Tag Archives: Kristen Vanderveen

*Featured/Spotlights, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, Tryon

Todd Minikus & Amex Z Secure Back-to-Back Victories at Tryon Summer 1

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Todd Minikus and Amex Z ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – June 14, 2020 – Todd Minikus (Lake Worth, FL) and Amex Z secured a double victory during Tryon Summer 1 at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), winning both the $75,000 Tryon Resort Grand Prix and the $25,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake. In Saturday’s Tryon Resort Grand Prix, Minikus and Amex Z stopped the jump-off timers at 35.096 seconds. Kristen VanderVeen (Wellington, FL) and Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili, a 2005 Belgian Warmblood stallion (Berlin x Darco) owned by Bull Run Jumpers Five LLC, took second place on a clear jump-off performance of 35.243 seconds, while Shane Sweetnam (Lexington, KY) and his own Indra Van De Oude Heihoef, a 2008 Belgian Warmblood mare (Casantos x Action-Breaker), claimed third-place honors in 36.262 seconds.

The first grand prix of the Tryon Summer Series welcomed 22 horse-and-rider pairs to the Tryon Stadium course designed by Skip Bailey (Loxahatchee, FL) with ten pairs returning for the jump-off.

Minikus praised the growth of Amex Z, a 2009 Zangersheide mare (Andiamo Z x Landaris) owned by Bit By Bit Group, saying, “I think she [Amex Z] has really matured. She’s been a little bit inconsistent, but she started to go really well at the end of the winter circuit. With a couple months of being off at home and training the old-fashioned way, she really grew up.”

David O’Brien and La Belle SCF Dominate $25,000 Sunday Classic

David O’Brien (Lexington, KY) and La Belle SCF separated themselves from the rest of the field in the $25,000 Sunday Classic hosted in Tryon Stadium, stopping the second-round timers in 33.17 seconds to grab an almost four-second lead. Aaron Vale (Williston, FL) and Chaccman, the 2006 Warmblood gelding (Chacco Blue x Panadena) owned by Thinks Like a Horse, finished on a time of 37.009 to claim second, while third and fourth place honors went to Ashley Fleishhacker (Wayzata MN), who rode Durango VDL to a time of 38.916 seconds for third aboard the 2008 Dutch Warmblood stallion (Zirocco Blue VDL x Narona) and also earned a time of 39.543 seconds riding Auckland de l’Enclos, a 2006 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Nagano x Peggyschnitt van Het Stal Hof), both owned by Ashland Show Stables LLC.

Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Divine Fortune Kick Off Tryon Summer Series with $25,000 Wednesday Classic Win

Kristen VanderVeen (Wellington, FL) and Bull Run’s Divine Fortune stopped the jump-off timers in 28.08 seconds Wednesday in the International Stadium to claim the $25,000 Wednesday Classic at the start of Tryon Summer 1 competition with the Bull Run Jumpers Six LLC-owned 2009 Dutch Warmblood mare (Padinus x Amhilavsca Fortuna). Hayley Waters (Sparr, FL) and Mr. and Mrs. Chuck Waters’ Uppie de Lis, a 2001 Dutch Riding Horse (Andiamo Z x Lorraine). stopped the timers at 28.375 seconds to take second, while Todd Minikus and Amex Z earned third on a time of 28.928 seconds.

To learn more, visit www.Tryon.com.

Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Kristen VanderVeen Scores Second Five-Star Win in Ninth Week of WEF

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Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili. Photo © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – March 6, 2020 – The ninth week of the 2020 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) continued on Friday, March 6, with a second win for Kristen VanderVeen (USA) and Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili. They sped to the top of the $37,000 Bainbridge 1.45m CSI5*.

VanderVeen and her veteran campaigner were the fastest of 18 clear rounds out of 43 entries in the 1.45m over a course set by Alan Wade of Ireland. They took over the lead from Lucas Porter (USA) and Hope Street, who had set the time to beat at 59.66 seconds. They would finish in third place. Riding out of the 24th spot in the order, VanderVeen and “Frosty” brought the winning time down to 56.54 seconds.

“I didn’t see anybody go before me that was really trying to win the class,” said VanderVeen. “There were some more careful components, so I was actually a little more conservative than I planned on being! Thankfully it still worked out. He just covers the ground so well and is still quick in the air.”

