East Dorset, Vermont – Catherine Tyree, 21, of Chicago, IL, riding Don’t Go won the $10,000 Overland Welcome Stake, presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, on Thursday, August 4, at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. The Vermont Summer Festival runs for six consecutive weeks at Harold Beebe Farm from July 5 through August 14.
Tyree and Don’t Go were one of 29 entries to jump the tracks built by course designer Manuel Esparza of Mexico on Thursday afternoon, and one of 14 pairs to advance to the jump-off. Esparza is designing the courses in the Grand Prix Ring throughout week five in his final appearance before traveling to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he will act as Assistant Course Designer at the Olympic Games for the fifth time.
Tyree and Don’t Go, a 14-year-old Oldenburg stallion (Come On x Raphael), were double-clear in a time of 36.04 seconds to take the win over Alexandra Pielet, 14, of Highland Park, IL, who stopped the clock in 36.70 seconds riding Helene VE, owned by Co-Pielet, LLC. 1984 Olympic gold medalist Joe Fargis of Middleburg, VA, posted a jump-off time of 37.08 seconds to place third riding Honolulu 111, owned by Tracey Weinberg & The Weinberg Brokerage Group.
Addison Gierkink, 19, of Harpswell, ME, and Denver van’t Goemanshof, owned by Kadley Holdings, LLC, jumped to fourth in a time of 37.66 seconds while 19-year-old Michael Hughes of Morristown, NJ, rode Sans Soucis Z, owned by Caroline Lloyd, to fifth place in a time of 38 seconds.
Tyree and Don’t Go have been competing together for the past three and a half years. The pair recently made a return to the show ring after an injury sidelined Tyree at the start of the 2016 season.
“I started back riding the first week in May,” said Tyree. “They told me I could start walking, and three days later I was on a horse.
“I am happy to be back and I couldn’t be more grateful to North Run for keeping Don’t Go going,” continued Tyree, who trains with Missy Clark and John Brennan of North Run based out of Warren, VT. “He feels amazing and I am grateful to have such a great team behind me. He’s my old faithful; I know him like the back of my hand and he always comes out and never disappoints.”
When asked about her plan for Thursday’s jump-off, she responded, “I knew I wanted to try and go in to win. I know him so well that I knew where I could take a little bit of a risk. He is like a big wind-up toy; you kick and just go. He’s not naturally quick, but once you get him going, his stride is massive. He was great all the way around today and it makes my job easy knowing he’s always giving 110 percent.”
In addition to her share of the prize money and a commemorative scrim from Mona’s Monograms, Tyree was presented with a $1,000 gift card to the Overland outlet store in Manchester, VT, by Jason Albright of Overland Sheepskin Co.
With a win under their belt, Tyree and Don’t Go will be favorites to win the $30,000 Manchester & The Mountains Grand Prix on Saturday, August 6.
For over 20 years, the Vermont Summer Festival has attracted exhibitors and their families to the Manchester region in southern Vermont for great competition in an ideal summer setting. Outside the show ring, exhibitors are immersed in the charm of Vermont’s shopping, dining, and outdoor activities.
Competition at the 2016 Vermont Summer Festival runs weekly from Wednesday through Sunday, beginning each day at 8 a.m. Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children from Wednesday through Friday. On Saturday and Sunday, admission is $9 for adults and $5 for children with 100% of all gate proceeds benefiting the Manchester Community Library, Dorset Equine Rescue, and Meals on Wheels.
Please e-mail or visit www.vt-summerfestival.com for more information about the Vermont Summer Festival.
$10,000 Overland Welcome Stake, Presented by Manchester Designer Outlets – Thursday, August 4, 2016
Rider Hometown Horse Faults Time
1. Catherine Tyree Chicago, IL Don’t Go 0:0 36.04
2. Alexandra Pielet Highland Park, IL Helene VE 0:0 36.70
3. Joe Fargis Middleburg, VA Honolulu 111 0:0 37.08
4. Addison Gierkink Harpswell, ME Denver van’t Goemanshof 0:0 37.66
5. Michael Hughes Morristown, NJ Sans Soucis Z 0:0 38.00
6. Jimmy Torano Wellington, FL El Capone 0:0 38.15
7. Matthias Holberg Middleburg, VA Aletta 0:0 38.56
8. Chelsea Moss Medford, NJ Calida 0:0 39.17
9. James Gillam Guelph, ON HFO Corvette 0:0 42.33
10. Cormac Hanley Claremorris, IRL Twan 0:4 38.34