June 11—Mill Spring, N.C.

Kristen Vanderveen got the first Fédération Equestre Internationale victory of her career here at the Tryon International Equestrian Center last year with Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili. So it was only fitting that she followed that up with another first in Tryon—her first CSI***** win in the $380,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix, also on “Frosty.” This was also the first five-star held at the Tryon facility. 

“There are no words for how I’m feeling!” said Vanderveen, of Wellington, Fla. “I’m pretty excited. I’m just overwhelmed and excited. He was much more relaxed tonight. It was his second night class here this season, and the first class he was a little excited, and tonight he settled into the atmosphere and fed off the crowd, which was really great.”

Vanderveen had to top an 11-horse jump-off for her win, and she galloped through the timers in 42.55 seconds. Andrew Welles rode Brindis Bogibo into second (44.19), and David Blake was third on Binkie (46.66). 

Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili. Photo by Lisa Slade.

I wanted to give it a shot,” said Vanderveen. “I did go in thinking I would try and take a shot at it and lay it out there. It worked out, but it definitely used a lot of his abilities. Thankfully there’s a lot to give.”

The competition marks just over a year since Vanderveen started riding Frosty, a Belgian Warmblood stallion (Berlin—Bijou de Vijfheide, Darco) owned by Bull Run Jumpers LLC. He previously competed with Ludo and Olivier Philippaerts for Belgium. 

“it’s still a relatively new partnership, and we’ve been a little bit up and down,” she said. “In the last six months we’ve really started to understand each other and built a partnership.”

Andrew Welles and Brindis Bogibo. Photo by Lisa Slade.

As for Welles, it was a Tryon competition last year that led to him getting “Brindis,” a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood (Grand Pilot—VIP Bogibo, Pacific) owned by AEM Enterprises LLC. 

“I had a good finish on my mare [Boo van het Kastanjehof] in this class last year,” he said. “That was a little bit the catalyst for us getting Brindis. I flew over the day after this horse show to try him. AEM Enterprises, they have been unbelievably supportive, and they said after that night class here, ‘We’d really like to get a horse for you.’ I don’t know if we pictured coming back here the next year and finishing even better than last year! He’s just a special horse. He has unbelievable character and huge heart.” 

Blake, who rides for Ireland, took a chance when he angled the Rolex vertical at fence 6 in the jump-off. The crowd gasped, but Blake pulled it off. 

David Blake and Binkie. Photo by Lisa Slade.

“I thought last week, I thought he felt great,” said Blake. “He got a little unlucky with the one rail then, but he jumped well, so I thought he was good heading into this week. He really fed off the crowd, and it worked out very well tonight. I had to work hard for a clear in the first round, but then in the second round he helped me out.” 

Welles praised designer Alan Wade’s track, which resulted in those 11 clear out of 31 starters, and then another five clear over the short course. 

“I think he’s the best course designer in the world right now,” he said. “I had a lot of confidence in my horse, and I had a lot of confidence in Alan’s course that my horse would have a fair chance.” 

Vanderveen’s planning on staying in Tryon through the July shows, and then she’ll make a decision about Frosty’s fall show plan. 

No one was happier than fourth-placed Fernando Cardenas on Quincy Car. Photo by Lisa Slade.

See full results on the Tryon website, or read about last night’s $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby.