Margie Engle and Royce have been a fixture in the sport of show jumping since 2011, and on July 16, the pair captured their first major victory at Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, N.C., besting a talented class of international competitors in the $216,000 Hollow Creek Farm Grand Prix CSI****.
The pair finished with an incredibly fast jump-off time, two seconds faster than Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili, who set the pace and stopped the timers in 36.69 seconds. Matt Williams of Australia and Valinski S, who will travel to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, later this month in their Olympic Games debut, secured third place with a time of 38.35 seconds.
Engle took over the ride on the 12-year-old Oldenburg stallion, owned by Elm Rock Partners LLC, five years ago, and she has established a strong and trusting relationship with Royce, which was a major contributing factor to their win this evening. Engle, who is not easily deterred from laying everything on the line to earn a win, made a quick dash through the jump-off track set by Manuel Esparza of Mexico, ultimately proving that the gutsy and bold round was worth the risk.
“Both Michelle Grubb and Allison Robitaille told me that when they walked one to two of the jump-off, they thought there were seven strides there. I think most of the combinations did eight and I felt like there was nothing to lose because we’re in the jump-off,” Engle said. “I then decided to do eight up the middle. They raised the jumps a little bit for the jump-off, which helps him because he’s really a power jumper.”
“I am just so thrilled. He tried his heart out, and I wanted to move it up a notch from what I did on Thursday here. I knew I had some fast combinations coming up behind me, and I had to take the shot when we had the chance,” continued Engle. “This has been a great week for us, and he’s jumped fantastic here. I’ve been so impressed with each part of this competition.”
Engle and Royce were selected as a potential combination to represent Team USA at the Olympic Games, to be hosted later this summer, and Engle noted that Royce gained valuable experience competing at the observation events in Europe throughout the spring and summer. The stallion received a lengthy rest period after arriving back stateside, and this week’s competition proved to be a welcome return back to the international ring.
“He’s been learning how to go faster and faster, and I have to thank the owners of this horse, who have been very patient with us from the beginning. He’s always had all of the jump in the world, but we’ve really focused on rideability with him,” commented Engle. “We started working with U.S. dressage rider Lisa Wilcox this past winter to help us with the flatwork and the adjustability.
“I haven’t pushed him in a jump-off since Europe, so I figured today I was going to go for it and that was fast for him. We left out strides in the first two lines and then he turned super for me to the Horseware® vertical,” she added. “To the skinny oxer I just kept squeezing, and the distance was really far away, but I relied on his natural scope and he jumped it incredibly.”
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This was Royce’s first trip to TIEC, and Engle felt the pair was able to apply much of what they had worked on in Europe in their two appearances this week, which led to their top finishes.
She stated, “He’s a horse that does better in a bigger ring, which is why he has done so well here. He’s naturally a little bit of a slower horse, so indoors is not his cup of tea. He’s really good in new places. This is his first time here, and I have been so happy with how he feels and the way he’s been going.”
Engle has competed around the world and remains one of the most decorated riders of the sport, having made appearances for Team USA in nearly all of the major championship events during her career. Her return to the winner’s podium tonight elated the crowd, as many spectators have idolized and followed Engle’s lengthy and successful career very closely through the years.
“They had a great spectator turnout tonight, which always makes a class special. It is more fun to ride in front of a crowd that is engaged and energetic. I couldn’t have asked for a better result,” she smiled. “This is a spectacular venue all around, one of, if not, the best in the world.The rings and the footing are incredible and we’re very happy to be here. We’ll be staying next week for the CSI**** and hope to continue with the success from this week.”
Engle’s longtime groom Joy Montgomery was awarded with the Groom’s Initiative Award presented by Mark Bellissimo and Tryon Equestrian Partners, for her commitment and care of Royce and the other FEI horses in Engle’s string. Montgomery has been a staple of Engle’s program for many years and her dedication and hard work continue to ensure their team’s success.
Engle was presented with the Leading Lady Rider Award, presented by real estate broker Meg Atkinson, for her top performances in this week’s FEI classes.
