finish his career in the U.S. It was a fun class, and the course designer did a great job, I thought.”

Garza, who has partnered with the now-17-year-old gelding for many years throughout his development as a rider, emphasized how much he owes Bariano: “My relationship with him has been everything. He took me from children’s jumpers to where I am now, and he’s an amazing horse. I’m not usually emotional, but it’s nice. I owe everything to him, but he owes me nothing.”

Of the many memories Garza has with Bariano, including competing across the globe at the FEI level, Tryon in particular holds a special moment, he explained. “I have to say the 5* last year here in Tryon was pretty special with him,” Garza recounted of his second-place performance in the $380,000 Rolex Grand Prix CSI 5* just over a year ago at TIEC. “For a horse I started with in the children’s jumpers and [to end up on the podium in that class] with him as well – that was really special, and is one of my fondest memories of him.”

As he looks ahead to competing in the Tryon Fall 4 CSI 5* next week before returning to Mexico, Garza will be partnering with another mount, but Bariano’s job well done for Garza over the years will remain front and center.

After a week of ups and downs, Garza was thankful to conclude the Tryon Fall 3 CSI 3* week on such a positive note, he explained. “Well, I fell off yesterday on a green horse, so today is a great improvement from yesterday! That’s just horses for you. One day you lose, and one day you win, and you take it as it comes. Today we celebrate, and I’m thankful I have this special horse with me.”

Holly Shepherd and MTM Making Waves Conquer the $10,000 USHJA National Derby

Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, AL piloted MTM Making Waves for owner Mary Antonini to victory in Friday’s $10,000 USHJA National Derby at TIEC, producing a two-round score of 172. Reserve honors went to Mountain Brook, AL native Timothy Maddrix and Missy Nolen’s Man Up, taking home a score of 171, while Shepherd also collected third place honors aboard Barbara Risius’ Longstreet, scoring 168.5.

“MTM Making Waves is a First Year 3’6″ Green Hunter, as they call them,” Shepherd explained. “I’ve had him with some customers for a couple of years and showed him as a Pre-Green horse. He’s won a few of these derbies, so I’ve got some faith in him by round two. He was really good and he’s a special horse. He has a giant step.”

For a hunter, there are a couple distinguishing factors about her mount, Shepherd noted. “He’s a little strong-willed, and I’m not sure that’s my favorite thing about him,” she joked. “His look in the ring is so beautiful that when I walk in the ring I feel confident and people are like, ‘wow!’ That is probably my favorite thing about him. He wows the judges when he walks in, so I always feel like I’m starting a little ahead on that one, which is nice. I look the part.”

For full results from the $10,000 USHJA National Derby, click here.

For full results from the $35,000 1.45m Sunday Classic CSI 3*, click here.

For more information, please visit www.Tryon.com.

Show Jumping, Tryon

Double Clear and a Second Win for Kent Farrington in Tryon

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Kent Farrington and Gazelle. Photo Credit ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – October 13, 2018 – Kent Farrington (USA) and Gazelle came away with top honors in the $132,000 Adequan® Grand Prix CSI 3* after a tense jump-off competition at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), stopping the clock at 32.232 seconds. Paul O’Shea (IRL) and Imerald Van’t Voorhof, a 2008 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Emerald Van’t Ruytershof x Bacardi-Orange De Muze) owned by Tequestrian Farms, LLC, took reserve honors with a time of 33.026 seconds, while Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Main Road earned a spot on the podium finishing on four faults in 32.748 seconds aboard the 2008 Swedish Warmblood gelding (Heartbeat x Irco Marco) owned by Sweet Oak Farm and Seabrook LLC.

For Farrington and the 2006 Belgian Warmblood mare (Kashmir Van Schuttershof x Indoctro) owned by himself and Robin Parsky, the challenge was to complete a technical course designed by Michel Vaillancourt (CAN) against a competitive field of 31 entries. Only four pairs returned to prove themselves on the short course, and Farrington was last to go.

