Schuyler Riley and Q-7. Photos ©LizCrawleyPhotography.

Mill Spring, NC – July 18, 2015 – In an impressive feat, Schuyler Riley (USA) added another grand prix win to her resume at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) for the third week in a row in the $127,000 Grand Prix CSI 3*. Riley, this time aboard Q-7, mastered the track and bested the jump-off round with a time of 50.627 seconds. Sharn Wordley (NZL) and Casper followed in second, crossing the timers in 51.649 seconds, while Richie Moloney (IRL) aboard Call Me Number One finished in third place with a time of 53.351 seconds. The Tryon Summer Series concludes tomorrow, July 19, highlighted by the $15,000 Under 25 Grand Prix beginning at 8am in the George Morris Arena.

With tonight’s win, Riley became the most winning rider in the history of TIEC, accumulating more than $150,000 in prize money throughout the four weeks of the Tryon Summer Series. With two horses entered in the $127,000 Grand Prix CSI 3*, there was a good chance she could prevail again, but Riley was even more surprised with her winning finish, as it was aboard the horse she didn’t expect to win on.

“I thought there would be about ten clear and I have to say, Manuel [Esparza] has done a brilliant job designing the courses this week. I have absolutely loved riding them because they’re very difficult but you don’t feel like you’re going to get into too much trouble,” she explained. “They’re great for younger horses and give great confidence building rounds to both horse and rider. When you do it right on his courses, you get rewarded. I didn’t think Q was going to step up the way he did and I’m so proud and couldn’t have asked for more of an effort from him tonight.”

Riley has recently been working with second-place finisher, Sharn Wordley, with Q-7 specifically. Wordley rode “Q” several times for Riley as the duo tried to fine-tune the 2006 Bayer gelding’s (Que Sera x Peggy) steering in the ring.

“It’s really funny because I went to Sharn earlier in the spring in Kentucky because I was having so much trouble with the steering. He couldn’t figure it out and acted like he always knew where we were going, which he clearly didn’t. He always tries to pick a direction and 50% of the time it’s the wrong direction,” she laughed. “Sharn got on him and did a little exercise with him to help with the steering and I do it religiously now. He’s just gotten better and better. Sharn has helped me so much with this horse and I can’t thank him enough.”

The flashy chestnut has been slower to progress than his barn sister Dobra De Porceyo, whom Riley won the two previous grand prix classes with at TIEC. In an effort to help him gain confidence, Riley was sure not to push him too far too fast, letting him naturally rise to the top.

“I didn’t want to put him into another grand prix until I felt like he was ready and he was ready to go this week, which is why I decided that I would give him a shot,” she said. “He jumped so well in the Welcome on Thursday. It was all about the rideability and he was just straight as an arrow, so I decided that it was time to step him up.”

Wordley was hot on the heels of Riley, who also piloted two-time champion Dobra De Porceyo into the ten-horse jump-off, finishing the class in seventh place. Riley knew the class would be fast and the competition would be accurate, but Q-7 truly delivered, answering all of the questions on the course with ease.

“I had the fortunate position of going after Sharn today in the order, which was huge, because I think if it was reversed, he would have caught me and taken the win,” she noted.

Even though both chestnuts in Riley’s Wolfstone Stables seem similar in stature and attitude, they couldn’t be more different. Dobra is the cool, calm and collected sister, while Q, the silly brother, manifests his nerves internally, making them unique, but in the best ways, according to Riley.

“He’s very different from Dobra. I’ve had both of them for almost the same time, but they’re just two completely different rides. He’s been a little bit slower to develop than her. He’s a bit quirky and has his own mind. Q worries a lot more than she does,” she explained. “He really started coming into his own at Angelstone in Canada last fall. He was always good, but the steering was always an issue. His first real 1.50m class was in Miami this past spring and it was a lot to ask of him at that point. Today he showed me that he is absolutely everything we thought he was and there’s so much potential for him. I feel like we’ve only tapped into the surface of what’s there.”

“He’s a type of horse that I just didn’t know as well and it was about gaining confidence in the ring with him,” noted Riley. “He’s always had endless scope and sometimes it’s hard to believe because he’s barely 16 hands.”

As for her tremendous success at TIEC this season, Riley gushed thanks to her team and their efforts to help get both horses to this point. There are plans to return to the venue in the fall to try and continue her streak.

“We will definitely be back in full force here in October for the fall FEI weeks. The horses are so comfortable and quiet. They’re getting experience I couldn’t give to them anywhere else,” Riley commented. “It feels like heaven for me right now. Three weeks in a row is unbelievable considering three weeks ago, it was the first grand prix I had won in three years. It all came together at the right moment. The footing is perfect here, great course designing, just an incredible place to bring young horses.

