Category Archives: Tryon

*Featured/Spotlights, Show Jumping, Tryon

Kent Farrington and Orafina Are Two for Two at TIEC

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Kent Farrington and Orafina ©Shannon Brinkman.

Mill Spring, NC – June 6, 2021 – Kent Farrington (Wellington, FL) and Orafina dominated the $25,000 Tryon Resort Sunday Classic at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (TIEC) to close out Tryon Spring 5 competition, stopping the jump-off timers in 34.862 for the win. In reserve, Aaron Vale (Williston, FL) and Major, the 2007 Danish Warmblood (Carmargue x Pinot) owned by Don Stewart, sped through the short course to claim second place after their 36.131-second jump-off performance. Conor Swail (Wellington, FL) and Koss Van Heiste earned third place after stopping the timers in 36.323 on behalf of Eadaoin Aine Ni Choileain PC with the 2010 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Breemeersen Adorado x Hadise Van Heiste).

The Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) track saw 27 entries take on the first round of competition, with nine pairs returning for the jump-off test. Kent Farrington and the 2012 Dutch Warmblood mare (For Fashion x Corofina) also topped the $37,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3* on Thursday, making them two-for-two on the week.

“The week went pretty well,” Farrington recapped after producing a comfortably fast round to take the win and shut out any subsequent challengers. “I brought a bunch of young horses here, and this is one that’s still developing, even though she’s won some international classes already.”

Farrington chose to travel from Europe to TIEC for one week of competition with his younger mounts, and will jet back to Europe and reunite with his top mounts next week. For horses like Orafina, Farrington chose to compete at Tryon Spring 5 to continue her education at a lower level. “She’s only nine, and she wasn’t saddle broken until she was six. She’s unbelievably careful, and she just needs rounds and experiences to grow her confidence. I’m really happy with her for the week.”

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

Competitions, Show Jumping, Tryon

Kent Farrington and Orafina Win $37k Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3*

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Kent Farrington and Orafina ©Shannon Brinkman.

Mill Spring, NC – June 3, 2021 – Kent Farrington (USA) and Orafina scored a win in the $37,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3* at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (TIEC) at the start of Tryon Spring 5 competition, stopping the jump-off timers at 36.926 for the win. In reserve, Lillie Keenan (USA) and Fasther, the 2010 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Vigo D Arsouilles STX x Farmer) owned by Chansonette Farm LLC, cleared the short course in 37.994 seconds, while Erynn Ballard (CAN) and Gakhir, the 2011 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Spartacus x Indorado) owned in partnership by Esperanza Imports, LLC and Ilan Ferder, scored the yellow rosette with a time of 38.888 over the jump-off track set by Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA).

After 59 entries challenged the first round of the competition, seven pairs were invited to test the jump-off track. Farrington and his own 2012 Dutch Warmblood mare (For Fashion x Canturo) have been partnered for less than a year, and have been starting small, he reported: “We started very small, and she’d only shown up to 1.35m. She’s come on strong in the last eight or nine months, and she has a lot of potential,” he said. “She’s unbelievably careful, so we’ll have to determine how big she wants to jump, but whatever level she does I think she’s going to be very competitive.”

With several smooth rounds produced in the jump-off contest, Farrington chose to ride the course in a way that would help her grow as an athlete, he shared about his jump-off strategy. “She has a very big stride, and I’ve been working on her turns and her rollbacks. I thought she did that very well today. It’s been a struggle for her in the past to rollback right, [quickly] to a vertical, which was jumps two to three in this jump-off. She’s coming on strong, so I’m very happy with her progress.”

Erynn Ballard and Bettina des Celtes Keep the Streak Going with $37,000 Power & Speed Stake CSI 3* Win

Erynn Ballard (CAN) and Bettina des Celtes dominated Wednesday’s $37,000 Power & Speed Stake CSI 3* at TIEC, navigating the speed phase of the Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) course design in a time of 24.373 seconds. In reserve, Ashlee Bond (ISR) and Boheme de Fleyres, the 2011 Selle Francais mare (Vargas de STE Hermelle x Easy Boy) she owns in partnership with Little Valley Farms, cleared the course in 25.879 seconds, while third place went to Rowan Willis (AUS) and Wellington Grey Goose, his own 2011 British-bred mare, after their 25.893-second performance over the speed test.

