Tag Archives: Nina Fagerstrom

Fagerstrom and Flower Win Again at Tryon Spring 5 to Take $15,000 Suncast 1.45m Welcome Stake

Nina Fagerstrom and Flower. Photos ©Sportfot.

Hunt Tosh and Largesse Take Home Impressive Win in $1,000 USHJA Pre-Green Incentive

Mill Spring, NC – May 14, 2015 – Competition continued today at Tryon Spring 5 with additional hunter and jumper action across the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) venue. Nina Fagerstrom (FIN) and Flower raced to the top of the $15,000 Suncast® 1.45 Welcome Stake, taking home their second victory in two short days of competition. Competition at Tryon Spring 5 continues through Sunday, May 17 and the Tryon Spring Series will conclude on June 7.

Fagerstrom and Flower have had a strong start to their first week at TIEC, taking both the $1,000 Nutrena 1.40m Open Jumper class yesterday and the $15,000 Suncast® 1.45m Welcome Stake this afternoon in the George H. Morris Stadium. Fagerstrom, who was extremely pleased with her rounds aboard Flower the past two days, was delighted with Guilherme Jorge’s course design in this afternoon’s class. The pair finished their first trip clean in 73.281 seconds and finished four seconds faster than the closest competitor in the jump-off, in 34.901 seconds.

“I thought today’s course was a fun course to ride. There were enough things to think about with the lines and everything, especially with the triple combination, it was tricky to come back to elements B and C because they were so tight,” she explained. “She was really responsive to me today. When I asked her to wait she really listened and jumped up. It was easy for her today, which is good. It was a great feeling to ride.”

Flower has handled the atmosphere at TIEC very well, which Fagerstrom believes is a testament to the mare’s growing maturity and has made her very rideable so far this week in competition.

“She’s been so quiet since we got here which is really unusual for her. She really likes it here and clearly likes the big ring,” commented Fagerstrom. “It puts the pressure on for Saturday night. She’s been jumping just amazing. It tells me though that my horses are in great form and to perform like that two days on the road is pretty amazing.”

The class today prepped several combinations for the biggest test of the week, the $50,000 Tryon Grand Prix on Saturday evening and Fagerstrom commented that it helped her to mentally prepare for what the duo will see on Saturday night.

“I thought that was just a course to overall be awake around. The verticals were very tall and you knew you had to set them up to several of the jumps. It was very fair and I felt like the faults came throughout the course, not just in a single spot, which is a real testament to the course design,” she stated. “I knew this horse could handle it, so I wasn’t nervous, but it was good experience.”

Fagerstrom also had another ride in the class, Hot Topic, who is green to the level but is just as talented as her barn mate, Flower, and gained valuable experience at the 1.45m height today.

“There was a big difference between yesterday’s 1.30m and today, so she did have a couple of rails, but I thought those are faults that she will learn from,” said Fagerstrom. “She finished lovely though and I’m really happy with the way both of them jumped today.”

Kyle Timm and Georgie B finished in second with a time of 38.193 in the jump-off with Hunter Holloway and I Love Lucy in third, finishing the jump-off in 34.827 seconds with four faults.

Hunt Tosh and Largesse Win $1,000 USHJA Pre-Green Hunter Incentive

Hunt Tosh has staked his claim at TIEC this week, placing towards the top in majority of his classes, with a series of impressively scored rounds. Aboard Ken and Ceil Wheeler’s Largesse in today’s $1,000 USHJA Pre-Green Incentive, Tosh bested the class of fifteen entries to take home the first major class of WCHR Week.

Hunt Tosh and Largesse
Hunt Tosh and Largesse

“Largesse is great. He’s a new one that we got this winter and I think he’s won almost every class. We’re really excited about him,” commented Tosh. “He’s been spectacular. He’s a beautiful type and an incredible jumper. He just went beautiful today and really settled in.”

Largesse has the potential to be a top mount for Tosh in the coming years and today’s win in the Pre-Green Incentive with a score of 89 on their first trip, solidified Tosh’s feeling about the impressive gelding.