“The energy here is amazing and the atmosphere is something that you can’t get anywhere else. I think that they’re both true championship quality horses and the more they have exposure to classes like this with competition like this, the better they will be in the future. They’re both just nine and have a lot more to come,” added Riley.

Also in fantastic form was caretaker and head groom, Jesus Pimentel, who has accompanied Riley into the winner’s circle for the past three weeks as part of the new Groom’s Initiative Award enacted by Mark Bellissimo, managing partner of the Tryon Equestrian Partners.

“I think it’s so amazing that Mark has initiated this new award. I’m so happy for Jesus and it’s amazing because they work so hard day in and day out. He loves his horses and I’m so proud of him. He’s taken impeccable care of both of them for a long time and they shine because of him,” Riley noted.

As for Pimentel, he was just as thrilled with Q’s win tonight as he was for Dobra’s previous two. “Q is very sensitive and he internalizes things very quickly. You have to let him know what’s going on and go slowly because he’s the type of horse that you have to be patient with,” said Pimentel. “He just stepped up to this level and I couldn’t be more proud of the way he tried his heart out tonight. They’re both incredible horses and I’m so lucky to have the honor to work with both of them.”

Competition at TIEC continues tomorrow with an array of Junior and Amateur jumper classes in the George Morris Arena, including the highlight $15,000 Under 25 Grand Prix beginning at 8am. TIEC will host with the August Series, starting on August 6, offering four weeks of hunter and jumper competition. For more information and a full list of results, please visit www.tryon.com. Please “Like” the TIEC Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tryon-International-Equestrian-Center 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.

Schuyler Riley and Dobra De Porceyo. Photos ©LizCrawleyPhotography.

Mill Spring, NC – July 15, 2015 – Schuyler Riley (USA) and Dobra De Porceyo have dominated at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) over the past few weeks, picking up another win today on the first day of FEI competition at Tryon Summer 4, the final week of the Tryon Summer Series. Riley and Dobra De Porceyo added another win to their ongoing streak in the $34,000 1.50m FEI Classic with a time of 63.76 in the only FEI speed class of the week. Brian Walker (CAN) and Tamara 296 followed in second, finishing in 64.4 seconds with Sharn Wordley (NZL) and Casper rounded out the top three, crossing the timers in 69.71 seconds. The Tryon Summer Series continues through Sunday, July 19.

Riley and Dobra De Porceyo topped both the $127,000 Adequan® Grand Prix CSI 3* during Tryon Summer 2 and the $210,000 Asheville Regional Airport Grand Prix CSI 4* last week at Tryon Summer 3. The 2006 CDE mare (Action Breaker x Sanne) has made a statement at TIEC with her strong and consistent performances at the top level of the sport.

“She’s such a pleasure to ride and it makes it fun. She’s a really smart horse and always tries her hardest. She never gives less than 100%,” said Riley. “She’s a chestnut mare, so she has a little bit of attitude but at the end of the day she really wants to work with you.”

The class of seventeen entries tested Manuel Esparza’s (MEX) course, familiarizing their horses with the George H. Morris Arena before the coming week of competition. Riley planned to give Dobra an educational and easy ride in the first class of the week, but the mare perked up throughout the round and secured her third win in three weeks at the venue.

Riley and Dobra De Porceyo have competed in just over 20 FEI competitions together and the pair has steadily improved their finishes over the past year. As the mare’s confidence and talent continues to grow, Riley believes that she will be ready to tackle some of the biggest tracks in the world within the coming year.

“Her stride is enormous for such a small petite horse. I know that I can leave out a lot because she always manages to get there easily when I ask her,” she commented. “Our plan was to really go over her after last week and see how she was feeling. We jumped her today so that she would have more time to recover before Saturday,” she explained. “She tells me every day. She’s very clear with what she wants and how she feels.”

The track saw four combinations go clear, but Riley and Dobra stopped the timers a second faster than Walker and Tamara 296, who went late in the order but couldn’t catch the leading duo’s time. Esparza will continue to design the courses in the George H. Morris Arena for the rest of the week and Riley is looking forward to the final week of FEI competition at TIEC and perhaps collecting her third grand prix win with Dobra this weekend in the $127,000 Grand Prix CSI 3* beginning at 8pm on Saturday, July 18. Gates will open to the public at 6pm.

For a full list of results and a weekly class schedule, please visit www.tryon.com. Please “Like” the TIEC Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tryon-International-Equestrian-Center 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.

Schuyler Riley and Dobra De Porceyo. Photos ©LizCrawleyPhotography.

