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Competitions, Show Jumping

Richie Moloney and Carrabis Z Triumph in $210,000 Tryon Grand Prix CSI 4* for the Governor’s Cup

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Richie Moloney and Carrabis Z. Photos ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – June 6, 2015 – Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) hosted its largest event of the spring season, packing the Tryon Stadium at the George H. Morris Arena with a crowd of more than 10,000 people. The stands were overflowing as visitors and guests from around the state flocked to Mill Spring, NC to see the biggest Grand Prix the venue has hosted in its relatively short history. Richie Moloney (IRL) and Carrabis Z were the last to go in the jump-off and pulled off the win in a nail-bitingly intense atmosphere to seal the win in the $210,000 Tryon Grand Prix for the Governor’s Cup presented by Rolex. The duo finished in 36.957 seconds in front of Ali Wolff (USA) and Casall who completed the jump-off track in 37.812 seconds. Charlie Jayne (USA) and Chill R Z finished in third, crossing the timers in 38.422 seconds. The Tryon Spring Series concludes tomorrow with the $34,000 FEI Tryon 1.50m Challenge. The Tryon Summer Series will begin on June 24, hosting four weeks of consecutive FEI competition.

Richie Moloney and Carrabis Z concluded the class with a large cheer from the crowd, racing to the last oxer of the Catalina Ana Cruz designed jump-off, barely nudging out Wolff for the win. Moloney, who was aware of the tight time coming into the round, was thrilled with Carrabis Z’s performance.

“The first round was a bit careful and there were options on one or two lines that you needed to really be aware of,” said Moloney. “It was a very well built course and seven clear rounds from the first round was a very good result. I didn’t really have a plan going in other than to be as fast and careful as I could. I knew Charlie and Ali put in two very fast rounds and I had nothing to lose by going for it.”

The class of 29 proved to bring their best to the biggest night in the facility’s history. The impeccably designed course by Cruz created electric excitement throughout the crowd, especially in the jump-off as the riders had a quick turn to the left and then needed to maintain a full gallop to the last fence, a large Spy Coast Farm over.

“He’s a really sensitive horse and sometimes the shorter distances can be difficult for him. This is the fastest he’s ever gone for me,” smiled Moloney. “The course suited him and the long gallop to the last fence really made it an exciting finish. He tries really hard and if he rubs a rail, he will not be anywhere close to the next fence.”

The crowd jazzed the riders and continued to give encouragement throughout the rounds, an exciting event to witness, as many of the visitors had never been to a horse show before. The expansion and access the night provided to a public not accustomed to equestrian competition was what really impressed several of the riders.

“The crowd was incredible and as a rider, there isn’t anything more thrilling than having the crowd cheer for you,” said Moloney. “The atmosphere here was crazy. It felt like the crowd was really into it. It was a very cool event to be a part of considering it is really the first of its kind here.”

Moloney was quick to thank his entire team who work tirelessly to ensure that he can have rides like that. In the grandstands were Moloney’s owners and longtime supporters, the Mercers, who were on hand to watch his victory.

“It was great to have my owners here. They’re great supporters of me and I’m so privileged to have these horses and they’ve given me a truly great opportunity,” he remarked. “I’m so thankful to them and the rest of my team. There are so many people who work very hard behind the scenes for me and this wouldn’t have been possible without them.”

Moloney and his team will stay at TIEC for the upcoming Tryon Summer Series that will begin on June 24. With several top horses, Moloney will look to capitalize on the several weeks of FEI sanctioned competition at the venue in the coming summer months.

“We have several great horses here and it is nice not to have to ship them out and they can stay in one place and we can focus on competing. It’s an incredible facility and we are so lucky to have access to it,” commented Moloney. “There is a bright future here and I am very glad that we can say that we have been and will continue to be a part of it.”

Ali Wolff and Casall
Ali Wolff and Casall

Ali Wolff and Charlie Jayne both rode superb rounds in the jump-off aboard Casall and Chill R Z respectively. Wolff and Casall seemed to have locked in the victory with a 37.812 before Moloney entered the ring as the last rider on course.

“I’m thrilled with this finish. I was hoping I had it, but Richie is so fast that I knew there was a chance he could catch me,” said Wolff. “I don’t have a fast horse to begin with and that was our maximum speed, but I couldn’t be more happy with him. He cleared that last one on a really gutsy ride from me and I really felt that trust there on his part. He’s just been on form.”

Wolff felt the course was tricky enough that it would cause problems for combinations through the night and that there would only be a few clear rounds. The technical aspects of the course made it fair but respectable for the CSI 4* level.

“I thought it was going to be a really decent course. It asked several great questions here and there throughout, you know, going strides to careful strides and then two double verticals,” explained Wolff. “It asked a lot of questions and emphasized carefulness and it was long so you couldn’t lose your focus. It was a great class and I am so happy with my horse and our finish.”

Jayne and Chill R Z were the first ride in the jump-off to hit the time before 38.50 seconds and seemed to have possibly completed the fastest round of the night before the last two riders contested the jump-off. Jayne, who has been competing at TIEC for the past two weeks, has been thrilled with the facility and the venue’s commitment to continue providing opportunities for riders.

“This venue is spectacular and there is this saying that, ‘If you build it, they will come’ and I don’t think that has ever proven more true than here in Tryon,” said Jayne. “This facility has the best footing in the world and the plans for expansion will make this just overall world class and offers a truly bright future for our sport. The number of people we saw here today and the atmosphere was incredible. I’ve shown in a number of places around the world and this is by far the most horse-friendly and well executed show I’ve ever been too.”

Competition at Tryon International Equestrian Center continues tomorrow with the $34,000 FEI Tryon 1.50m Challenge beginning at 1pm in the George H. Morris Stadium. For more information and 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.

*Featured/Spotlights, Show Jumping

Farrington and Voyeur Excel in $400,000 RBC Grand Prix

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Kent Farrington and Voyeur. Photos © Spruce Meadows Media Services.

Fellers and Colgan Cruise Conquer $60,000 TransCanada Parcours de Chasse

Calgary, AB, Canada – June 6, 2015 – Saturday at Spruce Meadows was packed with excitement and a full house of spectators as two of the highlight events of the 2015 ‘National’ Tournament, presented by Rolex, were held. Continuing a fantastic winning streak, Kent Farrington (USA) raced to victory on top horse Voyeur to win the $400,000 RBC Grand Prix, presented by Rolex. Reed Kessler (USA) finished second with Cylana and Jaime Azcarraga (MEX) placed third aboard Anton. Earlier in the day, Rich Fellers (USA) guided Colgan Cruise to victory in the $60,000 TransCanada Parcours de Chasse.

Watch highlights from Saturday’s competition at Spruce Meadows!

The ‘National’ Tournament is the first in five weeks of competition during this year’s Summer Series at Spruce Meadows. The week concludes on Sunday with the $210,000 CNOOC Nexen Cup 1.50m Derby.

On Saturday, Italian course designer Uliano Vezzani set the track for the afternoon’s feature competition in the $400,000 RBC Grand Prix, presented by Rolex. Twelve out of 50 entries qualified for the jump-off, where fans were on the edge of their seats as many of the world’s very best battled it out for a top prize of $132,000. Only five were able to clear the short course without fault as times got faster and faster.

