David Blake Earns Another Grand Prix Victory at TIEC in $25,000 Odom Engineering, PLLC Grand Prix at Tryon Spring 5
Press Release Tryon International Equestrian Center – David Blake continued his dominance at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) this past week, picking up another grand prix win aboard Baron in the $25,000 Odom Engineering, PLLC Grand Prix on Saturday, May 21. Blake, of Wellington, FL, piloted Baron to a quick jump-off round, finishing in 33.855 seconds to nudge Harold Chopping of Southern Pines, NC, and Basje to second place, as they crossed the timers in 34.69 seconds. Manuel Torres of Leesburg, VA, and Christofolini H rounded out the top three with a time of 36.826 seconds. Competition at TIEC continues this week with the start of Tryon Spring 6 on Wednesday, May 25.
Blake has finished atop the leaderboard with three different horses in the past two weeks, earning top finishes in the Tryon Spring 4 $10,000 Suncast 1.40m Open Welcome aboard Bella Donna, the Tryon Spring 4 $25,000 Tryon Resort Grand Prix aboard Park Lane, and this past week’s $25,000 Odom Engineering, PLLC Grand Prix with Baron, all owned by Pine Hollow Farm.
„This was Barons third time jumping under lights and each time he’s performed very well,“ said Blake. „He loves the atmosphere here and really steps ups during the bigger occasions. His form has been great these past couple of months and I knew he was knocking on the door for a nice win.“
The course, designed by Pierre Jolicoeur (USA), saw 20 entries test the first round track, while six combinations tackled the first round with ease, to move forward to the short course. Only the top three finishers completed the evening under the light in the George H. Morris Arena with a double clear effort.
„The time allowed in the first round was a little tight so you had to be thinking about that when you were going around,“ he explained. “ He [Pierre Jolicoeur] had an interesting open water option in the first round, which he also included in the jump off that was quiet unusual and was definitely something different than what you typically see in a jump-off.“
„It was quicker to jump the open water around the short course, but it made the inside turn afterwards quiet sharp, so it definitely added an aspect of difficulty if you were planning on taking the quickest route,“ he continued.
Baron has been a reliable mount for Blake, as he competes the gelding in FEI ranking classes aside stable mate Binkie, who Blake has also experienced success aboard at TIEC. Baron, a 2006 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Ukato x Vera van Veecaten), finished the winter circuit with several top finishes, and Blake noted that the gelding feels confident and ready to tackle some of the bigger tracks this summer.
„He is probably the most rideable of my upper level horses, which makes it much easier to execute your plan around a technical course,“ commented Blake. „It is a comfortable feeling for a rider to know you can shorten and lengthen his stride to overcome the more difficult aspects that a course of that size and nature will present.“
David Blake and Baron in their presentation ceremony with Sharon Decker of TIEC, Heidi and David Odom of Odom Engineering, PLLC, alongside Katherine and Mark Bellissimo. © Mancini Photos
With a carefully planned schedule for each mount, Blake will continue to rely on both Baron and Binkie in upcoming FEI competitions that will begin at the venue the first week of June, while continuing to accumulate valuable mileage with Park Lane, Bella Donna, and Casinjo Ex Z.
„Baron will show again next week and we’ll look to secure another strong result in that class. Right now I want to get him more experience under the lights, specifically in preparation for some of the upcoming FEI weeks too,“ he noted.
Final Results $25,000 Odom Engineering, PLLC Grand Prix
1. BARON, 2006 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Ukato x Vera van Veecaten
DAVID BLAKE, Pine Hollow Farm: 0/0/33.855
2. BASJE, 2006 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Larino x Valencia
HAROLD CHOPPING, Kendra Bullington: 0/0/34.69
3. CHRISTOFOLINI H, 2007 Rhinelander gelding by Canto x Balou
MANUEL TORRES, Andrea Torres Guerreiro: 0/0/36.826
4. WARINDE B, 2003 Dutch Warmblood mare by Padinus x Narenca B
LAUREN HESTER, Hester Equestrian LLC: 0/4/36.175
5. GANDOR DE WALPUT, 2006 Warmblood gelding by Wandor van de Mispelaere x Ursala de Walput
BENJAMIN ROSICHAN, Benjamin Rosichan: 0/8/45.743
6. GLORIX VAN DE MISPELAERE, 2006 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Lamamba x Ariel van de Mispelaere
JENNA FRIEDMAN, Jenna Friedman: 0/12/35.659
7. CASINJO EX Z, 2006 Zangersheide gelding by Carinjo x Racey
DAVID BLAKE, Pine Hollow Farm: 2/78.651
8. CASUAL PLEASURE, 2008 Westphalian gelding by For Pleasure x Clay’s Beauty
ILAN BLUMAN, Blue Star Investments: 4/70.438
9. CAPITANO, 2003 Holsteiner gelding by Captin Paul x Unknown
TRAPP O’NEAL, TKO Partnership: 4/71.356
10. NEPAL, 2002 Argentine Warmblood gelding by G.S. Raimundo x Rye Grass Finest RP H-31
TAYLOR LAND, Jay Land: 4/75.383
11. HECTOR BY PICOBELLO, 2007 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Contact vd Heffinck x Arlaude-V
ILAN BLUMAN, Daniel Bluman: 4/75.763
12. CRUISING ALTITUDE, 2006 Swedish Warmblood gelding by Cardento x Kamomill
MANUEL TORRES, Santa Catalina Farm: 4/75.974
Please visit tryon.com for more information on Tryon International Equestrian Center & Tryon Resort.
Source Press Release: Tryon International Equestrian Center
