Roxie Trunnell and Dolton ©Lindsay McCall, USPEA.

Mill Spring, NC – June 20, 2021 – The final day of Perrigo Tryon Summer Dressage CPEDI 3* competition hosted Freestyle tests in Tryon Stadium, capping three days of international competition and the final U.S. Olympic Observation Event before the naming of the Adequan® U.S. Para Dressage Olympic Team. Most notably, Roxanne “Roxie” Trunnell produced a second consecutive personal best and new world record for Para Dressage, bringing home a score of 89.522%.

Trunnell and Dolton, the 2012 Hanoverian gelding (Danone x Lady x Londonderry) owned by Karin Flint and Flintwoode Farms LLC, had just shattered their own previously held world record score of 83.334% with an 84.702% in Saturday night’s team test for Grade I, but blew the competition – and the Ground Jury – away with her Freestyle performance Sunday morning. Scoring 89.522%, Trunnell and Dolton claimed the weekend’s championship title as well as the world record score. Syd Collier and All In One, the 2009 Hanoverian gelding (Abanos x Dauphina x Dauphin) owned by Going for Gold LLC and Katie Robicheaux, gave strong performances of their own, scoring 74.145% to claim second in Freestyle competition. In third, Deborah Stanitski and her own Skovlunds de Nice, the 2006 Danish Warmblood mare (De Noir 3 x Miss Kiki x Diamond), collected a score of 65.845%.

“He kept getting better and better every day!” Trunnell recapped. “It feels really good [to have earned two world records in a row]. His [Dolton’s] mom is really happy with him!” Coming into Tryon Stadium Sunday morning with a personal best in her pocket, Trunnell shared that she prepared by “just keeping it calm, and hanging out with [my dog] Yoda in my tack room. We’ve been working really hard on his Freestyle. I felt pretty good about it!”

Chef d’Équipe Michel Assouline was overcome by the performances produced by the Adequan® U.S. Para Dressage Team, and shed tears after Trunnell’s stunning performance in the rain in Tryon Stadium.

“I think we have a horse-and-rider combination that is taking us to a different timeline… a Twilight Zone is the phrase [I keep coming to]! She’s leading the team into other dimensions where we haven’t been before! And the world is watching us. It’s an absolutely wonderful feeling,” he emphasized. “She beat the London 2012 record now, which is absolutely fabulous.”

Assouline is thrilled with the team as a whole, noting that each rider’s plans to build their performances throughout the weekend were executed smoothly and to good results. “I’m very pleased [with the team]. They all wanted to start very conservatively so as to not start with any hiccups or failures, and we are trying to increase everything [carefully] and not peak too early. Our goal was to do that, and the mission was accomplished.”

Kate Shoemaker and Solitaer 40 improved all weekend in Grade IV competition, producing a 77.375% in their Freestyle performance to earn Reserve Champion in Perrigo CPEDI 3* competition. Shoemaker and the 2007 Hanoverian stallion (Sandro Hit x Dynastie x De Niro) owned by Kate, Craig, and Deena Shoemaker rode a brand new Freestyle test, and she was thrilled to hit all her markers in her first outing: “I feel so, so proud of my horse. We were riding a brand new Freestyle with brand new music. It was our first time going through it and we hit our markers. That comes down to Sully being so rideable for me today, and the music also just felt so good. It made it easy to ride to, and I loved it!”

Though waiting for the Olympic Team to be announced is now what feels like an eternity away, Shoemaker is proud of her weekend’s performances and grateful for the support of the entire Para Dressage community, she emphasized.

“There were a lot of people and a lot of work that went into getting here this weekend. It may look like one partnership in the arena, but of course, we all know there are trainers, grooms, and countless people that are behind us,” she continued. “I’m just so appreciative, especially to Perrigo, Adequan, and Tryon who made this show possible. We have to wait for the team to be announced, because of course, the selectors need to make the best decision for the team going forward into Tokyo. We really hope that we’re what they’re looking for, so that we have the opportunity to show what we can do in the Paralympics.”

Rebecca Hart (USA) collected her third win of the week in Grade III competition, topping the day aboard El Corona Texel, the 2009 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Wynton x Urieta Texel x Goodtimes) owned by Rowan O’Riley, on a score of 76.934%. In second, Charlotte Merle-Smith (USA) and her own Guata, the 2011 Dutch Warmblood mare (Vivaldi x Zuata x Haarlem), earned a 72.311%, while Ignacio Trevino Fuerte (MEX) rode to third place and a score of 62.822% with Delegada X, the 2002 PRE mare (Airoso XXVI x Lusitana x Farruco XIII) owned by Beatrice De Lavalette.

Continuing her fortunate weekend, Hart rode her mount, El Corona Texel, to a new Freestyle test choreographed by Marlene Whittaker. Despite it being the debut of this new test, she and her mount performed to a top score. “We actually hit all of our marks the way I wanted to, so that was nice!” Hart exclaimed.