Fabio Leivas da Costa and Randon Pleasure Can’t Be Caught in $37,000 Griffis Residential 1.45m

Following the morning’s five-star Bainbridge 1.45m competition, the second victory of the day in the International Arena went to Brazil’s Fabio Leivas da Costa in the $37,000 Griffis Residential 1.45m CSI2* class. Da Costa was part of a starting line-up of 73 horse-and-rider combinations set to contest Alan Wade’s next course.

Seven combinations were kept from the jump-off with a single time fault while another 16 suffered the fault of a single rail. Out of the field, only 13 pairs managed to clear the timers fault-free to return for the second phase; that number became 12 when Eugenio Garza Perez (MEX) withdrew from the jump-off field. Athletes from both Ireland and Venezuela were at the top of the leaderboard, but it was da Costa and Bonne Chance Farm’s 15-year-old Selle Francais mare Randon Pleasure (For Pleasure x Quidam de Revel) that raced through the timers in unbeatable speed.

Clara Propp Pilots News Day to the Win in the $5,000 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby

Friday morning began with pony riders taking on the Derby Field at the Equestrian Village. It was Clara Propp and News Day who took top honors in the competitive $5,000 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby. After receiving a high score of 86 in the first round, the pair maintained their lead with a score of 80 in the handy round for a total score of 166.

Propp, of New York, NY, and News Day, owned by Aquitaine Equine, were the last to return for the handy round after they earned the highest score in the classic round. The 12-year-old gelding by Clovercroft’s Abba Adonai has been in the Propp family for several years and originally showed in the Large Green Pony Hunters with Propp’s older sister, Stella. Once Stella outgrew ponies, Clara took over the reins and continued News Day’s successful show career.

For full results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Show Jumping

Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili Fly to CSI5* WEF 9 Win

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Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili. Photo © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – March 4, 2020 – Kristen Vanderveen (USA) rode Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili to victory in the $37,000 Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1.45m CSI5* to open week nine of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL on Wednesday, February 26.

In Wednesday’s highlight class, the best was saved for last, as Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili were the final of 60 entries to navigate the two-phase course set by Alan Wade (IRL).

When Vanderveen and her 15-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion entered the ring, the time to beat had been set at 33.27 seconds by both Jordan Coyle aboard Picador and Andrew Kocher with Fashion V, who sat tied atop the leaderboard.

“I actually went on my first horse and came out and felt like, ‘No way anybody can beat her,’” said Vanderveen. “Then the time quickly got beat by Santiago [Lambre]. That actually fired me up a little bit with ‘Frosty.’”

Using the stallion’s big stride to her benefit, Vanderveen shaved more than a second off the previous leading time, crossing the timers in a winning 32.18 seconds.

For full results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Show Jumping

Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili Dominate Holiday & Horses Opener

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Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili, pictured with ring master, Steve Rector. ©ESP.

Wellington, FL – November 27, 2019 – Kristen Vanderveen of Wellington, FL and Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili, owned by Bull Run Jumpers Five LLC, dominated the $36,000 Dover Saddlery Holiday & Horses Opener to begin the 2019 ESP Holiday Series at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). A total of 59 total competitors contested the track, which followed a power and speed format. Vanderveen and her well-known mount “Frosty” went twenty-eighth in the set order of go, stopping the timers at 31.179 seconds in the second round to set the time to beat. Molly Ashe Cawley of Wellington, FL and Louisburg Farm’s Balous Day Date came close, finishing the second round in 31.422 seconds to claim second place. Vanderveen almost beat her own time when she entered the arena aboard Bull Run’s Prince of Peace, owned by Bull Run Jumpers Five LLC, but a 31.975-second round would ultimately clinch the pair a third-place position.

The course was set by FEI designer Anthony D’Ambrosio, which saw only eighteen of the fifty-nine ride double-clear. Vanderveen commented that her plan when she went in for her trip with “Frosty” was just to go fast and be clean: “He’s like my ‘old faithful’ partner, so I don’t have to worry too much with him.” Vanderveen and the 2005 Belgian Warmblood stallion have had great success over the years at PBIEC and across the country.