“When there are only four in the jump-off, and you go last, I kind of measure the class and see what kind of effort it will take to pull it off,” said Farrington. “It was a little closer than my liking tonight, but I’ll take it. A win is a win.”

Commenting on the course’s difficulty, Farrington admitted, “I think the course was more difficult than maybe a lot of us anticipated, with the lights, because some horses might not have been under the lights yet here. The liverpool fence had a glare, so you saw a lot of young horses struggle with that. There was plenty of course for the field today, and that’s why you only saw four in the jump-off.”

Competing under the lights was no problem for Farrington’s mount of more than five years, he explained. “Gazelle is a very experienced horse, so the lights played to her hand tonight.” His preparation strategy with the mare is to get on early and jump “quite small.” Farrington elaborated: “The horse is extremely careful, one of the most careful if not the most careful horse I’ve ever ridden. So you have to watch that line and keep her from getting too impressed in the ring and keep her measuring her efforts.

“So far so good here,” Farrington said of his experience with the venue, after taking the win in Friday’s $35,000 1.50m Welcome Stake CSI 3* with Creedance. “I’m here next week with the same horses and bringing some young ones over. I’m just back from Europe, so concentrated on gearing up the team before I do indoor shows.”

For full results from the $132,000 Adequan® Grand Prix CSI 3*, click here.

For more information, please visit www.Tryon.com.

Show Jumping, Tryon

Kent Farrington and Creedance Refresh the Ring with Win in $35k 1.50m Welcome Stake CSI 3*

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Kent Farrington and Creedance. Photo Credit ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – October 12, 2018 – Kent Farrington (USA) and Creedance secured the win in the $35,000 1.50m Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3* at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) as part of Equus Events Tryon Fall 3 CSI 3* competition. Farrington flew through the jump-off in tandem with Creedance, a 2007 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Lord Z x Notaris) owned by himself and R.C.G. Farm and stopped the timers in 35.942 seconds to top the class. Vanessa Mannix (CAN) rode into second place with her own Catinka 25, a 2009 Oldenburg mare (Catoki x Luxano) and acquired a jump-off time of 37.761 seconds and Spencer Brittan (USA) took third with his own Uncle Blue, a 2008 Swedish Warmblood gelding (Chacco-Blue x Robin Z), stopping the timers in 39.258 seconds.

Among 47 entries and only eight pairs returning to test the short course set by course designer Michel Vaillancourt (CAN), Farrington and Creedance put in an untouchable performance to land at the top of the order. “My horse is naturally very fast, so for us, a good strategy is just kind of keeping his natural speed, and that’s usually good enough to win. He’s a top horse; he’s won big Grand Prixs all over the world.” Concerning the morning’s cooler temperature, Farrington commented, “He [Creedance] likes the cool weather. I think all horses like it. They prefer it a little bit colder; they have more energy and are more excited to jump.”

Farrington suffered a leg injury last winter, but bounced back from the fracture in three months. “I’ve been back for a while. Exactly 12 weeks later, I was already showing 5* Grand Prix’s, so it really didn’t slow me down that much. It gave my horses a little more rest than usual, but since then it’s been business as usual.”

The Olympian recently competed in Europe for a successful summer circuit, but is now stateside to continue touring. “I just got back from Europe myself, so this is a good way to kick off our tour here,” he said of returning to compete at TIEC. Farrington plans to ride another of his well-known mounts, Gazelle, in Saturday night’s $132,000 Adequan® Grand Prix CSI 3*.

