Category Archives: Tryon

Show Jumping, Tryon

Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili Return to the Top at Tryon

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

Mill Spring, NC – July 19, 2018 – Kristen Vanderveen (USA) and Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili charged to a victory in the $35,000 Welcome Stake CSI 2* to open Tryon Summer VI competition at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) on Thursday, completing the short course in 34.252 seconds to once again land on top of the podium. Second place was claimed by Samuel Parot (CHI) aboard his own Harley David, a 2007 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Harley VDL x Randel Z), finishing on a time of 36.149 seconds, with Darragh Kerins (IRL) guiding Chill R Z, a 2003 Zangersheide stallion (Chellano Z x A Lucky One), to third on a short-course time of 37.351 seconds for Eve Jobs.

Twenty-six horse-and-rider pairs tested the Oscar Soberon (USA) course, with nine pairs moving forward for the jump-off round. Vanderveen explained that she was able to use the design to her advantage with “Frosty,” a 2005 Belgian Warmblood stallion (Berlin x Udarco) owned by Bull Run Jumpers Six LLC, and was happy to see so many bending lines throughout the course.

“I really, really like the designing this week – the course was great. It’s just right for us since we’re getting Frosty going again for some bigger shows, so this was a nice warm-up for him,” Vanderveen elaborated. “The bending lines were nice today because he was quite excited since he’s had a week off, so I was actually able to just leave out strides in the first round, which for me is a little bit easier than if it’s a super technical course with a lot of straight lines. I can’t really get away with that, so it was nice today that I could kind of ad lib the lines a little bit and make it work for the first round. In the jump-off he was calmer and ready to go.”

The pair was able to best the class by almost two seconds and Vanderveen revealed that her plan is to continue competing with Frosty in order to prepare him for the $70,000 Ingles Grand Prix CSI 2*. “I’m actually going to jump him again tomorrow – he felt quite fresh today, so we’re going to go again today and go from there to decide on Saturday.”

Vanderveen and Frosty are gearing up for some CSI 3* competitions in Michigan next en route to 5* competition in Chicago, and she expressed excitement for the Tryon Summer VI schedule as part of this preparation, saying, “It’s really nice to have all these $35,000 classes in a row this week – it’s fun for me to get to jump every day.”

Frosty was not the only mount Vanderveen piloted through the Welcome Stake – Bull Run’s Prince of Peace, also known as “Prince”, a fresh face on her FEI string who has begun proving his talent at TIEC in recent weeks, finished on just one rail down that Vanderveen claimed as her responsibility.

“Prince I was super proud of. I actually had a big rider error in a line. He’s so adjustable and can do any number of strides, but I just got stuck trying to adjust him and I felt bad for him,” she said of the 2009 Holsteiner gelding (Cardenio x Contender). “He wanted to jump clean today, but his rider made a mistake and tipped one [rail] out, but I think he’s going to go again tomorrow as well.”

Mattias Tromp (USA) bookended the podium after Wednesday’s $5,000 1.40m Power & Speed CSI 2* competition in the George H. Morris Arena, claiming first aboard Beyaert Farm Inc.’s Crack Elle Chavannaise, a 2008 Belgian Sport Horse mare (Carving x Nackel de la tourette), clearing the jump-off course in 30.476 seconds, and also piloting the Swede Ventures LLC entry, Chicago Hof Eversem Z, a 2008 Zangersheide gelding (Con Spirito R x Papillon Rouge), to third after a 33.161 second short-course performance. Ireland’s David Blake received second-place honors for his efforts aboard Pine Hollow Farm’s Keoki, a 2009 Holsteiner male (Catoki x Cassini I) stopping the timers in 31.601 seconds.

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

Show Jumping, Tryon

Moloney Records Second FEI Victory of Week to Conclude Tryon Summer V

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Richie Moloney and Merqusio. Photo Credit ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – July 15, 2018 – Just twelve hours after a win in the $70,000 Carolina Arena Equipment Grand Prix CSI 2*, Richie Moloney (IRL) clinched another blue ribbon aboard a different grey mount. Riding the Equinimity LLC’s Merqusio, Moloney was once again awarded first place, besting competition in the $35,000 1.45m Sunday Classic CSI 2*, with a jump-off time of 47.288 seconds.

