Mill Spring, NC – July 2, 2017 – Kristen Vanderveen (USA) and Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili topped another grand prix at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), this time laying claim to the $86,000 Adequan® Grand Prix CSI 2*. Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili stopped the jump-off timers in 38.341 seconds to take the win ahead of Darragh Kerins (IRL) and Silteplait De Circee who earned second place with a time of 41.389 seconds. Todd Minikus (USA) and Incitatus collected third place, finishing just behind Kerins in 41.945 seconds.
The main event of the week was rescheduled to take place first thing this morning after severe weather moved through the region last night. Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili went towards the end of the class order, which saw 45 entries test the first track set by Ken Krome (USA). Ten combinations ultimately moved forward to the short track in which six pairs finished the morning with a double clear effort on the day.
“He felt ready to go last night and I knew that he would do well, so I was a little disappointed in the way the weather rolled in, but he gave me that same feeling today and we just went for it,” said Vanderveen. “He stays about the same for classes during the day and at night because he just loves to compete.”
The pair’s partnership has reached new heights, as their consistency and tenacity together have outmatched other combinations at TIEC all season. After walking the course this morning, Vanderveen thought that it was tricky enough to catch some riders off guard, which ended up being the case.
“I thought that it walked a little tough to be honest, which it should though. It was tricky and it needed to be. I think that Ken knew he needed to build a bit technical since there are so many top horses here for the 2*,” she explained. “The lines came up quite fast and there were a lot of turns and half steps where you could make your own decisions, making it a bit more challenging.”
Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili, a 2005 Belgian Warmblood stallion (Berlin x Darco) owned by Bull Run Jumpers Five LLC, also proved their handiness in the jump-off round, which saw nine other competitive entries vie for the win. Vanderveen commented, “He felt super. That was just one of those jump-offs where everything shows up out of the turn like you plan on and there was just enough running and turning to make it tight. It was really smooth for him.”
With top performances coming in international competition at TIEC throughout the duration of their partnership, Vanderveen has sights set on expanding her growing business, as well as potentially representing the United States in FEI Nations’ Cup™ competition if the opportunity arises.
“I have a really strong client base right now and we just imported some talented young horses that arrived here last week,” she elaborated. “If we get the chance to do a Nation’s Cup competition, it would be a dream come true.”
Speaking to her growing confidence, Vanderveen explained that her success with Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili has in turn helped her riding on each of her other mounts, as she now feels consistently competitive on a major international stage.
“He’s really helped me with the other horses too. I go into the ring now with the mindset and idea that I can do this and I can win,” she said. “He’s given me that extra confidence that we belong here and have every reason to believe that we can win against the best in the world.”
Abigail McArdle (USA) received the FEI Leading Lady Jumper Rider Award presented by Meg Atkinson of Town and Country Realtors, while Vanderveen’s groom, Luis Salvaras was awarded with the Absorbine® FEI Groom’s Award, honoring his care and commitment to Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili.
Emma Jolly of Keswick, VA, and Mischief Managed, the winning combination of the $10,000 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby, were welcomed to the George H. Morris Arena for a special recognition ceremony before the highlight class of the week to honor their achievements during the first annual USHJA Foundation Pony Hunter Spectacular. Roger and Jennifer Smith of Tryon Equestrian Partners (TEP) also presented William Dobbs of the USHJA Foundation with a check of support from TEP for the organization and their mission.
Santiago Lambre and Ibabco Take $35,000 Tryon 1.45m Challenge CSI 2*
Santiago Lambre (MEX) and Ibabco, the winning duo of this past Thursday’s $35,000 1.45m Suncast® Commercial Welcome Stake CSI 2*, also earned top honors in the final FEI class of the week, racing to victory in the $35,000 Tryon 1.45m Challenge CSI 2*, which followed the conclusion of the $86,000 Adequan® Grand Prix CSI 2* in George H. Morris Arena.
The duo completed the jump-off track in 38.442 seconds to secure the win ahead of Jonathan McCrea (USA) and Aristoteles V, who crossed through the timers in 39.813 seconds. Sharn Wordley (NZL) and Caiman Des Sequoias finished in third place with a jump-off time of 39.813 seconds.
Forty entries tested the track, also set by the week’s FEI course designer Ken Krome (USA). Only four pairs advanced to the jump-off round, while the top three finishers completed the class with the only recorded double clear efforts.
Ibabco, a 2008 Belgian Warmblood stallion (Nabab De Reve x Darco), flew through the jump-off track with Lambre piloting from the irons, earning their third FEI win at TIEC since the end of May.
Kady Abrahamson and Charline 28 Win $20,000 Hollow Creek Farm Under 25 Jumper Classic
Kady Abrahamson of Loveland, OH, and Charline 28, owned by Abrahamson Equestrian, finished atop the $20,000 Hollow Creek Farm Under 25 Jumper Classic after blazing through the jump-off track to best the competition by nearly three seconds.
Abrahamson and Charline 28 finished the track in 35.487 seconds ahead of Abigail Evans of Spicewood, TX, and her own Cyrus, who took second place with a time of 38.058 seconds. Simon Salame, who competes internationally for the country of Mexico, took third place aboard Elmo 19, owned by Christian Glaneman.
The class saw sixteen entries, while only four combinations produced a clear round inside the time, moving them forward to the short course. Abrahamson and Evans were the only two riders to finish with a double clear effort in the jump-off.
Isabella Durnell of Suwannee, GA, and her own Carlton Diva were victorious in the $1,000 Pony Jumper Classic in the George H. Morris Arena after finishing with a jump-off time of 26.615 seconds. Ansgar Holtgers Jr. of Wellington, FL, and Fort Lauderdale, owned by Daisy Talbert, captured second place with a jump-off time of 27.572 seconds. Isabella Cheers of Shallotte, NC, and her own Park Avenue rounded out the top three with a jump-off time of 30.689 seconds, while adding four faults to their score.