Fortune 500, Hart’s second mount throughout this weekend’s competition, did not compete in the Freestyle portion of competition. Hart wanted to show El Corona Texel not only because he is a more familiar mount, but because “he’s just so much fun,” she said, elated. She was ecstatic to be able to carry their energy from the warmup ring, through the tunnel, and into the arena. “That was a really nice feeling to have him with me in the ring and have him listen. When I challenged him a little bit, he rose to the occasion.”

Hart emphasized her gratitude for the officials, volunteers, and staff who are assisting with the weekend’s competition. “It’s so special to have a venue that can kind of replicate the situations we will have in Tokyo and all the people that are doing long days in the rain and the heat make this so special.” After a successful weekend, she will be awaiting U.S. team decisions in hopes of competing in Tokyo.

Local athlete from Spartanburg, SC, Emma Jameson (USA), made her debut in Grade III under the lights in Tryon Stadium Friday night in CPEDI 1* competition with Cortesana LA, the 2007 PRE mare (Kabileno XV x Insolencia x Insolente) owned by Misha Marshall. The duo earned a personal best score of 61.071% in their first ride under the lights.

“It was absolutely incredible!” Jameson reported of her experience riding the Para Novice Test B Grade III CPEDI 1*. “Cortesana LA was absolutely amazing. I couldn’t ask for a better dance partner than her. I had never shown under the lights, so it was a new experience for me and I can’t wait to do it again. It was incredible.”

Having previously competed at the Grade IV level, Jameson is exploring her relationship with “Tessie” in a new way, she revealed. “We’re really working on our partnership, especially in Grade III because I just got reclassified a few days ago at Grade III. We’re looking at those tests and trying to figure out how to incorporate those movements and make sure that my right leg can support those movements as well.”

Next on Jameson’s competition bucket list is to move up to the CPEDI 3* level, before one day being named to the U.S. Paralympic Team, she shared. “This week has been a dream come true. I love coming here and watching people like Roxanne Trunnell, Becca Hart, and Kate Shoemaker, because I’ve watched them since the World Equestrian Games in 2018. Watching them and what they can do is what made me really fall in love with Dressage and Para Dressage. It made me realize that I could do that too, now. It’s an amazing feeling to have. Moving forward, our plans are to move up to the CPEDI 3*. One day, I hope to be named to that Paralympic Team!”

Jameson concluded that she had many people in the Carolinas region to thank, including the therapeutic riding programs that have kept her in the saddle since she was just two years old. “I want to give a huge thank you to not only Ashley Parsons, my trainer, and Misha Marshall, Cortesana LA’s owner, but to HALTER, which is a therapeutic riding program in Spartanburg, South Carolina,” she concluded. “I got started there when I was two years old. I want to thank TROT, another therapeutic riding program in North Carolina, that took me on as well and helped me advance to this level. It’s been a huge experience. I don’t think when we got started with therapeutic riding that we ever imagined it would lead to riding on an international stage. It’s been an absolute dream come true!”

Grade V saw Cynthia Screnci (USA) and Sir Chipoli, the 2007 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Sir Donnerhall x Vivaluciene TKS x Carabas) co-owned by Chris Von Martels and Select Equine International, earn another win, scoring 73.242% in their Freestyle test. Cayla Van Der Walt (RSA) claimed reserve with Daturo II, the the 2006 Andalusian gelding (Mirlito XI x Datura x Pestillo) owned in partnership with Christine Heathman.

Grade II resulted in another win for Beatrice De Lavalette (USA), who received a score of 73.845% with Clarc, the 2007 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Dreamcatcher x Miss Sinclair) owned by Elizabeth and Nicolas De Lavalette. Laurietta Oakleaf (USA) and Comte du Baccara C, the 2007 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Johnson TN x Baccara x H Ulrich) owned by Laurietta Oakleaf and Tammi Nowicki, combined for a score of 66.278% and second place.

For more info and results, visit www.Tryon.com.

Roxanne Trunnell and Dolton ©Lindsay McCall, USPEA.

Mill Spring, NC – June 18, 2021 – Para Dressage was front and center in Tryon Stadium Friday night at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort as part of Perrigo Tryon Summer Dressage 1&2 CPEDI 3* competition and the final U.S. Olympic Observation Event before Tokyo. Individual Tests were performed Friday evening starting at 8:15pm, with Team Tests taking place Saturday evening and Freestyle performances closing out the weekend Sunday, June 20, starting at 10:00am.

Grade I Competition kicked off with a win for Adequan® U.S. Para Dressage Team member Roxanne Trunnell (USA) and Dolton, 2012 Hanoverian gelding (Danone I x Lady x Londonderry) owned by Karin Flint and Flintewood Farms LLC, after the duo collected a total score of 82.500%. In second place, with a score of 70.059%, was Sydney Collier (USA) and All In One, the 2009 Hanoverian gelding (Abanos x Dauphina x Dauphin) owned by Going for Gold LLC and Katie Robicheaux. Deborah Stanitski (USA) and Skovlunds de Nice, her own 2006 Danish Warmblood mare (De Noir 3 x Miss Kiki x Diamond), received third place with a score of 67.143%.

