Matthias Hollberg (Ocala, FL) and D.A. Duras sped to double victory at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (TIEC) last week, topping the podium in both the $15,000 Tryon Resort Jumper Classic on Sunday and the $5,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake on Friday. In the Jumper Classic, Hollberg piloted D.A. Duras to a winning time of 37.438. Second place was awarded to Lynsey Whitacre (Saint Joseph, MO) aboard her own Barillo W, the 2003 Canadian Warmblood gelding (Unknown x Unknown) with a time of 37.817. John Michael Durr (Shelby, NC) and Marissa Nielsen’s Vinetta M, the 2009 Hanoverian mare (Valentino x Parodie M), rounded out the podium with a third place time of 38.251.
Matthias Hollberg on D.A. Duras. Photo by Bailey Beck Photography.
Hollberg and D.A. Duras, 2008 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Numero Uno x Quattro) owned by Debbie J. Adams & Jacqueline Badger Mars, challenged 14 entries on the course designed by Joe Carnicom (Toledo, OH). An ex-Event horse, Hollberg has been training his new mount to be a top-level show jumper and is consistently pleased with his performance.
Lynsey Whitacre on Barillo W. Photo by Bailey Beck Photography.
“Duras [D.A. Duras] is a 12-year-old ex-Event horse that I just got the ride on three months ago. I’m planning to make him into a high-level jumper and then sell him. I’m lucky to have him. He wins pretty much every class he goes in! For the first month or two, we were just getting to know each other. Now, he’s on the job everytime he goes in the ring,” shared Hollberg.
John Michael Durr on Vinetta M. Photo by Bailey Beck Photography.
Pleased with his new partner’s performance, Hollberg explained that the Jumper Classic course was “more technical than on Friday, which really worked in my favor for Duras because he’s so rideable and smart. He knows exactly what to do, even when there are a bit more technical questions. I was trying to beat the time without overdoing it. I knew that all of the lines had strides that needed to be left out in order to win, so I was planning on that going in. I was happy that it all worked out just the way I wanted it to!”
Matthias Hollberg on D.A. Duras in their presentation ceremony. Photo by Bailey Beck Photography.
Hollberg came from Pennsylvania and made the stop at Tryon to “win a couple classes” before heading onto Ocala.
“I’ve come here a lot and I really like the show. I’ve had a lot of good classes, and always enjoy coming.”
Tryon Fall Festival 2 concluded the 2020 TIEC competition season with the 2021 schedule now available at Tryon.com/Compete.