Tag Archives: Aaron Vale

Aaron Vale Begins with a Bang in $37,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 2*

Aaron Vale and Prescott ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – July 15, 2021 – Aaron Vale (USA) and Prescott soared to victory in the $37,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (TIEC), conquering the jump-off course with a time of 38.307 seconds. Vale also claimed the yellow ribbon along with Elusive, the 2009 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Rodrigoo x Capfucino) owned by Thinks Like A Horse, with a time of 38.954 seconds. Conor Swail (IRL) and Vital Chance de la Roque, the 2009 Selle Francais gelding (Diamant de Semilly x Rivage Du Poncel) owned in partnership with Adeline Hecart, rode to second place with a time of 38.642 seconds.

The course, designed by Guilherme Jorge (BRA), challenged 53 horse-and-rider combinations in the first round of competition. Twenty pairs jumped clear to return for the second round jump-off. Vale and Prescott, the 2012 Holsteiner gelding (Lordanos x Unknown) owned by Thinks Like A Horse, re-captured the lead after Elusive’s clear round and previous winning time was bested by Swail.

Vale’s plan going into the jump-off with Prescott, a less experienced horse than Elusive, was to leave out strides and go as efficiently as possible, he shared. “I was really fast! I probably did two strides fewer to the combination. He was balanced, jumped it easily, and was really quick coming out of the combination. We left one out of the next vertical. And at that point, I felt like I was up by quite a bit, so I felt like I just wanted to stay in my rhythm and not press it. I felt if I left the last three jumps up, I’d done enough to win it, and that was how it played out!”

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

Aaron Vale and Elusive Amaze Crowd with First Saturday Night Lights Win

Aaron Vale and Elusive ©Shannon Brinkman.

Mill Spring, NC – June 12, 2021 – Aaron Vale (USA) and Elusive jumped clear and raced to a blue ribbon in the $137,000 Cleghorn Golf and Sports Club Grand Prix CSI 3* with an impressive jump-off time of 37.426 seconds under the lights at Tryon International Equestrian Center’s USEF Heritage Tryon Spring 6/Tryon Riding & Hunt Club Charity Show. Pepita Con Spita, a 2011 Westphalian mare (Con Spirit 7 x Come On) owned by Hays Investment Corp. and ridden by Hunter Holloway (USA) snagged the reserve ribbon with a time of 37.92 seconds. Third place honors were awarded to Tracy Fenney (USA) on MTM Apple, the 2011 Danish Warmblood mare (Favorit Ask x Willemoes) owned by MTM Farm.

Elusive lived up to the definition of his name, proving he was “difficult to catch” with an astonishingly fast time and clear round. The Michel Vaillancourt (CAN) course tested 30 riders with his first round design with 11 pairs jumping clean and qualifying for the eight-fence jump-off round. Vale and his 2009 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Rodrigoo x Capfucino) took the win. “The course was, I thought, it was plenty hard,” Vale admitted. “There were probably a couple more in the jump-off than Michel wanted, but it made for a great jump-off and great sport.”

As part of the 93rd Tryon Riding & Hunt Club (TR&HC) Charity One Horse Show, Vale was presented with the Roger and Jennifer Smith Green River Farm Perpetual Trophy as the show’s grand prix champion.

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

Aaron Vale Stakes Claim on Tryon Spring 6/TR&HC Charity One Horse Show Competition

Aaron Vale and Elusive ©Shannon Brinkman.

Mill Spring, NC – June 10, 2021 – Aaron Vale continued his winning ways Thursday at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (TIEC), claiming the $37,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3* aboard Elusive, after stopping the jump-off timers at 34.506. The remainder of the podium belonged to Canada: Erynn Ballard tripped the timers just behind Vale in 34.553 for reserve aboard Gakhir, the 2011 Dutch Warmblood stallion (Spartacus x Indorado) owned by Ilan Ferder and Esperanza Imports, and Sam Walker dashed to third after his 36.507 second, clear performance with Hermelien VD Hooghoeve, the 2007 Belgian Warmblood mare (Otangelo x Thunder van de Zuuthoeve) owned by Evergate Stables LLC.

