Rowan Willis and Shark Soar to Win $25,000 Sunday Classic Concluding Tryon Fall 5 Sponsored by Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport CSI3*

Mill Spring, N.C. – Oct. 28, 2018 – The $25,000 Sunday Classic hosted in Tryon Stadium wrapped the week of competition at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), where Rowan Willis (AUS) piloted his own Shark to the top of the leaderboard in 42.315 seconds in the jump-off. Ilan Bluman (COL) and Cap Diamond D’Hof Ten Bos, a 2008 Belgian Sport Horse stallion (Diamant de Semilly x Farmer) owned by Hph & S. & B. Van Paesschen, received reserve honors after stopping the timers in 42.362 seconds, while Stefanie Collier (USA) was welcomed to the podium for her efforts aboard The C and C Group’s Emma-Lee, a 2009 Dutch Warmblood mare (Up to Date x Contendro I), flying through the jump-off in 42.7 seconds.

Rowan Willis and Shark Photo: © Sportfot
Rowan Willis and Shark
Photo: © Sportfot

Nineteen entries tested the track set by Manuel Esparza (MEX), with five horse-and-rider pairs soaring clear into the jump-off. Shark, a 2008 Anglo European Sport Horse gelding (Arko x Pilot), is a lot more like a dog than his name, Willis remarked. “He’s a personal favorite of mine. He’s my pet!”

Despite his friendly and easy-going nature, Shark and Willis were predators on course, earning the victory by just .047 of a second. “The course was tough enough, but it was good. The designer had us quite open in the jump off as well,” Willis elaborated. “It was very tight and I don’t know really where I shaved off time, but I think maybe I did one less to the last. He’s naturally a very quick horse, so I don’t have to push too hard to go fast.”

For Willis, the day’s success was a redeeming moment for one of his favorite rides. “Unfortunately I haven’t ridden so well for the last couple of classes with him – he was actually seventh in the [$132,000 Adequan® Grand Prix CSI3*] here, which was super. I had a few mishaps with him, which were unfortunate, and so he was a little bit out of confidence last night and under lights,” Willis explained. “It was nice to give him a smaller round and get his confidence back today. He’s always a good horse to have.”

After a successful season for Shark, including top finishes in Wellington, Spruce Meadows, Ohio and Tryon, Willis and his string have just a few more stops on tour before a well-earned break. “I’ve got two shows left for the year – I’m headed to Lexington and then Toronto. Shark’s half sister, Blue Movie, will do those, and Shark might join me in one of those as well. After that, they’ll all go back to Florida for a well-earned holiday,” Willis concluded.

Rowan Willis and Shark Photo: © Sportfot
Rowan Willis and Shark
Photo: © Sportfot

RESULTS

$25,000 Sunday Classic
Place / Horse / Rider / R1 Faults | Time / R2 Faults | Time
1. Shark / Rowan Willis / 0 | 72.887 / 0 | 42.315
2. Cap Diamond D’hof Ten Bos / Ilan Bluman / 0 | 69.861 / 0 | 42.362
3. Emma-Lee / Stefanie Collier / 0 | 73.536 / 0 | 42.7
4. Le Care / Juan Manuel Gallego / 0 | 73.293 / 0 | 44.46
5. Liismeen Ludam / Stella Manship / 0 | 73.097 / 4 | 43.197
6. Indigo / Margie Engle / 4 | 71.214
7. Any / Thomas John Russell / 4 | 71.412
8. Rye Val De Mai / Sharn Wordley / 4 | 71.526
9. Fantom / Harold Chopping / 4 | 71.842
10. Emilia / David Blake / 4 | 72.606
11. Usa Normande / Margie Engle / 4 | 72.69
12. Falcon De Hus Z / Scott Keach / 4 | 73.462

For full results, click here.

Hunter Highlights

The Absorbine® Green Hunter 3′ Division congratulated Thomas Serio of Aberdeen, NC, as champion aboard Blueberry Hill for Nokomis Farm, joined in reserve by Colin Syquia (Wellington, FL) aboard Christina Mohr’s Wherewithal.

In the Adult-Amateur Hunter 50 & Over Division, Page Tredennick of Wellington, FL, received both champion and reserve rosettes on the week for her performances aboard her own Apricot Lane and Agneta Currey’s Tomcat, respectively.

Margaret Oberkircher of Collegeville, PA, also earned both rosettes in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3″/3’6″ Division, guiding Clever Conversation to champion and in the irons with Patriot for reserve, both owned by Southfields Farm.

Thomas Serio collected an additional champion ribbon in the Baby Green Hunter 2’6″ Division, this time piloting Karen Redding’s Eldoret, while Rush Weeden (Lake Forest, IL) and Guess Who earning reserve on the week for Glory Days Farm LLC.

The Children’s Hunter Horse 14 & Under Division recognized Gigi Phillips of Charlotte, NC, as champion aboard Coleman Holland’s Touluse, with Ava Todd of St. Louis, MO, stepping forward to receive reserve honors aboard her own Quinley.

Frances Eischeid of Charleston, SC, rode Compewter Power to champion recognition in the Children’s Pony Hunter Division for owner Samantha Lawton-Duthie, while reserve honors went to Ava Scharbo (Barrington, IL) aboard her own Pajama Party.