“He competed a couple of times in Florida and was champion there and this is only our second venue of the year and he was just great. We’re incredibly excited to have him as a First Year next year,” he said. “We needed to do some Pre-Green Incentives with him this year and we’re really looking forward to the finals with him. He got a 90 yesterday. He’s just throwing up really high scores right now, which is great. He’s special and just so much fun to ride.”

Tosh also finished in second and fourth places aboard The Wheeler Family’s Valhalla and Troubadour respectively. Daniel Geitner finished in second with Janet Peterson’s Raffle.

Competition continues at Tryon Spring 5 tomorrow with the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby beginning at 6pm in the George H. Morris Stadium alongside the $25,000 Under 25 Grand Prix, which will also be held in the George H. Morris Stadium beginning at 12pm. For more information on TIEC and a full event schedule, 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.

Nina Fagerstrom and Flower Top $1,000 Nutrena Open Jumper 1.40m at Tryon Spring 5

Nina Fagerstrom and Flower.

Hunt Tosh and Casanova Sweep First Day of Second Year Green Working Hunter Competition at WCHR Week

Mill Spring, NC – May 13, 2015 – Concluding the first day of competition at Tryon Spring 5 in the George H. Morris Stadium at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), Nina Fagerstrom (FIN) and Flower produced two fast and clean trips in $1,000 Nutrena Open Jumper 1.40m class to take home the win. Kyle Timm aboard Calida 55 finished in second with a time of 40.149 seconds followed by Daniel Geitner and Kenwood placing third, adding four faults to their time of 37.302. The Tryon Spring 5 competition continues through Sunday, May 17. The Tryon Spring Series will conclude Sunday, June 7.

Flower, Fagerstrom’s top mount, had a lengthy vacation after the season in Florida and Fagerstrom couldn’t help but be impressed with the way the mare performed in her first class back in a competition setting. The duo finished the first round clear in 73.15 seconds and raced around the jump-off to finish faultless in 39.365 seconds.

“I’m really happy with her. They haven’t done anything for nearly five or six weeks competing wise. My mom and my groom have been riding them and I think they’ve done a great job because this was the first day showing and they all went clear,” she commented. “They all felt amazing and they’re super fit. Flower is my top Grand Prix horse and I’m really pleased with her today.”

The course designed by Guilherme Jorge of Brazil gave riders the opportunity to choose bold tight lines or stay conservative for experience and familiarity in the stadium early in the week. Fagerstrom was pleased with the course and felt it suited her mare well as they prepare for the $50,000 Tryon Grand Prix on Saturday night.

“I’m really looking forward to the Grand Prix on Saturday night with her. She experienced jumping under the lights at [WEF] this year and in the beginning it was a difficult atmosphere for her and I really think she learned a lot there and it will be great to test it here,” said Fagerstrom.

Fagerstrom has been thoroughly impressed with the facility. “I can’t believe how nice the facility is. It’s so big and everything is so well made. It’s a lot of space and I think the horses really love it here,” she stated. “We’ll stay for two weeks before we head to Canada but I’m really looking forward to spending time here.”

The duo has been partnered for three years and a half years and Fagerstrom feels she has created a very special relationship with the feisty mare and that bond has helped to better their performances in the ring.

“She’s a very special horse for me. She’s come a long way and we are really close to each other. I love riding her because she is a true fighter in the ring and always wants to go clear,” she explained. “Sometimes it’s hard because she has so much power and to handle her can be a handful but she’s learning all the time and she’s a great horse for me.”

Hunt Tosh and Casanova Sweep First Day of Second Year Green Working Hunter Competition at WCHR Week

Beginning WCHR week in great form, Hunt Tosh and Dr. Betsee Parker’s Casanova showcased their talent in the Reynolds Family Ring today, taking all three classes in the combined division of Second Year Green Hunters and High Performance Hunters at Tryon Spring 5. Tosh and Casanova proved unbeatable in the first day of World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) week competition at TIEC. The division will conclude tomorrow with Champion and Reserve Champion honors being awarded to competitors.

Hunt Tosh and Casanova
Hunt Tosh and Casanova

“This is our first time here in Tryon; it’s a beautiful facility and we absolutely love it so far,” commented Tosh. “WCHR Week is always an important week throughout the year and this will help us prepare for Devon in a few weeks, so it’s nice to come to a new place and see how they go.”

