Mill Spring, N.C. – June 10, 2018 – Lacey Gilbertson (USA) piloted Seabrook LLC’s Cobolt to the only double clear performance in the $35,000 1.45m Sunday Classic CSI 4* at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) to close out the 90th Tryon Riding & Hunt Club (TR&HC) Charity Horse Show Spring 6 competition, besting a field of 34 first-round pairs and four jump-off challengers to win on a short-course time of 38.893 seconds. Jack Hardin Towell (USA) and Vlock Show Stables LLC’s Sandetto, a 2008 Oldenburg stallion (Sandro Boy x Chellano Z), put in a speedy 35.836 second performance, but had one rail to take home second, while Aaron Vale (USA) returned to the podium for third place honors aboard Sleepy P Ranch LLC’s Major, riding the 2007 Danish Warmblood gelding (Carmargue x A’khan Z) to four faults in 37.531 seconds.
Second to test the jump-off, Gilbertson made the best of an early order of go and aimed for “neat and enough,” she explained. “I didn’t have too much of a strategy because I had to go second, so I couldn’t watch and see what I had to do. I just wanted to have a confident round and give him the ride that I wanted – not too fast and not too crazy, but not too slow. I wanted it to be neat and enough and luckily it paid off for him.”
“He’s spicy and has an attitude, but when he’s in the right place he’s amazing,” she said of her ride, who will be headed to Europe next with another one of her current mounts.
Paired with the 2006 Swedish Warmblood gelding (Cyklon x Camaro M) for a year now, Gilbertson complimented Cobolt’s partnership with her over the Derby Field course set by Alan Wade (IRL), saying, “I thought the first round was actually pretty hard. It was harder than last week, I thought. It was definitely a little bit bigger and I haven’t jumped him on grass in a while, so I was a little bit unsure of how it was going to go. Luckily everything fell into place and he was amazing and I didn’t ride terribly, so that’s always good!” she joked.
“I’d say the middle line to the triple was a little tough because he’s got a little bit of a left drift, so I had to make sure that I didn’t go too far left and that he had his eye on the second part, but he was good,” she elaborated. “In the jump-off there was one less stride in the last line that I didn’t think was possible there, but it ended up being there.”
RESULTS
$35,000 Sunday Classic 1.45m
Place / Horse / Rider / R1 Faults | Time / R2 Faults | Time
1. Cobolt / Lacey Gilbertson / 0 | 79.12 / 0 | 38.893
2. Sandetto / Jack Hardin Towell / 0 | 78.5 / 4 | 35.836
3. Major / Aaron Vale / 0 | 78.82 / 4 | 37.531
4. Dobra De Porceyo / Schuyler Riley / 0 | 77.9 / 8 | 37.308
5. Avel De La Lande / Samuel Parot / 0 | 81.1 / 12 | 35.975
6. Alejandro / Andrea Torres Guerreiro / 4 | 73.82
7. Carna Z / Gustavo Prato / 4 | 76.01
8. Amex Z / Todd Minikus / 4 | 76.09
9. Upper / David Oberkircher / 4 | 78.02
10. Dublin / Hunter Holloway / 4 | 78.59
11. Kirschwasser SCF / Shane Sweetnam / 4 | 78.95
12. Zantos II / Andrew Kocher / 4 | 79.36
For full results, click here.
Jumper Highlights
Todd Minikus (USA) and Christopher Brems’ Amex Z, a 2009 Zangersheide mare (Andiamo Z x Landaris), zipped through the timers in 65.89 seconds to best the field of 25 in the $6,000 1.40m Speed Stake CSI 4* hosted on the Derby Field, while Andrea Torres Guerreiro (COL) and Santa Catalina Farm’s Alejandro, a 2009 Rheinlander gelding (Acorado’s Ass x Continue), captured second place honors in 67.01 seconds. Kristen Vanderveen (USA) completed the top three honors aboard Bull Run’s Divine Fortune, a 3009 Dutch Warmblood mare (Padinus x Caruso) owned by Bull Run Jumpers Six, LLC, after their 67.06 second performance.