Samuel Parot (CHI) who also claimed a spot on Saturday night’s podium, stepped up once more, taking the second-place position aboard his own 2004 Selle Francais gelding Quick Du Pottier (Hurlevent de Breka x Cuba), riding to a time of 38.508 seconds, but with eight added faults. Third place was awarded to another Ireland native, David O’Brien, who piloted the Spy Coast Farm LLC entry Kir Royal SCF, a 2010 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Amaretto D’Arco x Nabab de Reve), through the first round in 85.62 seconds and with four added faults.

Moloney and the 2007 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Cicero Z x Flamenco de Semilly) have been competing at TIEC on and off throughout the spring and summer and maintained a winning streak to round out the weekend. “He was good out there,” commented Moloney, “and I’m very happy to win out here on him today.” Of the gelding, he continued, “I’ve been partnered with him for two and a half years now, so I know him well. This horse is very careful and very scopey.”

Moloney plans to continue with top level FEI competition, as the pair has also contested CSI 5* level classes and previously recorded a third-place finish in the $35,000 1.45m Welcome Stake CSI 2* during Tryon Spring I. “We’ll just keep going and compete in some 1.50m classes with him,” noted Moloney, “and then we’ll add another Grand Prix when he feels ready.”

The morning welcomed fourteen entries to the Derby Field, and Moloney and Parot were the only two to return for a turn on the Catalina Cruz (MEX) designed jump-off track. “The course was great today,” concluded Moloney. “It was nice to get him out and ride here on the field for a change. His next show will be on grass, so it was nice to get out here this week and finish strong.”

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

Show Jumping, Tryon

Moloney Climbs to Top in $70,000 Carolina Arena Equipment Grand Prix CSI 2*

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Richie Moloney and Button Sitte. Photo Credit ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – July 14, 2018 – Richie Moloney (IRL) climbed atop the podium in the $70,000 Carolina Arena Equipment Grand Prix CSI 2* during the highlight class of the week at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), after piloting the Equinimity LLC entry Button Sitte around the night’s jump-off track in 38.336 seconds.

Second place honors were captured by the USA’s Todd Minikus, riding to a final short course time of 38.402 seconds aboard Autumn View Farm’s Excel, a 2009 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Douglas x Quick Star). Samuel Parot (CHI) completed the second round of competition aboard his own 2003 Zangersheide gelding (Andiamo x Royal Bravour L) Atlantis, closing out the top three with the quickest time of 36.297 seconds, but adding four faults.

Moloney and the 2007 Belgian Warmblood stallion (Ogano Sitte x Parco) have been partnered together for nearly two and half years and the duo has maintained a consistent record to date. “He always jumps very well here,” he commented. “He had some very good results in Wellington and he placed in the 1.50m final. He’s a very nice horse and very scopey. He’s lovely to work with and he’s a really sweet horse.

“His strengths are his scope and how easy he is,” he continued. “Even during the week, you don’t have to work too hard before a class. You just need to move him around a little bit. He’s very uncomplicated.”

The pair bested a field of 22 horse-and-rider combinations and returned to contest the Catalina Cruz (MEX) course with five other competitors. Of the course, Moloney said, “It was a good course. The jump three to four sequence was quite difficult in the first round. Apart from that, I thought the course was a good course tonight.”

Moloney has been based at the venue for the majority of the Tryon Summer Series and had positive words for the facility and the “Saturday Night Lights” competition in general. “It’s a great facility and there’s always a great atmosphere and a great crowd here to watch,” he concluded. “He [Button Sitte] also prefers the atmosphere under the lights. He’s good in smaller arenas like this because you have to keep turning and jumps are always in front of you.”