Kerins Bests the $5,000 1.40m Power & Speed Stake in Tryon

In Wednesday’s $5,000 1.40m Power & Speed Stake CSI 3*, Ireland’s Darragh Kerins (IRL) took top honors aboard Ringwood Zebo, a 2009 Irish Sport Horse gelding (Califax x Ringwood Audacity) owned by Samantha Rice. Kerins completed the jump-off in 35.08 seconds. Just moments behind, Shane Sheetnam (IRL) earned a jump-off time of 36.23 seconds riding Stalanda Z, a 2008 Oldenburg mare, (Stakkotol x Colander) owned by Seabrook LLC, and Freddie Vazquez (PUR) with Bull Run’s Testify, a 2004 Selle Francais gelding, owned by Bull Run Jumpers Inc. took third with a time of 38.849 seconds.

David O’Brien Claims $5,000 Tryon Resort 1.40m Speed Stake CSI 3* for Ireland

Ireland’s David O’Brien rode KIR Royal SCF to victory in the $5,000 1.40m Tryon Resort Speed Stake CSI 3* in a field of 23 pairs, besting the Michel Vaillancourt (CAN) designed course in 59.46 seconds with the 2010 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Amaretto D’Arco x Nabab De Reve) owned by Spy Coast Farm, LLC. Stephanie Macieira (BRA) and Randon Pleasure, a 2005 Selle Francais mare (For Pleasure x Quidam De Revel) owned by Bonne Chance Farm, claimed second-place honors after their 60.69 second performance, while Rowan Willis (AUS) guided Italian Gold van De Kruishoeve, a 2008 Belgian Warmblood mare owned by Samantha Buirs, to a third-place finish after stopping the timers in 61.01 seconds.

For full results from the $35,000 1.50m Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3*, click here.

For more information, please visit www.Tryon.com.

Show Jumping, Tryon

Parot Conquers $35,000 1.45m Sunday Classic CSI 2*

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Samuel Parot and Atlantis. Photo Credit ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – October 7, 2018 – The first week of fall competition concluded on Sunday, October 7 at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), after Samuel Parot (CHI) and his own Atlantis claimed the only faultless round of the afternoon in the $35,000 1.45m Sunday Classic CSI 2*. The Tryon Fall Series presented by Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport has become a schedule staple for Parot, who frequents the venue through the summer months as well.

Blazing through first round timers in 80.37 seconds Parot and the 2003 Zangersheide stallion (Andiamo x Royal Bravour L) received exclusive praise for maneuvering the day’s Peter Grant (CAN) designed course with ease. “The horse was really good this week,” commented Parot. “On Thursday in the Welcome, he was clear with only one rail in the jump-off, but very fast. Last night in the Grand Prix I rode very poorly, so today I am so happy for the win.”

Of the course, Parot noted that it looked to be an easy ride, but proved the majority of its contenders wrong. “The courses for the week have appeared to be somewhat easy, but they have all turned out to be very technical. They have been good for the horses and more complex for the riders.”

Celso Ariani (BRA) and Ricardo Romero’s 2009 Belgian Warmblood stallion Janari Ter Dolen, took second place honors after crossing through timers in 84.34 seconds and with four faults. Third place went to Ireland’s David Blake, piloting Pine Hollow Farm’s Keoki, a 2009 Holsteiner (Catoki x Cassini I), to a time of 86.84 and with four added faults.

For more information on TIEC, please visit www.Tryon.com.

Show Jumping, Tryon

Jonathan Corrigan and Loughnavatta Indigo Take Top Honors in $70k Ingles Grand Prix CSI 2*

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Jonathan Corrigan and Loughnavatta Indigo. Photo Credit ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – October 6, 2018 – Jonathan Corrigan (IRL) and Loughnavatta Indigo secured first place in the $70,000 Ingles Grand Prix CSI 2* in the first “Saturday Night Lights” of the 2018 Tryon Fall Series presented by Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC).