“We just got back from competing out west. This is actually his first show back in three or four weeks, because I gave him some time off after we were out in California and at Las Vegas. I was there mostly showing my younger ones and getting them ready for season.” Over the next few days Vanderveen plans to save Frosty for the smaller Grand Prix, and will ride Bull Run’s Risen in Friday’s $72,000 Joe DiMaggio Children’s Health Specialty Center 1.50m Qualifier and Saturday night’s $209,000 Holiday & Horses Grand Prix CSI 4* presented by Palm Beach County Sports Commission.

Tiffany Foster Rides Vienna to Victory in the $1,000 FEI 1.40m Class

Earlier in the day, Tiffany Foster of Canada rode Artisan Farms LLC’s Vienna to victory in the $1,000 FEI 1.40m class after completing the jump-off track in 32.838 seconds. Jonas Vervoort of Belgium and Cicomein VDL, owned by HKC Collection LLC, crossed through the timers at 33.435 seconds to take home the red ribbon, while Rebecca Conway of Wellington, FL clinched third-place honors with Hilington Farm’s Calle Cool 14 after their 34.464-second performance in the second round. Thirty-six entries challenged the course with thirteen turning in a double-clear effort.

To learn more about the ESP Holiday Series and PBIEC, please visit www.pbiec.com.

Competitions, Show Jumping, Tryon

Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Almighty Clinch $36k Sunday Classic CSI 4* at TIEC

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Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Almighty ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – June 11, 2019 – Kristen VanderVeen (USA) and Bull Run’s Almighty laid down an unbeatable jump-off performance in Sunday’s $36,000 Sunday Classic CSI 4* to conclude Tryon Spring 6 TR&HC Charity Horse Show competition at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), stopping the jump-off timers at 33.363 seconds. Sharn Wordley (NZL) and his own Gatsby, a 2004 Irish Sport Horse stallion (Simba x Cruise On), cleared the short course in 34.904 seconds to earn second place, and Samuel Parot (CHI) guided his own Thriller P, a 2004 Swedish Warmblood stallion (Cardento x Lucky Light), to a speedy four-fault, 33.509-second round for third.

Kelvin Bywater (GBR) designed a course that tested its entrants, with 20 trips attempting the first-round track and five pairs returning for the jump-off. Bull Run’s Almighty, a 2008 Hanoverian gelding (Caspar x Quidam De Revel) owned by Bull Run Jumpers Six LLC, has been improving his jump-off form in recent weeks, VanderVeen explained. “I’ve really been working on jump-offs with him because he’s not naturally a speed horse. It’s been really encouraging to see in the last couple classes that he’s really stepped it up.”

Following Wordley’s blazing-fast jump-off performance, VanderVeen was able to utilize her horse’s stride and tight turns to deliver a clean run that was more than a full second faster. She elaborated: “He has a huge stride, so I think I was able to leave out a stride in the first line, and then down the last line I was also able to leave out a stride, so that helped me cover the ground a little bit faster than Sharn [Wordley] – his horse is really fast!

“I was thrilled with [Bull Run’s Almighty]. It was nice – the ring dried out really well for us in the afternoon, and it ended up draining great [after rain in the morning]. I was really pleased with how he jumped,” VanderVeen continued.

Headed shortly to Europe, VanderVeen has been preparing throughout the Tryon Spring Series at TIEC and was happy to finish with another win at the venue, where she is well-known for her success on multiple rides. “The horses fly out on Wednesday, then they get a few days and then they go straight to a 5* week,” VanderVeen concluded. “I will drive the horses who aren’t going to Wellington tomorrow, and then I fly out from Florida on Tuesday!”

For full results from the $36,000 Sunday Classic CSI 4*, click here.

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

Championships, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, Tryon

Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Prince of Peace Win $36k Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3*

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Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Prince of Peace ©TIEC.

Mill Spring, NC – May 30, 2019 – Kristen Vanderveen (USA) and Bull Run’s Prince of Peace came out on top in Thursday’s $36,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3* at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), stopping the jump-off timers in 35.167 seconds to take the win. David Blake (IRL) and Keoki, a 2009 Holsteiner male (Catoki x Cassini I) owned by Pine Hollow Farm, secured the red rosette after their 39.292-second performance, while third place went to Hector Florentino (DOM) and Venus, a 2002 Dutch Warmblood mare (Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve x Julius) owned by Raylyn Farms, Inc., for their 39.697-second jump-off effort.