Francois Mathy (BEL) was the first competitor to go clear in the jump-off aboard his own and Team Harmony’s Polinska des Isles and finished fourth with a time of 46.55 seconds. Jaime Azcarraga jumped next with his family’s Anton and earned the third place prize in 44.22 seconds. Reed Kessler upped the speed with her round in 42.69 seconds aboard Kessler Show Stables Cylana, eventually settling for second place. Yann Candele (CAN) and Watermark Group’s First Choice 15 then clocked the fifth place time of 47.57 seconds. Last to clear the short course without fault, Kent Farrington notched the winning time of 41.75 seconds with Amalaya Investment’s Voyeur.

This win marks Farrington’s 24th FEI victory at Spruce Meadows since 2011 and brings his all-time money earnings at the competition to an impressive $1,306,560. The rider has been on a role with Voyeur, a 13-year-old KWPN gelding (Tolano van’t Riethof x Goodwill), including their most recent victory in the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) Grand Prix of Hamburg in Germany.

When asked the secret to his success, Farrington simply stated, “The secret is to get really good horses.”

“Luckily, I have some great people behind my career,” he detailed. “The Nusz family that owns Voyeur have been really supportive of me, and that is why I am able to do it at this level today, because of them and a bunch of other people that have really stepped up to help me get here.”

Commenting on his jump-off round, Farrington explained, “I did not see the horse that finished second go. People just told me that it was full speed all the way around. My plan with Voyeur is usually just to match one rhythm and keep him even the whole way. He is a very hot horse, so if you go too hard on him, you will sort of blow his mind a little bit. I would I say I was a more consistent speed throughout the whole course. He has been on form. This is his third big class in a short time, so he is up and running so to speak.”

When Farrington first got Voyeur almost three years ago, he saw great potential and hoped that the horse would be successful. Voyeur has now turned into his top ride.

“I always have high expectations for the horses that I get. Even when they are young, I try to see their qualities and their best abilities and hope that I can pull it out of them,” Farrington said. “It is really more a realization of what I hoped that he could be, but I always thought that he could get there.”

Farrington credits jumping at Spruce Meadows as one of the factors that helped Voyeur advance to the top level.

“The jumps here are very big and I think all of the horses, if they can jump a grand prix here, they can jump anything in the world,” Farrington acknowledged. “I really think that it helps build a lot of the horses. Especially for a lot of the North American riders that produce horses here, you usually see them go on to do really big things at championships. Horses like Hickstead, and Authentic and Sapphire, they grew up jumping here and I think this field and this jumping really helps bring them to that level.”

Second place finisher, Reed Kessler, can attest to the experience that she has gained at Spruce Meadows, especially with her top mount Cylana. The pair finished second in the $1.5 million CP International Grand Prix presented by Rolex at last year’s ‘Masters’ Tournament, and Kessler is thrilled to be back for this year’s Summer Series.

“I think I just have the most amazing horse to come here. She loves it here,” Kessler stated. “I have the kind of horse that she rises to the occasion when she feels it is really important, so to step through the clock tower and into the International Ring with tens of thousands of fans, that is when she is really at her best. When you jump here and then the pressure is on at any big competition in the world, the horses really learn to step up to the occasion.”

Commenting on the jump-off and her final outcome with another second place finish, Kessler admitted, “It is a little frustrating, but I was not too upset because when I came out I really felt like my horse gave me everything and I really gave it everything I had. I think even if I went after Kent I would not have done anything differently. He is an amazing rider and I think everyone in the world would say that he is just about the last person you want to go after you in a grand prix, so I am pretty happy. I think that is one of the fastest jump-offs I have ever ridden.”

Jaime Azcarraga returned as the reigning champion of the RBC Grand Prix from 2014 with his mount Anton, but settled for third place this time around.

“The conditions here at Spruce Meadows are always top. I think the horses can really jump at their best when they are in the International Ring,” Azcarraga stated. “Anton loves it here too. Last year was the first time that he jumped in the International Ring and when he comes in he is always trying.”

Course designer Uliano Vezzani was happy to see many of the top riders in the world excel over his course, and following the competition, Farrington praised Vezzani’s efforts.

“I think Uliano is one of the best course designers in the world, if not the best, and that is why he is working all over the world,” the rider remarked. “I see him all the time at the LGCT competitions and I think he really has the modern sport down to a science. I thought the grand prix today was excellent. It was intelligently built. It was a great day in Spruce Meadows with beautiful weather and an exciting jump-off.”

Fellers Flies to Victory

The $60,000 TransCanada Parcours de Chasse was the first competition to award honors in the International Ring on Saturday with a win for USA’s Rich Fellers with Colgan Cruise, a horse he owns in partnership with Harry Chapman.

Rich Fellers and Colgan Cruise
Rich Fellers and Colgan Cruise

The Parcours de Chasse is a speed competition in which horse and rider combinations complete a course where faults are converted into time. The course features twisty turns and varied obstacles, including derby-style natural obstacles such as the bank, table top and devil’s dyke. One of the final competitors, Fellers and Colgan Cruise were the fastest combination of the day and cleared the course without fault in a time of 86.45 seconds.

Sixth to go in the order of 35 entries, Eric Navet (FRA) cleared the course in 87.24 seconds, a time that would hold on for second place aboard Signe Ostby’s ASB Conquistador. Leslie Howard (USA) put her experience to good use for the third place prize, clear in 88.80 seconds, with her own and Peter Howard’s Lennox Lewis 2.

Fellers had a busy day of riding and also teaching students in other rings and did not get to see any of the competition before he went in the ring. He stuck to his original plan for the course and trusted in the speed and experience of his horse. He has owned Colgan Cruise, a 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare (Cruising x Clover Hill), since the horse was five years old.

“I know her so well and I was so busy at the other rings with my junior and amateur students that I did not even watch anyone. I just rode my plan from my course walk,” Fellers stated. “My horse is kind of fast on the ground, she is fast in the air, and when she is smooth and she is riding well I know she is going to be right there at the end. I really did not have a beat on where I needed to be, I just felt like I trusted her speed, her instincts and her experience. You can’t replace experience.”

“She was a winner when we bought her,” Fellers noted. “She was third or fourth at the five-year-old world championships for young horses. We bought her after that and she has been a great horse. She did not turn out to be a 1.60m horse, but she has just become a real money machine. In the speed stuff, and the 1.45m, she is very consistent.”

Colgan Cruise is by the same stallion as Fellers’ longtime champion mount, Flexible, who is still going strong at 19 years of age.

“She is 13 now, which as an Irish horse is still young,” Fellers stated. “All I had for years was Irish horses. That is where I bought all my horses. I had a great agent there, Dermot Forde, and I had a lot of luck with the very first Irish horse I bought, McDougal. He won this class in 1998. He was on the trophy and that was the last time I won it. Irish horses are typically very bold, very brave and instinctive about jumping the natural obstacles.”