Tosh, aboard the beautiful liver chestnut Dutch Warmblood gelding (Carolus II x Sally), captured high scores in both over fences classes, with an 86 and 88 respectively. The pair also won the under saddle portion of the division.

“It was a good ride. The course was nice and he jumped really well considering he’s been on a break since Florida,” explained Hunt. “This is his first week getting going again but he went really well and jumped nice and the footing is perfect. We love Tryon so far.”

As WCHR Week continues to draw competitive entries at Tryon Spring 5, Tosh noted that the venue serves as a great place to give a number of different horses experience before tackling the larger classes offered at the end of the week.

“We have a bunch of Pre-Green horses here and a number that will show in the High Performance classes, so we really are getting geared up for this week,” continued Tosh. “We haven’t made a plan for the weekend yet, we’re going to see what happens tomorrow and then we’ll decide who’s going to do what in the bigger classes.”

Competition continues at Tryon Spring 5 with additional WCHR classes including the $1,000 Pre-Green Incentive, $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, and the $50,000 Tryon Open Hunter Classic. The first of the “Saturday Night Lights” Grand Prix series will be held Saturday, May 16, with gates opening at 5pm and competition beginning at 6:30pm.

For more information and full results, please visit www.tryon.com.

Kursinski and Fagerstrom Ride to the Top of Wednesday’s Ranks during Wellington Turf Tour

Anne Kursinski and MTM Motto.

Wellington, FL – February 18, 2015 – Today Anne Kursinski illustrated once again why she is one of the most successful show jumpers in the United States, claiming the top prize today aboard Hay’s Investment Corporation’s MTM Motto in the first 1.30-1.35m jumper class at The Ridge at Wellington’s Turf Tour. The weather started out a bit less than ideal Wednesday morning, but that didn’t stop several of Wellington’s top competitors from trying their hand at Nick Granat’s courses in between the rain drops. As the afternoon progressed and the sun brightened everyone’s day, competitors flocked to the pristine polo fields of the International Polo Club (IPC) Palm Beach.

Anne Kursinski posted a very fast time of 39.071 to win the first 1.30-1.35m class with MTM Motto. Despite being only the third pair to go double clear, Kursinski and the grey gelding blazed around in a time that held for the entirety of the day against a field of 31. Nina Fagerstrom did her best to claim the top prize in both classes, but fell just short by stopping the clock at 39.173, a mere tenth of a second off of the leader. Jeffery Welles was the second double clear of the day, and finished in third with a time of 39.660 aboard Calais.

Kursinski was extremely impressed with the footing at IPC. “Going early this morning, I was hoping that it would be good, but it was perfect! It was amazing; the polo crew knows how to take care of the ground. I had the same studs in that I used in the sunshine and I didn’t even go any bigger because the footing is so good. I went quite fast and never even thought of slipping. When I first got here I thought we might just train, but it felt good so I thought let’s go fast.”

She continued, “I thought it was a very good course, nice options, and not a giveaway. The horses are definitely going to learn something. You can go good and fast or train, but either way the horses and riders will learn something. It was a wonderful morning and a great way to start the day.”

The second 1.30-1.35m class was won by Nina Fagerstrom, riding Finca Horses Inc.’s Hot Topic. She posted a time of 32.684, nearly two seconds ahead of second place Conor Swail who posted a time of 34.650 on Simba De La Roque. Paul Yanke on Chill Haze stopped the clock in 30.585, but an unfortunate rail down at fence three put him into third place.

Nina Fagerstrom and Hot Topic
Nina Fagerstrom and Hot Topic

Fagerstrom was very complementary of her partner today. “She’s 8 years old; we bought her three and a half years ago from Belgium, and she’s an extremely talented horse. I really think a lot of her. She was second last week in the 1.40m Grand Prix here. I find that she’s developing every week; she’s always learning.”

She continued, “It’s great here! The footing and the jumps are wonderful. The course is just challenging enough for her but not too difficult, and it really teaches the horses with the various turns and tracks you can take.”