Thirty-three entries tested the Michel Vaillancourt (CAN) course design, with seven pairs returning for the jump-off round. Vanderveen and the 2009 Holsteiner gelding (Cardenio x Contender) owned by Bull Run Jumpers Six LLC have been moving up the ranks together, and “Prince” is beginning to take his place as a reliable member of her FEI string, Vanderveen explained.

“It is quite exciting to see him now more at the top [level], and I’m using him as one of my main horses. And this is actually my first class with him this week!” she added. “So, it was great for him to come out in kind of a bigger class and not need a warm-up.”

Vanderveen is heading to Europe this summer, and mentioned that Bull Run Prince of Peace is proving himself ready for the journey with his performance at TIEC over the last few weeks. “That [using him selectively] was something I was trying out, as I’m going to Europe soon and I’m going to be using him as one of my main horses,” she said.

The competitive field was no big deal for the pair, who bested the class by more than three seconds. “He’s naturally very fast, and he’s super careful,” assessed Vanderveen. “I can take a lot of risks, I think, through the turns, and just never [have] to really slow down because he’s always watching the rails by himself.”

Though Vanderveen is well-known for her success at TIEC with another mount, Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili, Bull Run’s Prince of Peace continues to rack up successes and his future is looking particularly promising, Vanderveen revealed. “I think he might end up being one of my best horses, so you never know, but fingers crossed. I hope to bring him along to be one of my top horses and jump the big classes,” she concluded.

Pablo Barrios and Le Vio Conquer the $6,000 1.45m Power & Speed Stake CSI 3*

Pablo Barrios (VEN) and Le Vio were one of only three pairs to go clean in both phases of Wednesday’s $6,000 1.45m Power & Seed Stake CSI 3* to take an early win in Tryon Spring 5 competition, clocking a first-round time of 37.71 seconds and producing a 33.543-second speed phase round. Savannah Jenkins (USA) and Quitana 11, a 2006 Holsteiner mare (Quick Star x Lucky Lionell) owned by Georgy Sarah Maskrey-Segesman, claimed second place with a speed-round time of 33.665 seconds, and Angel Karolyi (VEN) sped to third aboard Carol Rosenstein’s April Moon, a 2008 Holsteiner mare (Quinar x Landwind II), after clearing the speed round in 35.504 seconds.

Barrios and the 2009 Hanoverian gelding (Van Gogh x Drosselklang II) owned by Gut Einhaus LLC dominated the class and a competitive design by Michel Vaillancourt (CAN), proving to Barrios the quality of his horse, he explained. “This horse is jumping really, really good. I was very impressed because he’s not the most scopey horse, but he is very careful.”

Though he’s been riding Le Vio for about a year and a half, Barrios detailed that he’s been bringing this horse along to the 1.50m level and has already seen good success. “I started in the small classes and I moved up the last year doing night classes,” said Barrios. “He just came last week from a fourth place finish in a 2* class at Split Rock, and he won last summer in the Central American Games and also in Florida. A horse like this is always a winner; he always tries his best. He is a very competitive horse.”

After Wednesday’s solid performance, Barrios believes Le Vio is well on his way to success at the 1.50m and CSI 2* level, he emphasized. The pair will compete at TIEC for the remainder of the Tryon Spring Series before returning again in the Summer Series to keep furthering those goals:

“I hope to get him solid in 1.50m classes, and I would be very pleased if he can win this type of class at a 1.50m level. That would be very good. So now he has maybe one or two 1.50m, one or two more 2* at 1.45m, but I mean, the way he’s jumping, I’m sure he can jump a little more.”

Amberlee Wentz and Five Star Champion the Green Hunter 3’6/3’9/High Performance 4′ Division

Amberlee Wentz of Colorado Springs, CO and Dana Vollbracht’s Five Star came out on top in the combined Green Hunter 3’6/3’9/High Performance Division. The reserve champion title was awarded to Thomas Serio (Aberdeen, NC) and Moody Blues owned by GC Ponies for their performance on the week.

Wentz and Five Star have been paired since November, and is a horse that’s new to the Hunter division, she revealed. “We call him Jerry at the barn. He came from the Jumper division and we’re just bringing him along. He’s already qualified for Derby Finals this year.” She continued, “He just wasn’t quick enough to do the big Junior Amateur Jumper classes, which she [his owner] wanted to do on him, and he jumps really well with the Hunter look, so she decided that Hunters would be the best job for him.”