Mill Spring, NC – July 12, 2015 – A large crowd of spectators filled the stands to witness the $210,000 Asheville Regional Airport Grand Prix CSI 4* at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) on a beautiful summer evening in Mill Spring, NC. Schuyler Riley (USA) captured another big international win, adding back-to-back victories in the “Saturday Night Lights” Series aboard nine-year-old Dobra De Porceyo. The duo crossed the timers in 39.009 seconds as the first pair to test the track in the four-horse jump-off. Kimberly Prince (USA) and RMF Bella Baloubet finished in second with a time of 39.967 seconds and Scott Keach (AUS) riding Fedor, rounded out the top three, adding four faults and crossing through the finish in 38.475 seconds.

Riley and Dobra De Porceyo were the first clear round of the night, testing a technical track designed by Ana Catalina Cruz Harris (MEX), who has set a difficult week of courses for FEI riders at TIEC. Riley contested this week’s class coming off a win in the $127,000 Ariat® Grand Prix CSI 3* held last Saturday, July 4, aboard “Dobra”. The victory was Riley’s first grand prix win in almost three years.

“It almost feels like disbelief, but in a sense not really, because I know she can always do it. She’s such a great horse and is just amazing. Every time I walk a course, I come out of the ring knowing she can do it. I haven’t had that feeling in a very long time,” said Riley. “She’s such a pleasure to ride and it’s fun. She enjoys the sport and just gets it. She knows she’s supposed to jump and not hit them and go fast in the second round. It makes my job easy.”

The petite chestnut mare may not have the same size advantage as some of her fellow competitors, but has the heart and personality of a champion. Her unconventionally large stride and hunger for the spotlight have made her a true powerhouse in the ring in just her first season at the grand prix level.

“She absolutely loves the crowd. It really gets her blood up and I like it too. It makes it more exciting and feels like real sport,” remarked Riley. “That’s something that I think Mark [Bellissimo] has done an excellent job with, getting the stands filled at night. For a nine-year-old to be able to come to an atmosphere like this, under the lights, at night, with a huge crowd; she’ll never be able to gain that experience anywhere else in the U.S.”

Riley narrowed in on a plan of attack before heading into the George H. Morris Arena, knowing the course was difficult and the time allowed could be troublesome. “I thought it was tough and the time allowed seemed tight, but because Dobra is so fast, it’s not really a problem so I tried not to worry about it. I really enjoy riding her courses because they’re technical, but you can ride them. If you’re communicating well with your horse, you can make it happen.”

Riley and Dobra De Porceyo are coming into their own on the international stage, but at one point, Riley wasn’t sure that would be a possibility with the mare’s lack of trust in people and fiery demeanor.

“Before I bought her she was supposedly throwing people off and after I got her I completely understood why because she tried to get me off quite a few times. It took a while to earn her trust, but once I had it, I knew she would do anything for me,” she explained. “Everyone always talks about how I feed her treats in the ring and she’s very food motivated so it’s a great reward for her. She looks forward to that. She enjoys this sport and it’s easy for her to do this physically. Its playtime and that’s how I know that I’ve earned her trust.”

Not only did Riley pick up another grand prix win, but groom of seven years, Jesus Pimentel, was awarded with the new Groom’s Initiative Award for the second week in a row, earning another $500. Pimentel is never far from Dobra’s side and takes an incredible amount of pride in providing the mare with the absolute best care possible, according Riley.

“Jesus loves his horses more than anything. As soon as he started taking care of her she just came into her own. She feels really well loved and appreciated by him. She wants to work with you and he does an amazing job of fostering that,” she commented. “He doesn’t spoil them but he gives them all of the right attention. He’s meticulous with everything he does and I never have to worry about what he’s doing. We have an incredible working relationship. I completely trust him with her care.”

Pimentel beamed watching “Dobra” take her second victory lap in two weeks at TIEC and said he always knew the mare had the talent to win at the top.

“She did what she always does tonight. She was perfect and she always tries her best. It was a big highlight to see her be the first horse clear on course. I know she’s not afraid to go top ten in the order because she likes setting the pace,” said Pimentel. “We’re very close and I always make sure that I give her treats throughout the day because I know she enjoys it and always asks for them. The one thing she hates is dogs, including my dog Pirate, which can be very funny. She pins her ears at them and acts like a diva. She’s the princess of the barn and she knows it.

“I have a very special relationship with her and to win this award two weeks in a row is very meaningful to me because I put my heart and soul into caring for her. She’s saying thank you by winning these classes and I’m so proud of her,” he continued.

For a full list of results and a weekly class schedule, please visit www.tryon.com. Please “Like” the TIEC Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tryon-International-Equestrian-Center 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.

Schuyler Riley and Dobra De Porceyo. Photos: ©BarryKosterPhotography.

