Tryon Fall 3 Results:
Aaron Vale and Elusive Collect $78,000 Nutrena Grand Prix CSI 2* Win
Luis Fernando Larrazabal and Abril Kontendra Go Double Clear to Win the $15,000 Futures Prix
Sharn Wordley and Champion League Victorious in the $6,000 Speed Stake CSI 2*
Sharn Wordley Rides Valentine Car to Win The Van Winkle Law Firm $25,000 Sunday Classic
For Immediate Release
Leyla Caynak and Rette Solomon for Tryon International
October 7, 2023 - Mill Spring, NC - Recording a jump off time of 33.37 seconds, the $78,000 Nutrena Grand Prix CSI 2* win was collected by Aaron Vale (USA) and Elusive (Rodrigo x Capfuncino), the 2009 Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Thinks Like A Horse. Stopping the jump off timers at 34.11 seconds to take reserve honors was Sharn Wordley (NZL) and Della Wordley’s 2008 Hanoverian gelding, Mick Jagger (Chacco Blue x Acentora). Rounding out the podium with a 34.28 second jump off round was Luiz Francisco De Azevedo (BRA) and HFG Quaman (Diamant De Semilly x Quidam’s Rubin), the 2013 BH gelding owned by Santa Cecilia Stables LLC.
Aaron Vale and Elusive
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
Elusive and Aaron Vale have enjoyed a long and highly successful partnership. “Elusive is fourteen, we bought him as a six-year-old,” Vale detailed. “Over the years, he was second in the six-year-old finals, he won the seven-year-old finals, I won a couple small national Grand Prixes when he was eight, and my wife showed him when he was nine and ten.”
Sharn Wordley and Mick Jagger
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
“He's not the biggest horse, and he doesn't have the most ability, but he's got a real big heart,” Vale said in praise of the Dutch Warmblood gelding. “We haven’t been to Tryon in a couple years, but the last time we were here, he won the 3* Grand Prix. He’s just been an unbelievable horse for us.”
Luiz Francisco De Azevedo and HFG Quaman
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
With fifteen clear rounds presented by Stuller Power Solutions making it back to the jump off after a forty-four entry preliminary round, Vale prioritized studying other competitors’ rounds. “I went towards the end, and I got to watch everyone go. I saw Sharn [Wordley] put in a really fast round, amongst some other people. My horse being smaller, he has to go faster to make the same amount of strides [to each jump],” he explained.
Sharn Wordley, Aaron Vale and Luis Francisco De Azevedo in their presentation ceremony alongside Tryon International Competition Manager JP Godard and Tryon Equestrian Partners Carolinas Operations President Sharon Decker.
©Natalie Suto Photography
With a jump off course consisting of sharp turns across Tryon Stadium, competitors were challenged to be adjustable and precise. “It was a bit on the edge of the rope going to the oxer across the middle, but to win, those are the chances you have to take. [Elusive] put in a good effort.”
Oscar Lugo-Flores (not pictured) was presented the Groom’s Award presented by Ariat for his care and dedication to Elusive, with Tryon International’s Drew Page.
©Natalie Suto Photography
Elusive has been a trusted partner for the entire Vale family. “In another year or two, my daughter will take him over to get into the horse classes. He nearly has a place in the house with us. He can come on the couch if he wants to!” Vale shared.
As the highest placing female rider in the class, Alise Oken was awarded the Leading Lady Award presented by Marthaler Jewelers, alongside Tonya Marthaler.
©Hannah Stephens for Tryon International
Vale shared that the secret to Elusive’s enduring success is simple. “We’re just nice to him, and he’s nice to us! He lives at home [with two other horses], and they go in a pretty good size field together. He's got buddies at home.”
