Competition at Tryon Spring 3 (April 30-May 3), the third installment of the inaugural eight week spring series at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), concluded yesterday after a strong week of hunter and jumper competition. The Tryon Spring Series continues this week with Tryon Spring 4 beginning Thursday, May 7, and concluding Sunday, May 10. The final week of the Tryon Spring Series will be held from June 4-7 before the Tryon Summer Series begins on June 25.
Candice King of Wellington, FL, and Bellissimo LLC’s Bugatti VDL put in a speedy round to take the victory in the Tryon Spring 3 $25,000 Grand Prix at TIEC, finishing nearly two seconds faster than the rest of the competition in the jump-off. Benjamin Rosichan of Tryon, NC, and Gandor De Walput finished second in 39.717 seconds while Kristen Vanderveen of St. Charles, IL, aboard Bull Run’s Testify placed third in 40.291 seconds.
King and Bugatti VDL finished their first round clean in 79.531 seconds, moving them forward to the five-horse jump-off, where they sealed the win with a fast and clean ride. The nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion (Silverstone x Uzamieka VDL) made easy work of the Pierre Jolicoeur designed course, producing one of four double clear rounds.
“I just started competing him and we thought this would be a great class for him to do because the footing is absolutely perfect here and we want to get him feeling comfortable at the level. Pierre [Jolicoeur] did a great job designing the course,” said King. “Right now I’m getting to know him and we’re starting to get our partnership going, but I’m just thrilled with how he handled everything.”
The jump-off course proved to be challenging for the riders, with several tight inside turns needed to finish competitively in the class. King rode fourth in the line-up and was thrilled with the effort Bugatti VDL gave her.
“There were a few difficult turns in the course and I’m still building a relationship with him so I figured it was a good opportunity to really go for the win and learn on him,” she said. “He just has a great mind and he’s so scopey and talented. Everything he does, he just wants to please you, which is great. We’re starting to get that mileage together and he was with me the entire time.”
The duo will compete again this coming week during the Tryon Spring 4 competition before setting their sights on the FEI CSI 3* to follow later in the month at TIEC.
“I really am looking forward to being here in Tryon for majority of the summer. This venue is the perfect place to develop young horses and young Grand Prix talent, and it is just an incredible place to stay. I’m so thankful to the Bellissimo’s for their continued support and all they have done to make this a truly world-class venue for our sport,” King expressed.
Final Results for the $25,000 Tryon Grand Prix
1. BUGATTI VDL: 2006 Dutch Warmblood stallion by Silverstone x Uzamieka VDL
CANDICE KING, Bellissimo LLC: 0/0/37.878
2. GANDOR DE WALPUT: 2006 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Wandor Van De Mispelaere x Ursula De Walput
BENJAMIN G. ROSICHAN, Benjamin G. Rosichan: 0/0/39.717
3. BULL RUN’S TESTIFY: 2004 Selle Francais gelding by Dollar Du Murier x Marquise Des Monts
KRISTEN VANDERVEEN, Bull Run Jumpers, Inc.: 0/0/40.291
4. KARENINA: 2006 Oldenburg mare
THOMAS JOHN RUSSELL, Lily Hahn: 0/0/42.69
5. BULL RUN’S FAUSTINO DE TILI: 2005 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Berlin x Bijou De Vijfheide
KRISTEN VANDERVEEN, Bull Run Jumpers, Inc.: 0/8/39.917
6. SUN TZU, 2003 Irish Sport Horse by Cruising
PENNY BRENNAN, Penny Brennan: 4/77.617
7. VINNEY BOY, 2002 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Dutchboy x Nikita
LINCOLN RUSSELL, Percy MacMillan: 4/82.187
8. VALINSKI S, 2002 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Nijinski x Rockina
MICHAEL DORMAN, Wyndmont Inc.: 4/86.007
Jumper Highlights
The $25,000 Grand Prix concluded a full week of competition at Tryon Spring 3, which began on Thursday with Amanda Forte of Glenmore, PA, aboard Cerulean Stables LLC’s Falcon sweeping all three rounds in the $1,000 1.20m Open Jumper presented by Animo. The duo produced one of five double clears in the first class of 16 entries, winning the jump off in 31.56 seconds. The pair added two more double clear rounds in the following classes to take home the Champion award for the division. Michael Dorman of Wellington, FL and Wyndmont Inc.’s Zaldorado captured the Reserve Champion honors.
Amanda Forte continued her success aboard Rincoola Black Adder with wins in both the $1,000 1.30m Open Jumper presented by Adequan® on Thursday and the $10,000 Suncast® Welcome Stake 1.45m on Friday. The 1.30m Open Jumper proved to be a competitive class with only five double clear trips, pressing riders for fast rounds. Doug Payne of Apex, NC and Michael Rubin’s Eli finished second just behind Forte in 31.016 seconds and Michael Dorman aboard Wyndmont Inc.’s Cas in third with a time of 35.716.
The $10,000 Suncast® Welcome Stake challenged competitors as only three pairs moved forward to the jump-off. Forte and Rincoola Black Adder took home the win finishing clear in 39.672 seconds followed by Kristen Vanderveen of St. Charles, IL, aboard Bull Run’s Holy Smokes knocking a rail in the jump-off and finishing with a time of 40.306. Michael Dorman and Wyndmont Inc.’s Zephyr finished in third.
Michael Dorman continued his success during Tryon Spring 3, collecting wins aboard several different mounts in the $1,000 1.40 Open Jumper division. Dorman and Wyndmont Inc.’s Zephyr took home the win in the first round of division, finishing in 32.301 seconds. He also took home wins aboard Wyndmont Inc.’s IV Ever and Wyndmont Inc.’s Valinski S.
The $3,000 NAL/WIHS Child/Adult 1.10m Classic presented by Ariat® was won by Anna Reising of Fort Mills, SC board her own Celtic Fiddler, putting in two double clear rounds and finishing the jump-off in 33.143 seconds. Caitlin Gibbs, a Davidson, NC native, and Sue Gibbs’ Lingot D’or placed second and Helen Terranova of Memphis, TN finished in third aboard her own mount Creed.
Joyce Green of Melbourne, FL, and Rieka B topped the $3,500 NAL Low Jr./AO Classic, which saw six entries move forward to the jump off. Green and her own Rieka B finished in 33.314 seconds to take the win, with Lily Hahn and Victoria VII, owned by Hahn, following in second, finishing the jump-off clear in 38.023 seconds. Green also placed third aboard Casino Royal PJ in 38.749 seconds.
Hunter Highlights
As the WCHR Week at Tryon Spring 5 approaches quickly, hunter riders prepared with several competitive classes throughout the week. Tommy Frick of Campobello, SC won the $500 NAL/WIHS Child/Adult Hunter Classic aboard Ruth Chester’s Hard To Be Humble. Isabelle Lombardozzi of Spartanburg, NC, placed second with Percy MacMillan’s Space Cadet and finished in third on her own Consultation.
Frick and Hard To Be Humble also took the Child/Adult Hunter championship followed by Christine Rhodes of Hickory, NC, aboard her own King Creole taking Reserve Champion honors for the division.
Competition continues at TIEC this week with Tryon Spring 4, beginning on Thursday, May 7 and continuing through Sunday, May 10. For more information and to see full results, please visit www.tryon.com.
Source: Press release