Ballard and the 2011 Selle Francais mare (New Boy de Logerie x Cumano) owned by Ilan Ferder were one of 36 entries to challenge the power component of the course, with 22 pairs continuing on to the speed phase. Ballard, who now has six wins under her belt and one podium finish in her last seven outings at TIEC, was able to watch most of the class and noticed that the course offered minimal opportunities to trim the number of strides between fences, but that by taking a longer route in one turn, she could set herself up to be tighter to the liverpool.

“Today was a really interesting class,” she recapped. “I actually got to sit and watch a lot. There wasn’t a huge opportunity to do more or fewer strides than everybody else. It stayed very close. The first jump in the speed portion was the green vertical at the end of the combination and everybody was going inside [to the liverpool] afterwards. I really felt that the inside turn put you on the outside [track] to get back to the liverpool.

“They were doing seven or eight [strides] and I said to Ilan [Ferder], ‘I really believe I can still do eight to the end jump, but get there in a better way, and I can be much faster to the liverpool.’ So I did seven to the Liverpool.” Ballard revealed that her later position in the order of go was helpful in securing the win, as well. “I was lucky enough that I went late, so nobody really picked up on that. Today I think it was a class that the strides really played a big role, because it was so close. To be able to leave out a stride like that to that particular jump, I think gave me an edge.”

Matt Williams and FR Yandoo Pennsylvania Win $2,000 Power & Speed Stake CSI 3*

Matt Williams (AUS) competed in the irons with FR Yandoo Pennsylvania, his own 2012 Australian-bred mare owned in partnership with Brigio Williams, winning the $2,000 Power & Speed Stake CSI 3* with a speed phase time of 29.744 seconds. In reserve, Daniel Pedraza (MEX) and Santa Rosa Yalta, the 2012 Mexican Sport Horse mare owned by Proyectos Agricolas sa de CV, stopped the timers in 30.648 seconds, while Rachel Lindsey (USA) claimed third on a speed phase time of 32.28 with Comander 16, her own 2011 Oldenburg gelding (Coup de Coeur x Lupicor). Thirty entries navigated the power phase of the track set by Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) with 17 horse-and-rider pairs continuing on to the speed phase of the course.

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

Competitions, Show Jumping, Tryon

Erynn Ballard Is Two-for-Two at Tryon Spring 4

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Erynn Ballard and Classic Penny ©Reagan Ibach, TIEC.

Mill Spring, NC – May 27, 2021 – Erynn Ballard (CAN) went two-for-two to open the first week of international jumping competition at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (TIEC), claiming the $37,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake win with Classic Penny in a competitive 30.238-second jump-off round after Wednesday’s $6,000 Power and Speed Stake CSI 2* win. Ashlee Bond (ISR) and the 2011 Belgian Warmblood mare (Hickstead II x Cruising) owned by Hila Moverman and Stephex Stables, Lazy, were anything but, scoring reserve with a time of 31.914 seconds. Lillie Keenan (USA) and Agana van het Gerendal Z, the Chansonette Farm LLC entry and 2011 Zangersheide stallion (Aganix du Seigneur x Topas), claimed third place after clearing the short course in a time of 34.653 seconds.

The Nick Granat (USA) course design welcomed 59 entries in the first round, with ten pairs qualifying for the jump-off round. Ballard and the 2012 Norwegian Warmblood mare owned by Ilan Ferder took a crack at Ashlee Bond’s leading time and caught them on the last line of the track, Ballard assessed.

“Following Ashlee is not so easy, and the only place where I felt like she gave me a window of opportunity was the last line. She cut into the vertical, and ended up being wide and did eight [up the last line]. I really had no choice – I had to get there in seven [strides]. Even from the beginning, Penny was quite handy – it was just one of those days where everything went the way it was supposed to go.”

