Celebrations for VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili

Credit: Sportfot

Celebrations for VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili


Kristen VanderVeen (USA) and Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili sped to a 36.579-second jump-off round to take the win in Saturday’s $73,000 JTWG, Inc. Grand Prix CSI 2* at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) at Tryon Resort. Brittni Raflowitz (ISR) and Hilton van de Breepoel, a 2007 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Contact Van de Heffinck x Opium) owned by ESI Show Jumpers, Maarten Huygens & Darragh Kerins, claimed reserve honors with a time of 39.153 seconds, with the yellow rosette going to Todd Minikus (USA) aboard the Bit by Bit Group’s Amex Z, the 2009 Zangersheide mare (Andiamo Z x Landaris), stopping the timers in 36.764 seconds with four faults.

The Guilherme Jorge (BRA) course design saw 39 contestants in the first round, with 10 horse-and-rider pairs returning to challenge the jump-off round. VanderVeen and the 2005 Belgian Warmblood stallion (Berlin x Darco) owned by Bull Run Jumpers Five LLC used both speed and tight turns to their advantage in the jump-off, she explained. “The jump-off, I really liked. The jump-offs are always fun with Frosty because he turns and he goes fast, so it’s fun.

“The course was great,” she said of the track. “I actually was surprised he [the course designers] had so many clear. I walked the initial round and thought it was quite challenging,” she admitted. “Not sure what I was expecting!”

VanderVeen and the large grey stallion known as “Frosty” have collected many FEI wins together at the venue, and she noted that her strategy in the jump-off was to use his familiarity with the arena, as well as his versatility, to their advantage. “Honestly, I think we were just able to hold the rhythm the whole way, and everything showed up in stride. He was very careful at the combination, so I got to use that a little to my strength and come in fast there. But overall, I think he was able to hold a good canter all the way around.”

Though she’s spent the last few weeks at TIEC, VanderVeen acknowledged that the rest of the summer looks a little uncertain at the moment. “It’s all a little by ear right now, I guess. Frosty will probably jump again next week, because he loves the [Tryon Stadium], and we love it here. This is like his ring. He was flying in the jump-off. And then,” VanderVeen concluded, “it’s up in the air depending on travel bans.. we might go to Michigan or to New York for a little bit and then probably back here.”

Full results: $73,000 JTWG, Inc. Grand Prix CSI 2*
Horse Name, Year Breed gender (Sire x Sire of Dam)
Rider (COUNTRY), Owner: Faults/Faults/Time

1. Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili, 2005 Belgian Warmblood stallion (Berlin x Darco)
Kristen VanderVeen (USA), Bull Run Jumpers Five LLC: 0/0/36.579

2. Hilton van de Breepoel, 2007 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Contact Van de Heffinck x Opium)
Brittni Raflowitz (ISR), ESI Show Jumpers, Maarten Huygens & Darragh Kerins: 0/0/39.153

3. Amex Z, 2009 Zangersheide mare (Andiamo Z x Landaris)
Todd Minikus (USA), Bit By Bit Group: 0/4/36.764

4. Aragorn van Schuttershof, 2006 Belgian Sport Horse gelding (Quintero x Cento)
Maria Gabriela Brugal (DOM), Maria Gabriela Brugal Gasso: 0/4/40.014

5. Upper, 2008 Selle Francais gelding (Diamant de Semilly x Nadir di san Patrignano)
David Oberkircher (USA), Southfields Farm LLC: 0/4/40.288

6. Havana de la Lande, 2007 Dutch Warmblood mare (Nabab de Reve x Parco)
Elisa Uribe Gutierrez (COL), Elisa Uribe Gutierrez: 0/4/41.305

7. All In, 2005 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Aachen x Indoctro)
Katherine Strauss (USA), Katherine Strauss LLC: 0/8/38.817

8. Ardente Printaniere, 2006 Belgian Sport Horse mare (Joyeux Ardent x Ramiro)
Sydney Shulman (ISR), Jill Shulman: 0/8/41.982

9. Gotcha, 2011 Holsteiner mare (Stakkato x Cassini I)
Jack Hardin Towell (USA), Rock Ridge Farms: 0/8/45.422

10. Fasther, 2010 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Vigo D’Arsouilles x Farmer)
Lillie Keenan (USA), Chansonette Farm LLC: 0/8/51.62

11. Anastasia Du Park, 2010 Selle Francais mare (Tink’s Boy x Quidam de Revel)
Kady Abrahamson (USA), Abrahamson Equestrian LLC: 1/82.17

12. Diablo VII, 2008 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Douglas x Cavalier)
Rowan Willis (AUS), Lucinda Huddy and Rowan Willis: 1/82.21