Tag Archives: Colin Syquia

VanderVeen Wraps Up Tryon Summer 6 with Bookended Podium in $25k Sunday Jumper Classic

Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Almighty ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – July 21, 2020 – Kristen VanderVeen (Wellington, FL) added her name to both ends of the podium after the $25,000 Sunday Jumper Classic to conclude Tryon Summer 6 competition at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), grabbing first with Bull Run’s Almighty in a time of 40.435 seconds, and earning third aboard Bull Run’s Prince of Peace after their four-fault, 40.285-second jump-off performance. Second place honors went to David Blake (Wellington, FL) and Don’t Touch Du Bois, a 2009 Belgian Sport Horse mare (Kashmir Van Schuttershof x Indoctro) owned by Pine Hollow Farm, stopping the clock in 41.855 seconds.

Rowan Willis and Ekita Eindeken Z Zip to $6,000 Speed Stake CSI 3* Win

July 17, 2020 – Rowan Willis (AUS) continued his hot streak in the Speed Stake at TIEC with a win aboard Ekita Eindeken Z, Martine Lamesch’s 2010 Zangersheide mare (Emilion van T Schaaphof x Codex), stopping the clock in 62.95 seconds for the win over the Ken Krome (USA) course. Second went to Todd Minikus (USA) and the Todd Minikus LTD entry Calvalou, a 2007 Oldenburg gelding (Calvaro F.C. x Baloubet du Rouet), stopping the timers in 67.89 seconds, while third was awarded to Sean Jobin (CAN) and Darius, a 2008 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Warrant x Calvados) owned by Foxridge Stables Farms, after their 81.15-second performance including one time fault over the Ken Krome (USA) course design.

Colin Syquia Takes First and Second in $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby

July 17, 2020 – Colin Syquia (Wellington, FL) demonstrated winning consistency once again in the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby at TIEC Friday, piloting two mounts to top two placings within a half point of each other in total scores: in first, Syquia rode Magic Lady H, the 2012 Belgian Warmblood mare (Cumthago C x Chita H) owned by Fiach Byrne Inc., to a two-round score of 183.5 after walking into the handy round with a 91, while Durant, the 2011 Hanoverian gelding (Stakkato x Chamira) owned by Eurasia Inc., scored a 94 in the handy to end up on a total score of 183 for second with Syquia in the irons. Third place was named to Megan Wexler (Ocala, FL), who rode Blue Moon, the 2015 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Durango VDL x Venneyfee), to a total score of 180 to round out the podium for the Dean Rheinheimer (Sheridan, IN)-designed track that tested 26 entries.

To learn more, visit www.Tryon.com.

Hardin Towell and Billy Manjaro Stride to $25,000 Sunday Jumper Classic Win

Jack Hardin Towell and Billy Manjaro ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – July 13, 2020 – Jack Hardin Towell (Camden, SC) and Billy Manjaro left out a few strides in the jump-off to take the $25,000 Sunday Jumper Classic win at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) to wrap up Tryon Summer 5 competition, stopping the clock at 27.795 seconds. Dena Sienne, the 2008 Dutch Warmblood mare (Van Gogh x Animo) owned by Waldman Horses BV and piloted by Roberto Teran Tafur (Wellington, FL), claimed second on a time of 28.393 seconds, while third went to Kristen VanderVeen (Wellington, FL) aboard Bull Run’s Prince of Peace, the Bull Run Jumpers Six LLC owned 2009 Holsteiner gelding (Cardenio x Contender), clearing the short course in 29.001 seconds.

Towell and the 2010 British Warmblood stallion (Animo x Cevin Z) owned by Whiterock Farm LTD. left not one, but two strides out to fly into first place, Towell explained: “He has such a big stride. In the first round, there was an eight-stride line and I did six strides there in the jump-off. I think I was the only person to do it in six, which was a little bit crazy, but the horse has such a big stride.”

Colin Syquia and Durant Dominate $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby

July 10, 2020 – Posting a two-round score of 173, Colin Syquia (Wellington, FL) and Durant, the 2011 Hanoverian gelding (Stakkato x Chamira) owned by Eurasia Inc., topped the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby. A half-point behind, reserve went to Daniel Geitner (Aiken, SC) and Madison Pan-Kita’s Grande Impression, the 2014 Holsteiner gelding (Nekton x Cassalina), scoring 172.5. In third, Ashley Conkle (Wellford, SC) and Tomcat earned 171.5 after two rounds over the Andy Christiansen course design, piloting the 2004 Warmblood gelding (Mezcalero x Kitten) for Agneta Currey.

