Kristen VanderVeen grabbed both ends of the podium in the $37,000 Wednesday Classic CSI 3* with Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili and Bull Run’s Almighty on Wednesday, July 1 in Tryon Stadium, sailing to a 36.005 second jump-off round to take first with “Frosty” and stopping the timers aboard “Almighty,” the 2008 Hanoverian gelding (Caspar x Quidam De Revel) owned by Bull Run Jumpers Six LLC, in 36.51 seconds for third place. Eduardo Menezes (BRA) and Ennebel Van Het Posthuijs, the 2009 Dutch Warmblood mare (Numero Uno x Argentinus) he co-owns with H5 Stables, claimed second place with a time of 36.127 seconds.
Kristen VanderVeen on Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili. Photo by Sportfot.
VanderVeen noted that the 2005 Belgian Warmblood stallion (Berlin x Darco) owned by Bull Run Jumpers Five LLC was so excited to be back in Tryon Stadium that he nearly turned her right out of the saddle during their speedy rounds:
“I really liked the course when I walked it. Actually, my horse was pretty fresh since he’s been on a little vacation, so it was nice that we got to do a jump-off so we could kind of smooth everything out. Oh my goodness, he is so pumped to be back,” she emphasized. “He loves Tryon, he’s flying on the footing and he turns so fast that he almost turned me right off of him!”
Kristen VanderVeen on Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili in their presentation ceremony. Photo by Sportfot.
When VanderVeen entered the ring aboard Bull Run’s Almighty, she had already set a sizable distance between herself and the rest of the pack, and knew she probably wasn’t going to be able to beat herself, she explained. “[Bull Run’s Almighty] has been so good, and very consistent – it’s hard to beat Frosty on any horse, so I knew a little bit that we were just playing for second or third, but I was really happy with how he went. I’m still a little up in the air as to who jumps in the Grand Prix, because I’ve been lucky that they’ve all been jumping really well, so I’ll make a decision later in the week,” she concluded.
For full class results, click here. Tryon Summer 4 competition continues through Sunday, July 5, with competitions closed to spectators and with highlight classes streaming live here. Friday, July 3 features the $40,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at 4:00pm in Tryon Stadium, as well as an 8:30am $6,000 Speed Stake CSI 3*.