Corrigan and Loughnavatta Indigo, a 2009 Irish Sport Horse gelding (Luidam x VDL Arkansas) owned by Twin Oak Stables, Inc., crossed through the timers in 42.216 seconds in the jump-off to rise as the winning combination. Subsequently, Lauren Tisbo (USA) and Jeleena De Muse, a 2008 Belgian Warmblood mare (Tornedo FCS x Chin Chin) owned by Tequestrian Games, LLC., placed second with a jump-off time of 42.97 seconds and Darragh Kerins (IRL) aboard Ringwood Zebo, a 2009 Irish Sport Horse gelding (Califax x Ringwood Audacity) owned by Samantha Rice, took third place on the podium with a final time of 43.88 seconds.

With a class of 34 entries and only seven competitors moving forward to the jump-off, Corrigan and Loughnavatta Indigo rose to the top of the leaderboard. “I have a tendency to go a little bit too fast in the jump-off, so today I tried to be a little smoother and tighter and not pull on the reins or kick as much and it worked,” the Irishman remarked.

Corrigan bought the nine-year old gelding last autumn. “I jumped him here in the 2* last year and that was his first night class. He was little green, but he jumped clear. Since then, he’s improved a lot, and even jumped his first 5* a couple of weeks ago.”

Detailing his nine-year-old mount, Corrigan continued, “He’s a good horse. He’s got a lot of personality, more personality than any other horse I’ve had. He might look plain, but he’s very sensitive and a very good boy. We might do the 3* next week or we will wait and do the 5* the week after that.

“It’s a great atmosphere here because everybody comes out, horse people and non-horse people alike. The crowd really focuses on you and people come to spectate and have a good time,” concluded Corrigan.

For full results from the $70,000 Ingles Grand Prix CSI 2*, click here.

For more information on TIEC, please visit www.Tryon.com.

Show Jumping, Tryon

Fabio Leivas Da Costa and Tosca De L’Esques Ride Home with Blue at Tryon Fall Series

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Fabio Leivas Da Costa and Tosca De L’Esques. Photo Credit ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – October 4, 2018 – Fabio Leivas Da Costa (BRA) and Tosca De L’Esques took the victory in the $35,000 1.45m Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 2* to kick off Tryon Fall 2 at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC). Leivas Da Costa and the 2007 Selle Francais mare (Cardento x Apache D’adriers) stopped the short-course timers in 38.03 seconds to secure the win, while reserve honors went to Santiago Lambre (BRA) and Dingeman, a 2008 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Nintender x Darnels), after their 38.03 second jump-off performance. Third place was awarded to Marilyn Little (USA) with Clearwater, a 2007 Holsteiner gelding (Clearway x Come On), who cleared the jump-off in 39.671 seconds.

A field of 43 horse-and-rider pairs toured the first-round course with 19 entries returning to test their luck on the jump-off track set by Peter Grant (CAN). Before riding the jump-off, Leivas Da Costa and his team observed previous competitors and set goals. “We talked before the class and set a time goal of 37 seconds. We actually earned 38 seconds, but still earned first,” Leivas Da Costa explained.

Leivas Da Costa, concerning his mount, stated, “Tosca De L’Esques has a big heart. She is willing, and tries as hard as she can. She never says, ‘no,’ she just says, ‘where do I go next?'” He continued, “She has a really huge stride and is a fast, forward horse. She really fights for us.”

For more information on TIEC, please visit www.Tryon.com.

JRPR, Show Jumping, Tryon

Quality Girl the Clear Winner

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Todd Minikus and Quality Girl. (Photo courtesy of Team Minikus)

Tryon, NC (July 24, 2018) – Todd Minikus tackled the courses at the Tyron International Equestrian Center on five different horses during week six of the summer circuit.  However, Minikus’ standout performance on long time partner Quality Girl took top honors in the $70,000 Ingles Grand Prix CSI2*. Besting a field of twenty-four other horse and rider combinations, Minikus and Quality Girl took the win by a solid two seconds in the jump off.