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

Show Jumping, Tryon

Moggre Flies to First in $35,000 1.40m U-25 Final at Tryon

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Brian Moggre and MTM Flutterby. Photo Credit ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – July 13, 2018 – It was the USA’s Brian Moggre who climbed to the top of the podium in the $35,000 1.40m U-25 Final at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), as the sun set on day three of Tryon Summer V competition at the venue. Moggre and MTM Flutterby flew through fast track timers in 34.64 seconds, two full seconds ahead of second place finisher Mattie Hatcher (USA) and her own 2009 Swedish Warmblood gelding (Click and Cash x Feliciano) Cristiano, who finished with a time of 36.56 seconds with four added faults. Third place was rounded out by Megan McDermott (USA) and her own 2006 Caballo Deportivo La Silla gelding (Dollar de la Pierre x Polydor), Tizimin LS, who completed their first round of competition in 78.18 seconds and added four faults.

Moggre and the 2007 Dutch Warmblood mare (C-Indoctro x Grace) owned by Major Wagner LLC, are newcomers to the venue and the first experience has boded well for the pair. “She was amazing tonight,” he commented. “Izzy has the best heart out of any horse I’ve ever had. She’s so amazing.”

The duo rode around the Catalina Cruz (MEX) course in a timely manner and were brought back to contest the two horse jump-off with ease. “If there is one thing that my trainers have taught me,” stated Moggre, “I will hold onto this for the rest of my riding career: playing it safe; if you have a rail, you’re too slow. Every time you walk in the ring you need to go in there with a mission. If you’re going in, you’re fast, you’re going to be clear, and you’re going to win. You can’t win unless you try.”

The seventeen-year-old rides and trains with Tracy Fenney and Mike McCormick, who originally bred the mare and matched the two. “She originally came to our barn when I was young,” he said, “and she was a five-year-old. It wasn’t the best match at the time. I kind of matured as a rider and the horse matured as well. When I was thirteen or fourteen I got the ride and it just clicked. It worked and she’s been amazing ever since.”

He continued, “She’s very opinionated and I think that’s why we get along so well. We are both a little sassy. She just has a sassy attitude and she is so unlike any of my other horses. All of my other horses are big, gentle giants. She’s this spicy little blonde girl.”

Moggre also plans to compete in Saturday’s highlight competition, the $70,000 Carolina Arena Equipment Grand Prix CSI 2*, but noted the importance of also being able to utilize the U-25 series classes. “I’m riding in tomorrow night’s Grand Prix,” he explained. “It’s a little bigger and a little more of a tough crowd, which gets me to push myself a bit. A class like this is also excellent because my mare is just a little race car and I know that if I can be on it than she is on the game. Without an insane 1.60m horse, you can compete in these classes and it helps shine the spotlight on some of the young riders.”

Earlier in the afternoon, David O’Brien (IRL) continued his winning ways aboard Spy Coast Farm LLC mounts, this time riding the 2010 Belgian Warmblood gelding Kir Royal SCF (Amaretto D’Arco x Nabab de Reve) to victory in the $5,000 1.40m Classic CSI 2*. The pair crossed through fast track timers in 37.909 seconds to claim the blue. Callan Solem (USA) achieved second place, piloting Collin McNeil’s 2008 Belgian Warmblood mare (Darco x Cento) Imogen de Regor to a time of 38.642 seconds. Todd Minikus (USA) trailed just behind in third with Juju VDM, a 2009 Belgian Warmblood mare (Toulon x For Pleasure), completing their first round in 82.99 seconds with one added fault.

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

Show Jumping, Tryon

Kerins Welcomes Win during Tryon Summer V $35,000 1.45m Welcome Stake

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Darragh Kerins and Silteplait de Circee. Photo Credit ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – July 12, 2018 – Tryon Summer V competition continued at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) on Thursday, July 12, with a first-place finish in the $35,000 1.45m Welcome Stake CSI 2* for Darragh Kerins (IRL) and the Remarkable Farms LLC entry Silteplait de Circee, who jumped to a quick time of 36.807 seconds to take the lead. Second place honors went to Todd Minikus (USA) and the Autumn View Farm owned Excel, a 2009 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Douglas x Quick Star), who completed their jump-off round in 37.112 seconds. Third place was rounded out by Stefano Baruzzo (ARG) and the 2007 Dutch Warmblood gelding Copa Cabana (Cartano x Cash) owned by Stransky’s Mission Farms Inc., who stopped timers in 39.13 seconds.

