Mill Spring, NC – October 13, 2016 – Andy Kocher (USA) and Zantos II made easy work of the track in the $35,000 1.50m Suncast® Welcome CSI 3*, which hosted an impressive 60 entries, to take the win at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC). The pair stopped the jump-off timers in 38.458 seconds ahead of Laura Kraut (USA) and Confu, who collected second place with a time of 40.001 seconds. Adam Prudent (FRA) and Victorio 5 earned third place after finishing the course in 42.349 seconds.

Competition at the 2016 Tryon Fall Series presented by Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District commenced on Thursday, September 22, and will continue through Sunday, October 30, featuring hunter and jumper competition, alongside two weeks of FEI CSI 3* classes and the highly anticipated FEI CSI 5*.

Kocher and Zantos II, owned by MKO Equestrian LLC, were trailblazers around the course set by Michel Vaillancourt (CAN) and were the first pair to secure a fault-free effort in the first round. The duo would later be joined by five combinations who also contested the demanding short course.

“I was really excited with this win. It was a tough class and when I walked I thought it would be one of those classes that would kind of show you where you were at, but it was a solid 1.50m,” said Kocher. “It was not soft in the slightest and was definitely built to the book.”

“Last year I would have been like frozen pizza out there with all of those guys. I had a great fall circuit here last year and we competed against some great riders too, but I just feel like now we’re a level up,” he explained. “I walked into the class today feeling like I had a chance to do really well and we did.”

“He’s really small. It almost feels like you’re riding a small pony but he is so brave. He thinks he’s 18 hands and is just incredibly careful. He isn’t a horse that naturally jumps 1.50m, but if you set him up right he will always be successful,” he explained.

“This class was awesome and I got just about everything out of him. I love competing here and it was a great feeling to come out on top against such a strong field,” added Kocher.

The 2016 Tryon Fall Series presented by Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District offers six weeks of hunter and jumper competition, including three weeks of internationally recognized FEI show jumping featuring two FEI CSI 3* weeks and an FEI CSI 5*. For more information on Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) and surrounding amenities please visit www.tryon.com.

To view full results for the $35,000 1.50m Suncast® Welcome CSI 3* please click here.

Photo Credit ©Sportfot. These photos may only be used once in relation to this press release.