Only eight pairs returned to the jump-off course after 38 entries attempted the first-round track set by Michel Vaillancourt (CAN). Vale was first to tour the short course, and Elusive’s trailblazing time proved to be just that as all remaining entries were unable to upset their lead. Vale also piloted Major, the 2007 Danish Warmblood (Carmargue x Pinot) owned by Don Stewart, to sixth place, dropping one rail and finishing in a time of 36.67 seconds. Aboard the Thinks Like a Horse entry and 2009 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Rodrigoo x Capfucino), Vale navigated the course which seemed to get trickier as it went, he thought:

“Michel [Vaillancourt] is a brilliant designer. The course was tricky and seemed to get a little harder at the end as there were maybe more rails towards the end of the course from what I saw. It was just hard enough with eight clear, so if you went clear you were getting a nice check,” Vale assessed. “It was an exciting jump-off. That’d be the third or fourth class that he’s won this year going first in the jump-off! I didn’t take all the chances; I left the door open just a little, to where one or two were quicker than me, but they had one [rail] down.”

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

All Systems Go for Aaron Vale and Elusive in $5,000 1.40m Open Jumper at Kentucky Summer Classic

Lexington, Ky. – July 28, 2020 – Competition at the Kentucky Summer Classic launched Tuesday with full schedules in five rings at the Kentucky Horse Park. In the Rolex Stadium, upper-level showjumping competition got underway with the $5,000 1.40m Open Jumper class. Out of the 17 starters, it was Aaron Vale and Elusive who started off the week in fine form and earned the first piece of the prize money this week.

Brandon Gibson and As Promised Take Home the Blue in TAKE2 Thoroughbred Hunters

The Claiborne ring played host to the start of the second consecutive week of hunter competition at the Kentucky Horse Park Tuesday, July 28, marking the start of the Kentucky Summer Classic. Showcasing a collection of Thoroughbred horses that have stepped into a new career after their time on the racetrack, the TAKE2 Thoroughbred Hunters saw a number of exhibitors compete for top placings and a solid start towards the championship tricolor to be awarded at the conclusion of the division Wednesday afternoon. Riding ribbon-worthy rounds, Brandon Gibson and As Promised claimed a blue ribbon for their over fences efforts.

For more information on Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Aaron Vale Secures Second Grand Prix Win of HITS Ocala Winter Circuit in $200k Grand Prix

It was a beautiful day for the final Grand Prix of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. A field of 58 riders were ready to take on the $200,000 CaptiveOne Grand Prix, over a course designed by Oscar Soberon of Dallas, Texas. The triple combination at fence 12 proved to be a challenge for many riders in the first round, with 31 having faults at one or more of elements. A tight time allowed added to the pressure, just to be in the top 12 with a four fault score riders had to have a time of 78.885 or quicker.

Rowan Willis set the pace with the first clear ride in the jump-off in a time of 40.784 aboard BLUE MOVIE to take home third place. A few trips later, Willis returned to the ring and topped his first ride with DIABLO VII in 40.608 for the red ribbon. But it was Aaron Vale and ELUSIVE who took home top honors in $200,000 CaptiveOne Grand Prix when they came in and broke the 40-second mark, clearing the jump-off course in 39.158. Vale saved time by choosing a direct route from fence five to six in eight strides where most did nine to claim their second victory of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit.

That’s a wrap! While the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit ended a week earlier than expected, the health and safety of our exhibitors and their horses, our spectators, and staff come first. President and CEO of HITS, Tom Struzzieri, made the decision early Friday morning that the 39th edition of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit would end following the close of competition. The grounds were closed to spectators, but riders were all in high spirits on Sunday as the season closed out with the $200,000 CaptiveOne Grand Prix, the Tack Shack of Ocala Second-Half Circuit Awards, and the HITS Ocala Grand Circuit Champions.

Even though this year’s circuit is complete, we are looking forward to 2021 and celebrating our 40th Anniversary in central Florida. The circuit will start December 9 and will again offer 12 weeks of USEF-Rated shows featuring over 400 classes in more than 100 divisions each week, along with special classes and great prize money throughout. Plus, we are excited to announce that the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix will return to close out the circuit March 2021. Look for more information in the coming months and the official prize list to be released in October.

