Tag Archives: Maryann Charles

HITS, HITS, Show Jumping

Maryann Charles Garners the Blue in the $30,000 HITS Grand Prix at HITS Culpeper

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(C) ESI Photography. Maryann Charles and FVF Sailor Man.

Culpeper, VA (July 19, 2016): As the third week of competition at HITS Culpeper came to an end, riders descended on the Grand Prix ring at HITS Commonwealth Park to vie for a victory in the $30,000 HITS Grand Prix.

Maryann Charles of Southern Pines, North Carolina and FVF Sailor Man, owned by Fox View Farm, have been knocking on the door all season at HITS Culpeper. They have brought home two third place ribbons in the Week II and Week III $25,000 Brook Ledge Grand Prix combined, as well as third in last Sunday’s $30,000 HITS Grand Prix. This Sunday, that knock blew the door down as they captured the coveted blue ribbon and the biggest slice of the prize purse.

Eight advanced to challenge the jump-off over the course set by Bernardo Cabral of Lisbon, Portugal with five producing clear jump-off rounds in a race to the top of the leaderboard.

First to challenge the shortened course was Harold Chopping of Southern Pines, North Carolina and Contefino 6, owned by Caroline Russell Howe and Lisa Tolnitch. Chopping has consistently been in the top placings at HITS Culpeper since Week I in April, in addition to winning Friday’s $25,000 Brook Ledge Grand Prix with another mount. They laid down a speedy, clear trip to set the tone for the class in 38.999. The round would eventually earn them fourth place.

Following Chopping was Manuel Torres riding out of Waterford, Virginia and Christofolini H, owned by Andrea Torres Guerreiro. Torres rode the powerhouse bay gelding through the timers in 38.846, just fractions of a second quicker than Chopping to move up in the rankings. They would ultimately earn the third place prize.

Another clear jump-off round appeared for the crowd with Kevin McCarthy and Analyze This, owned by Kimberly Jakubowski. The North Salem, New York equestrian conquered each fence, and clocked in fault-free in 43.474 – which would eventually give him and his mount the final spot in the top five for their efforts.

Hometown rider Brook Kemper of Culpeper, Virginia entered the ring next aboard Classified. Kemper and classified have been moving up the placings this season at HITS Culpeper, with a sixth place finish in Week I’s $30,000 HITS Grand Prix, and fourth place finish in Week III’s $25,000 Brook Ledge Grand Prix. They put down a dynamite round in 37.719, shaving a full second off of the leading time. The round would come close to the victory for the eventual second place prize.

Thaisa Erwin followed Kemper with Matilda. A heart-breaking rail at the last fence would keep them out of the top five, but would earn them seventh in the ribbons.

The victors, Maryann Charles and FVF Sailor Man were next to contend. They took to the shortened course with speed and precision, clocking in fault-free with a lightning-fast round in 36.736 for the win.

Two more contenders were left in the order after Charles’ leading round. Mary Lisa Leffler and Carlot, owned by Rolling Acres, put down a valiant effort, but a refusal at the second fence would ultimately earn them eighth place in 53.583.

Harold Chopping and Basje, winners of Friday’s $25,000 Brook Ledge Grand Prix, were the final pair to test the jump-off. The crowd cheered as they went in no-holds-barred across the course. They flew towards the timers with a win on the horizon, but a heart-breaking rail at the last fence would keep them from the victory. They clocked in at 34.280 with four faults for sixth.

HITS, Inc. • 319 Main Street • Saugerties, NY 12477-1330
845.246.8833 Tel • info@HitsShows.com • HitsShows.com

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

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

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Donald Sheehan and Kenan. Photos ©Sportfot.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Maryann Charles and FVF Sailorman
Maryann Charles and FVF Sailorman

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

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

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

About Tryon International Equestrian Center

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