Erynn Ballard and Really Electra Xango Win Their First Class Together for $6,000 Power & Speed Stake CSI 2*

Erynn Ballard (CAN) competed in the irons with Really Electra Xango for the first time on Wednesday to kick off Tryon Spring 4, winning the $6,000 Power & Speed Stake CSI 2* with a speed phase time of 22.783 seconds. In reserve, David O’Brien (IRL) and El Balou OLD, the 2012 Oldenburg stallion (Eldorado VD Zeshoek x Balou du Rouet) owned by Chansonette Farm LLC, stopped the timers in 23.368 seconds, while Michael Murphy (USA) claimed third on a speed phase time of 23.75 with Comedie de Talma, the 2012 Selle Francais mare (Kannan x Contender) owned by Esperanza Imports, LLC.

Forty-eight entries navigated the power phase of the track set by Nick Granat (USA), with 22 horse-and-rider pairs continuing on to the speed phase of the course. Ballard is newly paired with the 2012 Brazilian Sport Horse mare (Indoctro x Lucky Electra Xango) owned by Ilan Ferder, and revealed that their winning ride in Tryon Stadium was actually their first competition together.

“That was my first class with her! I love her,” Ballard elaborated. “She goes the way that I like to ride, and I really believe in her. She really went out there today from start to finish.”

While Ballard acknowledged that many riders were using the Power & Speed Stake as a training opportunity, she wanted to go for the win with “Electra,” choosing to take a more conservative approach with some of her other horses. “There were a lot of people who were training in that class. When we walked the course, we made a plan for the horses that we were training. I said, ‘Electra, we’re going for the win,’ and she went for the win.”

The course not only suited her horse, Ballard reported, but she thought that it was a great way to kick off the first day of FEI competition at TIEC, initiating the first week of international jumping competition of the season.

“I liked the course. It was a very fair start for a two-star. Sometimes, the lines are blurred between two, three, four, and five, so I think that it was a really nice introduction to the two-star.” Ballard concluded, “A lot of these horses haven’t had a lot of exposure [to different environments], as they’ve been in Wellington for most of the winter, so it’s a positive start for the horses at this level, and we hope to have a good rest of the week.”

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

Competitions, Show Jumping, Tryon

Winning Is in the Cards for Tomas Yofre and Cardora in $25k Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake

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Tomas Yofre and Cardora ©TIEC.

May 20, 2021 – The only pair to go double-clear after two rounds of competition in the $25,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake, Tomas Yofre (Lexington, KY) and Cardora produced a winning time of 39.064. Christina Webb (Raleigh, NC) and FVF Sailor Man, the Fox View Farm entry and 2006 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Popeye K x Baby Grande), dropped one rail and finished the course in a time of 38.279 for reserve, while third place went to Ramiro Quintana (Wellington, FL) and Castana LS La Silla, the 2009 La Silla mare (Quintero x Ratina Z), after their four-fault, 41.777-second run.

The Catsy Cruz (MEX) designed course challenged 34 entries in the first round, with only four duos returning for the jump-off round. While Yofre and the 2010 Holsteiner mare (Caretino x Tamara V) owned by Stellium Sport Horses LLC have only been paired together for a few months, they are already clicking as a team, he shared.

“She is amazing. I’ve had her for four months, and she’s done very well, so I’m happy.” The trailblazers for both the first and second rounds of competition, Yofre reported that his plan was to focus on the technical difficulty of the track while keeping the time in mind. “I was the first to go in, and it was technically difficult. I had a plan, and I just stuck to the plan and it worked out. The times were very close.”

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

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Tryon, USHJA

Tori Colvin and Ipso Facto Finesse the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at TIEC

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Tori Colvin and Ipso Facto ©Mackenzie Clark.

Mill Spring, NC – May 21, 2021 – Victoria Colvin (USA) and Glade Run Farm LLC’s Ipso Facto scored a two-round total of 391 to claim the win in Friday’s $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, concluding a double derby day at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (TIEC), which also featured a $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby. Claiming reserve honors in the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, Greg Crolick (USA) and Testify, the 2014 Hanoverian gelding (Cassini II x Valencia T) owned by Jon Cotton, earned a two-round score of 387. Crolick also earned fifth aboard Kuore, the 2012 Polish Warmblood gelding owned by Renaud Farm, LLC, on a total of 364. In collecting both third and fourth place, Michael Britt-Leon (USA) received a total score of 371.5 aboard Kelly Sims’ Private I, the 2012 Oldenburg gelding (Corrado x Verdi). Britt-Leon guided Kelly Sims’ entry Bacchus to fourth on a score of 370.75 with the 2013 Hanoverian gelding (Bisquet Balou x Feliz V/D Donkhoeve).

