Candice King of Wellington, FL, and Valinski S brought home another victory at Tryon Spring 6 for Wyndmont, Inc. and trainer Ronnie Beard, this time topping the $75,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix under the lights in George H. Morris Stadium at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC). King and Angel Karolyi (VEN) were the only two riders to advance to the jump-off, going head to head for the victory. Tryon Spring 6 concludes tomorrow May 24, and the Tryon Spring Series will continue through June 7.
King and Valinksi S made headlines with their previous win this past week in the $25,000 Suncast® 1.45m Welcome Stake, only the third time King had sat on the 2002 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Nijinski x Rockina. The win today marks their fourth class together and the pair hasn’t placed outside of the top ten in their partnership thus far. The duo finished their first trip in 79.68 seconds and completed the jump-off in 50.705 to take the victory.
“I’m so thrilled with him. He’s been absolutely great. This is another great step in the partnership we’re creating with him,” said King. “We’ve got to discuss where we want to go but we do have plans for the next few weeks with him.”
The course designed by Florencio Hernandez (MEX) proved difficult for most riders as only two of 28 entries moved forward to the jump-off. The time allowed was adjusted to 82 seconds after the first three trips of the class, which challenged riders even more.
“Today’s course was very technical. It walked almost like it was a graph sheet, just very cornered and square. There wasn’t anything on a bending line so it was very straight and there were very few angles,” said King. “Today was definitely much more technical and the course wasn’t so big per say but there were some very scopey questions. Where and how Florencio set the distances made it ride so scopey which is why I think it was so difficult.”
Several fences proved tough for riders, most notably 10B, the second element in a tight one-strided line. The combination was the biggest test on course for riders and it drew significant attention during the course walk.
“There were a few combinations that I knew were going to be really tough. Fence 4, the plank fence, to the big oxer at Fence 5 caught a few and then also Fence 9 out of the corner because it was right towards the in gate and gave them a chance to bulge,” explained King. “I knew though that 10AB was the biggest question on the course and for me when I walked with some of my students and friends I said you have to line that up and get extremely straight and help your horses out because it was quite wide. It walked a little easy and then it was quite wide out.”
King was thrilled with her two rounds aboard Valinski S, as he was attentive and focused throughout the night in a large and intense atmosphere. The duo went first in the jump-off, putting the pressure on Karolyi and Raylyn Farm’s Venus, who ultimately dropped a rail to finish second. As for their future together, it is still undecided but the duo will contest the FEI CSI3* competition next week at Tryon Spring 7 and the CSI4* competition at Tryon Spring 8.
“You know I stepped in, as I said, for Michael to help them out and they’re great friends of mine and I have a lot of belief in them and their system. We’re planning on next week for the CSI3* and the CSI4* the week after,” commented King. “I’ll have Kismet 50 coming in on the CSI4* week and Bugatti VDL too, so we’re going to be very busy in the next few weeks. It’s really nice going into these next two FEI weeks with three horses and I have to see with Ronnie and Michael as a partnership where we’re going with everything, but he’s been fabulous.”
King had her hands full with second ride of the night, Bellissimo LLC’s Bugatti VDL, who was excited by the atmosphere entering the arena. The pair put in a strong round, only to drop the last fence on course. The environment provided by the night classes at TIEC serve as great experience for not only veteran riders and combinations but for greener horses too, according to King.
“The opportunities here are really incredible for riders and their horses. You have a chance to gain experience on any type of ride and like tonight, I learned from my ride on Bugatti, which will be so beneficial moving forward in the coming weeks,” said King, “A venue like this perfect and I’m so pleased with how everything rode this week. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”
Final Results for $75,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix:
1. VALINKSI S, 2002 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Nijinski x Rockina
CANDICE KING, Wyndmont, Inc.: 0/0/50.705
2. VENUS, 2002 Dutch Warmblood mare by Tangelo Van De Zuuthoeve x Pascha W
ANGEL KAROLYI, Raylyn Farms: 0/4/50.577
3. ZONNEGLANS, 2004 Dutch Warmblood mare by Dutch Capitol x Lutina H
GEMMA PATERNOSTER, Gemma Paternoster: 1/82.056
4. TRIOMPF, 2004 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Tangelo Van De Zuuthoeve x Etriompf
HOLLY SHEPHERD, Loretta Patterson: 2/83.828
5. PLATINUM, 2005 Irish Sport Horse mare by Javlin x Ballybregagh Band of Gold
KYLE TIMM, Apex Equestrian Center: 4/76.228
6. BASJE, 2006 Dutch Warmblood gelding
HAROLD CHOPPING, Kendra Bullington: 4/76.258
7. BON GIORNO, 1999 Swedish Warmblood gelding by Acacio 948 x Bon Ami
BYRN SADLER, Showcase 81 LLC: 4/77.99
8. BINKIE, 2006 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Larino x Whisper B
DAVID BLAKE, Pine Hollow Farm: 4/79.348
Corey McLaughlin and Bit of Masquerade Ride to Victory in Ariat Adult Medal
Corey McLaughlin of Atlanta, GA, and her longtime partner Bit of Masquerade topped the Ariat Adult Medal class at Tryon Spring 6, adding another strong performance in the series this year. The duo have made great strides in their relationship the past few years, which has greatly contributed to their growing success in the Ariat Adult Medal and the Amateur Hunter 18-36 Divisions.
“When I got back to showing him we clicked so much better than we had in the beginning when we first got him and we’ve been doing great,” said McLaughlin. “He’s such a lovable guy, he always wants to give kisses and he’s been so consistent, which is why I’m thrilled with our performance today.”
McLaughlin has spent her first two years at University of Tennessee, competing with Craig Allen of Wayside Farm, and the rising junior will be making the transition to Colorado State University this year, taking Bit of Masquerade with her to continue competing on the West Coast.
“I won’t be riding for the school, but I plan on continuing to compete while I’m there. We’re hoping to find a barn close to campus so that we can pick up where we leave off here when I head to school,” explained McLaughlin. “Winning this class is such a highlight because we’ve worked so hard and been through so much, it makes everything worth it.”
Bit of Masquerade isn’t the only horse that McLaughlin has under her guidance, but he remains her most reliable mount and one of her favorites. The duo made easy work of the first round of the Ariat Adult Medal and rode a solid round in the test portion of the class to take the win. The duo received a 76 for their first trip around the course and sealed the deal with an almost perfect test round.
“It’s so nice to know that he’s always going to be so great for me. At the end of the day I know he always going to give me a good ride, just like he did today.” said McLaughlin.
For more information on TIEC and for a full list of results please visit www.tryon.com.
Source: Press release
