Tag Archives: Donald Sheehan

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Alise Oken and Kaid Du Ry Best Competitive $34,000 FEI Tryon Speed Stake at Tryon Spring 7

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Alise Oken and Kaid Du Ry. Photos ©Sportfot.

Donald Sheehan and Arrow Take Top Honors in Pre-Green 3′ Hunter Division

Mill Spring, NC – May 28, 2015 – The $34,000 FEI Tryon Speed Stake boasted a large class of international veteran talent, but young Charlotte, NC-based Alise Oken (USA) made easy work of the class aboard her own Kaid Du Ry to collect her first win at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC). Competition at Tryon Spring 7 continues through the week, highlighting the $127,000 Kingsland Grand Prix on Saturday, May 30, beginning at 7pm and the $25,000 Grand Prix on Sunday with competition starting at 2:15pm. The Tryon Spring Series will conclude on June 7.

Oken and Kaid Du Ry saved time wherever they could around course, opting to take the fastest routes and tightest turns. The class of 24 entries saw nine double clear trips, with the top four being separated by less than a second. The duo flew through the timers at 60.08 seconds to take a dominant win. Oken, a student of Laura Kraut (USA), stepped up to the plate and rode a gutsy round, which ultimately secured the win for the duo.

“The course was a stout 1.45m I thought. There were some good stride options but with my horse, he has a smaller stride so I couldn’t take advantage necessarily and needed to find other ways to make it the most efficient round possible,” said Oken. “I really added in a few places but he’s so fast in the air that I was able to make up for some of that. Overall, I thought it was a great course. I decided to do the open water line because I felt like that was the fastest way to go and he handled that really well.”

This is Oken’s first week of competition at TIEC and she could not be happier with the short commute from her home in Charlotte, NC to the facility. She will spend the next two weeks at TIEC and will return for part of the Tryon Summer Series before traveling to Europe to catch up with trainer Laura Kraut.

“I’m so happy to be here in Tryon, this is incredibly convenient for us since we’re from Charlotte, NC. The facility is shaping up to be something amazing. We couldn’t be happier to be here and be a part of this week,” said Oken. “I decided to stay in the U.S. for the first part of the summer because there are so many shows offering new FEI classes now. It’s a great opportunity for me to stay here and get ranking points before heading to Europe.”

Oken and Kaid Du Ry have been together for four years, but the 17-year-old Selle Francais gelding is still a fire-cracker in the ring and has the heart of a four-year-old according to Oken, who has created a strong bond with the gelding in their tenure together.

“He’s amazing. He makes my job so easy; I barely do anything when we go in the ring. He walked right in there and just did his job today. I haven’t jumped him since Kentucky last week and he was a star today,” she said.

The duo has rocked around some big tracks in their time together and Kaid Du Ry knows when he needs to put his game face on according to Oken. Besting a class of seasoned competitors is a highlight for Oken, who is working to earn herself a spot representing the United States in international competition.

“He knows his job and that’s what makes him so easy. In the ring he’s always spicy for me because he gets excited and that’s what makes him tick. When we flat though, that’s a different story,” she smiled. “We’re looking forward to the next few weeks here and then I’ll head to Europe with my horses. We’re focusing on the big open jumper classes and being consistent in the Grand Prix. I’m really trying to work on my ranking points and also to keep my horses fit and happy because that’s when you get the good results.”

Donald Sheehan and Arrow Take Pre-Green 3′ Hunter Division

Donald Sheehan of Maryville, TN and Linda Schwartz’s Arrow capped an impressive day at TIEC earning champion honors in the Pre-Green 3′ Hunter division. Sheehan, who has had a very busy season so far at TIEC, piloting several horses to championship honors, was very pleased with his rounds today aboard the smaller bay gelding today.

Donald Sheehan and Arrow
Donald Sheehan and Arrow

“He was great today; he went around today like a champ and he was very good yesterday too,” said Sheehan. “He’s a great little horse and I’ve had a really good time riding him.”

Arrow has been with Sheehan and Craig Allen at Wayside Farm since last year and the gelding has taken great strides since his purchase from Sarah Mechlin, with both Sheehan and his owner, Linda Schwartz.

“His owner competed him in the 3’3 Juniors last year while I did him in the Pre-Greens and she started him the Juniors this year and he’s just been phenomenal so far,” commented Sheehan. “He’s a perfect horse. He’s a great jumper and a great mover and the hunters have really suited him. He’s a good all-around guy.”

The duo will look to continue their winning ways this season and Sheehan is proud to have the ride on Arrow. Sheehan and Wayside Farm are planning to compete at majority of the big Finals classes approaching in the summer and fall before turning their sights to Ocala, FL, their winter base.

“As for the future, we’re looking to do most of the finals classes of everything; you know we have medal finals and everything like that and then of course indoors.”

Competition continues at TIEC tomorrow with the $5,000 1.45 Challenge in the George H. Morris Arena before the venue prepares for the largest class of the week, the $127,000 Kingsland Grand Prix beginning at 7pm on Saturday, May 30.

For more information on TIEC and a full schedule, please visit www.tryon.com. Please “Like” the TIEC Facebook page at www.facebook.com/tryonresort to be eligible for various contests and promotions.