The $5,000 1.40m Open Jumper Stake presented by Nutrena® saw 23 entries test the course in the George H. Morris Arena with nine horse-and-rider pairs returning for the short-course. Brittni Raflowitz (Palm City, FL) and Garland Stables’ Sherkan Du Haut bested the day in 36.266 seconds, ahead of Todd Minikus of Loxahatchee, FL, and Melissa Bilodeau’s Lord Calador who took second in 37.49 seconds. Carlos Myrrha of Wellington, FL received third place honors aboard El Milagro’s Quintender LS for their 38.392 second short-course performance.
Hailing from Lexington, KY, David O’Brien conquered the $3,000 1.35m Open Jumper Stake aboard Spy Coast Farm LLC’s Kir Royal SCF, speeding through the short-course timers in 34.814 seconds, while Carlos Myrrha of Wellington, FL, rode El Milagro’s Boemerang Van Generhese to a 36.296 second finish to capture second. Javier Fernandez of Zapopan, Mexico, piloted Miguel Madero’s Republica LS to third place, stopping the short-course timers in 36.784 seconds.
The $2,000 1.30m Open Jumper Stake presented by Adequan® congratulated Andrew Kocher of Ocala, FL, and The Windwood Group’s WEC Damokles for their blazing jump-off time of 34.961 seconds to take the lead, followed by Maryann Charles of Southern Pines, NC, and Fox View Farm’s FVF Sailor Man in second, finishing in 37.056 seconds. Kocher also guided Cool Man W to third place honors in 37.28 seconds for Oakland Ventures, LLC.
The $2,000 1.20m Open Jumper Stake saw David Biesel of Goshen, OH, put in a 33.308 second jump-off performance aboard Rev Media Marketing, LLC’s entry Five Star to take top honors, with Jimmy Torano of Wellington, FL, and his own Elisabelle claiming the red rosette in 33.758 seconds, and Andrew Kocher of Ocala, FL, piloting Polly Pocket to third for Arianna Tucker LLC in 33.992 seconds.
Nicole Bellissimo of Wellington, FL, topped the podium in the $10,000 1.40m High Junior/ Amateur Owner Classic, piloting Bellissimo LLC’s Casino to top honors on a jump-off time of 39.144 seconds. Fernando Cardenas Jr. of New Hill, NC, claimed second aboard his own Calvados, stopping the timers in 40.211 seconds. Third place victories were claimed by Maria Luisa Luzardo of San Jose, Costa Rica, piloting her own Dutch Prints Z to a jump-off time of 43.746 seconds, and with four added faults.
In the $3,000 1.20m NAL Low Junior Classic first place honors went to Bull Run’s Revelation, owned by Bull Run Jumpers LLC, with Jamie Buis of Wellington, FL, in the irons, stopping the timers at 58 seconds in the jump-off with eighteen faults. Second place honors went to Lielle Rhodes of Wellington, FL, who finished the course in 76.664 seconds on one fault aboard Wolfstone Stables & Sales Inc.’s Quinn 42. Reid Arani of Lexington, KY, guided Marigot Bay Farm LLC’s Vindicator to third place on a two-fault first round ride of 77.638 seconds.
The $5,000 Medium Junior/Amateur Owner Classic recognized Andrea Torres Guerreiro of Waterford, VA, aboard Santa Catalina Farm’s Anastasia, finishing first on a 37.99-second short-course time. Silvana Cabral of Wellington, FL, rode Claudia Pedrozo’s Toulouse 66 to second place honors with their jump-off performance of 39.926 seconds, while Daneli Miron of Delray Beach, FL, piloted MD Serenade de Montsec to third place, stopping the second-round timers at 35.313 seconds and with four added faults.
Alexia Rule of Marietta, GA, and her own Pleasure de Riverland sped around the short track in 33.351 seconds to take top honors in the NAL/WIHS Children’s Jumper Classic, while Helena Vasconcelos of Davie, FL, and her own Eden Del Pierre achieved second with a 35.696-second clear jump-off round. Madison Jones of Longwood, FL, claimed third aboard her own Bijoux Z with a short-course time of 36.27 seconds.
Stephanie King of St. Augustine, FL, and her own Co-Starr claimed top prize in the NAL/WIHS Adult Amateur Jumper Classic in the George Morris Arena at Tryon Stadium, blazing around the short course in 31.854 seconds. Phoebe Alwine of Boca Raton, FL, guided her own Zenith Dance to second place after a speedy 34.666 second performance. Katie Sansone, of Coconut Creek, FL, rounded out the podium with her own Tropobella 3K, finishing in 34.818 seconds.