Trunnell and Dolton have shined in the TIEC competition rings before, but competing under the lights at TIEC provided a new layer of atmosphere to the venue and some cooler temps than typically felt in Florida, she shared. “It was [such a good test!] He was a good boy,” Trunnell recapped. “He felt really relaxed, but forward, too.

“I’ve competed [under the lights] in Wellington, and it’s a lot colder out this time!” The weekend that is also serving as a final observation event for the U.S. Olympic Team selection trials is giving high performance athletes and their horses a practice outing, and Trunnell concluded that she hopes to continue her momentum from her win at TIEC into future rides both in North Carolina and beyond. “Hopefully, [the plan is] keeping the good scores going, and making it to Tokyo!”

Rebecca Hart (USA) piloted two mounts through Grade III competition, earning first place aboard Fortune 500 on a score of 72.500% and claiming second place with El Corona Texel, a 2009 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Wynton x Urieta Texel x Goodtimes) owned by Rowan O’Riley, after their performance, which earned them a score of 70.245%. Third place honors were presented to Charlotte Merle-Smith aboard her own Guata, a 2011 Dutch Warmblood mare (Vivaldi x Zuata x Haarlem); the pair received a score of 69.461%. Ignacio Trevino Fuerte and Delegada X, the 2002 mare (Airoso XXVI x Lusitana x Farruco XIII) owned by Beatrice De Lavalette, claimed fourth place with a score of 60.441%.

Hart and the 2010 Oldenburg Gelding (Fidertanz 2 x Weinrose x Don Romantic) owned by Rowan O’Riley have only danced together under the lights twice now, but her “happy soul” of a young horse took to the atmosphere with ease, Hart recalled. “He is just such a cool horse. He’s really starting to come into his own, which is nice, and he’s just a fun, happy soul. He’s such a pleasure to ride and show because he’s just a happy dude!”

After piloting two horses around the Grade III tests, Hart reflected that she’s grateful that she’s been focusing on fitness lately: “You know, I think it’s amazing that we’re doing this at night to, sort of, simulate Tokyo, [but] I’m really glad I’ve been working on my fitness because these are long days, and with two [horses], it kind of doubles!” Hart went first and last in the Grade III competition, without a spare minute between rides. “But,” Hart emphasized, “it’s an absolute privilege to have two horses at an event like this, so I cannot ask for more than that.”

Para Dressage has been featured at TIEC numerous times throughout the years, but Tryon Summer 1&2 is markedly scheduled to showcase all CPEDI competition at evening hours to simulate conditions that will be expected in Tokyo. After her first tour of Tryon Stadium under the lights, Hart was thrilled with the results she achieved. “I love showing under the lights. Para is really starting to come into its own as an international discipline, so I think any time that we can highlight it and bring it to an event like this, in a venue like this, under the lights and now that we’re able to bring back some spectators, it’s great for growing the sport of Para Dressage.”

Going forward throughout the weekend, Hart will work on achieving increased energy in the ring while maintaining El Corona Texel’s relaxation, but is excited to give “Moolah” more miles under the lights Saturday night. “That was a really good test for him and this is his second time under the lights, so to have him come out and really want to play is a really special feeling,” she concluded. “Huge thank you to all the volunteers and sponsors that are putting on this event and staying into the late hours for us. We couldn’t do it without them, so huge thank you to everyone that’s putting on this event!”

Kate Shoemaker, D.V.M. and Solitaer 40, the 2007 Hanoverian stallion (Sandro Hit x Dynastie x De Niro) owned by Kate, Craig, and Deena Shoemaker, were the solo competitors in Grade IV individual competition, producing a score of 73.049%.

One of the last rides in Tryon Stadium for the night, Shoemaker raved about the evening’s atmosphere. “It’s so amazing in this venue under the lights,” she shared. “I don’t know what it is, but just the way the lights bounce off all the different wood, and the rocks, and the colors, it just makes this amazing atmosphere. The horses are loving it!”

She’s starting to see her homework pay off with “Sully” in the sandbox, she detailed. “We’ve really been working on bringing a lot more power and cadence into our riding. Everything is always behind, [between] what you’re getting at home, and what you’re getting in the arena, and it’s just so exciting right now because I’m starting to get that work in the arena. I think it showed today!”

The only thing Shoemaker will tweak going forward is her warmup routine, she revealed. “We’re trying to figure out what the ideal amount of warm-up time is, just to make sure he’s as ‘through’ as possible. I think today was a little bit short, so tomorrow we’ll do just a touch more and see if we can get a bit more. I’m just so happy to be here, and that Perrigo is sponsoring, [and for] everyone here at Tryon, the USEF staff, and everybody’s personal support staff. It’s amazing what goes into putting this on, and I’m super thankful,” Shoemaker concluded.

For more info and results, visit www.Tryon.com.