Emanuel Andrade and Bon Jovi. Photo Creditit ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – July 16, 2017 – Emanuel Andrade (VEN) and Bon Jovi found success on the Grass Complex at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), overcoming a challenging short course in 38.465 seconds for the win. The pair finished ahead of Aaron Vale (USA) and Stakko, who took second place with 40.145 seconds, and Amanda Derbyshire (GBR) with Sibell BH in third with a four-fault jump-off time of 37.404 seconds.

The track, set by Martin Otto (GER), tested 34 entries on the Grass Complex at TIEC, and Andrade commented that while he likes riding on grass and footing equally, riding on the grass is a nice change. “The grass always rides differently. It didn’t look huge, but it was hard, because a lot of people were having rails [down] and there were only five clear. It wasn’t easy at all,” he said.

Bon Jovi, a 2006 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Verdi x Corland) owned by Andrade, is a talented mount who was able to go clear around the short course and shave more than a second from his nearest competitor’s time.

“My horse is naturally quick and I think it was our day. I showed him last night and this morning I tried to change a couple things and it went great actually. I’m very happy with the results. Everything went correctly and we won,” explained Andrade.

He elaborated, “Sometimes you need luck. Bon Jovi is a winner. He always tries really hard and I really like him. I feel lucky to have a horse like that.”

Andrade and his horses will stay at TIEC for a while longer to contest a few more shows before heading to New York to close out his year at HITS Saugerties. With the win coming at the end of the competition, Andrade noted that the $35,000 1.45m Tryon Challenge CSI 2* was a great way to end the week.

“I’m very happy about it. It wasn’t a great weekend [for me], but I closed the week with a nicer result and I couldn’t have asked for a better day.”

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