Juan Ortiz and Nenuphar’Jac Finish Tryon Spring 7 with Win in $25,000 Lodge On Lake Lure Grand Prix

Press release TIEC – Juan Ortiz of Wellington, FL, and Nenuphar’Jac captured the $25,000 Lodge on Lake Lure Grand Prix at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) with a time of 41.317 seconds to conclude competition at Tryon Spring 7. Kyle Timm of Apex, NC, and Georgie B finished in second, crossing through the timers in 40.287 seconds, while Sharn Wordley of Wellington, FL, and Corino collected third place, finishing in 41.31 seconds. Competition at TIEC resumes on Wednesday, June 8, with the start of the first FEI CSI 5* week in venue history, which will feature the $380,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix CSI 5* on Saturday, June 11.

Ortiz and Nenuphar’Jac, owned by Stransky’s Mission Farms, Inc., completed the only double clear effort of the day, as the other three combinations in the jump-off dropped rails on the short course. Nenuphar’Jaq is a well-known mount who has been campaigned at the highest levels of the sport with a number of professionals.

„I think that the course rode a little bit bigger than we had anticipated for a national class, but as soon as I walked the course I knew I had a horse with the experience and talent to handle it and do well.“

The gelding has amassed notable international success throughout his career and Ortiz is excited to have taken over the ride. He explained, „Liliane Stransky acquired him for me from Mclain Ward so that I could have a second horse to jump in the bigger classes. This was my sixth class with him, but I don’t use him too often and only bring him out when I know he has a chance to win.“

The pair have only contested a few classes together as Ortiz is ensuring that he takes the necessary time to understand Nenuphar’Jac and has chosen to only compete the experienced 2001 Selle Francais gelding (Cumano x Anemone du Col) in specific classes.

„We’re really happy with this result. Every time this horse goes into the ring I’m getting to know him better and better. It’s been about creating a match with each other, but I want to make sure that I’m allowing him to perform perfectly in the ring,“ he added.

Ortiz capitalized on the difficulty of the track with his skilled mount, riding a fast and efficient round, even though he was unable to stick to his original plan the whole way through the course.

„I thought I was a little bit slow in the rollback turn to the last line and I left the door open there, but fortunately I was able to jump clean. That’s the most important part of completing a jump-off round, making sure you’re clean and fast,“ commented Ortiz. „That’s what got me the ribbon. I was able to set a fast and clean pace, which made it difficult to catch.“

Ortiz plans to bring Nenuphar’Jac back to TIEC for the Tryon Summer Series and will compete his other mount, Dulien van de Smeets, who is also a top contender, in next week’s FEI CSI 5* competition.

„I will bring her out next week and right now she’s a reserve for the Olympics for the Venezuelan team. I also jumped her today and she jumped clean, but had a time fault,“ he commented. „She jumped very well and I think we’re ready for the 5* next week.“

For more information on TIEC and to see a full list of results please visit www.tryon.com.

Final Results $25,000 Lodge On Lake Lure Grand Prix

1. NENUPHAR’JAC, 2001 Selle Francais gelding by Cumano x Anemone du Col
JUAN ORTIZ, Stransky’s Mission Farms, Inc: 0/0/41.317

2. GEORGIE B, 2006 Irish Sport Horse gelding by VDL Douglas
KYLE TIMM, Kyle Timm: 0/4/40.287

3. CORINO, 2004 Holsteiner gelding by Clearway x Ohara
SHARN WORDLEY, Sharn Wordley: 0/4/41.31

4. DOUBLE T, 2008 Irish Sport Horse gelding by Lux Z
KYLE TIMM, Apex Equestrian Center: 0/8/42.766

5. DELGADO VAN’T NEERHOF, 2003 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Nagano x Value
ANNA CHRISTINA GANSAUER, Anna Christina Gansauer: 1/76.207

6. DULIEN VAN DE SMEETS, 2007 Belgian Warmblood mare by Thunder van de Zuuthoeve x Ulien van de Smeets
JUAN ORTIZ, Synchronicity Group: 2/77.401

7. CASUAL PLEASURE, 2008 Westphalian gelding by For Pleasure x Clay’s Beauty
ILAN BLUMAN, Blue Star Investments: 4/71.059

8. MAIN ROAD, 2008 Swedish Warmblood gelding by Heartbeat x Main Mirco
SHANE SWEETNAM, Sweet Oak Farm & Seabrook LLC: 4/72.357

9. GOLDFINGER VD HENGSTENPOEL, 2006 Belgian Warmblood mare by Winningmood van de Arenberg x Lariska
SARAH BAGWORTH, Sarah Bagworth: 4/72.739

10. FAMOSO D IVE Z, 2007 Belgian Warmblood gelding by For Pleasure x Radetzky
SHARN WORDLEY, Sky Group & Sharn Wordley: 4/74.18

11. THALYS Z, 2008 Zangersheide mare by Thunder van de Zuuthoeve x Kyrielle de la Butte
BENJAMIN MEREDITH, The Thalys Group: 4/75.35

12. BOTANJA, 2007 Warmblood mare by Salvatore x Juta
DOUG PAYNE, Courtney Young: 5/76.704

Source: Press release TIEC