Kristen VanderVeen (USA) and Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili sped to a 36.579-second jump-off round to take the win in Saturday’s $73,000 JTWG, Inc. Grand Prix CSI 2* at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) at Tryon Resort. Brittni Raflowitz (ISR) and Hilton van de Breepoel, a 2007 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Contact Van de Heffinck x Opium) owned by ESI Show Jumpers, Maarten Huygens & Darragh Kerins, claimed reserve honors with a time of 39.153 seconds, with the yellow rosette going to Todd Minikus (USA) aboard the Bit by Bit Group’s Amex Z, the 2009 Zangersheide mare (Andiamo Z x Landaris), stopping the timers in 36.764 seconds with four faults.
Kristen VanderVeen on Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili. Photo by Sportfot.
The Guilherme Jorge (BRA) course design saw 39 contestants in the first round, with 10 horse-and-rider pairs returning to challenge the jump-off round. VanderVeen and the 2005 Belgian Warmblood stallion (Berlin x Darco) owned by Bull Run Jumpers Five LLC used both speed and tight turns to their advantage in the jump-off, she explained. “The jump-off, I really liked. The jump-offs are always fun with Frosty because he turns and he goes fast, so it’s fun.
Brittni Raflowitz on Hilton van de Breepoel. Photo by Sportfot.
“The course was great,” she said of the track. “I actually was surprised he [the course designers] had so many clear. I walked the initial round and thought it was quite challenging,” she admitted. “Not sure what I was expecting!”
VanderVeen and the large grey stallion known as “Frosty” have collected many FEI wins together at the venue, and she noted that her strategy in the jump-off was to use his familiarity with the arena, as well as his versatility, to their advantage. “Honestly, I think we were just able to hold the rhythm the whole way, and everything showed up in stride. He was very careful at the combination, so I got to use that a little to my strength and come in fast there. But overall, I think he was able to hold a good canter all the way around.”
Todd Minikus on Amex Z. Photo by Sportfot.
Though she’s spent the last few weeks at TIEC, VanderVeen acknowledged that the rest of the summer looks a little uncertain at the moment. “It’s all a little by ear right now, I guess. Frosty will probably jump again next week, because he loves the [Tryon Stadium], and we love it here. This is like his ring. He was flying in the jump-off. And then,” VanderVeen concluded, “it’s up in the air depending on travel bans…we might go to Michigan or to New York for a little bit, and then probably back here.”
Kristen VanderVeen on Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili in their presentation ceremony alongside JTWG, Inc. representative William Harvey. Photo by Sportfot.
For full class results, click here. Tryon Summer 5 continues through Sunday, July 12, featuring a $25,000 Sunday Classic at about 10:00am in Tryon Stadium.