In the Gardner-Webb University Pre-Children’s Hunter 2’6″ Division, Elodie Watrous (Wilmette, IL) emerged as the week’s champion riding Take Note for Siboney Ranch, while Sadie Paulos (Newtown, CT) and R. C. G. Farm’s Carrington were awarded reserve honors.

The Green Hunter 3’6″ Division announced Thomas Serio’s return to the top of the podium on the week aboard Casadoble for Sharon Winnie, while Harold Chopping of Southern Pines, NC, and Barbara Scott’s Catchphrase collected the reserve rosette.

Leigh Ashby of Lincolnton, NC, and her own Onyxfords Blue Magic were revealed as champions of the Large Pony Hunter Division, which also recognized Erica Felder (Lenoir, NC) in reserve for her efforts aboard Timeless for Victoria Haynes.

The Marshall & Sterling Adult-Amateur Hunter 18-49 Division was swept by Charlotte Sprague of Atlanta, GA, guiding Fresco to champion on the week for Robert Milligan and steering Limelight to reserve for Isabella Wilson.

Jumper Highlights

The 1.15m Jumper Division congratulated Ricardo Villa (Campobello, SC) aboard Horse Cents, LLC’s Casanova as its champion on the week, with reserve honors awarded to Suzanna Treske of Waxhaw, NC, aboard Trayce Doubek-Dierks’ Cara Mia Z.

Gareth Williams piloted mount Arnie to champion in the 1.15m Non-Pro Jumper division to represent York, SC, while Emma Avent (Arlington, VA) and her own Honeylands Dancer received the reserve rosette on the week.

Roberto Teran Tafur (Wellington, FL) dominated the 1.35m Open Jumper Division aboard his Dena Sienne to be named champion, joined on the division podium by Wellington, FL resident Ilan Bluman and Eax Run Run LS in reserve for owners Blue Star Investments & Alexa Schwitzer.

Rodrigo Pessoa and Pessoa Stables LLC’s Calisko were named champions of the 1.30m Adequan® Open Jumper Division to represent Wellington, FL, while Anna Christina Gansauer (Ocala, FL) earned reserve on the week riding Kandor Farm LLC’s Fernandes.

The 1.0m Low Adult-Amateur Jumper Division welcomed Julia Gates of Easley, SC, forward as champion for her efforts aboard her own Sierra, with reserve honors bestowed on Jennifer MaGee (Wellington, FL) aboard Hollywood’s Eleven for owner Gruschenka Mojicasanchez.

In the 1.0m Low Children’s Jumper Division, Lyla Jane Gregory (Carmel, IN) and Bailey Calkins’ Valencia emerged as the week’s champions, and Caia Watridge (St. Augustine, FL) was recognized in reserve aboard the Siboney Ranch entry, Kalle.

Sunday’s $10,000 1.40m High Junior/Amateur Classic congratulated Sarah Bagworth (Toronto, ON) aboard the Starlight Farms 1 LLC entry, Caraibe Sunheup Z, in first with a jump-off time of 31.707 seconds, while Charlise Casas (Kennilworth, IL) rode Always Faithful Equine LLC’s Brombeere to second on a time of 32.475 seconds. Marie Antonette Leviste of Wellington, FL, guided her own Loribri to third after stopping the short-course timers in 33.724 seconds.

Alex Parrish of Midway, KY, and Lexander Farm LLC’s Biendorado dominated the $5,000 1.30m Medium Junior/Amateur Classic with a jump-off time of 27.296 seconds. Caitlyn Connors of Glen Mills, PA, followed in second aboard Caitlyn Connors LLC’s Boleybawn Perfection in 28.83 seconds. Charlise Casas returned to the podium, this time aboard Reid Patton’s Halibo Van Texelhof following their 29.569 second jump-off performance.

The $3,000 1.20m NAL Low Junior Classic went to Claudia Villamil of Wellington, FL, riding her own Infinity to a jump-off time of 37.388 seconds as the only double-clear rider. Charlise Casas piloted KTS Diregina to second for owner Maarten Huygens, accumulating three faults on her first-round time of 86.639 seconds to earn second place, with Gabrielle Strigel (Durham, NC) and Borikor collecting third place on four faults in 78.445 seconds for DK-USA Sporthorse, LLC.

The 1.10m NAL/WIHS Adult-Amateur Jumper Classic presented by Tryon Estates/Acts Retirement-Life Communities recognized Myrto Iliadis (Wellington, FL) aboard mount Highlight Van Molga taking first place in a short-course time of 39.945 seconds, in addition to Alliah Kassem (Fayetteville, GA) and Taylor Land’s Dulrike Utica scoring reserve in a time of 40.291 seconds. Carine Rawson (Lake Worth, FL) aboard the Take the High Road, LLC entry Chanel B 2 stopping the timers in 40.524 seconds to take third.

The conclusion of Tryon Fall 5 CSI3* sponsored by Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport competition also concludes the Tryon Fall Series, presented by Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, after four weeks of international and national hunter, jumper, and equitation competition. November at TIEC will feature the Tryon Fall Festival Series, the Young Horse Show Finals presented by Spy Coast Farm, and the Festival of the Hunt.

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