The course set by Andres Christiansen (USA) challenged 23 entries in the first round, with the cutoff to challenge the handy round set at 159. When the top 12 riders had concluded their second performance, it was Colvin who topped Crolick’s first-round lead for the win. As it was only the second international derby for the 2013 NRPS gelding (Douglas x Emmasinaa-a), Colvin was proud of her mount’s performance and thankful that the first round track “wasn’t too difficult or scary” for him.

“The first round rode nicely. It was a nice course, and it wasn’t too difficult or scary, which was nice for him. This is only his second derby,” she revealed. “He was [recently] champion in the Low Children’s at Aiken, with a 12-year-old. So, yeah, he went very well! I did one international derby with him, and this is my second. He’s very good at it!”

After watching the second round unfold, Colvin saw that tight turns were the name of the game if she wanted a competitive score. “Everyone went pretty handy [in the second round] and almost all of them had good scores, so I thought that I had to do all of the inside turns and hope he knew where I was going,” she detailed.

“There were lots of inside turns, but he was great. The tightest one was to the last jump – that oxer came up really quickly!” Colvin concluded, “He went fantastic, and I’m thankful to have the ride on him.”

Greg Crolick and Calisto Claim $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby

Greg Crolick (Clarkston, MI) and Jon Cotton’s Calisto conquered a field of 40 entries to earn the win in Friday morning’s $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby at TIEC, scoring 184 over two rounds with the 2012 Selle Francais gelding (Arko x Kambera Vilelongue). Matt Cyphert (Argyle, TX) and Katie McDonnell’s Crimson Tide, the 2008 Hanoverian gelding (Lordanos x Elfe), claimed reserve on a score of 181. In third, Jimmy Torano (Wellington, FL) and Moonlight, the Isalou, Inc. entry and 2012 Hanoverian gelding (Conthargos x Chacco Bella), added 87.5 to their first-round score to collect third and a total score of 180.5.

Crolick and Calisto have been partnered for a year and a half, he reported, and “held their own” in the first round over the Andy Christiansen track despite a tiny bobble. “He rode really smoothly in the first round. He did everything I asked him to do. He had a light rub in the first round, unfortunately, but still held his own in the score.”

Though he was hoping to navigate the handy round without executing an inside turn after the second jump, “a couple of other people did it, so that put the pressure on and I had to do it,” Crolick explained. “It worked out really well. He’s a wonderful and kind horse, and he does everything we ask him to do.”

When not dominating USHJA National Hunter Derbies, Calisto is ridden by Katherine Cotton, Crolick concluded. “Calisto is owned by Jon Cotton and his daughter, Katherine. He’s a wonderful horse. He’s a great horse for her, and he’s become a wonderful National Hunter Derby horse for me.”

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

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, Tryon

Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Prince of Peace Win $75k Tryon Resort Grand Prix

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Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Prince of Peace ©TIEC.

Mill Spring, NC – May 8, 2021 – Kristen VanderVeen (Wellington, FL) and Bull Run’s Prince of Peace announced their arrival at the Tryon Spring Series with a win in the $75,000 Tryon Resort Grand Prix at Tryon International Equestrian Center and Resort (TIEC), stopping the jump-off timers in 39.172. Sharn Wordley (Citra, FL) and Gatsby, his own 2004 Irish Sport Horse stallion (Simba x Daisy Cruise), flew to reserve on a time of 39.556, while third place went to Sydney Shulman (Greenwich, CT) and Villamoura, the 2009 Selle Francais mare (Diamant de Semilly x Kasina) owned by Jill Shulman, after their 40.531-second performance in the jump-off.

VanderVeen and the Bull Run Jumpers Six LLC-owned 2009 Holsteiner gelding (Cardenio x P-Comtesse) were one of 10 pairs to qualify for the jump-off test after 19 entries toured the first-round track set by Peter Grant (CAN). Last to go, VanderVeen reported that she knew she had to run to the last fence after seeing Wordley’s performance. It was an all-out gallop to the last fence, shaving just four-tenths of a second off Wordley’s time to win.