Rowan Willis and Wellington Grandorie Whip Up $6,000 Speed Stake CSI 2* Win

July 10, 2020 – Rowan Willis (AUS) and Wellington Grandorie handled the $6,000 Speed Stake CSI 2* by more than four seconds, stopping the clock in 61.75 seconds to take top honors aboard the 2011 British Warmblood mare (Balloon x Grandira) Willis co-owns with Lady Mornington. Grant Seger (USA) and Idalgo, the 2010 Westphalian stallion (Indoctro x Clinton) owned by Hillary Drummond Sport Horses, LLC, cleared the Guilherme Jorge (BRA) course design in 66.03 seconds to claim second. Lillie Keenan (USA) piloted El Balou Old, the 2012 Oldenburger stallion (Eldorado VD Zeshoek x Balou du Rouet) owned by Chansonette Farm LLC, to third on a time of 66.86 seconds to round out the podium in a field of 22 entries.

Highlight classes are available for free live streaming at www.Tryon.com/streaming.

To learn more, visit www.Tryon.com.

Fabio Andres Rodriguez Pilots Venus to Win in $5,000 Under 25 Welcome

Fabio Andres Rodriguez and Venus. Photos ©Sportfot.

Colin Syquia and Soon to Be Claim Blue Rosette in $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby

Mill Spring, NC – October 28, 2016 – Fabio Andres Rodriguez, who represents the nation of Colombia in competition, guided his mount Venus to a first place finish in the $5,000 Under 25 Welcome at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), taking the class with a jump-off time of 33.336 seconds. Hilary McNerney of Lake Forest, IL and Contact earned second place after crossing through the timers in 34.116 seconds. Viggo Bjorklund of Wellington, FL and Abu Dhabi Gold collected third place with a time of 34.362 seconds.

Rodriguez and Venus, a 2002 Dutch Warmblood mare (Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve x Julius) owned by Raylyn Farms LLC, made easy work of their time in the George H. Morris Arena, completing two solid rounds to mark their first major victory at TIEC this season.

“I had already jumped a horse in the class earlier and I made a small mistake,” he explained. “I work for Andrea King and we made a plan for the next ride. We kept it very organized and at the same time I think the plan we made was very effective.”

Venus has valuable experience in the ring and has jumped with a number of top professionals at the highest levels of the sport. Rodriguez feels honored to jump such a class mare and feel that they have a great partnership beginning to grow.

“She’s a very experienced horse. She’s been ridden a lot by Angel Karyoli and Marilyn Little. She’s just very nice,” he elaborated. “She’s a bit hot and she really wants to go all of the time. She’s very quick and she’s clean so I don’t have to worry about the rails. I just need to be effective and accurate.”

Rodriguez is an emerging talent for his home nation of Colombia and described his ideal ride, which he believes is a perfect fit with the demeanor of his new ride Venus. He stated, “I’m very relaxed with the horses and I like to wait. She’s the kind of horse I think I would do very well with.”

“I think that we will be in Ocala, FL or Wellington, FL this winter, which will be good for us both. I think looking forward I’d like to be prepared to begin the process with the Colombian team to potentially be able to go to the next Olympics. That would be the best place for us to start.”

Colin Syquia and Soon to Be Claim Blue Rosette in $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby

Colin Syquia of Wellington, FL and Soon to Be, owned by Jennifer Smith, captured top honors in the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, topping the class with a two round score of 175. Syquia guided Samba’s Secret, also owned by Jennifer Smith, to second place with a final score of 167. Sara Ketcham of Columbus, NC and Oh Brother, owned by Christian Oliver, rounded out the top three with a final score of 163.

Colin Syquia and Soon to Be
Colin Syquia and Soon to Be

Syquia was ecstatic with the flawless rounds from Soon to Be and the duo’s ultimate placing in the derby. The pair earned an 86 in the first round and returned to receive an 89 from the judging panel in the handy to secure their victory.