Aaron Vale Goes One-Two in $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby
The $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) presented top honors to Aaron Vale of Williston, FL, on Friday, June 8, aboard Redfield Farm’s Monday Balous after their two-round score of 365 for the win, while Vale also earned reserve honors aboard Donald Stewart’s Dress Balou after securing a 354 two-round performance. Daniel Bedoya of Magnolia, TX, claimed third place honors aboard Carolyn M. Elsey’s Gabli, finishing on a score of 336 with two consistent scores of 168 in both rounds. A feature class of the 90th Tryon Riding & Hunt Club (TR&HC) Annual Charity Horse Show, the International Derby was hosted on the Derby Field at TIEC, and saw 14 entries tour the course designed by Andy Christiansen of Wellington, FL.
“It rode pretty nicely,” Vale said of the course. “The jumps looked pretty big when I walked it, but out there on this grass, it’s such a great field. The footing is firm and consistent for the horses that they really jumped well on it. When I got out there I got a little braver and I jumped all the high options on Monday Balous. I wasn’t quite sure how it would go. I just showed him in the warm-up class the other day and it was the first time I’d shown him!”
Vale’s more familiar derby partner, Dress Balou, is less experienced competing at the international level, he explained. “I know [Dress Balou] a little better and was actually trying to jump the high options, but he’s never jumped this high before. He’s only done about three-foot-five before in National Derbies, so it took me until the last option until he felt comfortable enough. This field is just so great for the hunters and the jumpers and it’s nice to ride on.”
Before the handy round, Vale sat in first with Monday Balous on a score of 175 and sixth with Dress Balou on a score of 158, and got the chance to test the handy track on his reserve ride first. “I’d already ridden Dress Balou in the handy before I rode Monday Balous, and my first ride ended up with pretty high scores. I had only jumped two high options, so I took the same track,” Vale elaborated. “He did have one rub that I think cost a few points, but he had a good enough first ride that the handy points added to not making an error was enough to win the class.”
Of the facility, which hosted hunter, jumper and Gladiator Polo™ competition this week, Vale commented on the expansiveness of the venue. “I’ve lived in Florida for a while and I’ve been here several times in the past few years, but I’m quite familiar with the area. The things they’re doing here are just spectacular and we really enjoy it from the stuff for the horses to the restaurants. The amenities are wonderful and we’re becoming big fans of TIEC,” he concluded.
RESULTS
$25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby
Place / Horse / Rider / R1 Score / R2 Score | Total
1. Monday Balous / Aaron Vale / 175 / 190 | 365
2. Dress Balou / Aaron Vale / 158 / 196 | 354
3. Gabli / Daniel Bedoya / 168 / 168 | 336
4. Valentine / Sarah Milliren / 162 / 169 | 331
5. High Society / Geoffrey Hesslink / 143 / 187 | 330
6. Dibz / Josh Dolan / 167 / 155 | 322
7. Little Manhatten / Megan Rosenthal / 144 / 169 | 313
8. Caillou De La Pierre Z / Josh Dolan / 135 / 174 | 309
9. Chello / Kara Jones / 150 / 94 | 244
10. Tall Paul / Vick Russell / 163 / 74 | 237
11. Ruby Tuesday / Hunter Holloway / 145 / 84 | 229
12. Weipke / Lily Hahn / 139 / 77 | 216
For full results, click here.
Hunter Highlights
The $500 Small Pony Hunter Classic saw Olivia Sweetnam of Wellington, FL, emerge with a victory aboard Sweet Oak Farm’s Mr. Magoo on a score of 157, while Allison Coleman, a Wellington, FL native, and DK-USA Sporthorse, LLC’s A Dream Come True claimed second, scoring 156. Parker Peacock of Winston Salem, NC, and Glenhaven Astoria completed the day on a score of 155.
Madeline Rubin of Mooresville, NC, and her own Exuberance prevailed in the $500 Medium Pony Hunter Classic, scoring 157, while Olivia Sweetnam of Wellington, FL, rode the Sweet Oak Farm mount Crystal Acres Chocolatier to secure second on a score of 156. Third place honors were awarded to Rebecca Love aboard Vanessa Mazzoli’s Find The Love, with the Atlanta, GA, native finishing on a score of 146.5.