Click here for the full listing of results from the HITS Ocala Winter Celebration.

For more info, please contact the staff at HITS Post Time Farm, 352-620-2275 or info@hitsshows.com.

Sydney Shulman Makes It Two in a Row at WIHS

Sydney Shulman and Villamoura. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography.

The 61st Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) continued on Friday, October 25, with thrilling displays of speed and power. Israeli rider Sydney Shulman of Greenwich, CT topped the $50,000 International Jumper Speed Final on Villamoura, while Aaron Vale and Schuyler Riley of the United States shared victory in the $25,000 Land Rover Puissance. The classes were part of a full schedule of exciting competition and entertaining exhibitions during Military Night, presented by Caterpillar, Inc.

Shulman, 24, came to WIHS to jump in the international jumper division for the first time with a pretty specific goal. “I came here with the plan to do just these two speed classes and hopefully be in the top five, with all these elite riders in the classes,” she said.

She ended up winning both of them. Shulman rode Villamoura, a 10-year-old Selle Français mare by Diamant de Semilly and owned by Jill Shulman, to the blue in the $50,000 International Jumper Speed Final, adding her name to the General Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Perpetual Trophy donated by the late Arthur J. Morris. The night before, she and Villamoura won the $36,000 International Jumper Accumulator Costume Class.

“I’m definitely in shock!” Shulman said.

Aaron Vale and Schuyler Riley Share the Win in the $25,000 Land Rover Puissance

The win in the $25,000 Land Rover Puissance came down to a battle between a three-time WIHS puissance-winning horse and a horse contesting the class for the first time. In the end, they tied for the win, with both Aaron Vale and Finou 4 and Schuyler Riley on Very Chic Du Tillard clearing the 6’9″ height.

Vale and Finou 4, a 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding by For Pleasure owned by Thinks Like A Horse, had won the class the last three consecutive years and were hot favorites. Five other horse/rider combinations joined them on the starting list. “There was a good group of horses and riders tonight, so it was a little tougher class than maybe the last few years,” Vale said. “You never go in thinking you’re going to win.”

Riley described E2 Show Jumpers’ Very Chic Du Tillard, a 10-year-old Selle Francais by Diamant de Semilly, as a horse with the experience level of younger horse. He was jumping in his first Puissance class and has spent the majority of his show experience at the 1.45m level. “I knew he has the scope and the talent, but I knew he’d never done one before, so I sort of expected to go in there and jump one or maybe two and then come out, but he jumped it so easily,” Riley said.

All six riders started over the wall set at 5’9″, and it was subsequently raised to 6’3″, 6’5″, and 6’9″. Only Riley and Vale cleared the 6’9″ height, and both returned to attempt 6’11”. When they both knocked blocks off at that height, the class ended in a tie between them.

The Puissance is a favorite event for Vale, of Williston, FL, who has now won the class six times. His first win came in 1996 with Big Joe. “In America, we don’t have great crowds too often, and this night is one of the best crowds of the year for the Puissance here,” he said.

For more information and results, please visit www.wihs.org.

O’Brien and Vale Ride Away with Jumper Wins in Classic Champions Developing Jumper Tours

David O’Brien and Merly Chin SCF.

Lexington, Ky. – July 31, 2019 – The Classic Champions Developing Jumper Tour kicked off its fifth show of the eight-part tour Wednesday at the Kentucky Summer Classic with a talented collection of up-and-coming young horses tackling the 5, 6 and 7-year-old divisions. While Aaron Vale and Gray’s Inn topped the leaderboard in the 5-year-old class held in the Walnut Ring, the Rolex Stadium saw David O’Brien emerging victorious with the fastest double-clear round in the 7-Year-Old Jumpers. The 6-Year-Old division followed, where Vale topped the leaderboard once again, this time competing three horses in the class before riding away with a one-two finish with Vander Esch and Carina, respectively.

