Press release from Tryon International Equestrian Center and Resort

Kristen VanderVeen (USA) and Bull Run’s Almighty left out strides across the board to claim a win in the $37,000 EquiSafe Global Power & Speed Stake in Tryon Stadium, completing the speed phase in 26.98 seconds. Erynn Ballard (CAN) and Ceitasi, the 2010 Westphalian mare (Caretello B x Cavalier) owned by Marigold Sporthorses LLC, dashed to a reserve placing on a time of 27.75 seconds, while Tanner Korotkin (USA) and Deauville S, Castlewood Farm Inc.-owned 2006 Holsteiner gelding (Diamant de Semilly x Lux Z), stopped the timers in 27.87 seconds for third.

VanderVeen and the Bull Run Jumper Six LLC entry, the 2008 Hanoverian gelding (Caspar x Quidam De Revel), were one of 45 horse-and-rider pairs to challenge the Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) layout, with 30 pairs continuing through the speed phase and 19 entries going double-clear. VanderVeen explained that she was able to leave a stride out in every line in order to take the win:

“Actually, when I walked it, I was a little bit unsure [of my plan], because the numbers for the leave-outs seemed very aggressive to me. He’s a bit of a slower-moving horse, so I didn’t feel like I would be competitive if I didn’t leave out the strides,” she elaborated. “In the first phase he felt amazing, so I decided to just go for it. I was able to leave our one stride in every line. He was amazing!”

VanderVeen took a spill on course from Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili due to a refusal, landing on her feet, but joked that “Frosty” keeps her humble and has caused her to reassess her plans for the week. “Well, Frosty threw me a little curveball today. I have Prince of Peace who I’m planning on using for the Grand Prix, so he’ll jump Thursday, possibly along with these two from today.”

VanderVeen and crew have been based at TIEC for much of the 2020 season, sometimes traveling back and forth between two competitions simultaneously to maximize her show mileage despite abbreviated competition calendars. “We will stay busy after we leave here,” she shared. “Two horses will go to Kentucky, then two horses will to Aiken, and then the next week, there’s a CSI 3* in Wellington, so we’ll just keep going. I figure if we’re all going to be working, we may as well show and get to have the rewards of working!”