“She knows how to come into the ring and go fast. She’s good in every ring and atmosphere, and she jumped fantastic tonight,” said Minikus of the mares’ incredible efforts in the ring. USA’s Oscar Soberon designed the course, and only seven horses bested it to make the jump off round. Minikus has been bringing along a few sale horses and new up and coming mounts at Tryon, while he aims Quality Girl, his longtime partner, at some high-level classes both at Tryon and further north. “There are some big money classes in the fall and hopefully we can grab some of that. I’ll probably target her for the Saugerties $500,000, and she goes well in that ring, so that’s probably where we will focus her next,” Minikus remarked with a knowing twinkle in his eye, probably remembering his Million Grand Prix win aboard Quality Girl at HITS Saugerties in 2013. To top it off, Quality Girl’s groom Cory Singleton, who helps get Todd and Quality Girl in the ring, received the Absorbine Groom’s Award and a check for five hundred dollars.

In addition to Quality Girl’s success in the Grand Prix, Minikus rode Chaco 34, who is owned by Maidensway, to first and second place in the $1390 1.40m Open Jumper and $5390 1.40m Open Jumper Stake. Minikus took home the win in the $1390 1.40m Open Jumper with Julesraimus De Barisy owned by Erin Rorabaugh.

Team Minikus continues to be a family affair after Minikus’ daughter Langley had back to back winning Tryon weekends. This week Todd’s wife, Amanda Minikus, came home with two top five finishes in the Low Amateur division collimating with a win in the $500 Low Amateur 1.20, while student, Zachary Yariv, also enjoyed three top five finished in the Junior Jumper division.

Next stops for Team Minikus after the Tryon Summer circuit is Balmoral Park, Chicago for the end of their HITS summer series, then Saugerties Hits- on-the-Hudson VIII for the FEI CSI5*, followed by the Hampton Classic in late August.

To catch up with FEI Nations Cup veteran and U.S. Pan American Games Team Bronze Medalist Minikus and his team, follow on Facebook and Instagram @Todd_Minikus, visit Team Minikus on Instagram, or visit www.ToddMinikusShowJumping.com.

Show Jumping, Tryon

Kristen Vanderveen Owns the Podium at Tryon Summer VI

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Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili. Photo Credit ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – July 22, 2018 – Tryon Summer VI saw Kristen Vanderveen (USA) take first and second-place honors in the $35,000 1.45m Classic Stake CSI 2* at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), guiding Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili through the short-course in 35.528 seconds and steering Bull Run’s Prince of Peace to second, putting in a clear jump-off round of 36.664 seconds. Vanderveen shared the podium with Manuel Torres (COL) for his efforts aboard Christofolini H, a 2007 Rheinlander gelding (Canto 16 x Balou Du Rouet) owned by Andrea Torres Guerreiro, for their 37.124 second performance in the jump-off.

Vanderveen, who previously complimented the Oscar Soberon (USA) course design earlier in the week, had already clinched the lead aboard “Frosty,” the 2005 Belgian Warmblood stallion (Berlin x Udarco) owned by Bull Run Jumpers Five, LLC, when she concluded the jump-off aboard Bull Run’s Prince of Peace, a 2009 Holsteiner gelding (Cardenio x Contender) owned by Bull Run Jumpers Six, LLC, to claim the red rosette as well.

Though Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili won the $35,000 Welcome Stake CSI 2* on Thursday just a day prior, Vanderveen noted that she had meant for Friday’s Classic Stake to be a more conservative effort as she brings the stallion back into work after a recent break. “In the jump-off I wanted to go quick and competitive with Frosty, but nothing too risky. He’s so naturally fast; I forget that I don’t need to try so hard. I actually kind of felt like I left a little bit of space for somebody to get me, but it just goes to show how fast he really is, because it ended up not really being that close,” she explained.

“It’s comfortable going in with [Bull Run’s Prince of Peace] knowing you’re first with Frosty,” admitted Vanderveen. “And ‘Prince’ is still learning, so I want him to learn the jump-off, and the only way to learn is by going fast. My plan on him was to push it, and test out where we’re at, and keep getting him competitive and looking for the jumps.”