“It worked for us once, when we tried that, so I figured [I would] trust him and run as fast as I could to the last,” VanderVeen recapped. “I know his [Bull Run’s Prince of Peace] strength is in the long runs, and actually there were quite a few long runs here. I decided to not risk too much at the rollback turns, but really leave some strides out and push it to the last jump. I also left out a step into the combination because he’s very smart about that. I just tried to work to his strengths.”

Sydney Shulman and Villamoura Take a Tryon Detour to Win $25,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake

Sydney Shulman (Greenwich, CT) and Villamoura kicked off Tryon Spring 1 with a win in the $25,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake, speeding through the jump-off timers in 35.405 seconds. Catherine Tyree (Chicago, IL) and Bokai, the Catherine Tyree LLC-owned 2006 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Up To Date x Lucky Girl), cleared the short course in a time of 36.682 to earn reserve, while Fernando Cardenas, Jr. (New Hill, NC) and his own Calvados, the 2010 Danish Warmblood gelding (Chellys Z x Serupgards Canasta), scored third on a time of 40.082.

Shulman and the 2009 Selle Francais mare rerouted to TIEC just last week, at the urging of Cat Tyree, Shulman revealed. “Cat said, ‘I’m never telling you to come to a horse show when you’re not going!’ – I wasn’t planning to come here until about a week ago, but we decided to catch this show on our way back home.”

Besides being a convenient place to pause for two weeks on their way back north after a grueling winter circuit in Wellington at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), Shulman noted that she was looking for some confidence-boosting rides as well by competing at the national level.

“The jumps are super big at WEF and it’s so hard all the time, every weekend, so I kind of needed a little ego boost for my horses and myself,” Shulman admitted. “We wanted to take a deep breath at a new venue and jump some nice classes. I’m really happy that we came here!”

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

Competitions, Dressage, Tryon

Adrienne Lyle and Salvino Capture FEI Grand Prix CDI 4* Win at TIEC

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Adrienne Lyle and Salvino ©Sharon Packer.

Mill Spring, NC – April 23, 2021 – Adrienne Lyle (USA) and Salvino produced a score of 77.913% and claimed the FEI Grand Prix CDI 4* at Tryon International Equestrian Center and Resort (TIEC) to open Tryon Spring Dressage 1 CDI 4* competition and the 2021 Dressage season at the venue. The week also serves at the first CDI 4* competition hosted at TIEC, and is the first such competition hosted in the United States outside of Wellington, FL in the past five years. In reserve, Olivia LaGoy-Weltz (USA) and Rassing’s Lonoir, a 2004 Danish Warmblood gelding (De Noir x Lorani x Loran) owned in partnership with Mary Anne McPhail, danced to a score of 73.261% to earn second place honors, while Chris von Martels (CAN) and Eclips, the 2009 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Apache x Kebora x Olympic Ferro) owned in partnership with Barbara Soederhuizen, claimed the remaining podium spot with a third-place score of 70.522%.

Lyle, who most recently combined with the 2007 Hanoverian stallion (Sandro Hit x Dynastie x Donnerhall) owned by Juliano LLC to win both the FEI Grand Prix CDI 4* and Grand Prix Special CDI 4* this month in Wellington, continued her winning streak Friday in Tryon Stadium.

“I’m happy with him overall. He was a little bit distracted going in today. I think quite a few of them were, which is one of the reasons it’s good to change our show venue,” Lyle detailed, returning to TIEC as a competitor for the first time since the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018. “Everyone shows a lot at the same place, and the weather here is dramatically cooler than what we’ve used to by about 60 degrees, so I think the horses have been really fresh these last two days. Getting their brains back in the game took a little bit of work, but he still pulled off a clean test. He’s so reliable that way in that regardless of what is going on, he’ll be there and do what I ask of him.”

Speaking to her current winning streak at the CDI 4* level, Lyle emphasized that she is still looking ahead to Sunday’s Grand Prix Special while taking a minute to enjoy a win. “To win this is super, and we’re really thankful to get to be here, and it’s wonderful that [the show was upgraded to] a 4*. That’s great for us to have more opportunities like this here. Our sights are really set on the Special,” Lyle continued. “That’s the big test for us, so of course we’re happy to have a good test today, but we’re not sitting on that, not resting on that, and we’re looking forward to Sunday because that’s the one that really counts for us.”

