Boyd Martin (USA) and Long Island T impressed the judges and put in a top score of 24.50 in Advanced Dressage, commencing The Fork at TIEC presented by Lucky Clays Farm at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC). Lynn Symnansky (USA) and Under Suspection rode into second with a score of 27.70, and Felix Vogg (SUI) moved into third aboard Archie Rocks with a score of 29.50.
Martin and Long Island T, a 2006 Oldenburg/Thoroughbred gelding (Ludwig Von Bayern x Heraldik XX) owned by Canadian Peter Barry, executed a solid test, advancing to the top in the Tryon Stadium.
โHe [Long Island T] went like a dream! He got in there and did a fantastic test,โ said Martin. โThe event organizers were great at this event to let us school in the rings for both FEI and the Horse Trials, which promotes great tests.
Heโs a pretty seasoned horse in the Dressage now โ itโs his second year at this level, so heโs starting to become very-well seasoned in all the movements. Heโs great fun to ride on the flat because heโs got that natural extension the judges love.โ
On his strategy for the remaining phases, Martin stated, โMy strategy is to jump really well and then ride really well in the Cross-Country. I think itโs a brilliant track and I couldnโt imagine a better place to prepare for a 5* event than this [TIEC]. Itโs got magnificent stadiums, beautiful rings and then obviously a world championship Cross-Country course. The horses should be well-prepared come Kentucky.โ
Martin mentioned a particular obstacle heโs keeping in mind for Cross-Country, too: โThereโs a boat โ Iโm going to be riding hard to that one, and Iโm going to be clucking and flapping my elbows about five strides out of that one โ you watch! To me, itโs just one of those brilliant events to come to with the restaurants and shops here and staying in the cabins on-site. Obviously, itโs just a world-class facility and great exposure for the horses. I think itโs going to help produce top performances in the future as well,โ he concluded.
Currently sitting in second, Symansky and Under Suspection, a 2004 Holsteiner mare (Contender x Exorbitant XX) owned by Mary Ann Ghadban is also preparing for Kentucky later this month.
โOur test was alright. She [Under Suspection] left a lot of points on the board, but Iโm preparing for Kentucky, so I used the test to play around with a few things. Iโve ridden the horse for a year now, so I know her a bit better. She was my backup horse for WEG last year.โ
She continued, โSheโs such a lovely horse โ to get that score when it wasnโt the best youโve ever done is great. Iโm excited to go out on Saturday and ride her around the track I got to ride in September. She knows her job and sheโs such a lovely mare. So Iโll use this as a final prep for Kentucky.
I think sheโs just a reliable horse all around. She can get a little hot in the ring โ sheโs a relaxed competitor, but sheโs a fighter. She is such a beast Cross-Country. She really would love to just go Cross-Country and gallop forever.โ
Vogg, presently in third with Archie Rocks, a 2008 Thoroughbred gelding (Le Monde x Unbridled Jet) admitted to being on a learning curve in the new partnership, but is progressing well. โThe test was pretty okay. I think he [Archie Rocks] is not the most talented one in Dressage, but he wants to do the test correctly and tries. Today, he was much more calm and focused,โ he said.
โHe like Cross-Country and Jumping. Cross-Country is nothing for him โ heโs an old racehorse, so heโs used to it, but Dressage is a new thing for him. Iโve only had him since January.โ
Commenting on his plan for Cross-Country, Vogg stated, โI make a plan when I get out of the start box and jump the first few jumps based on how he feels. I like that the course will have parts of the WEG course, and it is interesting to ride it once more, and maybe try to do it better than last time!โ
For the CCI 3* division, Doug Payne and Starr Witness advanced to first with a Dressage score of 27.60, while Will Faudree and Caeleste sit in second with a score of 29.60. At present, Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp and Flash Cooley are in third with a score of 30.80.
The Fork at TIEC continues with CCI 4*-S, Modified, Novice, Training, and Beginner Novice Dressage phases, followed by Jumping and Cross-Country for all phases Saturday and Sunday.