“I thought the class was nice. It was very inviting. I went first on Soon to Be this morning and there was an option on the first line that ended up being a bit forward. The rest of the class did nine and I did eight there, but the rest of his round was just beautiful.”

The talented gelding has amassed an impressive record with Jennifer Hannan, who typically rides Soon to Be for Smith in the Performance Hunter divisions. Syquia happily took the ride this weekend and perfected the duo’s time in the ring.

“He jumped incredibly throughout and in the handy, we did all of the inside turns and I thought he handled it beautifully. I’m only riding here because Jennifer Hannan is prepping the horses for Kentucky next week. I’m just here to keep the saddle warm,” smiled Syquia.

“His appearance is one-of-a-kind. He always carries head and his neck in the most beautiful way and always has his ears pricked forward. He’s so talented that he’s able to do any distance and any turn without looking like it’s work. His technique is unbelievable. I think this is one that’s going to do it all,” he added.

Syquia also piloted Samba’s Secret to a second place finish in the class after the pair secured scores of 81 and 86 to conclude with a total of 167. Syquia was pleased with the mare’s performance and the way she handled the derby atmosphere.

“Samba’s Secret is just great. She’s another one of Jennifer’s horses and is a full sister to her past mount, As Always, who just won at Washington International this week,” he explained. “She’s just a little green and this is one of her first derbies, but in the second round she came out beautifully. We did all of the high options in the second round and she was really good. She stepped right up to the plate and answered all of the questions.”

The owner of Soon to Be and Samba’s Secret, Jennifer Smith, also competed in the class aboard Olympic Fire, owned by Roger Smith, finishing in seventh place.

“I am so grateful to Jennifer Smith for allowing me to ride these two horses in this class and would like to congratulate her on a top finish in her first ever derby today,” concluded Syquia.

The 2016 Tryon Fall Series presented by Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District offers six weeks of hunter and jumper competition, including three weeks of internationally recognized FEI show jumping featuring two FEI CSI 3* weeks and an FEI CSI 5*. For more information on Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) and surrounding amenities, please visit www.tryon.com.

Back-to-Back $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Wins for Colin Syquia at Kentucky Summer Series

Colin Syquia and Apropos. Photos By: Emily Riden.

Lexington, KY – August 3, 2013 – The first and second place line-up of this week’s $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby at the Kentucky Summer Classic bore a striking resemblance to that of last week’s class. Colin Syquia and Apropos took the first place position in the derby just six days ago, and they returned to do so again today. Last week’s second place finisher, Meredith Darst, was once again number two, this time aboard Capstone.

Today’s hunter derby was the fourth event in the seven-part Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series, which features the $15,000 Hallway Feeds Leading Rider Awards. This week’s class saw 52 entries competing over the first round course designed by Bobby Murphy. Following the completion of the first course, the top 12 riders returned for the handy round. Both courses presented riders with options to take four higher fences, and riders added one point to their score for each successfully cleared high option. For the handy round, Murphy also presented riders with a trot jump and tested them with a hand gallop to the opening oxer.

Molly Sewell and Zin Zin, owned by Travis Lingenfelter of Saginaw, MI, were early to go in the opening order, and they maneuvered the course beautifully, electing to take all four high options for a total first round score of 91. Sewell’s score would remain well out of reach for much of the class, until finally being bested by Shawn Casady and Sedona, owned by Susan Stanley of Delray Beach, FL. Casady and Sedona also opted to take each of the higher options, earning a score of 92.

Following the completion of the first round, Casady and Sewell were the clear front runners, while Bruce Christison and Apalachicola, owned by Heather Conder of Lugoff, SC, sat in third with a total score of 87. Syquia and Apropos, owned by Chiddingstone Farms LCC of New York, NY, were close behind in fourth place with a score of 86.5, and Darst and Capstone, owned by Norgan, Inc. of Wellington, FL, went into the second round in fifth place with a score of 86.25.

Unfortunately for all three of the first round leading riders, their handy rounds would go as smoothly. Riders returned in reverse order of their first round standings, working backward from the twelfth place rider until finishing with Casady and Sedona in the first place position. Christison and Apalachicola therefore were the first of the top three to return, but a disappointing handy round saw him drop quickly down the leader board to the eventual eleventh place position.