RESULTS: $78,000 Nutrena Grand Prix CSI 2*
1. Elusive, 2009 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Rodrigo x Capfuncino)
Aaron Vale (USA), Thinks Like A Horse: 0/0/33.37
2. Mick Jagger, 2008 Hanoverian gelding (Chacco Blue x Acentora)
Sharn Wordley (NZL), Della Wordley: 0/0/34.11
3. HFG Quaman, 2013 BH gelding (Diamant De Semilly x Quidam’s Rubin)
Luiz Francisco De Azevedo (BRA), Santa Cecilia Stables LLC: 0/0/34.28
4. Baroness, 2015 Westphalian mare (Balous Bellini x Unknown)
Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN), Leeann Ablin: 0/0/35.25
5. Forrestal, 2014 Oldenburg gelding (Don Diarado x Allegreto)
Alise Oken (USA), Hi Hopes Farm, LLC: 0/0/35.84
6. Khan VD Kattevennen Z, 2012 Zangersheide stallion (Kannan x Heartbreaker)
Ibrahim Barazi (JOR), Ibrahim Barazi: 0/0/35.85
7. Mochito V/D Mishagen, 2012 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Emerald x Lord Z)
Kelli Cruciotti Vanderveen (USA), Banner Farms LLC: 0/0/36.72
8. Bonhomme Richard, 2011 Selle Français stallion (Catoki x Quaprice Bois Margot)
Alise Oken (USA), Hi Hopes Farm, LLC: 0/0/36.86
9. Quadrant 3, 2012 Holsteiner gelding (Quadros x Carthago Z)
Harold Chopping (CAN), Rein Family LLC: 0/0/37.72
10. Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili, 2005 Belgian Warmblood stallion (Berlin x Darco)
Kristen VanderVeen (USA), Kristen VanderVeen: 0/4/33.07
11. Classified, 2014 Irish Sport Horse gelding (Je T’aime Flamenco x Unknown)
Gonzalo Busca Roca (ESP), Liliane Stransky: 0/4/33.95
12. Cashgirl 7, 2015 Oldenburg mare (Chaccato x Quidam’s Rubin)
Ilan Bluman (COL), Ilan Bluman: 0/4/35.13
For full results from the $78,000 Nutrena Grand Prix CSI 2*, click here.
Luis Fernando Larrazabal and Abril Kontendra Go Double Clear to Win the $15,000 Futures Prix
October 6, 2023 - A total of twenty-one first round entries and eight teams made it to the jump off in the $15,000 Futures Prix, but Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) and Abril Kontendra (Contendro I x Gama Quintana) the 2015 Warmblood Mare, owned by San Francisco Stables LLC went double clear with a 30.154 second jump off to take the win. Ciaran Flynn (IRL) and the 2011 Selle Francais gelding, Bagheera De Jaldis owned by Apex Equestrian Center earned reserve Honors with 31.492 seconds in the jump off. Placing third and completing the jump off in 31.631 seconds was Todd Minikus LTD’s 2013 Westphalian gelding, Cardozo 4 (Colestus x Cornet Oblensky) and rider Riley Delbecq (USA).
Luis Fernando Larrazabal and Abril Kontendra
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
For full results from the $15,000 Futures Prix, click here.
Sharn Wordley and Champion League Victorious in the $6,000 Speed Stake CSI 2*
October 6, 2023 - Sharn Wordley (NZL) and Daniel Michan’s 2013 Hanoverian Stallion, Champion League (Cador 5 x Contendro I) were victorious in the $6,000 Speed Stake CSI 2* with a time of 73.61 seconds. Second on the podium with a time of 73.92 seconds was Belen Gaurderas (ECU) and his own Luminaria LS La Silla, the 2011 Silla Mexicana mare. Stopping the clocks at 73.52 seconds scored BZB Barn LLC’s 2016 Silla Argentino stallion, Abril Licobalou (Balou du Rouet x Cassano) and rider, Juan Manuel Bolanos Barrios (SLV) a spot on the podium.
Sharn Wordley and Champion League
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
For full results from the $6,000 Speed Stake CSI 2*, click here.
Sharn Wordley Rides Valentine Car to Win The Van Winkle Law Firm $25,000 Sunday Classic
October 8, 2023 - Sharn Wordley (NZL) claimed his second win of the week in The Van Winkle Law Firm $25,000 Sunday Classic riding Fernando Cardenas’s 2009 Warmblood gelding Valentine Car (Son of Juan Car x Sofia Car) and a time of 32.776 seconds in the jump off. Lauren Balcomb (NZL) and her 2011 Dutch Warmblood gelding Verdini D’Houtveld Z (Verdi x Laska III) earned reserve honors with the clock stopping at 33.103 seconds. Rounding out the women's stacked podium was Kelli Cruciotti Vanderveen (USA) and Serenity Farm’s 2014 Zangersheide gelding Gideon (Super Trooper De Ness x Eresa Lady) had a time of 34.705 seconds in the jump off.
Sharn Wordley and Valentine Car
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
For full results from The Van Winkle Law Firm $25,000 Sunday Classic, click here.
For all division results from Tryon Fall 3, click here.
The Tryon Fall Series continues with three weeks of Jumper, Hunter and Equitation competition, and Saturday Night Lights presented by Tryon Horse & Home continues every Saturday through October 28. Competitors can learn more and book stalls at www.Tryon.com/compete. To see everything that’s happening next at Tryon International, visit www.Tryon.com/allevents.
Photos ©Natalie Suto Photography (Bailey Beck and Sarah Sturgis as noted). These photos may only be used once, in relation to this press release. Competitors may view and purchase competition photos at www.nataliesutophotography.shootproof.com. With questions regarding photography at TIEC, contact media@tryon.com.