After a successful summer record to date, including a top finish in the Tryon Summer III Tryon Resort $5,000 1.40m Speed Stake CSI 2*, Kerins and the 2006 Selle Francais stallion (Ephebe For Ever x Laudanum) bested 30 other horse-and-rider combinations to land in the winner’s circle once more.

“This is my second summer riding him. He jumped here last year,” commented Kerins. “He’s quite a blood horse. We know each other well now and he knows my moves and I know his. He’s been a really consistent horse. He’s had so many second-place finishes and today was great because we pulled out the win.”

Kerins complimented the class lineup and explained his thoughts on the Catalina Cruz (MEX)-designed course. “I thought the course was difficult enough. I thought the time allowed was a good amount today; usually those times are very tight. There were a lot of good horses and riders and we still had ten clear, so it was a competitive jump-off.”

Of his mount, he continued, “He’s a great horse to have in the string and he’s very competitive. In the jump-off, he was fast and quick. He’s fast, but he’s quite sensitive, so you have to let him go quick without putting too much pressure on him. If everything comes together well, then we are usually golden.”

Kerins plans to challenge Saturday’s highlight class, the $70,000 Carolina Arena Equipment Grand Prix CSI 2*, before giving his mount some time off. “He’s going to show here on Saturday night and he’ll also show here next week, then I’ll let him have a couple of weeks off before we move on to the next show,” he concluded.

Abrahamson Clinches Victory in FEI $5,000 U-25 Welcome Stake

The FEI $5,000 U-25 Welcome Stake commenced on Wednesday, July 11, in the George Morris Arena at Tryon Stadium and concluded with a first-place finish for Kady Abrahamson (USA) and Abrahamson Equestrian LLC’s Charline 28, a 2005 Meklenburg mare (Cellestial x Prinz Oldenburg). The pair crossed through fast track timers in 32.675 seconds to secure the win. Second place was awarded honors to Catherine Wachtell (USA) and Indy Van de Roten, a 2008 Belgian Warmblood mare owned by Autumn View Farm, who completed their jump-off in 33.891 seconds. Third place awards went to Caitlyn Connors (USA) and her own 2005 Irish Warmblood gelding (Ard VDL Douglas x Nearly a Nose), Boleybawn Perfection, jumping to a time of 34.473 seconds.

“It was a good opening day, which was nice,” commented Abrahamson. “This horse jumped the CSI 2* two weeks ago and she had a week off and came here, so it was a good first day. We just wanted her to have a nice first day preparing for Friday night. She’s a nervous horse, so it was good for her to have a relaxed day.”

Abrahamson and the mare have been partnered together for the past two years. Crediting her mount, who boasts a spicy personality, she explained, “‘Carline’, as she’s known in the barn, is a typical chestnut mare personality wise. She has a way of doing things on her own, but she’s happy when you let her do her own thing and you’re pretty much just along for the ride.”

This is not the pair’s first appearance at TIEC, having competed at the venue several times over the past few years. “I jumped her here last year in the CSI 2* under the lights,” said Abrahamson. “She’s so genuine that she’ll just go in and jump around and be really good. She quite good under lights, but she can get a bit scared with noise and atmosphere.”

The week is playing host to the first U-25 Series of the Tryon Summer schedule and Abrahamson credited the division for creating a valuable experience for up and coming riders. “The U-25 gives people that gap between the High Amateur Division and the CSI 2* Grand Prix classes,” she noted. “You can fill in the gaps and get the kinks out under the lights. It’s a little less pressure, less money, and less height to deal with. Hopefully, you’re good to just step right up into the CSI 2* division. I’m lucky enough I have her (Charline 28) in the U-25 and two horses in the CSI 2* this week, so t’s going to be a big week.”