The second ring saw a number of talented horse and rider pairs competing throughout the day. Competitors were developing their young horses by providing them with valuable experience on the turf. Michel Ismalun, three star level member of the course design team from World Equestrian Games 2014, a world-renowned course designer and a director for Classic Champions Inc., built the young jumper courses in the adjacent ring to the 1.30-1.35m jumpers. The course proved to be very inviting and educational for each division, allowing the younger horses to go forward and gallop while on the turf.

Martha Redman won the first 6-year-old class aboard Expresso. Peter Lutz claimed the top prize in the 6-year-old YJC Qualifier Class riding T Zero. Triumph was successful in the first 7-year-old class, ridden and owned by Gustavo Prato. Paul O’Shea rode Hayley Patmore’s Peninsula Riversong to the victory in the second 7-year-old class.

Samantha Johnson won both low jumper classes, riding Rene Johnson’s Artemis. Sarah Wayda claimed both second place ribbons in those classes with Rian Miller’s Contentus. Baer Hendrix won the first medium jumper class on Equiagrix SAS’s Tip Top Cool. Debbi White topped the leader board in the second medium jumper class on her own Basil Hayden.

Friday’s events promise to be exciting, with the $15,000 1.40m Grand Prix running from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Beginning at 8 a.m., the second ring will have Low Schooling Jumpers, with two classes running simultaneously with open cards until noon. Medium schooling jumpers will kick off at noon with two classes running with open cards until 4:30 p.m.

Week 8 of the Ridge at Wellington’s Turf Tour will also take place at The International Polo Club, located at 3667 120th Avenue South in Wellington, FL 33414. The show entrance will be off 120th Street between Lake Worth Road and Pierson Road. The Ridge would like to thank Dover Saddlery for their support of the 12-week series as the cooler and banner sponsor, and they would also like to announce their most recent jump sponsor, Panthera, the leaders in wild cat conservation.

Show Net will be onsite for both Wednesday and Friday events posting live results, as well as videoing rounds in both rings. For results and videos, please visit www.shownet.biz.

Meadowbrook Horse Transport will provide transportation to and from the horse show and other locations throughout Wellington for both the Wednesday and Friday events. The transportation is a nominal fee of $50 per horse, and will be calculated into the final show fees. To make a reservation for one of the three pickup times, 8 a.m., 11 a.m., and 2 p.m., please call Peter Tufano of Meadowbrook Horse Transport at (954) 415-7217, or call Nona Garson at (908) 500-0996.

The Ridge at Wellington Horse Show Series Fast Facts

Events:
The Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour offers their popular 1.40m Invitational Grand Prix for its third year, with an open in gate format taking place once a week at beautiful venues throughout Wellington. The Ridge at Wellington Grand Prix Finale will take place March 27, 2015.

The Turf Tour also will host 1.30m-1.35m Jumpers every Wednesday beginning January 7, 2015 and running until March 18, 2015.

Young Jumper Classes and both Children’s/Senior Jumper Classics will find their home intermittently throughout the Wellington Turf Tour, running concurrently with the 1.30-1.35m and 1.40m Jumpers.

The Ridge at Wellington offers Equitation Shows every Tuesday of the month from January 6 – March 23, 2015. There will also be a series of schooling shows at the Ridge at Wellington for all experience levels.

Two USHJA International Hunter Derbies will take place February 6, 2015 and March 20, 2015.

What:
The Ridge at Wellington series includes several weeks of competition throughout the Winter Season with USEF Rated Equitation Shows. This winter will also feature five two-day schooling shows. The Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour will offer 1.30m-1.35m Jumpers, 1.40m Invitational Grand Prix, Young Jumpers, Children’s/Adult Classics, Masters Jumpers, Junior/Amateur Classics, two hunter derbies and the Pre-Green Incentive Stake.

Information:
Before Show – (561) 791-1471, Email: RidgeShows@aol.com
During Show – Telephone: (561) 791-1471, Fax: (561) 791-1543
Text: (908) 500-0996

Website: http://www.theridgefarm.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/359668144211383/

Management:
Nona Garson
14415 Palm Beach Point Blvd. East
Wellington, FL, 33414
(561) 791-1471 (show office)
(908) 839-3859 (show cell)
(561) 791-1543 (show fax)
Email: RidgeShows@aol.com
Website: http://www.theridgefarm.com

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