Tryon Summer V competition continued at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) on Thursday, July 12, with a first-place finish in the $35,000 1.45m Welcome Stake CSI 2* for Darragh Kerins (IRL) and the Remarkable Farms LLC entry Silteplait de Circee, who jumped to a quick time of 36.807 seconds to take the lead. Second place honors went to Todd Minikus (USA) and the Autumn View Farm owned Excel, a 2009 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Douglas x Quick Star), who completed their jump-off round in 37.112 seconds. Third place was rounded out by Stefano Baruzzo (ARG) and the 2007 Dutch Warmblood gelding Copa Cabana (Cartano x Cash) owned by Stransky’s Mission Farms INC., who stopped timers in 39.13 seconds.
Darragh Kerins and Silteplait de Circee. Photo by Sportfot
After a successful summer record to date, including a top finish in the Tryon Summer III Tryon Resort $5,000 1.40m Speed Stake CSI 2*, Kerins and the 2006 Selle Francais stallion (Ephebe For Ever x Laudanum) bested 30 other horse-and-rider combinations to land in the winner’s circle once more.
“This is my second summer riding him. He jumped here last year,” commented Kerins. “He’s quite a blood horse. We know each other well now and he knows my moves and I know his. He’s been a really consistent horse. He’s had so many second-place finishes and today was great because we pulled out the win.”
Kerins complimented the class lineup and explained his thoughts on the Catalina Cruz (MEX)-designed course. “I thought the course was difficult enough. I thought the time allowed was a good amount today, usually those times are very tight. There were a lot of good horses and riders and we still had ten clear, so it was a competitive jump-off.”
Darragh Kerins and Silteplait de Circee in their awards presentation ceremony with Khloe and Daniel Kerins. Photo by Sportfot
Of his mount, he continued, “He’s a great horse to have in the string and he’s very competitive. In the jump-off, he was fast and quick. He’s fast, but he’s quite sensitive, so you have to let him go quick without putting too much pressure on him. If everything comes together well, then we are usually golden.”
Kerins plans to challenge Saturday’s highlight class, the $70,000 Carolina Arena Equipment Grand Prix CSI 2*, before giving his mount some time off. “He’s going to show here on Saturday night and he’ll also show here next week, then I’ll let him have a couple of weeks off before we move on to the next show,” he concluded.
Abrahamson Clinches Victory in FEI $5,000 U-25 Welcome Stake
The FEI $5,000 U-25 Welcome Stake commenced on Wednesday, July 11, in the George Morris Arena at Tryon Stadium and concluded with a first-place finish for Kady Abrahamson (USA) and Abrahamson Equestrian LLC’s Charline 28, a 2005 Meklenburg mare (Cellestial x Prinz Oldenburg). The pair crossed through fast track timers in 32.675 seconds to secure the win. Second place was awarded honors to Catherine Wachtell (USA) and Indy Van de Roten, a 2008 Belgian Warmblood mare owned by Autumn View Farm, who completed their jump-off in 33.891 seconds. Third place awards went to Caitlyn Connors (USA) and her own 2005 Irish Warmblood gelding (Ard VDL Douglas x Nearly a Nose), Boleybawn Perfection, jumping to a time of 34.473 seconds.
Kady Abrahamson and Charline 28. Photo by Sportfot
“It was a good opening day, which was nice,” commented Abrahamson. “This horse jumped the CSI 2* two weeks ago and she had a week off and came here, so it was a good first day. We just wanted her to have a nice first day preparing for Friday night. She’s a nervous horse, so it was good for her to have a relaxed day.”
Abrahamson and the mare have been partnered together for the past two years. Crediting her mount, who boasts a spicy personality, she explained, “‘Carline’ as she’s known in the barn, is a typical chestnut mare personality wise. She has a way of doing things on her own, but she’s happy when you let her do her own thing and you’re pretty much just along for the ride.”
This is not the pair’s first appearance at TIEC, having competed at the venue several times over the past few years. “I jumped her here last year in the CSI 2* under the lights,” said Abrahamson. “She’s so genuine that she’ll just go in and jump around and be really good. She quite good under lights, but she can get a bit scared with noise and atmosphere.”
Kady Abrahamson and Charline 28 in their awards presentation ceremony with barn manager Matt Wildung. Photo by Sportfot
The week is playing host to the first U-25 Series of the Tryon Summer schedule and Abrahamson credited the division for creating a valuable experience for up and coming riders. “The U-25 gives people that gap between the High Amateur Division and the CSI 2* Grand Prix classes,” she noted. “You can fill in the gaps and get the kinks out under the lights. It’s a little less pressure, less money, and less height to deal with. Hopefully, you’re good to just step right up into the CSI 2* division. I’m lucky enough I have her (Charline 28) in the U-25 and two horses in the CSI 2* this week, so t’s going to be a big week.”