The $5,000 1.40m Power & Speed CSI 2* also welcomed a Wednesday win for David O’Brien (IRL) and Spy Coast Farm LLC’s Kioki Coffee SCF, a 2010 Belgian Warmblood mare (Amaretto D’Arco x Wolfgang), as the pair crossed through timers in 32.335 seconds. Second place was captured by Todd Minikus (USA) and Autumn View Farm’s 2009 Dutch Warmblood gelding Excel, (Douglas x Quick Star), riding to a jump-off time of 33.626 seconds. O’Brien also captured third place aboard another Spy Coast Farm entry, the 2010 Belgian Warmblood gelding Kir Royal SCF (Amaretto D’Arco x Nabab de Reve), stopping timers in 33.821 seconds.

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

Hunter/Equitation, JRPR, Show Jumping, Tryon

Two More Exceptional Weeks at Tryon for Team Minikus

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Todd Minikus’ Exceptional “being exceptional” (Photo courtesy of Team Minikus)

Tryon, NC (July 11, 2018) – Todd Minikus and his team wrapped up two more successful weeks at Tryon, NC with more than a dozen wins in the jumper, hunter, and yes, cross rails divisions!

During the Tryon Summer 3 CSI2*, Todd Minikus once again showed his exceptional versatility for winning on numerous fronts by winning the Green Hunter 3’6 and the Green Hunter 3’6 Handy Hunter Class on Exceptional, owned by Todd Minikus, LTD.  The pair then raised the bar to the 4’ Hunter Performance Division winning first and second over fences and first in the under saddle class and a Division Championship. “Exceptional just keeps doing the job,” said Minikus after winning the $15,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby the week prior. “Exceptional is, well, exceptional!”

Also during Summer 3, Minikus enjoyed some top finishes in the jumper ring culminating with double wins on Maidenway’s Chaco 34 in the 1.35m Open Jumper and the 1.40m Open Jumper.  Team Minikus super star Victoria Zelch rounded out the week three winnings taking top honors in the NAL Low Junior Classic aboard Sniper.

It should have been a tough act to follow, but not so for Team Minikus.  At the Tryon Summer 4 CSI3*, Exceptional delivered a repeat performance winning the 3’6 Green Hunter and the 3’6 Green Handy Hunter.  Then Todd rode three horses to wins in their respective 1.40m Open Jumper classes. The triple threat included Minikus’ own Juju VDM, Erin Rorabaugh’s Julesraimus De Barisy, and Melissa Bilodeau’s handsome stallion, Lord Calador.

But the biggest celebration of the show was for Team Minikus’ littlest rider, Todd and Amanda Minikus’ 7-year-old daughter Langley. Despite a rain out on day one, Langley Minikus took to arena on day two riding Reagan Thoennes’ pony Love Bug and showed her jumper linage by winning both Cross Rail classes.

It made the winning weekend just a little bit more special. “We love showing at Tryon,” said Amanda Minikus. “It’s beautiful here, the facility is awesome, the horses love it, we love it, and my kids love it.”

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*. 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

Vanderveen Brings a Fresh Face to Derby Field Podium to Conclude Tryon Summer IV

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Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Prince of Peace. Photo Credit ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – July 8, 2018 – Kristen Vanderveen (USA) and Bull Run’s Prince of Peace (Cardenio x Contender) pulled off a win in the $35,000 1.45m Sunday Classic CSI 3* at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) to conclude Tryon Summer IV competition, stopping the short-track timers in 41.68 seconds. Brian Moggre (USA) and MTM Vivre Le Reve, a 2009 Westphalian gelding (Ustinov x Chello II) owned by Major Wager LLC, cleared the jump-off course in 42.156 seconds to claim second place ahead of Brittni Raflowitz (USA) in third, guiding Garland Stables’ Dustin 254, a 2007 Westphalian gelding (Dollar Du Murier x Lancer III), to a 45.583 second clear jump-off round.