After coaching last fall at TIEC, Lyle is grateful to be back in the irons as a competitor, noting how fortunate it is that competition is able to safely continue. “It’s great to be back. This is absolutely one of my favorite venues in the world to show at, and I always love being up here in these beautiful mountains. Like always, we’re so thankful to be able to be doing this right now when so much of the world is locked down, so we thank everyone who makes that possible.”

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

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, Tryon

Taylor Land and Get Go Continue Their Tryon Comeback with $25k Tryon Resort Grand Prix Win

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Taylor Land and Get Go ©TIEC.

Mill Spring, NC – April 18, 2021 – Taylor Land (Atlanta, GA) and Get Go claimed a second consecutive Tryon Resort Grand Prix win at Tryon International Equestrian Center and Resort (TIEC), stopping the short-course timers in 31.551 seconds. In reserve, Amanda Flint (Bourbonnais, IL) rode her own VDL Wittinger, the 2003 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Indoctro x Irusa), to the first double-clear round of the class with a time of 34.081 seconds. Grant Seger (Aiken, SC) claimed both third and fourth place, guiding Cantucchini, the 2011 Oldenburg gelding (Cloney x Caprera) owned by Grey Fox Crossing, to a four-fault, 31.808-second jump-off performance, and dropping two rails in the jump-off with Dr. J, Grey Fox Crossing’s 2008 Warmblood gelding (Diamant de Semilly x Galaxy), and coming home in 32.023 seconds for fourth place.

The Dean Rheinheimer (Sheridan, IN) course design challenged 18 entries in the American Standard Jumper Classic to close out the Tryon Welcome Series, with the 2021 series breaking all previous attendance records over four weeks of national Hunter, Jumper, and Equitation competition. Land and the 2012 Hanoverian gelding (Grey Top x Wantana) owned by Pinetree Farms, Inc. were second-to-last in the jump-off test, which gave them an opportunity to go “medium-fast” to take the win, Land shared.

“The jumps were a little bigger this week for a little bit more money, so it was nice we got a little warm-up last week,” Taylor relayed of her two-week streak. “I thought the course was good, with smooth, forward lines. It had enough options and questions to make it difficult. I really enjoyed it!”

Eleese Shillingford Bests Senior Crowd for $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby Win

Eleese Shillingford (Alpharetta, GA) didn’t let a competitive 33-entry field in the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby – nor her junior age – prevent her from producing the top score of the day on a two-round total of 179.5 aboard Odyssey, her own 2012 Westphalian gelding (Chin Win x Loreen). Julie Curtin (Woodstock, GA) piloted Salter Hydinger’s Anthem to reserve on a two-round score of 178 with the 2008 Hanoverian gelding (Argentinus x Unknown), while third was named to junior competitor Katelyn Coveny (Natick, MA) aboard her own MTM Fashion, the 2010 Oldenburg gelding (Fiderstanz x Lapaz II), collecting a total score of 177.

The Keith Bollotte (Hendersonville, NC) course design lent itself to Odyssey’s talents especially in the Handy round, Shillingford, the 16-year-old high school sophomore, recapped. “He’s a very good boy, but tends to get strong sometimes, so I just enjoyed it as a Derby with no pressure. Handy rounds are my favorite. I love the tight turns,” Shillingford revealed of her second-round strategy.

“My plan was to slice the first jump so that I could land right, already inside of the decorations to turn to the nine [stride line]. I rode up the nine early so that I could fade out for the trot jump, and didn’t have to pull much at the last second,” she elaborated. “We rode up nicely to the high option, and I put that on a bit of a left angle so I landed on the left lead and could turn right inside to the other high option. I faded out a little bit before the last oxer so that when I landed, I could slow down a little bit before picking up my hand gallop to the last jump.”

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

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, Tryon

Taylor Land Tops David O’Brien’s Three Double-Clears for Classic Win with Get Go

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Taylor Land and Get Go ©TIEC.