The ‘National’ Tournament concludes on Sunday featuring the $210,000 CNOOC Nexen Cup 1.50m Derby in the International Ring. The day will also highlight the $40,000 ATCO Structures & Logistics 1.45m.

For a complete tournament schedule and full results, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.

Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Competitions, Dressage

The “Marseillaise” for Marc Boblet

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Marc Boblet and Noble Dream Concept Sol Biolight (FRA)

Friday, June 5th: CDI3* – Grand Prix Barriquand

22 rider/horse couples were competing yesterday’s highlight, the Grand Prix Barriquand of the CDI3*, with a programme of 33 imposed figures in all three paces and then a judgment of 4 collective marks. At the term of a dramatic test, the French team rider Marc Boblet and his mare Noble Dream Concept Sol Biolight (13 years old) brilliantly imposed themselves with an mark of 73.200%, leaving the second place of the podium to the British rider Spencer Wilton / Super Nova II with 71.540%. The Belgium rider Laurence Vanommeslague / Avec Plaisir is third with 70.600%.

Marc Boblet (FRA), 1st:
“Until now, Noble Dream and I were scoring marks varying from 70% to 71%, which is insufficient. The owners and I took the joint decision to have her operated as she suffered from swollen ovaries which was painful for her. It was a good decision as she is now relieved and she can express herself more naturally. It’s her first time out since the operation and we are very pleased of her. She was energetic, very competitive; she is much better now. Obviously there were a few faults but they can be quickly rectified. We only went out twice during the winter so we need to get our automatisms back. Sunday we will dispute the Grand Prix Special; it’s an event that gives the possibility to gain points to move up the world ranking.”

Jean-Michel Roudier (5* Judge, FRA):
“Noble Dream Concept Sol Biolight and Marc (Boblet) took the first place and it was obvious for the judges. He did a beautiful performance. There were 2 other great tests, those of the British rider Spencer Wilton with his two horses, but with a few contractions that made the differences in my eyes. In the last lot of horses, very uniformed couples averaged around 70%. I was expecting today to judge an event of high level as during the last European Championships in Compiègne where all the competitors appreciated the quality of the installations and organisation. Riders plebiscite Compiègne, 200 entries for this year’s edition prove it. I really enjoyed judging this Grand Prix, perceiving great moments that gave us the possibility to attribute good marks as mine are between 2 and 9.”

The other results of Friday:

CDIU25 (-25yrs) – Intermediate 2: 1st: Juan Matute Guimon (SPA) / Don Diego Ymas (70.105%)
CDI2* – Prix Agglomération de la région de Compiègne – Intermediate 1: 1st: Jeroen Devroe (BEL) / Aaron (73.263%)
CDIY (Young Riders), by team: 1st: Denis Nekeman (NED) / Boston STH (75.351%)
CDIJ (Juniors), by team: 1st: Juan Matute Guimon (SPA) / Dhannie Ymas (74.189%)
CDIP (Ponies), by team: 1st: Phoebe Peters (GBR) / SL Lucci (79.872%)

Véronique GAUTHIER / Agence Consulis – veronique-gauthier@club-internet.fr – +33 672 770 600

*Featured/Spotlights, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

McLain Ward and HH Azur Capture $35,000 RBC Capital Markets Cup at Spruce Meadows

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McLain Ward and HH Azur. Photos © Spruce Meadows Media Services.

Hardin Towell and Emilie de Diamant AS Top $35,000 Encana Cup

Calgary, AB, Canada – June 5, 2015 – USA’s McLain Ward and HH Azur emerged victorious in an exciting battle to the finish for Friday night’s $35,000 RBC Capital Markets Cup at Spruce Meadows ‘National’ Tournament CSI 5*, presented by Rolex. Also competing on Friday, Hardin Towell (USA) and Emilie de Diamant AS topped the $35,000 Encana Cup 1.45m.

The ‘National’ Tournament is the first in five weeks of competition during this year’s Summer Series at Spruce Meadows. Riders will vie for nearly $1.2 million in prize money throughout the week, with competition concluding on Sunday, June 7. The highlight event will be the $400,000 RBC Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, on Saturday, June 6. Other features include the $60,000 TransCanada Parcours de Chasse on Saturday and the $210,000 CNOOC Nexen Cup 1.50m Derby on Sunday.

Italy’s Uliano Vezzani (ITA) set the course for the $35,000 RBC Capital Markets Cup, a 1.50m competition held in a winning round format. Twenty-eight entries started over the first round course, and the top ten then returned for a second round. In round two, only two riders were able to clear the course without fault.

Two-time Olympic gold medalist McLain Ward earned victory with the fastest double clear in 40.12 seconds riding a talented young mount in Double H Farm and Francois Mathy’s HH Azur. Tiffany Foster (CAN) followed with Torrey Pines and Artisan Farms LLC’s Victor in 40.378. Conor Swail (IRL) completed the fastest round in 39.36 seconds, but incurred four faults along the way, to place third aboard Susan and Ariel Grange’s Grafton.

Ward has high hopes for HH Azur, a nine-year-old Belgian Sport Horse mare (Thunder van de Zuuthoeve x Sir Lui) that he began riding this winter. The partnership came together thanks to a co-ownership between Francois Mathy and Double H Farm’s Hunter Harrison, and as soon as they began competing together the potential became quickly apparent.

“So many things had to happen for me to end up with this horse; it is incredible,” Ward detailed. “I tried her as a five-year-old and did not buy her. Several other top riders for one reason or another had a chance at her, and it did not happen and it came back around. It really makes you wonder that things are meant to be. We ended up buying her in December. Mr. Harrison bought half of her from Francois. Francois is a horse dealer, so by nature he normally would not stay owner of a horse like this, but he is so excited about the horse and we have such a close relationship. I think he really wanted to enjoy the sport, so that is something incredibly special for me. We came to Florida, and with quarantine we started a little bit late and took it slow. She came on very strong at the end and since then has not lost pace.”

“I think she is an absolutely incredible horse,” Ward declared. “It is really exciting for me. The two owners of this horse are people who are in every way role models for me and parent-like figures in my life. They are people who have really done a lot for the sport, and to come across a talent like this and be able to develop her and try to go to some of the greatest places in the sport is really exciting. The horse is like a machine. It does not matter what you do; she solves the problem and comes out ahead.”

On Friday night for example, HH Azur slipped in a tight turn during the second round, but kept it together and carried on to win the competition. A little luck was also on her side as several very fast competitors were still to follow, but ended up with faults.

“She is a phenomenal talent and she has jumped beautifully here all week,” Ward said of their start to the summer. “We had a great double clear last night in the 1.55m and she jumped well again tonight. I tried to be fast in the jump-off, but not do anything crazy. I do not want to do anything extreme at this point in her career, but I wanted to do enough to put a little pressure on. We were lucky that the likes of Conor and Eric (Lamaze) had a fence down.”

In just several months, Ward has been impressed with HH Azur’s development and sees big things for her future.

“When we got her you could see all the parts there, but she is a big blood horse and she is sensitive,” he noted. “In some ways it actually reminds me of Sapphire. She has to learn to control her stride and that, already in four months, has been unbelievable progress. The horse is very intelligent and really does not seem to be phased by too much. Even tonight, she slipped coming back to that third jump and still kept her composure and powered up over the red oxer like nothing had happened. That is really her nature.”