Five Star’s Jumper instincts sometimes show up in the Hunter ring, Wentz explained. “During the first round, being a Jumper, when we walked in, all of a sudden in the next ring over the buzzer toned, and he got a little bit awake in the first round. He had a decent round, but ended up third. He got down the diagonal line a little bit quicker than I thought we were going to, and just wasn’t quite as relaxed as he was yesterday,” Wentz recounted. “He rides great in the handy rounds, so I just had a good plan in the handy, did the inside turns, and he jumped great.

“We’re from Colorado right near the Colorado Horse Park,” Wentz shared of her plans with Five Star. “We’ll be here this week and next week and then we’ll go back home, as much as we’d like to just stay here all summer! Then, we’ll go to the Colorado Horse Park some this summer since it’s so close to us.”

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

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, Tryon

Kristen Vanderveen and Faustino de Tili Win $36k Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3*

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Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili. ©TIEC.

Mill Spring, NC – May 23, 2019 – Kristen Vanderveen (USA) and Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili returned to Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) competition with a landmark win in Thursday’s $36,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3*, stopping the short-course timers in 38.71 seconds to claim their 30th FEI win together. Sarah Scheiring (USA) and S & L Cocodrille, a 2008 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Emerald Van’t Ruytershof x Kashmir Van Schuttershof) owned by S & L Farms, stopped the clock in 39.735 seconds to claim second, while Hunter Holloway (USA) rounded out the all-female podium aboard Silver Creek’s Validation, a 2007 Zweibrücker stallion (Vallado x Lansing) owned by Silver Creek Farms, with a 40.373-second jump-off performance.

Twenty-four pairs tested the first round set by Catsy Cruz (MEX), with seven entries returning for the jump-off. Vanderveen was already winning aboard Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili when she closed out the class aboard Bull Run’s Prince of Peace and placed sixth on a time of 40.423 seconds and one rail down.

“I thought the course was great,” said Vanderveen. “It was very fair and open, but at the same time the course caught everybody a little bit, which is great. She did a great job.”

Vanderveen and “Frosty,” the 2005 Belgian Warmblood stallion (Berlin x Darco) owned by Bull Run Jumpers Five LLC, have seen great success at Tryon throughout their career together, and the venue suits her horse so well that she made a change in plans and saved him to compete this week, Vanderveen commented.

“It’s nice to be back with Frosty. I was actually in Kentucky last week with him and I could just tell – I thought, ‘Nope, we are going to save him for all three weeks in Tryon, because he loves it there.’ This is his thing,” Vanderveen continued. “He has had a little vacation for the last week or two, and has been saving his energy, so it’s nice that it paid off today.”

The result was another Tryon win and their 30th FEI win together, Vanderveen detailed. “It was kind of a special win because it was his 30th FEI win since I’ve had him. We’ve been keeping an eye on it and trying to get to 30. My first 5* Grand Prix win was here, too.”

Vanderveen will save Bull Run’s Prince of Peace for Sunday’s $36,000 1.45m Jumper Classic CSI 3*, and plans to compete Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili in Saturday’s $72,000 CaptiveOne Advisors Grand Prix CSI 3*. She revealed that she will be spending the next few weeks at TIEC to prepare for an upcoming trip to Europe:

“We will be here through the 4* competition and then we are doing something a little different this year. Showing here is also a lot of prep for that. What better can you do to prep than come here? I was originally going to leave Frosty stateside, and just recently decided to bring him along [to Europe]. He has proven today that he wants to come!”

Todd Minikus and Amex Z Fly to Win $36,000 1.45m Power and Speed Stake CSI 3*

Todd Minikus (USA) and Amex Z Flew to Win Wednesday’s $36,000 Power and Speed Stake CSI 3*, clearing the short course in 28.43 seconds ahead of David Blake (IRL) aboard Emilia, a 2009 Dutch Warmblood mare (Ukato x Goodwill) owned by Pine Hollow Farm, who stopped the timers at 29.084 seconds for the red rosette. Santiago Lambre and Dingeman, a 2008 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Nintender x Darnels) owned by Aurora Rangel de Alba, rounded out the podium after their 29.419-second jump-off effort.

