Concluding the first day of competition at Tryon Spring 5 in the George H. Morris Stadium at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), Nina Fagerstrom (FIN) and Flower produced two fast and clean trips in $1,000 Nutrena Open Jumper 1.40m class to take home the win. Kyle Timm aboard Calida 55 finished in second with a time of 40.149 seconds followed by Daniel Geitner and Kenwood placing third, adding four faults to their time of 37.302. The Tryon Spring 5 competition continues through Sunday, May 17. The Tryon Spring Series will conclude Sunday, June 7.
Flower, Fagerstrom’s top mount, had a lengthy vacation after the season in Florida and Fagerstrom couldn’t help but be impressed with the way the mare performed in her first class back in a competition setting. The duo finished the first round clear in 73.15 seconds and raced around the jump-off to finish faultless in 39.365 seconds.
“I’m really happy with her. They haven’t done anything for nearly five or six weeks competing wise. My mom and my groom have been riding them and I think they’ve done a great job because this was the first day showing and they all went clear,” she commented. “They all felt amazing and they’re super fit. Flower is my top Grand Prix horse and I’m really pleased with her today.”
The course designed by Guilherme Jorge of Brazil gave riders the opportunity to choose bold tight lines or stay conservative for experience and familiarity in the stadium early in the week. Fagerstrom was pleased with the course and felt it suited her mare well as they prepare for the $50,000 Tryon Grand Prix on Saturday night.
“I’m really looking forward to the Grand Prix on Saturday night with her. She experienced jumping under the lights at [WEF] this year and in the beginning it was a difficult atmosphere for her and I really think she learned at lot there and it will be great to test it here,” said Fagerstrom.
Fagerstrom has been thoroughly impressed with the facility. “I can’t believe how nice the facility is. It’s so big and everything is so well made. It’s a lot of space and I think the horses really love it here,” she stated. “We’ll stay for two weeks before we head to Canada but I’m really looking forward to spending time here.”
The duo has been partnered for three years and a half years and Fagerstrom feels she has created a very special relationship with the feisty mare and that bond has helped to better their performances in the ring.
“She’s a very special horse for me. She’s come a long way and we are really close to each other. I love riding her because she is a true fighter in the ring and always wants to go clear,” she explained. “Sometimes its hard because she has so much power and to handle her can be a handful but she’s learning all the time and she’s a great horse for me.”
Final Results for $1,000 Nutrena Open Jumper 1.40 m
1. FLOWER, 2005 Belgian Warmblood mare by Bon Ami x Release vh Lindehof
NINA FAGERSTROM, Finca Horses Inc., 0/0/39.365
2. CALIDA 55, 2004 Oldenburg mare by Converter x Landgraefin
KYLE TIMM, Apex Equestrian Center, 0/0/40.149
3. KENWOOD, 2003 Oldenburg gelding by Kannan x Gertie
DANIEL GEITNER, The Kenwood Syndicate, 0/4/37.302
4. LUCKY STRIKE, 2006 Holsteiner gelding by Lasino x Imandra I
BRANDIE HOLLOWAY, Hays Investment Corp., 0/8/35.216
5. GEORGIE B, 2006 Irish Sport Horse gelding by Cruising
KYLE TIMM, Kyle Timm, 0/10/52.517
6. CASCADA, Rheinlander by Christiano x Carmina
JORDAN COYNE, Jordan Coyne, 4/71.066
7. CAROLINA, Swedish Warmblood by Careful x Irco Mona
RICARDO VILLA, Ricardo Villa, 4/75.606
8. ACE OF SPIES, Dutch Warmblood
GLENN HARTIGAN, Phyllis Hines, 8/72.587
Hunt Tosh and Casanova Sweep First Day of Second Year Green Working Hunter Competition at WCHR Week
Beginning WCHR week in great form, Hunt Tosh and Dr. Betsee Parker’s Casanova showcased their talent in the Reynolds Family Ring today, taking all three classes in the combined division of Second Year Green Hunters and High Performance Hunters at Tryon Spring 5. Tosh and Casanova proved unbeatable in the first day of World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) week competition at TIEC. The division will conclude tomorrow with Champion and Reserve Champion honors being awarded to competitors.
“This is our first time here in Tryon, it’s a beautiful facility and we absolutely love it so far,” commented Tosh. “WCHR Week is always an important week throughout the year and this will help us prepare for Devon in a few weeks, so its nice to come to a new place and see how they go.”
Tosh, aboard the beautiful liver chestnut Dutch Warmblood gelding (Carolus II x Sally), captured high scores in both over fences classes, with an 86 and 88 respectively. The pair also won the under saddle portion of the division.
“It was a good ride. The course was nice and he jumped really well considering he’s been on a break since Florida,” explained Hunt. “This is his first week getting going again but he went really well and jumped nice and the footing is perfect. We love Tryon so far.”
As WCHR Week continues to draw competitive entries at Tryon Spring 5, Tosh noted that the venue serves as a great place to give a number of different horses experience before tackling the larger classes offered at the end of the week.
“We have a bunch of Pre-Green horses here and a number that will show in the High Performance classes, so we really are getting geared up for this week,” continued Tosh. “We haven’t made a plan for the weekend yet, we’re going to see what happens tomorrow and then we’ll decide who’s going to do what in the bigger classes.”
Competition continues at Tryon Spring 5 with additional WCHR classes including the $1,000 Pre-Green Incentive, $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, and the $50,000 Tryon Open Hunter Classic. The first of the “Saturday Night Lights” Grand Prix series will be held Saturday, May 16, with gates opening at 5pm and competition beginning at 6:30pm.
For more information and full results, please visit www.tryon.com
Source: Press release