Mill Spring, NC – July 4, 2015 – Schulyer Riley (USA) and Dobra De Porceyo captured the biggest win of the duo’s career together in the $127,000 Ariat® Grand Prix FEI CSI 3* under the lights in the George H. Morris Arena in the Tryon Stadium at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC). Riley and Dobra De Porceyo stopped the jump-off timers in 45.129 seconds as the only double-clear round of the night, beating out Angel Karolyi (VEN) and Venus, who finished in second place. Filip De Wandel (BEL) and his mount Gentley rounded out the top three with a time of 46.158 seconds and four faults. Competition continues at TIEC tomorrow with the $15,000 Under 25 Grand Prix beginning at 8am. The Tryon Summer Series will continue through Sunday, July 19.

Riley and Dobra De Porceyo took a methodical approach to Saturday night’s class, designed by Hector Loyola (PRI), as both tracks were big and technical. Riley cruised through the first round of competition and laid down the only clear round in the jump-off to secure the win.

“I walked the course and thought it was quite difficult for the level and horses can always react differently under the lights. I was confident with Dobra because she’s been here and performed very well and she has quite a bit of experience at night,” commented Riley. “I felt like she was a little bit high in the beginning, especially over the triple bar, which was not my favorite part of the ride, but then we just smoothed it out and it was like nothing for her. She jumps everything so easily.”

Entering the ring for the jump-off, Riley knew that she needed not only a fast time, but a clear round as the skilled and notoriously fast Karolyi was following her in the order of go.

“I knew that I had Angel behind me and he was the one I was the most concerned about because he is extremely fast. He did go faster than me, but I was just a bit luckier tonight,” said Riley. “I’m really so happy right now. I’ve had a few jump-offs where I try to go fast but get conservative with her at the end and I really let her open up to the last jump. I’m thrilled. She was just amazing.”

The win capped a dry spell for Riley, who has waited patiently for another top finish at the Grand Prix level. Their win also marked Dobra’s first win in a Grand Prix as the 2006 CDE mare (Action Breaker x Sanne) competed in her first Grand Prix last fall.

“This is my first Grand Prix win in probably two or three years and it’s the first Grand Prix that she’s ever won, so this is a very exciting and special night for us. She’s just nine and we did her first Grand Prix last fall at indoors at Kentucky National. She really stepped up this past winter in Florida,” noted Riley. “We just know each other so well the hardest part is trying not to tell her too much. We try to keep a very clear and smooth communication, and she always looks to do the right thing for you.”

The mare has been under Riley’s guidance for most of her career, as she purchased her as a difficult and moody six-year-old. The duo formed an inseparable bond, which was evident to the crowd tonight, as they made easy work of two technical tracks.

“She was tough. She was really difficult at the beginning and she’s a chestnut mare,” she smiled. “I took my time with her and let her know that we were going to work as a team and I was never going to try and overpower her. We channeled all of her fiery energy into what I have now. She’s probably one of my most favorite horses that I’ve ever sat on.”

Riley has stationed herself at TIEC for the majority of the Spring and Summer Series, as the venue is offering East Coast riders the ability to contest FEI competitions throughout the season, which is something the area desperately needed, according to Riley.

“I’m completely blown away and impressed by how they have developed this venue. It was built for the top of the sport and it’s what the sport is asking for right now,” she explained. “There was a big void on the East Coast for FEI competitions with great prize money and atmosphere, and they’ve absolutely delivered. For some of the riders that aren’t in the financial situation to travel to Europe or Calgary, they’ve made top sport feasible for everyone.”

Trialing closely behind Riley during the prize-giving ceremony, with a beaming smile, was groom of six-and-a-half years, Jesus Pimentel, the main caretaker of Dobra De Porceyo. Pimentel was thrilled with the team’s win tonight and was honored to receive the second Groom’s Initiative Award at TIEC.

“I think it’s amazing what they’re doing now with the grooms because usually most people don’t see everything behind the scenes. We really enjoy doing this job and it is great to be recognized. It means so much to me. I feel so honored,” said Pimentel.

The relationship he maintains with Dobra is something very special and he rarely leaves the mare’s sight. Grooming as a professional for more than eleven years, starting at the young age of 16, Pimentel has become a mainstay at Riley’s Wolfstone Stables.

“She’s been amazing and we’ve gotten really close in the top ribbons, but tonight feels really special. She’s the sweetest horse ever. When you walk with her she always makes faces at you and I love her personality,” he smiled. “I love this job. I love working with the animals and I think that’s why I always try to do my best because I really care about them. They’re my family.”

Tryon Summer 2 will conclude tomorrow, Sunday, July 5, with the highlight $15,000 Under 25 Grand Prix in the George Morris Arena in the Tryon Stadium beginning at 8am. For more information on TIEC and for a full list of results, please visit www.tryon.com.

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.