Hunter Highlights
Hunt Tosh of Milton, GA, and Uptown, owned by Douglas Wheeler, took first place in the $1,000 USHJA Green Hunter Incentive with a total score of 88. Daniel Geitner of Aiken, SC, and Eleventh Hour, owned by Brenda Mackay, collected second place with a score of 87, ahead of Natalie Geller of Canton, GA, and Homepage, owned by Fit to Print Farm, who finished in third place with a score of 86.
The $1,000 Amateur-Owner Hunter Classic 3’3″ & 3’6″ saw Alexandra Desiderio of Chester, NJ, and Joker De Fallogne, owned by Tranquility Farm, ride to a score of 163 for first place. Kimberley Quinn of Charlotte, NC, and her own Sail On take second place with a 161, while Kaitlin Porath of Charlotte, NC, and her own Breaux collected third place on a score of 158.
Siena Vasan of Boca Raton, FL, and Namesake, owned by Palm Ponies LLC, took top honors in the $1,000 Junior Hunter 3’6″ Classic with a score of 164. Vasan also secured second place aboard Skolar, owned by Carriage Hill Farm, after receiving a 163. Tanner Korotkin of Wellington, FL, and Aribo, owned by Sandalwood Farms, rounded out the top three with a score of 156.
Beverly Davis of Harrisburg, NC, and her own Alchemist secured victory in the $1,000 Junior Hunter Classic 3’3″ with a total score of 150. Raegan Landrum of Winter Park, FL, and her own Contano took second place with a score of 139. Emmanuelle Greenberg of Boca Raton, FL, and Czech Mate, owned by Pumpkin’s Patch Farm, LLC, finished in third with a score of 138.
Maddie Tosh of Milton, GA, and Love Me Tender, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker, rode to victory in the $2,500 Pony Hunter Classic after reciving a final score of 167. Libbie Gordon of Statesville, NC, and Childs Play Hot Topic, owned by Mia Abelo, finished in second on a score of 166.5, while Abigail Gordon of Statesville, NC, and her own Farmore State of the Art, rounded out he top three with a score of 165.5.
The $500 Green Pony Hunter Classic saw Emma Jolly of Keswick, VA, and Sunset’s Sparkle, owned by Sunset Farm, finish with a final score of 151 to top the class. Marissa Santaniello of Waxhaw, NC, and her own Bed Head Ned, took second place with a score of 142, ahead of Libbie Gordon of Statesville, NC, and All Yours, owned by Jessie Marie Spade, who placed third with a 139.
Stephanie Zimmerman of Atlanta, GA, and her own Crusader finished as divisional champions in the Marshall & Sterling Adult-Amateur Hunter Division, ahead of Ashley Waters Whitman of St. Augustine, FL, and Heart Breaker, owned by Meredith King, who collected reserve champion.
Jennifer Smith of Wellington, FL, took both champion and reserve champion in the Marshall & Sterling Adult Amateur 50 & Over Division aboard her own Ocean Mist for champion, and Olympic Fire, owned by Roger Smith, for reserve.
The Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Combined Division saw Kaitlin Porath of Charlotte, NC, and her own Breaux finish with champion honors. Emily Jones of Jacksonville, FL, and her own Game Boy collected reserve champion accolades.
Grayson Shelton of Charlotte, NC, and Accomac, owned by Ashlen Rowe, captured top honors in the Children’s Hunter Horse 14 & Under Division. Sophia Mitchell of Wrightsville Beach, NC, and her own Keepsake finished with reserve champion.
The Green Hunter 3’3″ Division saw Todd Minikus of Loxahatchee, FL, and Exceptional, owned by Todd Minikus, LTD., ride to collect champion honors. Hunt Tosh of Milton, GA, and Lights Out, owned by Ceil Wheeler, were presented with reserve champion.
The Green Hunter 3’6″ Division saw Hunt Tosh guide Patriot, owned by The Wheeler Family, to solid performances throughout the week, ultimately placing them atop the division. Jodi Vazquez of Mettawa, IL, and Hula Hoop, Elizabeth Corey, take reserve champion.
The High Performance Hunter 4′ Division was championed by Hunt Tosh of Milton, GA, and Casanova, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker, while Blythe Karolyi of Franklin, TN, and Fondant, owned by Virginia Ingram, finished with reserve champion honors.
Maddie Tosh of Miton, GA, and her own Cozy Up, rode to the top of the Medium Pony Hunter Division, while Libbie Gordon of Statesville, NC, and C.E. Remarkable, owned by Fielding Stichman, collected reserve champion.
The Small Pony Hunter Division saw Abigail Gordon of Statesville, NC, and her own Farmore State of the Art ride to collect champion honors. Jessie Marie Spade of Terrell, NC, and her own With Applause were presented with reserve champion.
Marissa Santaniello of Waxhaw, NC, and her own Bed Head Ned rode to the top of the Small/Medium Green Pony Hunter Division. Libbie Gordon of Statesville, NC, and All Yours, owned by Jessie Marie Spade, finish in reserve.
Click here to view full results for the $86,000 Adequan® Grand Prix CSI 2*.
Click here to view full results for the $35,000 Tryon 1.45m Challenge CSI 2*.
Click here to view full results for the $20,000 Hollow Creek Farm Under 25 Jumper Classic.
Competition begins at TIEC on Wednesday, July 5, with the start of Tryon Summer VI CSI 3*. For more information on TIEC, please visit www.tryon.com .
Edited press release: Tryon International Equestrian Center
Photos: ©Sportfot