Scott Keach (AUS) and Fedor dashed to first place in the $35,000 1.50m Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3* at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) as 2018 Tryon Fall 5 presented by Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport CSI 3* competition continued this week. Keach completed the jump-off set by USA’s Anthony D’Ambrosio in 39.242 seconds aboard the 2005 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Kashmir Van Schuttershof x Orkaan) owned by Scott Keach & Southern Cross Equestrian, LLC.
Scott Keach and Fedor. Photo by Sportfot
Close behind, Todd Minikus (USA) swooped into second with a time of 40.123 seconds riding Quality Girl, a 2003 Oldenburg mare (Quidam’s Rubin x Dobrock) owned by Todd Minikus, LTD. Flying into third, Margie Engle (USA) finished the course in 41.24 seconds with Dicas, a 2009 Rhein gelding (Diarado x Cassini I) owned by Storm Ridge Capital LLC, Gladewinds Farm LLC, and Garber & Show Horses, Inc.
With 38 entries and nine jump-off pairs, Scott Keach emerged on top. “My horse was great today. It was one of those days where everything goes smoothly and everything comes out well. In the jump-off, I was trying to cut the turns, keep him moving, and hopefully be quicker than the others.”
Concerning his mount, who made easy work of the technical course, Keach remarked, “He feels super. He likes the cold weather, it suits him. He’s had a couple of pretty easy weeks, so he’s fresh. Hopefully he’ll be really fresh Saturday night!”
Scott Keach and Fedor in their presentation ceremony. Photo by Sportfot
Keach plans to ride in the $132,000 Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport Grand Prix CSI 3* with Fedor, and elaborated on his future plans. “He goes out for a holiday next and then comes back in to do some CSI 5* shows.”
Taylor Land Secures a Double-Podium Win in the $5,000 1.40m Power & Speed Stake CSI 3*
In the $5,000 1.40m Power & Speed Stake CSI 3* on Wednesday, Taylor Land (USA) claimed both first and second place aboard two different mounts. Land took home blue riding Liroy 30, a 2009 German Warmblood gelding (Levistano x King Kolibri) owned by Pinetree Farms LLC, and cleared the short course in 33.25 seconds. She also secured second place with Falco V, a 2010 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Bustique x Montreux) owned by Pinetree Farms LLC, with a time of 38.157 seconds. Another athlete for the USA, Margie Engle, earned third place finishing the jump-off in 38.558 seconds aboard First Lady G, a 2010 Dutch Warmblood mare owned by Gladewinds Partners LLC.
Taylor Land in her presentation ceremony. Photo by Sportfot
Concerning her winning rides, Land commented, “I really liked the course a lot. It was really nice and smooth. There were some options in the jump-off and a lot of places you could take cuts, but there were also risks. It was really nice to have options and have the ability to go fast.”
“I went first on Liroy 30, which was nice because he’s a little more experienced so I got to see the track,” Land explained. “I was trying a new bridle today and he was very happy with it. He was really fast and listened great. I just did my plan and both of the horses were so good today. Liroy 30 is really, really sweet, but he is a little bit nervous and Falco V is like the brave bear going into battle. Even though he is younger, he’s braver and more outgoing. Liroy 30 is the sweet, shy one.”
Land continued, “With these two horses, I’m just continuing to try to move up. I don’t have an older horse right now, so these are my top two guys and we’re just trying to move up. The CSI 3* level is about where we are at and we’ll just continue to move forward and jump CSI 4* and CSI 5* competitions next year.”
Of the venue, where Land frequents during the year, she said, “I love the venue. It’s beautiful. I love all the different rings. I really like the atmosphere here and it’s wonderful that there are big crowds. It always feels like an exciting show.”