The field saw 26 first-round trips on the Alan Wade (IRL)-designed course with eight horse-and-rider pairs earning the opportunity to try the jump-off track. Vanderveen revealed that her win was only the 2009 Holsteiner gelding’s second competition on grass footing and said, “The course was great today. This is a younger horse for me and it’s only his second time ever competing on grass – the first time being this week in the $5,000 1.40m Speed Stake CSI 3* on Friday, so it was good.”

Vanderveen has been paired with “Prince” for a year and has been taking her time bringing him along. “I think he has a lot of quality, so I want to make sure I don’t rush him. He’s just nine years old this year, so last year I kind of took my time and did 1.40m classes and haven’t dabbled with too much FEI stuff, but now it feels like he’s ready to step up and be part of the team,” she explained. “He’s a bit of a character in the barn – he is like a puppy dog and wants all the attention.”

“I was a little bit torn,” Vanderveen admitted about her jump-off plan, “just because I haven’t really done so much with him, but then I saw Brian go and he had such a slick, smooth jump-off. I was like, ‘There’s only one way for this horse to learn. Let’s give it a try!’ I figured I’d try and be as slick and smooth as I could and he’s naturally fast, so it was enough.”

Vanderveen, who is headed next to Michigan and then Chicago, said she would like to start trying some of the smaller CSI 2* Grand Prix classes with Prince moving forward, continuing his gradual education.

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

Show Jumping, Tryon

Little Leaps to Another Victory in $132k Horseware Ireland Grand Prix CSI 3* at Tryon

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Marilyn Little and Clearwater. Photo Credit ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – July 7, 2018 – Marilyn Little (USA) and Clearwater maintained their winning streak for the week, this time in the $132,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix CSI 3* to highlight Tryon Summer IV competition, blazing through the short-course timers in 45.818 seconds. Fernando Cardenas Jr. (COL) and Quincy Car, the 2004 Oldenburg stallion (Galiani Car x Amour Parfait), claimed second after clearing the timers in 49.463 seconds, while Sydney Shulman (USA) and Villamoura, a 2009 Warmblood mare (Diamant de Semilly x Kasina) owned by Jill Shulman, finished third on a fast 43.939 second jump-off round with just the last rail down.

“He was really on fire in the first round,” Little said of the 2007 Holsteiner gelding (Clearway x Come On) owned by Karen O’Connor. “He was very aggressive. He had a very fast class on Thursday, and as I said, I’ve just got him really strong and really fit coming in here and he was on fire tonight. He loves showing at night and he is a great night horse. He felt the energy and was totally amped when he walked in there, so I had a lot of horse on my hands.”

Little continued, “It made it a little hard going into the jump-off, but I knew that I could just have a nice easy clear and still slip ahead because he’s such a fast horse, but if I had done that, Clearwater would’ve known something was up, so I just came to the first jump like I always do, let him find it and turn him loose, and he was like ‘Okay I got this.’ He was easier to ride through the jump-off.”

Thirty entries toured the course designed by Alan Wade (IRL), with four horse-and-rider pairs returning to fly around the short track. Little complimented Wade’s building, emphasizing his attention to detail and evaluation of the field.

“This week is a huge victory for me because I haven’t seemed to have so much luck with and I’ve really had to learn how to ride Alan Wade’s courses. They’ve always been a real learning experience and this week the courses were definitely challenging, but I loved them,” she said. “I don’t have anything bad to say about them. I think they were very technical. In this ring, the footing is fantastic, the lighting is excellent and the jumps are beautifully presented, but being square, it can become difficult if they build into the corners.

“Alan is such a ring craftsman. He knows exactly how he’s using the ring in addition to how he’s using his course,” Little continued. “His courses are always a little deceptively tricky. We watched the first few and everybody thought he under built, but you always just have to sit there and wait because the more you study them, the more it’s like ‘Oh my gosh. There’s a lot to this.’ It’s wonderful when there isn’t just one difficult spot; the rails really came for people all over the course.”