Gogul and Torano Tie for Grand Hunter Champion

Professional hunters wrapped up Wednesday. The Grand Hunter Championship, presented by Visse Wedell, is awarded to the competitors with the most points accumulated in the Green 3’6″ Hunter, Green 3’9″ Hunter, Green Conformation Hunter, High Performance Conformation Hunter, and the High Performance Working Hunter divisions. Similar to last week, there was a tie for Grand Hunter Championship title. Jeff Gogul with Roberts Stables LLC’s Maverick alongside Jimmy Torano aboard Amethyst Equestrian Consulting LLC’s California both earned 44 points in their respective divisions to tie for the prestigious prize.

Website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Contact: Rebecca Walton
phone 561.753.3389
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com

Robert Mendoza and Aaron Vale Score Jumper Wins on Opening Day of Kentucky Summer Classic

Aaron Vale and Cashew CR.

Lexington, Ky. – July 30, 2019 – On the opening day of the Kentucky Summer Classic, the feature show jumping classes, the 1.35m Open Jumpers and the $5,000 1.40m Open Jumpers, took place in the Rolex Stadium with courses designed by Bobby Murphy. With a field of 13 competitors in the 1.35m Open Jumpers, it was Robert Mendoza who rode away with the fastest double clear performance aboard Java Van De Kleinheide. In the $5,000 1.40m Open Jumpers, Aaron Vale saved the best for last, winning the class on Cashew CR.

Fibonacci Finishes First in Green Hunter Incentive Stake

Tuesday kicked off with the professional hunter divisions. In the spotlight was the Green 3’6″/3’9″ Hunter Incentive Stake. Chris Payne and Fibonacci came away in the top position, while Kelley Farmer and Consent took the second place ribbon. Payne rounded out the top three with Bond.

Website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Contact: Rebecca Walton
phone 561.753.3389

Aaron Vale and Major Conquer $36k Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3* at TIEC

Aaron Vale and Major ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – July 4, 2019 – Aaron Vale (USA) and Major raced to win the $36,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3* at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), stopping the jump-off timers at 37.01 seconds. Sharn Wordley (NZL) and Casper, a 2006 Oldenburg gelding (Contender x Baloubet Du Rouet) owned by Sky Group, followed closely in second place with a clear jump-off performance of 37.168 seconds. Vale and his other mount, Finou 4, a 2006 Hanoverian gelding (Flashlight 16 x Concetto Famos) owned by Thinks Like A Horse and Donald E. Stewart, were awarded third-place honors with a time of 38.355 seconds to open Tryon Summer 4 competition.

Forty-three pairs attempted the course designed by Alan Wade (IRL), who was also the designer for the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 hosted at TIEC. Vale commented that Wade challenged the riders in both the long and short courses: “The first round was quite a difficult course. The jumps were pretty big and the oxers were wide. This ring can feel a little small, just depending on how the course designers set the oxers coming out of the turns,” Vale explained. “Alan really made us work at the oxers off the turns today and the time was a hair short, so it was a difficult first round.” Only ten riders successfully tackled the long course to continue into the jump-off.

“The first few who had been leading in the jump-off before I went in with my first horse [Finou 4] were not super quick,” said Vale. “I was warming up when Abigail [McArdle] went, so I didn’t really get a good judge of her time, but I knew it wasn’t unbeatable. I was pretty happy to get that time with my first horse. He’s a good horse, but he’s never the fastest one in the jump-off, so I was happy to get into the lead with him. Then, Sharn [Wordley] went in there and snatched it right away,” Vale playfully shared.

Vale and Major were the last pair to attempt the jump-off, with USA riders encouraging the pair to go for blue: “It being the 4th of July, all my American colleagues were urging me on, saying that an American had to win the class, so I was really trying! I took all the chances and went for it! He [Major] is a faster horse than Finou 4, so I didn’t hold back and let it rip; it was awesome and good fun!”

Major, a 2007 Danish Warmblood gelding (Carmargue x A’khan Z) owned by Sleepy P Ranch LLC and Donald Stewart, is returning to the Grand Prix competition level after a three-month break due to an infected tooth, Vale revealed. “It was a mystery for a while; we didn’t know what was going on. It’s just nice to have him back. He jumped 1.40m classes last week, just for fitness purposes. He’s a really competitive horse, fast and careful.