To the disappointment of Sewell, that trend continued as she returned with Zin Zin. Sewell and Zin Zin’s second round total score of 64 moved them down the list from second to tenth with a grand total score of 155. The current Hallway Feed Series Leading Rider, Casady, was the last to return on Sedona, and as they seamlessly made tight turns and maneuvered the handy round it appeared as though they had the win all sewn up. The crowd gathered at the Stonelea Ring had already begun to applaud his gorgeous course and almost surefire win, but a devastating light bump over the final fence knocked the rail out of the cup and moved Casady and Sedona to the twelfth place spot.

The disappointing handy rounds for Christison, Sewell and Casady, combined with beautiful second rounds for Syquia and Darst shot them to the top. Syquia and Apropos handled the hand gallop, tight turns and trot fence of the handy round flawlessly, and with four points added for the high options, they earned a second round score of 92 and a winning grand total of 178.50.

“He went really nicely in the first round, but he just wasn’t as inspired as he was last week,” Syquia explained. “He hasn’t shown as much recently, so he wasn’t quite as fit, and it was hard going back-to-back weeks. So when it came down to the handy, I figured I’d just turn tighter and steer him a little bit more, and he really responded. He jumped beautifully in the second round.”

Syquia continued: “It’s amazing. You don’t want to think that you could possibly win it two weeks in a row, but I was hoping to. He’s such a good boy; I thought I’d have a chance. Hopefully we’ll be back in September to try it again.”

Meredith Darst and Capstone
Meredith Darst and Capstone

Darst and Capstone earned a second round score of 90 after jumping each fence brilliantly and flowing through the handy course. With a grand total of 176.25 they captured the second place honors.

While Casady did not see a top finish with Sedona, the talented young rider did nab both the third and fourth place positions aboard Stars Go Blue, owned by Marigot Bay Farm LLC of Dover, MA, and Vogue, owned by Georgia Saad of Lexington, KY, respectively. Casady has been extremely successful throughout the series, winning the first event aboard Stars Go Blue and placing third and fourth during each of the following events, securing his position as the current Hallway Feeds Leading Rider.

The $15,000 Hallway Feeds Leading Rider Awards will present a $10,000 cash prize to the professional rider accumulating the most points in the seven classes that make up the Series. The amateur rider and junior rider accumulating the most points will each receive a $2,500 cash prize. Riders will receive points only on their highest placed horse in each of the classes. The awards will be presented at the conclusion of the Hallway Feeds class at the Kentucky National Horse Show on September 21, 2013.

Hallway Feeds’ close proximity to the Kentucky Horse Park provides the opportunity to utilize the freshest feed, manufactured with time-honored commitments to high standards of quality and the latest scientific advances. Combining a premium nutrition package with a professional level of dedication in horsemen and women provides equine athletes with the Formula for Success.

For more information on Hallway Feeds, please visit www.hallwayfeeds.com.

The Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series would not be possible without many generous sponsors including Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Central Equipment, Alfagreen Supreme, Sweet PDZ Horse Stall Refresher, Caddel Equine Therapy Center, KER Sport Horse Nutrition, The Tack Shop of Lexington, Turf Town Properties, Trouw Nutrition and PNC Bank.

For more information about Kentucky Horse Shows, please go to www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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Colin Syquia and Apropos Win USHJA National Hunter Derby at Kentucky Summer Horse Show

Colin Syquia and Apropos.

Lexington, KY – July 28, 2013 – The $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby is a hunter highlight during each week of the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, and this week it was also a highlight for Colin Syquia and Apropos. Following two seamless rounds under beautiful, sunny skies, the pair earned the victory gallop around the golf-cart lined Stonelea Ring on the final day of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Today’s $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby was the fourth event in the seven-part Hallway Feeds Series. The series runs throughout both the Kentucky Spring and Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, culminating with the awarding of $15,000 in Leading Rider Awards at the Kentucky Hunter Jumper Association Horse Show on August 25, 2013.

The popular series attracts horses and riders from across the country, and today 39 horses competed over the classic first round course, designed by Joseph Carnicom with the top 12 horse and rider combinations returning for the handy round. Both rounds featured an in-and-out, a number of bending lines, tight turns and four high-point fence options. For the handy round, Carnicom added a trot jump and switched the direction from which riders took all of the oxers, allowing for some additional tight turn options.