With a good win to start the series, Ward looks forward to using the fantastic competition and world-class venue at Spruce Meadows to continue Azur’s progress this summer.

“The variety here at Spruce Meadows is frankly incredible; there is nowhere like it in the world,” Ward acknowledged. “Kent Farrington and I were talking about how blessed we are to have this in our continent and how great it is for us. Not only for the sport at the highest end, but to develop a horse and to have a horse see ten venues in one. Normally when you are producing a horse, particularly when you come to a level of show like this, there are ups and downs. What is different about Azur is that there do not seem to be many downs, which is unique. I hope that I do not mess it up and get in her way because I think this horse has a chance to be one of the great ones.”

With two wins in the first three days of the ‘National’ tournament, Ward will jump next with HH Carlos Z in Saturday’s $400,000 RBC Grand Prix, presented by Rolex. He also plans to compete in Sunday’s $210,000 CNOOC Nexen Cup 1.50m Derby.

Towell Tops Encana Cup

The ‘National’ Tournament at Spruce Meadows continued on Friday with the $35,000 Encana Cup 1.45m and a win for Hardin Towell (USA) aboard Jennifer Gates’ Emilie de Diamant AS. With 72 starters, Uliano Vezzani’s (ITA) track saw just seven entries advance to the jump-off. Five of those were able to jump without fault in a race against the clock.

Hardin Towell and Emilie de Diamant AS
Hardin Towell and Emilie de Diamant AS

Mexico’s Antonio Chedraui set the pace in the jump-off at 35.33 seconds aboard his own Corcega La Silla to eventually place fifth. USA’s veteran team of Richard Spooner and Show Jumping Syndication International’s Cristallo upped the ante in 33.63 seconds, eventually finishing in reserve. Nicola Philippaerts (BEL) jumped into fourth with the next round in 34.31 seconds aboard Ludo Philippaerts’ H&M Quenzo de la Roque. Towell followed with Emilie de Diamant AS and blazed through the timers in the winning time of 32.91 seconds. Last to go, Conor Swail jumped into third aboard Ilan Ferder’s Viva Colombia in 34.29 seconds.

While owner Jennifer Gates is away at school attending Stanford University, Towell has the ride on all of her horses this week, including Emilie de Diamant AS. Gates rode the 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Diamant de Semilly x Flipper D Elle) throughout the winter and will arrive to compete in Calgary next week. Until then, Towell enjoyed his first ever win in the International Ring aboard the talented mare.

“She has been great all week. She was clean and sixth the first day,” Towell detailed. “I had a time fault yesterday, but she was amazing. I just didn’t ride her great and then today she really came through and she was fantastic.”

“Jennifer competed her on and off in Florida and I did a little bit with her and she has just gotten better and better,” Towell continued. “She is going to be a really good horse for Jennifer in the future.”

Commenting on his first big win at Spruce Meadows, Towell noted, “This year I have had a very good year. I won in Palm Beach and at the Global Champions Tour in Miami and went to World Cup Finals, but I have never really had horses for Spruce Meadows before. Even a 1.45m is pretty intimidating here where even a $200,000 grand prix some places is not the same. It is nice to finally get a win here and hopefully we can keep going forward.”

“This is a great place,” Towell added. “It is just so nice to compete here. I am so lucky to get to come here and ride these horses and compete at a place like this. I think everybody wants to win here. Everybody tries to give it a go every time out there, so it is a lot of fun.”

Competition continues on Saturday featuring the $400,000 RBC Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, as well as the $60,000 TransCanada Parcours de Chasse.

For a complete tournament schedule and full results, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.

Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Competitions, Show Jumping

Sweetnam and Cyklon 1083 Prove Too Quick to Catch in $34,000 FEI 1.45m Speed Stake

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Shane Sweetnam and Cyklon 1083. Photos ©Sportfot.

Steve Heinecke and So Lucky Win Close Contest in $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby

Mill Spring, NC – June 5, 2015 – Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Cyklon 1083 easily topped the $34,000 FEI 1.45m Speed Stake, finishing almost 10 seconds faster than Ali Wolff (USA) and Brianda who followed in second with a time of 70.36 seconds. Sweetnam bested the class of 19 entries in the first speed class of the week at Tryon Spring 8 hosted at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC). Ljubov Kochetova (RUS) and Wilford Z finished in third completing the course in 73.95 seconds. Competition continues tomorrow at TIEC with the highlight class of the week, the $210,000 Tryon Grand Prix CSI 4* for the Governor’s Cup, which will be aired on NBC Sports on Sunday, June 7, at 4pm. The class will begin at 7pm in the George H. Morris Stadium.

Sweetnam and Cyklon 1083 went early in the class and knew that they needed a fast round to stay in prize contention. The duo laid down an incredibly fast round, which proved to be uncatchable for the rest of the class.

“I thought the course designer did a good job here today. When I walked it I thought it was nice and fair. There were a couple of options for fast riders and also some for the younger horses looking to get experience,” said Sweetnam. “It was definitely fair and when I walked it; I quite liked it.”

The pair took advantage of the fast options on course and dominated the class, taking a commanding lead early in the class with a time of 61.48 seconds. Sweetnam commented that he felt the course was very suitable for Cyklon 1083 and that his consistency throughout his career has been extremely impressive.

“The round went exactly how I planned it when I walked it earlier in the morning. I went for all of the numbers and turns that I wanted to do. It all worked out perfectly. When I went through the timers I was even thinking, ‘They’ll really have to do something to beat that time,'” he commented. “He’s won everywhere. He’s a great little horse. He’s won in Gothenburg, Spruce Meadows, and Wellington, all of the big places. He’s still 14 and going strong, so I’m very happy with him.”

Sweetnam and Spy Coast Farm will take two weeks off before heading to Spruce Meadows to contest some of the big classes in Calgary.

“We’ll have to make a pretty big decision after Spruce if we want to go to Europe or come back here to Tryon. There are the FEI shows here in July, and I’m sure I’ll be back here for those at some point and we’ll just see how everything goes,” said Sweetnam. “It’s a great facility. Mark [Bellissimo] and the partners have done a great job. I don’t think there is a better facility anywhere, and it’s still getting bigger and better. They’ve really made a big effort, and it’s great for the sport. I’m very happy to be here.”

FEI competition at TIEC will continue tomorrow with the $210,000 Tryon Grand Prix CSI 4* for the Governor’s Cup at 7pm in the George H. Morris Stadium. The $34,000 FEI Tryon 1.50m Challenge will take place on Sunday, June 7, and will mark the conclusion of the Tryon Spring Series.

Steven Heinecke and So Lucky Win Close Contest in $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby

Steven Heinecke of Charlotte, NC and Jane Olsen Fisher’s So Lucky rode two consistent rounds, receiving a total score of 170 points, to ultimately top the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, besting Donald Sheehan and EHM Equestrian, LLC’s Kenan, who followed closely behind with a 168.5. Kathryn Haefner and Kathryn Haefner LLC’s Bentley rounded out the top three with a total score of 165.

