Laura Kraut and Nouvelle. Photos ©Sportfot.
Taylor Alexander and Gipsy King Ride to Another Under 25 Victory
Mill Spring, NC – October 20, 2016 – Laura Kraut (USA) and Nouvelle took home their first major win at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), placing atop the $130,000 1.50m Suncast® Welcome CSI 5*. The pair completed the track in 37.749 seconds to take the well-deserved victory, while Kristen Vanderveen (USA) and Bull Run’s Testify earned second place with a time of 38.012 seconds. Lauren Hough (USA) and Ohlala collected third place, completing the track just seven-tenths of a second behind Vanderveen, crossing through the timers in 38.731 seconds.
The winning duo of Kraut and Nouvelle surpassed a jump-off of eleven combinations, while the class featured 55 entries who tested the first round track set by Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) in the George H. Morris Arena. Kraut and Nouvelle sped to victory, chipping away time at each of the inside turns available on the jump-off track.
“I jumped all three of mine who are here this week in the class, but all for different reasons. The first horse, Confu, I’m planning on jumping maybe one more class with him this week and then he’ll go to Washington next week,” said Kraut. “Nouvelle is the ride I’m targeting this week and my plan was to jump clear and then be competitive in the jump-off. She’s had a long layup with injuries so this is her comeback.”
Kraut and Nouvelle also showed last week at TIEC in the CSI 3* competition, finishing eighth in the $130,000 Suncast® Grand Prix CSI 3*, which Kraut felt was a good learning experience ahead of the duo’s anticipated success this weekend. She explained, “Last Saturday she was clear in the class, but felt like she had no energy in the second round. Today felt like a dramatic improvement.”
Quick to point out the speed of combinations featured in the jump-off round, Kraut’s plan revolved heavily around the round of Lauren Hough and Ohlala, who were one of the fastest combinations in the class.
“The only thing I could focus on was that Lauren had gone into the lead when I went into the ring. Since we show together week in and week out, I know that Ohlala is very very fast. I also knew I had to go as fast as I could and hope for the best,” she explained. “It was one of those fun days where it all works out.”
As for Nouvelle, Kraut said the 2004 Dutch Warmblood mare (Solitair x Contango) owned by Evita Group is feeling better than ever after having several medical mishaps over the course of her career.
“She feels really good. I rode her back from the prize giving and it felt like she could have jumped two more rounds. I’ll save her for Saturday night and I’m very excited to jump the big class,” elaborated Kraut.
The success of Kraut and her students has been unmatched, as strong showings in the FEI classes, as well as the Under 25 division for several clients has highlighted the week for Kraut’s team to this point.
“It was really nice to be able to come and do this show. I’m so happy for my students. For them to be able to do these classes and the Under 25 is really nice. It’s a beautiful facility and it’s just great. It’s always so nice to have another CSI 5* in America,” she concluded.
Taylor Alexander and Gipsy King Ride to Another Under 25 Victory at TIEC
Taylor Alexander of Castle Rock, CO piloted Gipsy King, owned by Alexander LLC, to another Under 25 win at TIEC during the 2016 Tryon Fall Series, this time finishing atop the $5,000 Under 25 Welcome, which was hosted on the new Grass Complex at the venue. Alexander topped the class, guiding Gipsy King through the finish in 34.49 seconds for the win. Taylor Land of Atlanta, GA and For Edition picked up second place with a time of 37.191 seconds, while Alexander guided her second mount, Ryanair de Riverland to third after competing the track in 37.191 seconds.
“The goal with both of them was to have a solid and clear first round so that we could get more competitive in the jump-off,” explained Alexander.
Alexander has formed a strong partnership with the 2006 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Wandor van de Mispelaere x Lys De Darmen) owned by Alexander LLC, and the pair has dominated the Under 25 classes at Tryon so far this season, taking top honors in last week’s $10,000 Under 25 Welcome and finishing second in the $25,000 Under 25 Grand Prix.
“He’s really a super easy horse in the barn, which is really nice. In the ring, I am really confident on him. I always know that he’s going to be really careful so I can always test him a bit in the jump-off,” she elaborated. “I got him at the end of March. Nick [Skelton] was riding him at the end of WEF in the 1.40m and 1.45m classes. We worked a lot on our partnership throughout the summer.”
Both of Alexander’s horses have performed well at TIEC and she feels the experience they’ve gained will be valuable looking towards the end of the season, as well as the approaching winter circuit.
“I’ve had Ryan a bit longer. I started riding him in December so I’ve had longer to get to know him and it’s really starting to come along recently,” explained Alexander. “He’s pretty quick too so that’s what I’ve been trying to focus on with him.”
Riding a gutsy jump-off round, Alexander sealed the win with a first class performance aboard Gipsy King. Commenting on her intense strategy for the second round track, Alexander stated, “I feel like we’ve really capitalized on these past two weeks and I’m really looking forward to riding in the class on Sunday.”
The 2016 Tryon Fall Series presented by Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District offers six weeks of hunter and jumper competition, including three weeks of internationally recognized FEI show jumping featuring two FEI CSI 3* weeks and an FEI CSI 5*. For more information on Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) and surrounding amenities, please visit www.tryon.com.