Tag Archives: Rowan Willis

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, Tryon

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

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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.

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, Tryon

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

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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.

Show Jumping, Tryon

Rowan Willis and Diablo VII Win $75,000 Tryon Resort Grand Prix under the Lights

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Rowan Willis and Diablo VII ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – June 21, 2020 – Rowan Willis (Ocala, FL) and Diablo VII sped through the jump-off in a time of 34.045 seconds to take the win in Saturday evening’s $75,000 Tryon Resort Grand Prix – the venue’s first night class of 2020 and first evening contest on the recently fully-engineered Tryon Stadium footing. Kristen VanderVeen (Wellington, FL) and Bull Run’s Risen, a 2006 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Utopie x Indoctro) owned by Bull Run Jumpers Inc., claimed second place after their 35.185 second jump-off round, while third went to Amanda Derbyshire (Wellington, FL) aboard Cornwall BH, a 2008 Holsteiner stallion (Con Air x Cambridge) self-owned with Gochman Sport Horse LLC, combining efforts to put in a clear jump-off round in 40.484 seconds.

Twenty horse-and-rider pairs tested the Michel Vaillancourt (Aiken, SC) designed course, with seven combinations returning for the jump-off in front of nearly empty stands while horse shows are still closed to the public. Willis and the 2008 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Douglas x Cavalier) owned by himself and Lucinda Huddy managed to shave seconds off the leading time with a few speedy riders behind them in the order of go, ultimately holding onto the lead, he explained.

Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Divine Fortune Earn $25,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake Win

Kristen VanderVeen (Wellington, FL) and Bull Run’s Divine Fortune were the fastest pair of the day in Thursday’s $25,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake in Tryon Stadium, stopping the short-course timers in 27.668 seconds for the win. Todd Minikus (Lake Worth, FL) took both second and third place aboard Todd Minikus LTD entries, riding Juju VDM, a 2009 Belgian Warmblood mare (Toulon x For Pleasure), to a time of 28.934 seconds and piloting Calvalou, the 2007 Oldenburg gelding (Calvaro F.C. x Baloubet du Rouet), to a clear round in a time of 29.897 seconds for third.

Todd Minikus and Amex Z Collect $25,000 Wednesday Classic Win

Todd Minikus (Lake Worth, FL) and Amex Z, the Bit By Bit Groups’ 2009 Zangersheide mare (Andiamo Z x Landaris), stopped the jump-off timers in 27.027 seconds to take the win in Wednesday’s $25,000 Wednesday Classic. 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, put in a 28.907-second round to claim second, while third went to Gavin Harley (Wellington, FL) and Very Chic du Tillard, a 2009 Selle Francais gelding (Diamant De Semilly x Quidam De Revel) owned by E2 Showjumpers, stopping the timers at 30.666 seconds.

Santiago Lambre and Doloris Finesse $25,000 Sunday Classic

Santiago Lambre (Wellington, FL) and Doloris, a 2008 Dutch Warmblood mare (Harley VDL x Colorado D) owned by Aurora Rangel De Alba, claimed the $25,000 Sunday Classic win in a time of 30.103 seconds, while second place went to Wellington’s David Blake aboard Don’t Touch Du Bois, Pine Hollow Farm’s 2009 Belgian Sport Horse mare (Kashmir Van Schuttershof x Indoctro), on a time of 30.814 seconds. Third was awarded to Zoubair Bennani (Ocala, FL) and Vishnou Un Prince, Leah Garlan’s 2009 Selle Francais gelding (Banboula Du Thot x Galoubet A), stopping the jump-off timers in 31.504 seconds.

To learn more, visit www.Tryon.com.

Show Jumping, Tryon

Rowan Willis and Everse W Finish on High Note at Tryon Spring 4

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Rowan Willis and Everse W. Photo Credit ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – May 27, 2018 – Tryon Spring 4 competition concluded Sunday at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) with a win for Australia’s Rowan Willis aboard Everse W in the $35,000 1.45m Sunday Classic CSI 3*, stopping the short-course timers in 40.162 seconds. Daniel Bedoya (BOL) claimed second place honors with Carolyn M. Elsey’s 2004 Zangersheide mare, Quilona V Z (Quasimodo Z x Nimmerdor), clearing the course in 41.6 seconds, while Deborah Stephens (USA) rode Cairo B, a 2007 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Vermont x Mr. Blue) owned by Centennial Farm Inc., to third place after their 41.865-second performance on the short track.

Willis and Dinah Posford’s 2009 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Lexicon x Carthago) were last to go after 16 entries toured the first round and six pairs returned to test the short track. Willis also achieved eighth place aboard his own Shark, a 2008 Anglo European Sport Horse gelding (Arko x Pilot), after a speedy four-fault first round.

“The course was strong enough, actually, and it rode how it walked for me,” Willis said of the track set by Hector Loyola (PRI). “I thought it was going to be a little bit easier being a 1.45 meter on Sunday, but [Hector] builds a tough, but nice course. It was a competitive enough jump-off. I was lucky to go last because Everse W has been drawn first all week, so that was nice. When you let him off and go fast he’s got such a big stride and just covers the ground easily.”

Entering the class with two mounts that also tested the $70,000 Spy Coast Farm Grand Prix CSI 3* Saturday night was a last-minute but fruitful decision, Willis explained, as he was hoping to improve his rides on both mounts before leaving the venue.

“I’m off to Spruce Meadows next. I was actually going to start driving there today, but after I didn’t ride so well in the Grand Prix last night, I thought we had to stay and jump today,” said Willis of his two mounts Everse W and Shark.

Willis has been named to the Short List for the Australian Jumping Team ahead of the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 (WEG) hosted at TIEC September 11-23, 2018, and while he’s not aiming Everse W at the Games, Willis commented that his first experience as a competitor at the venue was positive, and he hopes to carry this momentum forward.

“It’s a great facility. I’ve been very impressed,” he emphasized. “It’s lovely, and I’m really excited about coming back in September. [Everse W] is a great horse, but I’m not aiming him at this WEG since he’s only nine. I’ve got my older one Blue Movie here that I’m hoping to bring back. Maybe [Everse W] for the next one!”

Everse W started off Eventing before Willis acquired the ride for owner Dinah Posford and plans to continue building the gelding’s experience at Spruce Meadows as he prepares for potential WEG contention, he noted. “Hopefully next time I’m back here I’ll be winning, too!”

Please visit www.tryon.com or call (828)-863-1000 for more information.