Following her win in the $35,000 1.50m Welcome Stake on Thursday, Little credited Clearwater’s technical skill for their success and said that the same talent helped them prevail. “As I said the other day, my horse is really great at the technical aspect of things and he was just on this week and fresh and ready to go. What a fun week it was with him!”

After a busy winter circuit in Florida, Little is keeping things light with Clearwater and choosing shows that suit him best. “We did a lot during Florida and I just had an unlucky winter circuit. I won a couple in the beginning and then I just decided that I needed to go home, re-group, train a little bit, let him get fresh and start over again. I think we’re just going to keep going and I’m going to show him when he feels like he’s really peaking, not just show because there’s a show I want to go to and we’ll play it by ear.”

Little, a multi-discipline athlete who is also preparing for September’s FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 as a member of the Land Rover US Eventing Team, revealed that continuing Clearwater’s jumping career is critical to her preparation. “I only have one eventing horse, so this is really how I stay sharp and all of my horses are my support team for the Eventing as well. I have to keep going with him and I need him, but I’m starting to find the balance for what’s right for him and it’s really paying off.”

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

Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, Tryon, USHJA

Curtin Claims First $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Win during Tryon Summer IV

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Julie Curtin and Cassico. Photo Credit ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – July 6, 2018 – Julie Curtin of Woodstock, GA and Cassico, owned by Rebekah Warren, jumped to victory in the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby on the Derby Field at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) during the fourth week of Tryon Summer Series competition. The duo rose to the occasion after a first round score of 184 and kept an ironclad grip on the blue rosette. Curtin piloted the gelding through the handy round earning a 196 to land on a final score of 380. Second place honors were awarded to Dorothy Douglas of West Bridgwater, M, riding MTM Farm’s MTM One Time to a collective score of 373.5. Tracy Fenney of Flower Mound, TX and MTM Outbid rounded out the top three, placing a second MTM Farm entry into the top three with a final score of 370.

The win was a memorable one for Curtin, as it was her first time atop the leaderboard in an USHJA International Hunter Derby, as well as her mount’s first year competing in major derbies of this size. “It feels awesome,” Curtin commented. “He handled everything great. He’s by nature a very good-brained horse and he handles everything really well.”

Despite only being seven years old this year, Curtin has big plans for the Holsteiner gelding, whose even temperament has landed him the reputation of being a ham back at the barn. “He’s going to Derby Finals this year,” she explained. “He’s young, but it doesn’t make me nervous because I’m so confident with him. He just gives you the best feeling in the world. I did the high performance with him this week and he was champion, so I’m starting to prep him for all of that.”

The pair navigated the Andy Christiansen designed course with ease, besting the field of 23 other horse-and-rider combinations in the process. “We were all worried that with the grass and the rain it was going to be too slick,” stated Curtin, “but the footing is so nice and they’ve done such a good job with the field that it was great out there.”

The gelding, sired by fellow competitor Callie Seaman’s veteran Derby horse, Carrico, was originally purchased to be an adult amateur ride for his owner. After a quick assessment of his talents, it was clear to Curtin that he also deserved a chance to prove himself on the Derby field. She noted, “His owner does him in the amateurs, so he was bought to be an amateur horse, but he’s just so great at the derbies. That’s just his calling.”

Curtin continued, “Last year it was hard because we did the Pre-Greens with him because he was a baby, but the jumps were just so easy for him. It was hard keeping his attention because the jumps were so little and we were thinking about how we couldn’t wait to step him up. Last year we did a National Derby out on the grass and it was like he was made for this. He loves it.”

Earlier in the afternoon, the $5,000 Tryon Resort 1.40m Power & Speed CSI 3* welcomed another first-place finish for Jack Hardin Towell (USA) and Vlock Show Stables LLC’s 2008 Oldenburg Sandetto (Sandro Boy x Chellano Z), after piloting the stallion around the Alan Wade (IRL) designed course in 62.9 seconds. Second place went to Daniel Bedoya (BOL) and the 2008 Holsteiner mare (Casall x Romino) Abracadabra WKT, owned by Monica Hanks, after the two rode to a time of 65.76 seconds. Sydney Shulman (USA) claimed third in 67.42 seconds aboard Jill Shulman’s 2007 Belgian Warmblood mare Hilgarie (Calvaro x Kashmir van Schuttershof).