Steve Heinecke and So Lucky
Steve Heinecke and So Lucky

Heinecke, based at Hi Hopes Farm in Weddington, NC, competed Jane Olsen Fisher’s So Lucky last year in the Pre-Green 3’3 classes. This has been his first year out of the division, and he has garnered some incredible success.

“We did the derby class in Kentucky a few weeks ago and he was third overall. That will be the direction we continue to take him in. He’ll do the amateur classes with Jane, but we would really like to ultimately aim him for some of the USHJA International Hunter Derbies in the future,” said Heinecke. “He’s just seven so we still have some time with him and we don’t want to rush to Derby Finals, so we’ll take this summer to focus on doing more National Derby classes with him.”

The duo scored a 77 in the first round and an 85 in the second handy round, adding 4 points to their score for taking the high obstacle options provided around the course. Heinecke also piloted another Jane Olsen Fisher mount, Swag, to a sixth place finish in the class.

“The course today was nice and not too complicated. It was pretty straight forward which was good in the morning because that always helps,” he laughed. “Swag, my second mount, is only five and he was excellent in the first round, but never had really tried a handy round, which is where we lost some points. But overall I am very happy with both of them and how they went today.”

Heinecke and Hi Hopes Farm typically travel around the East Coast for their summer season, hitting the big shows like Devon, Lake Placid, and Kentucky before returning to their home base to pack for their journey to Florida for the winter. This year though, the plan has changed and Heinecke would like to stay at TIEC to compete throughout the year.

“These Tryon shows are just so nice. They’re offering every division possible and that helps all of my clients and students. It’s affordable, and they’re so close to our farm. It only takes an hour to get here,” commented Heinecke. “We’re definitely tailoring our show schedule to make sure that we can stay here as long as possible. We’ve had a great time here and will continue to add it to our yearly plan and support the show here. It’s worked out so great for us.”

Competition at TIEC continues tomorrow, June 6, with the highlight $210,000 Tryon Grand Prix for the Governor’s Cup which will begin at 7pm in the George H. Morris Stadium. The night will provide an array of entertainment for guests including a highly anticipated performance by Grammy-award winning Lee Greenwood singing “God Bless the U.S.A”. The Special Forces Parachute team will also be doing a four-person tandem jump with a 20-foot by 40-foot American flag. A live showing of the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes will take place on the jumbotron in the main arena at the 6:50 post time.

For more information on TIEC and the events tomorrow, 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, FEI, Show Jumping

Germany Pips France in Two-Way Showdown at Sopot

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Patrick Stuhlmeyer and Lacan produced one of four double-clears in today’s competition to help Germany to victory in the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 Europe Division 2 leg at Sopot in Poland. (FEI/Herve Bonnaud)

Sopot (POL), 5 June 2015 – Not for the first time in the history of the popular CSIO in Sopot, Poland, Team Germany came out on top at the fourth leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 Europe Division 2 League today. However, they had to work hard for their success, forced into a jump-off by the French who eventually had to settle for runner-up spot.

Belgium finished third, but it was the host team and Russia that scooped the maximum qualifying points towards the Furusiyya 2015 Final when sharing fourth spot ahead of Great Britain in sixth and Denmark in seventh, while last year’s Sopot winners from Turkey had to settle for eighth place this time around.

With the maximum number of 13 nations lining out at this leg, the teams from Norway, Sweden, Ukraine, Austria and The Netherlands failed to make the cut into the second round when only eight teams returned. And it came to a thrilling climax, with Andre Thieme clinching it for Germany when clear with Conthendrix in the two-way jump-off.

Shared the lead

France and Belgium shared the lead at the halfway stage carrying four faults each, but the German, British and Polish sides were close behind with just five faults apiece. And the other three teams to make the cut into the second round were Russia and Turkey carrying nine faults each, and Sweden whose faster first round gave them the nod over Norway when both put 10 faults on the first-round scoreboard.

The Belgians lost their grip when Wouter Devos, who was eliminated first time out, collected eight faults at his second attempt with Tonik Hero, and Catherine van Roosbroeck (Gautcho da Quina) also double-faulted. This meant that, despite superb double-clears from both pathfinder Jos Lansink (Ensor de Litrange LXll) and anchorman Jerome Guery (Papillon Z) they had to add eight to their scoreline which proved way too expensive.

The Polish side added 12, and the British added 13 to also slip out of contention, but the Germans put huge pressure on the French with clears from Thieme, Janne-Friederike Meyer (Goja) who had picked up just a single time fault first time out, and anchorman Patrick Stuhlmeyer who produced one of the four double-clears on the day with Lacan. Holger Wulschner’s single second-round error with BSC Cavity could therefore be discarded, leaving them on their first-round total of five.

Level pegging

The French, meanwhile, slipped onto level pegging when having to count the single time fault collected by Cyril Bouvard (Quasi Modo Z). Laurent Goffinet (Quinette du Quesnoy) followed his opening four-fault effort with a clear and Jerome Hurel was double-clear with Quartz Rouge but seven faults from Alexandre Fontanelle (Prime Time des Vagues) ensured Bouvard’s score had to be added. So a two-way showdown was assured.

Germany’s Thieme was first to go in the third-round gallop against the clock and set the standard with a foot-perfect run in 35.45 seconds. And although Fontanelle was more than two seconds quicker with his 12-year-old bay, he put four faults on the board for France to settle the matter.

German Chef d’Equipe, Heinrich-Hermann Engemann, was well-pleased with the result. “We had a discussion before the jump-off and agreed that Andre would jump it. He did a really good job and fought a lot to jump clear which placed pressure on the French rider to jump clear with a fast time,” he said afterwards.

Hero of the day Thieme commented, “Now that the jump-off is over, I feel great! Normally I am very calm, almost too calm, and people try to wake me up! For the first time today before the jump-off I felt a bit ‘aaah’. We didn’t have the right bridle, so the groom had to run back to the stable to get it. We didn’t have an ideal preparation in the build-up, but anyways, it worked out in the end!” he said happily.

On top of things

Talking about how the competition evolved, Thieme said, “The Brits, the Belgians and the French were all ahead of us coming into the second round – they really looked on top of things. It was really surprising to see teams with strong line-ups such as Ukraine and The Netherlands not doing so well. But we knew there would be a lot of good competitors. With our three clear rounds in the second round we managed to claw our way back!” he said proudly.

Talking about his winning ride, the 11-year-old Conthendrix, he explained, “From the very beginning, when I got him a few years ago, he was a talent but a bit too wild and fresh. From last year onwards, he has really started to settle down. He has done some great Nations Cup 5-Star shows – he was in Hickstead, Calgary, Dublin and won it in Falsterbo as well. Today he had one down in the first round, but from the second round he started jumping extra good. He was extremely consistent. That’s the great thing about him, you can keep jumping and he doesn’t get tired – he is just exceptional!” he added.

Patrick Stuhlmeyer was understandably delighted too. “The course was very long and the time required to complete it was very short. It was a good job from the course designer. I’m really proud; my horse jumped a great double clear!” said the rider who is based near Osnabruck in Germany.