The $500 Large Pony Hunter Classic honored Brooke Brombach of Wimberley, TX, aboard Stephen Borders entry Etch-A-Sketch, for their win on a score of 167, while Maggie Wren of Charlotte, NC, steered Horse Show Leases, LLC’s Blue Strutter to second place and a score of 158.5. Lourdes Low of O Katie, SC, rode Agnes Hahn’s Splendid to a score of 158 to claim third.
The $500 Green Pony Hunter Classic congratulated Etch-A-Sketch, owned by Stephen Borders, and piloted by McKayla Brombach of Wimberley, TX, as champions riding to a 164, while Alana Duffy of Charlotte, NC, rode Horse Show Leases, LLC’s Copacabana to reserve on a score of 154. Third place went to Sarah Rabb and her own Prada, earning a 148.
Grace Boston of Owings Mills, MD, guided Hays Investment Corp.’s Grazie to top honors in the $1,000 3’6″ Junior Hunter Classic, scoring 173. The Fairfield Farm, LLC entry Just Sayin and rider Devin Seek, of Ocala, FL, finished second after their score of 161, while Siena Vasan of Boca Raton, FL, and Palm Ponies LLC’s Namesake put in a score of 160 to clinch third place honors.
Brooke Brombach of Wimberley, TX, claimed the title of $1,000 Junior Hunter Classic 3’3″ champion aboard Estefan for owner Donald Stewart, after riding to a 163, while reserve honors were awarded to Hannah Smith of Winston Salem, NC, riding her own Adore and scoring 161. Third place was rounded out by Davenport Hatcher of Charlotte, NC, and Andrea Guzinski’s Rio Oro, ending with a score of 156.
The $1,000 3’6″ Amateur Owner Hunter Classic saw Nicole Lyvere of Lakewood, CO, and her own Certainty achieved a score of 169 to champion the class, while Claudia Pollex of Troutman, NC, piloted her own Mylo Xyloto to a score of 167 and second place. Rounding out the podium was Kelsey Donahoe of Ocala, FL, aboard her own Ausone, scoring 154.
The $1,000 3’3″ Amateur Owner Hunter Classic congratulated Lindsay Maxwell of Beverly Hills, CA, and her own Precedent as winners with a score of 167, with Nicole Lyvere of Lakewood, CO, receiving second place aboard her own All In on a score of 164, and Kelly Arani of Lexington, KY, guided Marigot Bay Farm LLC’s Birthday Boy to third place honors after earning a 157.5.
The $500 NAL/WIHS Children’s Hunter 15-17 Classic saw Lucy Thornhill of Mount Pleasant, SC, guide her own Winter Romance to a score of 167 to win, while Liza Hough of Winston Salem, NC, rode Madison Avenue for owner Casey Zuratis to a score of 156 and the red rosette, and Leigh Wardlaw of Charlotte, NC, rode Andrea Guzinski’s Epic to finish in third on a 150.
In the $500 NAL/WIHS Children’s Hunter 14 & Under Classic, top honors went to Alexandra Hershfield of Lutherville, MD, for her score of 151 aboard Caroline Saunders’ The Hulk, while Elle Moreno of Wylie, TX, rode her own Blossom to a 150 and second place. Caia Watridge of St. Augustine, FL, rode Sweet Oak Farm’s Sunman to third on a score of 147.
Madison Johnson of Matthews, NC, scored a 163 aboard her own Ferragamo’s Feature to take top honors in the $500 NAL/WIHS Adult Hunter 18-35 Classic, while Chelsea Maida of Citra, FL and Kelsey Donahoe’s Idol were awarded second on a score of 159. Phoebe Alwine of Boca Raton, FL, and her own Baricello achieved third place on a score of 157.
The $500 NAL/WIHS Adult Hunter 36 & Older Classic saw Chrissie Catto of St. Augustine, FL, pilot her own Intuition to victory on a score of 153, with Karen Bruce of Lewisville, NC, rode her own Out of Vouge to second on a score of 152. Stacie Winslow of Winston Salem, NC, piloted Touch of Sun to third place honors after scoring 145.
The 2018 Tryon Summer Series kicks off Tuesday, June 12, featuring six weeks of national and international hunter, jumper, and equitation competition through July 22.