“It’s better to not go that fast going into the Grand Prix,” Vale commented after his success with two of his mounts in the Welcome Stake. “It’s better to get your horse mentally quick going into the next class, but sometimes you have to take the win when it’s there, and you know you can’t win both big classes if you don’t win the first one! I have a couple days to put his brain back together for Saturday night, and hopefully I can get him where he’s focused again.”

Vale is wrapping up his last week at TIEC, but hinted at a return later in the summer: “We go to Kentucky next, then maybe the Hamptons and the 5* at Saugerties at the end of the summer. I haven’t thrown the idea at my wife yet, but maybe these two horses will come back for the last 3* here. But it’s not set at the moment,” Vale concluded.

For full results from the $36,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3*, click here.

For more information and results, please visit www.Tryon.com.

Vale Repeats and Swinderman Mitchell Rises to the Occasion at Ocala Premiere

The Ocala Premiere closed the books with high scores in the Hunter Prix and back to back wins in the Ocala Horse Properties Stadium.

The $5,000 Johnson Horse Transportation Welcome started the week for the Open Jumper division with Bree Rosales taking the victory. She rode VOIGTSDORFS QUONSCHBOB to a blue ribbon finish with a time of 42.443.

2nd Place: Heren Lee & EVERYDAY HERO
3rd Place: Kaitlyn Williams & VEDOR

The fastest time for the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix went to Brian Feigus with a time of 33.973 on CATOKI to grab the blue ribbon.

2nd Place: Derek Petersen & DIAMANT’S LEGACY (35.576)
3rd Place: Kristen VanderVeen & BULL RUN’S ALMIGHTY (37.040)

VanderVeen continued her winning ways, taking home top honors by winning the $10,000 KindredBio Open Prix. This time she was on BULL RUN’S DIVINE FORTUNE to earn a time of 46.405.

2nd Place: Kris Killam & BOREALE DE TALMA (47.063)
3rd Place: Matthias Hollberg & VANITA (48.000)

The $10,000 1.35m Jumper Classic on Saturday was won by Sarah Meier. She had the blue ribbon round with a time of 39.030 aboard CHANEL.

2nd Place: Savannah Unger & FABIO TN (40.931)
3rd Place: Grant Seger & DR. J (41.853)

Claire McDonald took home the winning round in the $2,500 Pyranha Junior 1.25m Jumper Classic, capturing the win on LUNA.

Bringing home the blue ribbon in the $2,500 Pyranha A-O/AM 1.25m Jumper Classic was Molly Struve. She crossed the timers in 38.872 aboard AURORA to finish with top honors.

Hayley Waters was the winning rider in the $5,000 Summit Joint Performance Jr/AO/AM 1.35m Jumper Classic. She piloted IDALIE VAN DOPERHEIDE across the timers for a top honors finish.

Sima Morgello rode a great jump-off round to finish first in the $7,500 U-Dump Jr/A-O/AM 1.45m Jumper Classic. She was aboard ORIENTALES to catch the first place win.

Aaron Vale returned to the Ocala Horse Properties stadium for $50,000 HITS Grand Prix on Sunday and wowed the crowd with a repeat performance of last week’s victory. Vale and MAJOR finished with a time of 45.891 for their second Grand Prix win in a row.

2nd Place: Brooke Kemper & CLASSIFIED (46.235)
3rd Place: Sharn Wordley & BARNETTA (50.110)

When it came to tough competition and impressive victories, the hunters gave the jumpers a run for their money at the Ocala Premier.

The winning score in the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix was close to call, but Alexandra Carroll was able to come out on top of the pack. She was aboard CHINCHINO, earning a first round score of 81. And, when combined with her second round score of an 80, gave her the overall winning score of 161.

2nd Place: Kelly Anne Siock & SANTEUR (159.50)
3rd Place: Lena Rea Reeb & CALL ME (157.50)

Robin Swinderman Mitchell earned the top score for the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix this week. Mitchell earned a first round score of 85 and a second round score of 90 to win the class with an overall total of 175. She was aboard CLASSIC to seal the blue ribbon finish.

2nd Place: Grace Debney & KAHLUA (166)
3rd Place: Amanda Steege & TENACIOUS (165)

For more information, visit HitsShows.com.