Janne-Friederike Meyer was also a happy lady. “When you just won the Nations Cup, it’s easy to say that we love it here in Sopot! On a serious note though, it’s a super show from all aspects, whether the arena, the crowd or the accommodation. Yesterday, there were some small issues with the ground but they rectified it immediately. The jump-off was really exciting today, and in the end there were enough faults from the other teams for us to clinch it. The organisation as a whole here was fantastic!” she said.

The next leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 Europe Division 2 League will take place in Budapest, Hungary on 17 July and it promises to be a frenetic affair, with 12 teams in the race for points towards the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping Final in September.

For further details of the eleventh leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 Europe Division 2 at Sopot, Poland, visit www.csio.sopot.pl or contact Press Officer Karolina Ferenstein-Krasko, Email Karolina.ferenstein@wp.pl, Tel +48 601 39 1111.

The next leg of the series will take place in Rotterdam, Netherlands on Friday 19 June. For details of the Dutch fixture, visit www.chio.nl or contact Press Officer Anita Lussenberg, Email press@chio.nl.

Full result here.

Facts and Figures:

Sopot in Poland hosted the fourth leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping Europe Division 2 League today.

The competition came down to a two-way jump-off against the clock between Germany and France, with Germany coming out on top.

The maximum number, 13 teams, lined out in this leg of the series.

8 of the 13 teams returned for the second round.

There were seven teams chasing points towards the Furusiyya Final 2015 – Austria, Denmark, Norway, Poland, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine.

Poland and Russia claimed 95 points each when finishing equal-fourth today.

Just 4 double-clears from a starting field of 48 horse-and-rider combinations.

The fourth-placed Belgian team produced 2 of the double clears – from Jos Lansink (Ensor de Litrange LXll) and Jeromy Guery (Papillon Z). The other double-clears were produced by Germany’s Patrick Stuhlmeyer (Lacan) and Frenchman Jerome Hurel 9Quartz Rouge).

The next leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 Europe Division 2 League will take place in Budapest, Hungary on 17 July where 12 teams will be in the race for points.

Quotes:

Kaja Koczurowska-Wawrzkiewicz (Event Director, speaking about the fact the show has moved up to 5-Star from 3-Star level): “It wasn’t easy at all, but we had a dream and did everything possible to make it happen. We tried to find the money and we managed to grasp the interest. We also enlarged the arena a bit and built from last year. We are very hopeful of being able to keep our current status. We won’t stop moving forward!”

Heinrich-Hermann Engemann, German Chef d’Equipe: “We came here because we have been coming a long time to this show; we are very happy to have had an invitation for the 5-Star. We are so happy to have come; it’s a bit of a historical location for the German team as we have come here quite often over the years. All the riders here are on the same level, we came with a strong team bearing in mind it is 5-Star level.”

Janne-Friederike Meyer, GER: “The weather was perfect for the riders, although we don’t have time to go to the beach unfortunately! It’s great for the horses; it is warm but not stunningly hot. It’s great conditions to ride in, even for the spectators as well that came to watch the competition.”

Andre Thieme, GER: “I am probably the only rider on the team that has competed here before. It is actually my third time here in Sopot. I have won here before with the German team as well. Having seen the team that was coming here, I really thought we had a great chance of winning, given the quality of the riders.”

Detailed standings here.

For further information on the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping series, check out this link.

By Louise Parkes

Media Contacts:

At Sopot:

Karolina Ferenstein-Krasko
Press Officer
karolina.ferenstein@wp.pl
+48 601 39 1111

At FEI:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Press Relations
malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 33

Dressage, JRPR

Piaffe Performance Qualifies 3 for USEF Young & Developing Horse Dressage Nat’l Championships

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Katie Riley and Toy Story (Photo courtesy of Piaffe Performance)

Whitehouse Station, NJ (June 5, 2015) – Success feels thrice as nice for Dr. Cesar Parra of Piaffe Performance right now. After a string of exceptional performances in front of Centerline Events judges during the HITS-on-the-Hudson series in Saugerties, New York, he and his Piaffe Performance team have qualified three horses – Fashion Designer OLD, Toy Story, and Don Cesar – for the 2015 Markel/USEF Young and Developing Horse Dressage National Championships, to be held on August 19-23 at the Midwest’s premier Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Illinois.

“We are so excited with these young up-and-coming horses,” says Katie Riley, who joined the Piaffe Performance team in 2000 and has helped bring its horses through World, Pan American, and Olympic competition since. “They are super, quality horses at the top of their sport. The Markel/USEF Young and Developing Horse programs play critical roles in the development of our future stars, and we are very grateful to have programs like this and for Markel’s continued support.”

Fashion Designer OLD, owned by Martin Sosnoff and Dr. Cesar Parra, will be competed at Developing Prix St Georges level by Parra. The Oldenburg (Faustinus/DeNiro) gelding earned 75.66 percent at his last show in Florida. “He will probably do one more qualifier in July to tune up for the Championships,” Riley expects.

Also in Developing Prix St. Georges, Riley will ride Toy Story, a Dutch (Trento B/Jazz) gelding owned by Heather Hornor. Toy Story’s strong Prix St. Georges debut at his last Florida show this season earned him a 71.90 percent. “We will compete him locally in June and do one more qualifier in July to prep for the Championships,” Riley says of her mount.

Also keeping Piaffe Performance busy will be an exciting entry in the Five-Year-Old division, Don Cesar, owned by Dr. Cesar Parra and Marcela Ortiz Parra. The Westphalian (Desperados/Manhattan) gelding earned 84.4 percent in his Young Horse 5 Year Olds FEI Test Finale in Florida in April, and will also be competed locally through the summer in preparation for the August limelight at Lamplight.

Coming off one of its strongest winter seasons ever at the competitive Adequan Global Dressage Festival, Piaffe Performance and Cesar Parra have returned to summer operations out of Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, where another rainbow of ribbons – especially blue – are already accumulating. Next, the team will be aiming for gold with their young horses in August.

Piaffe Performance is always open to welcoming new dressage riders to its winning team. To learn more about Dr. Parra, Katie Riley, and Piaffe Performance horses, training, lessons, and sales services, please visit www.piaffe-performance.com.

Contact: Dr. Cesar Parra
Piaffe-Performance Farm
(410) 977-8352
www.piaffe-performance.com

Competitions, Show Jumping

David Beisel and Ammeretto Win $34k Suncast FEI 1.50m Challenge on 2nd Day of Tryon Spring 8

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David Beisel and Ammeretto. Photo ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – June 4, 2015 – Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) spectators witnessed a new face in the winner’s circle today, as David Beisel (USA) and Ammeretto proved victorious in the $34,000 Suncast® FEI 1.50m Challenge, besting the class of 33 entries. Beisel and Ammeretto made quick work of the Ana Catalina Harris Cruz-designed track to take a commanding win, finishing almost four seconds faster than Christine McCrea (USA) and Wannick WH who placed second in 33.045 seconds. Gemma Paternoster (GBR) and Osiris picked up third place, crossing the jump-off timers in 33.55 seconds. Tryon Spring 8 will continue through Sunday, June 7.

