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.
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.