Kelley Farmer (USA) and Meaningful, co-owned by David Glefke and Oakmont Stables, scored a total of 377 points over two rounds to take top honors in Friday evening’s $40,000 USHJA International Derby at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), also claiming third with In Writing, the 2009 Holsteiner gelding (Quirado x Pandora VLL) co-owned by David Glefke and Wendy Hofmeister, on a score of 374.5. Daniel Geitner (USA) and his own mount Banks Mill, a 2011 Warmblood gelding of unknown breeding, claimed reserve with a total score of 375.5.
The Dean Rheinheimer (USA) course tested 24 entrants over the initial track, with the top 12 scoring a minimum of 152 in order to qualify for the handy round. Farmer and the 2013 Oldenburg gelding (Almoretto x Romisch Blau) walked into the second round with a score of 168, adding 209 to top the field – in Meaningful’s second competition since arriving in North America. “I thought the course was very nice – I was very happy with it. This is only his second show in America! He’s already learning how to become a top hunter,” she explained. “He was also champion in the High Performance [4’ division], winning every class this week. I could not be more thrilled with him.”
Farmer was last to go in the handy with In Writing, with whom she captured the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at TIEC during Tryon Spring 6 competition, and admits that “they should have been first and second place. Rider error got in the way – tonight was my fault. He’s truly an amazing horse! I just got him from Europe last fall.
“The footing feels incredibly nice,” Farmer said of the newly re-engineered Tryon Stadium footing. “European horses [in particular] love it and are very comfortable with it.” Farmer continued about returning to competition post COVID-19 pauses in the equestrian calendar, saying, “TIEC has done an amazing job with this whole scenario. I know it’s not easy for any of us, and I think the management, staff, and everyone at TIEC has done an outstanding job managing the situation.
“As competitors, we know that this is a privilege for us to be able to continue to horse show and work during this time. We very much appreciate all of the efforts. I have the utmost respect for everything that TIEC has done,” Farmer concluded. “Without you all, we wouldn’t be able to keep doing our jobs.”
$5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby
Sandra Ferrell (Wellington, FL) took first and second place in the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby Friday morning, piloting Amy Guth’s Dan D’Angelo, a 2003 Mecklenburger gelding (Elite Carrico x Lorgano), to first on a two-round score of 171, just a half a point behind with Undercover, a 2012 Westphalian gelding (Untouched x Tosca) owned by Maya Grove, scoring 170.5. Abbygale Funk (Saint George, KS) landed the remaining podium position with Asteri, a 2013 Warmblood gelding of unknown breeding owned by MMK Equestrian LLC, scoring a 168 after two rounds on the Dean Rheinheimer (Sheridan, IN) course design.
Tryon Summer 4 competition continues through Sunday, July 5, with competitions closed to spectators and with highlight classes streaming live at www.Tryon.com/streaming.
For full results from the $40,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, click here.
For full results from the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, click here.
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