Beisel and Ammeretto collected their first victory at TIEC and the second big win of their 2015 season, along with top finishes in Ocala and Kentucky. “He’s had a great year this year. This is the second big class we’ve won and also have had several top placings in some pretty big classes,” said Beisel “I think I’ve been playing it too conservative with him. He’s a little guy and he likes to be able to get a good pace going and today I decided to let him go. If he’s not feeling challenged, he gets a little bit bored. He absolutely loves the challenge.”

The class saw 10 pairs move forward to the jump-off, but Beisel and Ammeretto laid down the fastest two rounds of the class, both in the first round and jump-off, finishing their first go around the course in 75.11 seconds and their jump-off in 29.465 seconds. The track proved difficult for a number of riders as several pairs accumulated time faults.

“I thought the course looked really nice. He’s got a great jump over the water, and I felt like that could save us some time. Plenty of people were having time faults so that’s where I was concerned,” said Beisel. “I got lucky because he rubbed both Fence 6 and 7 but he kept them up and after that he didn’t touch anything for the rest of the round.”

The spirited 2005 Dutch Warmblood stallion packs a big punch considering his relatively small size. Under Beisel’s guidance for nearly his entire life, Ammeretto’s personality shines in the ring and there are big plans on the horizon according to Beisel.

“I’ve been riding him for seven years. We started him when he was three years old and have had him ever since. I’m really looking forward to putting some consistent performances in this year,” he said. “I would love to look at going to World Cup Finals at some point or qualifying for some team participation down the road. That would be the ultimate goal.”

TIEC has served as a great destination for Beisel and his team, as taking advantage of FEI classes offered in the United States has been a high priority in their seasonal schedule. Beisel is entered in the $210,000 Tryon Grand Prix CSI 4* for the Governor’s Cup on Saturday, June 6, with both Ammeretto and his other ride, Call Me Hannes.

“We have certainly enjoyed it here. It is a really great facility, and we’ve been super impressed with everything since we’ve been here. I want to thank Mark [Bellissimo] for bringing these FEI ranking classes here. That is the main reason why we’re here and I’m already looking forward to coming back,” he remarked.

Competition at TIEC continues tomorrow with the $34,000 FEI 1.45m Speed Stake beginning at 12pm. The $210,000 Tryon Grand Prix CSI 4* for the Governor’s Cup will held on Saturday, June 6, in conjunction with The Festival of the Carolinas Craft Beer Festival and the naming of 14 local charities to participate in this year’s Great Charity Challenge of the Carolinas (GCC) to be held in October. Grammy-winning performer Lee Greenwood will also sing his hit “God Bless The U.S.A.” alongside a guest appearance by the Special Forces Parachute Team presenting a four-person tandem jump from 8,000 feet while landing with a 20-foot by 40-foot American flag in the George H. Morris Stadium.

For more information on TIEC and full 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.

Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping

Andres Rodriguez and Darlon van Groenhove Win $85,000 ATB Financial Cup at Spruce Meadows

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Andres Rodriguez and Darlon van Groenhove. Photos © Spruce Meadows Media Services.

McLain Ward and Nick Dello Joio Also Victorious on Day Two

Calgary, AB, Canada – June 4, 2015 – Spruce Meadows ‘National’ Tournament CSI 5*, presented by Rolex, continued with its second day of competition on Thursday featuring world-class show jumping in Calgary, AB, Canada. The day’s big win went to Venezuela’s Andres Rodriguez and Darlon van Groenhove in the $85,000 ATB Financial Cup 1.55m. McLain Ward (USA) and HH Carlos Z were victorious in the $34,000 ATCO Pipelines Cup 1.50m, and Nick Dello Joio (USA) and Contiki triumphed in the $34,000 Westmoreland Coal Cup 1.50m.

The ‘National’ Tournament is the first in five weeks of competition during this year’s Summer Series at Spruce Meadows. Riders will vie for nearly $1.2 million in prize money throughout the week, with competition concluding on Sunday, June 7. The highlight event will be the $400,000 RBC Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, on Saturday, June 6. Other features include the $60,000 TransCanada Parcours de Chasse on Saturday and the $210,000 CNOOC Nexen Cup 1.50m Derby on Sunday.

Course designer Uliano Vezzani (ITA) set the track for Thursday’s $85,000 ATB Financial Cup, which saw 76 starters and 21 clear rounds. Out of 20 that continued on to the evening’s jump-off, ten were able to clear the short course without fault.

For the second night in a row, Andres Rodriguez was the winner, this time aboard his Pan American Games prospect Darlon van Groenhove. The rider and Arao Enterprises LLC’s 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Clinton x Heartbreaker) flew through the finish line in 43.01 seconds. Also riding for Venezuela, Pablo Barrios guided his mount Antares to a second place finish in 45.35 seconds. USA’s Quentin Judge earned the third place prize aboard Double H Farm’s HH Whisky Royale in 45.70 seconds.

Winning two nights in a row to kick off an important summer of competition was like a dream come true for Rodriguez, who appreciates everything it takes to make it to this level of the sport.

“It is an amazing feeling,” the rider acknowledged. “When I look back to the very first year I came to Spruce Meadows, I was very far from sitting in this chair (at the press conference), and now that I am able to come to a show like this and be competitive every day with a good string of horses it is just very gratifying.”

“I was certain I was going to win another class throughout the summer because my horses have been going great, but I did not expect it to happen the next day,” Rodriguez admitted. “But here we are, so it is amazing.”

‘Darlon’ has jumped clear in his last six competitions with good placings and two wins prior to Thursday night, but Rodriguez counts this win at a different level.

“The competitions he has won before have been good competitions, but this is a great competition,” he declared. “Twenty riders in the jump-off, very fast riders, and a big tough course. It is special, so if he keeps it up our hopes are high for the Pan American Games.”

With a tough roster of competitors, Rodriguez knew he had to take some risk in the jump-off, and he took a big chance leaving out a stride at the final fence.

“I may have taken a little bit too much risk to the last fence, but it paid off,” he smiled. “I think the horse grew wings. I do not know how he got out of there, but he did.”

Darlon was purchased through Steve Guerdat to eventually be sold, but continued to prove himself and turned into more than Rodriguez expected.

“We put him in a few competitions and I knew he was going to be super nice,” the rider detailed. “The horse kept going and he just kept getting better and better. Surprisingly, he is the best horse we have in the string now. His style is very classic. He goes in a very nice way and he has a huge stride. For a jump-off like today where you have big gallops, you can use that big canter that he has. He is very flexible and he is a dream to ride. He is just nice in every way.”

Ward Wins on Day Two

Earlier in the day, McLain Ward jumped to victory in the $34,000 ATCO Pipelines Cup 1.50m aboard Double H Farm’s HH Carlos Z. The competition saw 29 entries with five advancing to the jump-off.

Conor Swail (IRL) was first to jump the short course with Susan Grange’s Simba de la Roque, setting the pace with a clear round in 39.89 seconds to eventually accept the second place prize. Ward and HH Carlos Z soon beat their time by a margin in 39.54 seconds to take the win. Meagan Nusz (USA) and Amalaya Investments’ Leoville 2 had one rail down in 43.84 seconds to place third.