Syquia and Apropos, owned by Chiddingstone Farms LLC of New York, NY, maneuvered the first round course with ease, earning a judges score of 86, plus four points for electing to take each of the high options for a first round total score of 90. Syquia was one of the last to go over the first round course and jumped straight to the top of the leader board, but just two rounds later Meredith Darst and Lightning Z took over the top position with a first round total score of 91. After their beautiful first round course, including each of the four high options, she and Lightning Z, owned by Lochmoor Stables of Lebanon, OH, would hold their position to return for the handy round as the leaders.

Working backward from the twelfth placed rider to Darst in the first place position, Shawn Casady and Stars Go Blue, owned by Marigot Bay Farm LLC of Dover, MA, were the seventh to return, as they finished the first round in the sixth place position with a score of 86. A second round score from the judges of 85 plus all four of the high option points would earn them a total second round score 89, moving them up from sixth to a final fourth place position with a grand total score of 178.

Returning in fourth place were Molly Sewell and Zin Zin, owned by Travis Lingenfelter of Saginaw, MI. They too were able to work their way slightly up the leader board, moving from fourth into the final third place slot by earning a second round total score of 90 and a grand total of 178 points.

Coming down to the final two riders of the afternoon, Syquia returned second to last, just before Darst. He and the 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood, Apropos, pulled out all the stops, delivering a round that would be tough to beat with a total score of 92 and with his grand total from the two rounds coming in at 182.

“I was in second by one point going back into the handy round, so I figured I was really going to take a shot and turn as tight as I could and keep galloping,” shared Syquia.

Meredith Darst and Lightning Z
Meredith Darst and Lightning Z

Darst and Lightning Z returned to defend their position at the top, and they delivered a seamless round that definitely gave Syquia and Apropos a run for their money. Following a brief deliberation from the judges, Darst’s second round score was announced as an 86 plus the four point high options for a second round total of 90 and grand total of 181, just one point behind Syquia, cementing her second place finish and his win.

“We went quick and tight to the last jump, and I think that probably was the difference for us. That and a real tight roll-back to the oxer. Apropos really a traditional hunter. You just put a loop in the reins, use a little bit of leg and just keep pushing him right up to the jumps. He loves to get deep, and he really uses his front end well when he gets down to the base,” Syquia explained. “He was great; I was really happy with him.”

Darst was also extremely happy with her horse’s performance, particularly because today marked Lightning Z’s first time ever competing in a derby.

“This is the first time that he’s done anything like this before so we were just kind of going for fun, and it ended up going really well,” smiled Darst.

Both riders hope to return for next week’s $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby as competition continues on Tuesday, July 30 with the start of the Kentucky Summer Classic, running through August 4. To learn more about the Kentucky Summer Series, visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Colin Syquia and Don Pedro Triumph in $15,000 Oughton Limited NEHJA Hunter Derby

Colin Syquia and Don Pedro won the $15,000 3’3” NEHJA Hunter Derby. David Mullinix Photography

East Dorset, Vermont – Colin Syquia, of Ancramdale, NY, rode Perrin Martin’s Don Pedro to victory in the $15,000 3’3” NEHJA Hunter Derby, sponsored by Oughton Limited, on Thursday, August 9, at the 2012 Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT.  The six-week competition began on July 4 and continues through August 12 at Harold Beebe Farm.

The $15,000 3’3” NEHJA Hunter Derby was the final derby event of the six-week Vermont circuit.  In order to qualify for the class, a rider or owner must have competed in a hunter derby during weeks one through five of the 2012 competition.  The $15,000 3’3” NEHJA Hunter Derby was generously sponsored by Oughton Limited, a Vermont-based equestrian luggage manufacturer that presented a beautiful ‘Wellie’ barn tote to the weekly derby winner. The final winner also received a pair of Ovation Rhona Country Boots.

A total of 20 entries showed in Thursday’s hunter derby, jumping a beautiful course designed by J. P. Godard, of Aiken, SC. The course spanned two rings and featured stunning natural obstacles. The picturesque backdrop of Vermont mountains helped set the tone for a great afternoon of competition.

Continue reading Colin Syquia and Don Pedro Triumph in $15,000 Oughton Limited NEHJA Hunter Derby