Vanderveen was undecided at the time about her strategy for Saturday, but ultimately opted to save both Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili and Bull Run’s Prince of Peace for another day, as most of the competitions ahead for the two mounts are daytime competitions, and Bull Run’s Almighty was chosen to compete under the lights.

“We have a lot of daytime showing with them coming up. For the younger horse, Bull Run’s Prince of Peace, the night class is a big atmosphere here, so I’m going to wait and finish out the daytime stuff with him and then start moving him into Grand Prixs later.

“[Bull Run’s] Almighty is one of my greener horses, and I’m trying to develop him. He’s a little bit older than Bull Run’s Prince of Peace, so he’s ready, but he just needs more time under the lights. I think it’s a good thing to keep pushing him and giving him the experience.”

Vanderveen and “Almighty,” the 2008 Hanoverian gelding (Caspar x Quidam De Revel) owned by Bull Run Jumpers Six, LLC, had just one rail down in the first round to finish eighth in the $70,000 Ingles Grand Prix CSI 2* as the fastest four-fault round.

Please visit www.tryon.com or call (828)-863-1000 for more information.

Show Jumping, Tryon

Minikus and Quality Girl Make Away with $70,000 Ingles Grand Prix CSI 2* at Tryon

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Todd Minikus and Quality Girl. Photo Credit ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – July 21, 2018 – Todd Minikus (USA) and Quality Girl claimed top honors in the $70,000 Ingles Grand Prix CSI 2*, the highlight competition for Tryon Summer VI at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), stopping the short-course timers in 38.541 seconds to top the podium. Brian Moggre (USA) and MTM Vivre Le Reve, a 2009 Westphalian gelding (Ustinov x Chello II) owned by Major Wager, LLC, were awarded reserve honors for their 40.616 second jump-off performance, while Mattias Tromp (USA) and Chicago Hof Eversem Z, a 2008 Zangersheide gelding (Con Spirito R x Papillon Rouge), put in a 42.048 second short-course round to claim third for Swede Ventures LLC.

Twenty-four entries toured the track set by USA’s Oscar Soberon, with seven horse-and-rider pairs accepted back to test the jump-off course. Minikus and the 2003 Oldenburg mare (Quidam’s Rubin x Dobrock) owned by Quality Group & Todd Minikus, LTD were last to challenge the short course and bested the class by more than two seconds.

“It’s not Quality Girl’s first rodeo,” said Minikus of his mount’s longtime experience at the Grand Prix level. “She knows how to come into the ring and go fast. She’s good in every ring and atmosphere, and she jumped fantastic tonight.”

Minikus noted a particular obstacle to which he paid close attention with Quality Girl: “There were a couple jumps [where riders had rails down] throughout the course, like the orange oxer that came down a lot of times. I had it down on my other horse,” he detailed. “But it rode just like it walked.”

Though Minikus admitted that his mount prefers very firm footing, rain from earlier in the evening did not diminish the quality of the footing nor deter Quality Girl from putting in a solid round, even at the end of the jump-off lineup; he explained: “We had a lot of rain [earlier] tonight, so whoever takes care of the footing does a good job. Quality Girl likes the footing very hard.”

While Minikus primarily deals in sales and is looking forward to acquiring and selling new mounts, Quality Girl is a longtime partner for Minikus and he plans to aim her for some high-level classes both at Tryon and elsewhere, he elaborated. “There are some big money classes in the fall and hopefully we can grab some of that. I’ll probably target her for the Saugerties $500,000, and she goes well in that ring, so that’s probably where we will focus her next,” Minikus remarked.

“To tell you the truth, I really like this venue. It’s good for young horses, and the crowd is amazing every Saturday night. It’s great for the family and the kids can run around,” Minikus concluded.

Please visit www.tryon.com or call (828)-863-1000 for more information.