McLain Ward and HH Carlos Z
McLain Ward and HH Carlos Z

“Carlos is an unbelievably competitive horse. All he does is win, win, win,” Ward said of his mount. “Conor had a great round, but I felt Carlos was jumping well and it was worth taking a shot. We won by a sliver; it wasn’t very much.”

“I got to see Conor go, which was nice, and then I jumped one jump and went in,” Ward continued. “I knew Conor actually lost his footing a little bit turning to number three in the jump-off, and I thought that if I could catch that jump a little bit better it would be the difference, and it was.”

Ward and the 13-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Chellano Z x Voltaire) have had incredible success since Hunter Harrison of Double H Farm brought the partnership together. Most recently, the duo won back-to-back grand prix at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows in New York. Those competitions, held on another large grass field, set Carlos up perfectly for immediate command of Spruce Meadows’ International Ring.

“We are lucky we have a great show at Old Salem Farm that is on grass, and myself and Beezie (Madden) and a lot of us use that as a great prep for Spruce Meadows,” Ward noted. “It is a national show, so it is maybe a little softer level, but high quality. That is a nice lead up to this.”

Carlos also placed third in Wednesday’s $34,000 Back on Track 1.50m and Ward now has plans to jump him in Saturday’s grand prix.

“That is the amazing thing about him. He can go in the 1.45m class on Wednesday full speed, then come back and jump the grand prix on Sunday afternoon and have a good chance,” Ward remarked. “He does some things that you would not think he should be able to do, but he is a real trier and a fighter. Like I always say to Mr. Harrison, he is a horse that on any day, he is worth getting dressed for.”

Dello Joio Earns Career First

Also competing on Thursday, USA’s Nick Dello Joio captured his first ever win in Spruce Meadows’ International Ring. The 26-year-old rider jumped Coker Farm’s Contiki to victory in the $34,000 Westmoreland Coal Cup 1.50m. Out of 27 starters, nine advanced to the jump-off, where the pair completed the fastest of six double clear rounds.

Jaime Azcarraga (MEX) guided Matador to second place honors in 39.57 seconds. Eric Lamaze (CAN) stopped the clock in 39.92 seconds to earn the third place prize with Artisan Farms and Torrey Pines Stable’s Rosana du Park, and Conor Swail finished fourth in 39.97 seconds on Susan and Ariel Grange’s Grafton.

“I am thrilled,” Dello Joio smiled following his win. “My horse was great and I could not be happier with him. He was great yesterday. He was a little bit fresh, but still managed a good clear round and was tenth. Today, I had a hard rub at the in of the combination, but luck was on my side.”

“The jump-off really suited him,” Dello Joio continued. “It was not a lot of tight turns. It was a lot more of an open gallop, and he covers the grounds so quickly and he is such a fast horse that it was great.”

Contiki, a nine-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding (Contendro x Calido I), has had other top finishes in Toronto and Wellington with Dello Joio and also showed in Old Salem in preparation for this summer’s competition.

Commenting on where the win ranks in his career, the rider stated, “It’s up there. Spruce Meadows is my favorite venue in the world. It is by far the best venue in the world and to be able to win in the main ring is great. I have knocked on the door a few times, but never pulled it off, so it was great to do it in such a fast jump-off with so many good riders right behind me. Second, third and fourth place were three of the best in the world, so it felt good. It is also nice to get a win early. It puts you at ease a little bit and now we can kind of relax and carry on with the rest of our summer series here.”

Thursday’s competition also featured FEI competition in the All Canada Ring in the morning with a course set by Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA). Eduardo Menezes (BRA) was the winner of the $8,000 Omega Alpha Cup 1.45m aboard his own Catalina. The pair topped a two-horse jump-off over Mario Deslauriers (USA) with Lisa Deslauriers’ Scout de la Cense. Reed Kessler (USA) finished third on one time fault aboard Kessler Show Stables’ KS Stakki.

The Spruce Meadows ‘National’ Tournament, presented by Rolex, continues on Friday with two features in the International Ring. Competition will begin in the afternoon with the $35,000 Encana Cup 1.45m followed by the $35,000 RBC Capital Markets Cup 1.50m.

For a complete tournament schedule and full results, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.

Based in Calgary, Canada, Spruce Meadows is the creation of the Southern family who built a Show Jumping complex at the foothills of the Alberta Rocky Mountains. It was in 1976 that the first Spruce Tournaments were held, with annual spectator attendances reaching over 50,000 by the end of the decade. Today, Spruce Meadows boasts one of the greatest outdoor equestrian venues in the world and offers an incredible experience for riders and fans alike. Spruce Meadows focuses on the organization and hosting of show jumping tournaments of unmatched quality for junior, amateur and professional athletes in a manner that reflects basic family values in a clean, green and welcoming environment that celebrates the horse and encourages the breeding and training of quality sport horses and the teaching and development of athletes. For more information on Spruce Meadows, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.

Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

*Featured/Spotlights, Racing

“Secret Lives of the Super Rich: The Triple Crown” at 10p ET/PT June 4, 2015

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CNBC has been documenting American Pharoah’s journey as he races towards the Triple Crown this Saturday at the Belmont Stakes. We will take viewers behind the scenes with “Secret Lives of the Super Rich: The Triple Crown” at 10p ET/PT.

This special presents thoroughbred racing like you’ve never seen it before, with unprecedented access on and off the track, including thrill-filled moments inside the VIP winner’s circle. It’s an exclusive and up close look inside the unforgettable journey of the father and son team who own American Pharoah as they win the most prestigious races in America, take home millions in prize money, and race against history for the most elusive title in all of sports: The Triple Crown.

Below are a few clips from the special:

Triple Crown All-Access Pass
CNBC gives you an inside look into American Pharoah’s race against history.
http://www.cnbcprime.com/super-rich/video/superrich-triple-crown-all-access-pass/

Air Horse One
American Pharoah doesn’t fly coach — his ticket is first-class on a custom Boeing 727 that’s been transformed into the ultimate stable in the sky!
http://www.cnbcprime.com/super-rich/video/superrich-air-horse-one/

American Pharoah’s Owner Runs for the Roses
Get up close and personal with the 23-year-old owner of American Pharoah, Justin Zayat, as he experiences the gut-wrenching thrill of winning the Kentucky Derby.
http://www.cnbcprime.com/super-rich/video/superrich-american-pharaohs-owner-runs-for-the-roses/

AmericanPharoah3“Secret Lives of the Super Rich: The Triple Crown” Promo
A look inside the unforgettable journey of the father and son team who own American Pharoah as they race against history for the most elusive title in all of sports: The Triple Crown.
http://youtu.be/pu_seNBis5s

Tune-in Details: “Secret Lives of the Super Rich: The Triple Crown” premieres Thursday 10p ET/PT on CNBC.

Join the conversation on Twitter with #SuperRich and @CNBCSuperRich or on Facebook at facebook.com/CNBCPrime. Go to cnbcprime.com/super-rich/ for more details.

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