Minikus and the 2009 Zangersheide mare (Andiamo Z x Landaris) owned by Bit By Bit Group “maybe did one or two less strides back to the combinations” to gain the advantage over the field, he explained. “The course rode nicely, and it was a nice opening class for all the horses, but it was very competitive by the time we got to the speed phase. The riders in the class are extremely competitive.”

Team Minikus has just arrived in at TIEC, and he noted that he’s encouraged to see such a positive start to his Tryon campaign after a less-successful tour than hoped in Kentucky this spring. “It’s nice to start off here with a little better success than what we were having in Kentucky earlier since I didn’t have that good of a tour. She will show this week, and I’m planning for her to be in the Grand Prix on Saturday as well,” Minikus concluded.

Geoffrey Hesslink Champions the Green Hunter 3’3″ Division aboard Coronation

Geoffrey Hesslink of Shelburne, VT rode Lindsay Maxwell’s mount Coronation to top honors in the Green Hunter 3’3″ Division, with reserve honors named to Sara Ketcham (Columbus, NC), riding Splendid Moon for Claire de Lune Farm.

Hesslink has been paired with the 2011 Warmblood gelding (Conthargos x Balouville) since late winter, but the combination has already proven successful, he relayed.

“We call him Conor, and he’s great. He’s done three shows, and has been champion at two, and reserve at the other. The lowest score he’s had is 85. He’s been amazing and has made very few mistakes,” Hesslink said. “He is such a dream to have!”

Hesslink and “Conor” will be competing again next week at TIEC, and will return to compete in the Summer Series at TIEC.

“I really like the Grand Hunter Ring [Ring 4] here. It’s really big, so it’s nice that you can get on a gallop and keep one pace. Today the lines rode really nicely,” Hesslink continued of the course set by Joe Carnicom (Toledo, OH).

Hesslink concluded, “It’s a top facility, and it’s nice that they can have classes on the grass or in the George Morris Arena, too. I think it’s a really great place to bring young horses along and get a lot of experience and exposure to environment.”

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

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

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

David Oberkircher and Upper Earn Second Consecutive Under 25 Grand Prix Series Victory

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David Oberkircher and Upper. Photo © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – March 1, 2019 – For the second time in a row, David Oberkircher (USA) rode Upper to an Under 25 grand prix victory at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL, this time topping the $36,000 Hermès Under 25 Semi-Final Grand Prix CSI U25 on Friday, March 1, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC).

David Oberkircher and Upper topped a field of 46 entries to win the $36,000 Hermès Under 25 Semi-Final Grand Prix CSI U25, marking the pair’s second consecutive Hermès Under 25 Grand Prix Series victory after having also won the $25,000 Hermès Under 25 Grand Prix during week six of WEF.

Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Divine Fortune Speed to $36,000 Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1.45m Classic CSIO4* Victory

It was a race to the finish for 43 competitors in the $36,000 Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1.45m Classic CSIO4* on Friday afternoon over a course designed by Steve Stephens (USA). There were eight clear rounds in a speed format, and the fastest of those was Kristen Vanderveen (USA) on Bull Run’s Divine Fortune, who finished in a time of 62.43 seconds for victory.

It was a sweep for the ladies in the top five spots in the class. Zoe Conter (BEL) and Stephex Stables’s Dolitaire Chavannaise were second in 63.12 seconds, while Eve Jobs (USA) rode her own Limbridge to third in 64.45 seconds. Lauren Hough (USA) and her own Joblesse were fourth in 64.94 seconds, and Petronella Andersson (SWE) rounded out the top five with Stephex Stables’s Bacardi 188 in a time of 65.11 seconds.

This was the sixth FEI ranking class win at the 2019 WEF for Vanderveen, which she has accomplished on four different horses. These classes mean a lot for the 29-year-old rider.

Low Adult Amateur Hunter Section A Championship Goes to Joan Ehrhart and Coachella

After seeing a total of 30 horse-and-rider combinations navigate the course in the Rost Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, judges ultimately awarded both over fences first place ribbons to Joan Ehrhart of Wellington, FL and Coachella. The two victories, along with another second place, was enough to secure the pair the champion ribbon for the Low Adult Amateur Hunter Section A division during Week 8 of the 2019 Winter Equestrian Festival.

