Press release from Tryon International, edited by World of Showjumping

The $120,000 Fabbri Boots Grand Prix CSI3* saw a total of 15 trips tour the course designed by Nicholas Granat (USA). Notching their second Saturday Night Lights presented by Skyla Credit Union win in a row, Kristen VanderVeen (USA) and Bull Run's Jireh cleared the course in 34.48 seconds. Claiming second place with 38.32 seconds on the clock, Brittni Raflowitz (ISR) rode the ESI Show Jumpers Inc 2016 Holsteiner stallion, Commander Bond (Corrado I x For Pleasure). Rounding out the podium with their 40.15 second performance was Richie Moloney (IRL) and Coco Beach (Casall x San Patriagnano Corrado), Equinimity LLC’s 2012 Holsteiner mare.

VanderVeen and the 2014 Holsteiner gelding (Uriko x Colman) owned by Bull Run Jumpers Inc. were the last of three to challenge the jump-off track. VanderVeen revealed that she was feeling a bit nervous after racking up a very long streak of wins with Bull Run’s Jireh, followed by a streak of wins across FEI classes in Tryon Summer 4: “I was kind of feeling the pressure tonight. You know, we've had an amazing season here, and then we've had a really amazing week, and this horse has won every class he has competed in since World Cup Finals, and he has not had a jump down yet!” 

Walking into a competitive CSI3* class with the weight of her past successes on her shoulders, VanderVeen felt an equal measure of gratitude and nerves, she explained. “It's incredible, but for whatever reason, tonight, I felt a little bit of pressure. I actually was a little on edge, and a little nervous.” The duo was able to produce a clear effort in the first round, over what VanderVeen called a “pretty straightforward” track, and a three-horse jump-off unfolded with VanderVeen and “Uno” last to go. That’s when the nerves reappeared, she said. “Then in the jump-off, going last, and with both of them [Raflowitz and Moloney] going clear, I was like, ‘Oh man.’ And then I almost choked, running him into the standard at jump one!” VanderVeen recounted. “So he was very good, and wee bit lucky that I didn't knock it over with my foot. And then after that, I thought we were on our game a little bit more, and I calmed down a little bit,” VanderVeen explained.

The duo went on to beat the previous leading time by more than four seconds, protecting their streak once again. VanderVeen concluded by emphasizing her horse’s winning attitude. “He was winning [the class], whether I was going to be a winning rider or not. He was like, 'I win. So please get out of the way and stop pointing me at standards!' I have an awesome horse, and I'm lucky to ride him.”