About Tryon International Equestrian Center

The Tryon International Equestrian Center is destined to become one of the premier centers in the equestrian world. This new facility opened in June 2014 with sanctioned horse shows and initial supporting amenities including 10 riding arenas, 850 permanent stalls, a covered riding facility and fitness center. Future expansion includes a sports complex, two hotels, sporting clay course, and an 18-hole golf course plus a full calendar of equestrian competitions and activities. It is a spring, summer and fall haven for eastern and northeastern American equestrian competitors and enthusiasts. For more information, call 828-863-1000 or visit www.tryon.com.

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Donald Sheehan and Kenan Impress in the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby at Tryon Spring 6

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Donald Sheehan and Kenan. Photos ©Sportfot.

Maryann Charles and FVF Sailorman Are Champions in $3,000 Animo 1.20m Open Jumper Division

Mill Spring, NC – May 22, 2015 – Donald Sheehan of Maryville, TN rode two spectacular rounds aboard EHM Equestrian LLC’s Kenan to take the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby on the third day of competition at Tryon Spring 6. The duo received a total score of 170, which earned them the win in the class of 19. Daniel Geitner of Aiken, SC and Select finished in second with a total score of 169, and Elizabeth McKim of Knoxville, TN rounded out the top three aboard Quintessential with a score of 162. Tryon Spring 6 continues with competition through Sunday, May 24, and the Tryon Spring Series will conclude on June 7.

Sheehan and the 2008 Holsteiner gelding have been partnered for less than a year and the gelding continues to show Sheehan he has all of the capability in the world to be competitive at the highest levels in the hunter and equitation arenas.

“We imported him last July and played with him a little bit in the hunters and did some 3’3 classes last fall with him, then gave him a vacation over the winter before legging him back up in Florida,” said Sheehan. “We did the 3’3 Pre-Greens down there to finish off the season and we’re looking forward to doing the Pre-Green Incentive program with him, so he’s entered in that as well.”

The flashy bay gelding draws attention as soon as he enters the ring and his workman-like attitude has made him a favorite in the barn.

“He also does the Taylor Harris Medal classes with his owner and the 3′ equitation classes. He really is a jack-of-all-trades, which is so valuable,” continued Sheehan. “This was only his second derby. We did the one in Aiken, SC, another national class, and he’s been really fun. He’s a great horse. He tries hard, and he seems to really enjoy what he’s doing.”

There’s a lot to love about the chrome-heavy Kenan, but what drew them to him in Europe was his elasticity. The purchase came with hopes of continuing his career as an equitation horse for the future and when he landed in the States, it was decided that competing in the hunter ring would be beneficial for him.

“We originally had planned to do the hunters to help him grow up a little bit, but when he got here we realized that he was much more mature than we had expected. I think we’re still going in that equitation direction, but he will definitely continue to do the derby classes,” he said. “I would love to do the International Derbies with him, and he’ll stay in the hunters and do both for the time being.”

Sheehan will continue competing Kenan through the Tryon Spring 7 series and plans to come back to TIEC for the competitive fall season. TIEC is in relatively short distance to their home base in Knoxville, TN.

“We’re here for another week and then we’ll come back sometime later in the year, most likely the fall. We like coming here. It’s close, beautiful, and just so nice,” he commented. “The horses love it here, and they enjoy it. It was a really nice class, and it’s a great ring because it’s big enough to do different tracks. It’s a very pleasant atmosphere for everyone.”

Maryann Charles and FVF Sailorman Are Champions in $3,000 Animo® 1.20m Open Jumper Division

Maryann Charles of Southern Pines, NC and Fox View Farm’s FVF Sailorman performed consistently throughout the week at Tryon Spring 6 to take home championship honors in the $3,000 Animo® 1.20m Open Jumper Division. The duo placed fourth, second, and first, respectively, to take the division.

In the final class of the $3,000 Animo® 1.20 Open Jumper Division, which concluded today, Charles and FVF Sailorman put in a solid clear effort to take the speed class finishing nearly six seconds faster than the second place finishers Matt Martin and Proverbs 15. Charles and FVF Sailorman carefully dissected the course and managed to save every second possible, which ultimately would lead them to victory.

Maryann Charles and FVF Sailorman
Maryann Charles and FVF Sailorman

The pair had an extremely successful 2014 season, winning the $25,000 Lexington Spring Premier Grand Prix and earning top finishes in the $25,000 Lexington Spring Encore Grand Prix, $50,000 Grand Prix of Roanoke, and the $40,000 Grand Prix in Culpeper, VA. The pair finished their round in 71.265 seconds for the win.

Matt Martin of Petersburg, TN and DC Sales & Entertainments, LLC’s Proverbs 15 finished in second completing the track in 77.34 with no faults. Juliana Thorbecke of Boyds, MD and Robyn Miles’ Ve Y Ve Notable took home third place going clear around the course in 85.607 seconds.

For more information on TIEC and for a full list of results, please visit www.tryon.com. Please “Like” the TIEC Facebook page at www.facebook.com/tryonresort to be eligible for various contests and promotions.

About Tryon International Equestrian Center

The Tryon International Equestrian Center is destined to become one of the premier centers in the equestrian world. This new facility opened in June 2014 with sanctioned horse shows and initial supporting amenities including 10 riding arenas, 850 permanent stalls, a covered riding facility and fitness center. Future expansion includes a sports complex, two hotels, sporting clay course, and an 18-hole golf course plus a full calendar of equestrian competitions and activities. It is a spring, summer and fall haven for eastern and northeastern American equestrian competitors and enthusiasts. For more information, call 828-863-1000 or visit www.tryon.com.