Ehrhart rode the 17-year-old Warmblood gelding for the ownership of Sloan Hopson and trains with her daughter, Jane Ehrhart.

For full results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Catherine Tyree and BEC Lorenzo Take the Win in $50k Rushy Marsh Farm Grand Prix CSI 2*

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Catherine Tyree and BEC Lorenzo. Photo © Sportfot.

Week 5 of the 12-week 2019 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) circuit concluded on Sunday, February 10, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL. Catherine Tyree (USA) and BEC Lorenzo took the win in the $50,000 Rushy Marsh Farm Grand Prix CSI 2*.

Out of the 45 entries in the $50,000 Rushy Marsh Farm Grand Prix CSI 2*, 11 went clear to contest the jump-off. As the final competitor to enter the jump-off, 25-year-old Catherine Tyree (USA) rode Mary Tyree’s BEC Lorenzo to the top time of 40.05 seconds.

She was chasing a time of 40.24 seconds set by Lacey Gilbertson (USA) and Seabrook LLC’s Baloppi, who would settle for second place. Third place went to Ali Wolff (USA) riding Double H Farm’s HH Venice Beach, who were clear in 40.35 seconds.

Vanderveen Bookends Week 5 FEI Wins with 1.50m Victory on Bull Run’s Prince of Peace

There were 47 entries in the $72,000 CaptiveOne Advisors 1.50m Classic on Sunday morning, all attempting to have a clear round to advance to the jump-off. Only nine were able to find that clear path and returned to contest the shortened course designed by Kelvin Bywater of Great Britain.

Riding out of the fourth spot in the order, Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Prince of Peace were able to speed around the jump-off clear in 39.42 seconds for the win. Second place went to Darragh Kenny (IRL) on Kerry Anne LLC’s Important de Muze, who stopped the timers in 40.28 seconds. Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Alejandro, owned by Sweet Oak, Spy Coast, Seabrook LLC, placed third in 40.58 seconds.

This was Vanderveen’s fourth FEI class victory at WEF 5. She and Bull Run’s Almighty won the Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1.45m on Wednesday and she picked up the win with Prince of Peace in the opening day 1.40m class. On Friday, she and Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili won the Bainbridge 1.45m Classic.

Google It and Hanna Lloyd Victorious in Week 5 Children’s Hunter Older Division

The Children’s Hunter Older division kicked off competition on the final day of week 5 at WEF in the FarmVet Ring 7 as 16 combinations contested for the champion ribbon. With a two-point lead over the division’s reserve champion, Hanna Lloyd and Google It produced 22.5 points across the division to earn the champion title.

Lloyd teamed up with James Lala and Virginia Confer’s seven-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding for the first time this weekend under the tutelage of trainer Jeff Di Carlo. With two first places and a fourth over fences and a sixth under saddle, they brought home the championship ribbon.

For full results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili Win $36k Bainbridge 1.45m Classic

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Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili. Photo © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – February 8, 2019 – The fifth week at the 2019 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) features CSI 5* competition, and on Friday, February 8, the highlight class was the $36,000 Bainbridge 1.45m Classic. Kristen Vanderveen (USA) and Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili took the top prize in the speed class.

In the $36,000 Bainbridge 1.45m Classic CSI 5*, there were 55 entries competing over a speed format course designed by Kelvin Bywater (GBR). There were 17 clear rounds, and the fastest of them all was Vanderveen on her partner of four years, Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili, owned by Bull Run Jumpers Five LLC. They made short work of the course, coming home in a time of 57.73 seconds.

USHJA Jumping Seat Medal Goes to Samantha Weinerman

Weekend equitation competition debuted in the Equine Tack & Nutritionals Ring 6 on Friday morning as 46 juniors displayed their best form and skill in the USHJA Jumping Seat Medal, presented by Griffis Residential. With a solid plan of action and confidence in her new mount, Samantha Weinerman of Chester, NJ piloted Charmeur to a returning spot for the test where she would ride to the win.

North Run Inc.’s 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Veron x Tavanta SHB) has only been paired with Weinerman for two weeks but is no stranger to the equitation ring. He has competed at various equitation finals with top junior riders such as Sam Walker and Maggie Hill.

For full results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.