Mill Spring, NC – April 11, 2021 – It seemed like David O’Brien (Lexington, KY) had clinched a podium sweep in the $15,000 Tryon Resort Grand Prix, a 1.35m-1.40m Jumper Classic, until Taylor Land (Atlanta, GA) rode the Pinetree Farms Inc. entry, Get Go, to a 32.316-second jump-off performance to claim top honors in the highlight Jumper class of the week at Tryon International Equestrian Center and Resort (TIEC). O’Brien piloted One in a Million SCF, the 2014 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Presley Boy x Werly Chin de Muze) owned by Spy Coast Farm LLC, to reserve on a time of 34.33, while he guided Newton Ocean, the Sweet Oak Farm-owned 2011 Swedish Warmblood mare (VDL Atlantic x Nicole), to third on a clear jump-off time of 34.51. In fourth, O’Brien cleared the short course in 36.071 seconds aboard El Balou OLD, the 2012 Oldenburg gelding (Eldorado VD Zeshoek x Sunshine’s Botox) owned by Chansonette Farm LLC.

Land is revving back up after a quiet winter, which followed a months-long recovery from falling off and breaking her arm last August. Get Go, the 2012 Hanoverian gelding (Grey Top x Wantana) known as “Grumbles,” is just a few shows back into competition mode and “really stepped up to the plate” to navigate a tricky jump-off course set by Keith Bollotte (Hendersonville, NC), Land explained.

“I thought it was a pretty difficult [track]. Everything came up quickly, so you really had to be organized and know where you were going. The horse really had to be focused. There were a lot of turns and options for leave-outs in the jump-off. He listened really well and just went for it right when I asked, so I was able to not get too flat and be smooth.”

Morgan Ward and Colourful RW Claim $5,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake Win

Morgan Ward (Milford, NJ) and Colourful RW, the 2011 Holsteiner gelding (Carrico x Zypria II) owned by Morlynn Farm, raced to a win in Friday’s $5,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake in Tryon Stadium, stopping the timers in 33.614. Second place went Taylor Land (Atlanta, GA) and Get Go, dropping one rail in a time of 33.728. Allen Nabors, Jr. (Ocala, FL), piloting Bon Chatsworth Pierre, the 2011 Zangersheide gelding (Revaou de la Bergerie x Little Star Z) owned in partnership with Jessie Grabowski, scored third place on a time of 34.028 with one rail to the floor.

Ward said she appreciated the nice, flowing course set by Keith Bollotte (Hendersonville, NC), preferring to compete in Tryon Stadium when given the choice, she shared. “The courses rode really well. It was nice and flowing. My strategy in the jump-off was to go as fast and tight as I could, to challenge myself. I’m a bit of a slower rider. He’s such a good boy!”

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

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, Tryon

Tryon Welcome Series Kicks Off with Wins for Allen Nabors, Jr. and Summer Hill

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Allen Nabors, Jr. and Casanova DVE ©TIEC.

Mill Spring, NC – March 28, 2021 – The largest Tryon Welcome Series ever hosted at Tryon International Equestrian Center and Resort (TIEC) launched Thursday, March 25, featuring four weeks of Hunter, Jumper, and Equitation competition. Sunday’s $15,000 Tryon Resort Grand Prix, a 1.35m-1.40m Jumper Classic, saw the heavens open and the stars align for Allen Nabors, Jr. (Ocala, FL) aboard Casanova DVE. The pair successfully cleared the short course in a time of 41.259 seconds to take top honors, with Summer Hill (Lexington, KY) and La Belle SCF, the 2011 Belgian Warmblood mare (Diktator van de Boslandhoeve x Belle Bleu S) owned in partnership with Andrea Simpson, claiming reserve with their four-fault, 36.48-second performance. Third went to Jorge Ludwig (Newbury Park, CA) and his own mount The Graduate, a 2009 gelding of unknown breeding, also with one rail on the floor for a score of 39.94 seconds and the yellow rosette.

Despite losing a shoe on course and touring both the first and second-round tracks in the pouring rain, Casanova DVE was unphased and produced a double clear to put pressure on other competitors to follow, Nabors explained.

“As soon as I went in the ring, it started pouring rain,” Nabors shared. “It didn’t rain the whole class except for my rounds, pretty much! I thought the course was pretty straightforward, with a couple spots to question. Coming into the combination, I added one more stride than I wanted to, and got lucky.”

To learn more, visit www.Tryon.com.