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

Show Jumping, Tryon

Little and Clearwater Conquer $35,000 1.50m Welcome Stake CSI 3* at TIEC

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Marilyn Little and Clearwater. Photo Credit ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – July 5, 2018 – Marilyn Little (USA) and Clearwater scooped up a win in the $35,000 1.50m Welcome Stake CSI 3* to officially open FEI Tryon Summer IV competition at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), sweeping through the short-course timers in 31.617 seconds. Aaron Vale (USA) and Major, a 2007 Danish Warmblood gelding (Carmargue x A’khan Z), claimed second place after clearing the jump-off in 32.701 seconds, while Samuel Parot (CHI) and Thriller P, a 2004 Swedish Warmblood stallion (Cardento x Lucky Light) finished third on a fast, four-fault round of 31.416 seconds.

A total of 39 entries contested the first-round track set by Alan Wade (IRL), with seven pairs welcomed back for the short test. After watching both Parot and Vale’s performances, Little and the 2007 Holsteiner gelding (Clearway x Come On) put in a quick and clean round that could not be beat.

“It’s always exciting to ride one of Alan’s courses,” said Little of the competitive class. “He does an incredible job and they’re always extremely technical and challenging. I think he usually evaluates the field that he has very well. Today’s was a well-planned course and there were not too many clear. It’s a step up for the 3* week, which was nice and it was a lot of fun.”

Little further elaborated about the course’s technical nature, which plays to Clearwater’s strengths. “There was a center line that was quite difficult – [Wade] included three doubles today and he does that somewhat regularly. It really allows the course to be even more technical. The doubles really caught a lot of people out, but my horse is very technically able. He’s really easy to ride and when I see those kinds of lines in a course, it’s definitely to his advantage,” she explained. “He’s a very quick horse in the jump-off.”

“I knew that with that group of people, whether some had rails or not, I’d have to put in a personal best to win,” Little described, noting the day’s stiff competition. “Clearwater is very fast, and he was really excited to be here, too, since it’s his first week here this summer. He’s had a lot of good rounds in this ring, so we’re looking forward to Saturday’s [Grand Prix].”

Little has been keeping things light with Clearwater in the Jumping discipline while she focuses on preparing her FEI World Equestrian Games™ (WEG) mount, RF Scandalous, after the duo was recently being named to the Land Rover USA Eventing Team Short List for the event.

“I was last here for The Fork. But recently, I took Clearwater to Upperville in June and then to a small national show to give him an easy round. He won that and so we haven’t been doing a ton, but I’m just trying to choose well-planned, well-timed shows and not push it leading up to September.”

In addition to preparing and maintaining her horses, Little is also still mindful of an older, but serious foot injury and has recently completed a six-month stint in a boot, she added. “It’s pretty good. I expected by now to have had surgery. I did spend six months in the boot, which had I known I was going to be in it for that long I would have tried something different, but in the end, it really let it heal. I won’t say it feels normal now, but it’s certainly manageable and I don’t notice it when I’m riding.”

Earlier in the week, the $5,000 1.40m Power & Speed Stake CSI 3* congratulated Javier Fernandez (MEX) and End Good All Good, a 2009 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Mr. Blue x Caretino) for their victory, stopping the short-course timers in 29.316 seconds to best the field of 32.

Kristen Vanderveen (USA) and Bull Run’s Almighty, a 2008 Hanoverian gelding (Caspar x Quidam De Revel) slid into second place after their 29.569-second jump-off performance, while third place honors went to Mattias Tromp (USA) and the 2009 Dutch Warmblood mare (Harley VDL x Orthos), Eyecatcher, after they completed the short-course in 30.964 seconds.

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