For Immediate Release
Liza Goodlett for TIEC

Mill Spring, NC – June 2, 2017 – Daniel Bedoya of Magnolia, TX, and Ragtime’s Bellissima, owned by Loreanna Andrepont, took home top honors in today’s $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby hosted on the Grass Complex at the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC). The pair secured the win with a total score of 172. Michelle Whitman of Raleigh, NC, and her own C’Van De Helle earned the red rosette with a score of 164.5, while Laurel Tinney of Cary, NC, and Falido, owned by Amelia Zahn, claimed third place honors with a two round score of 162.

Bedoya and Ragtime’s Bellissima have had an outstanding two weeks at TIEC, taking home a win in the $1,000 USHJA Green Hunter Incentive offered ahead of their derby win this morning. The first round was a test of skill and handiness and Bedoya guided Ragtime’s Bellissima to a well-deserved win in their first appearance on the Grass Complex.

“I thought it was pretty complicated and wasn’t your typical first round for a derby. It was more like a handy round than a first round with a lot bending lines, tight roll backs, and cantering around the huge field,” explained Bedoya. “It was this mare’s first time on the grass and it was fantastic.”

Bedoya described how the impressive derby field, one of the newest additions to the facilities at TIEC, handled the class, saying, “The field is awesome. I hope they keep having classes out there and even add some jumper classes. The footing was perfect. We did not put any studs in the horse’s shoes and no one slipped. It was awesome, such a nice ring.”

Ragtime’s Bellissima, a 2008 Hanoverian mare, not only competes in the Green Hunter Divisions and USHJA National Hunter Derby classes with Bedoya, but also shows in the Long Stirrup Division with her owner Loreanna Andrepont. Bedoya spoke very highly of Ragtime’s Bellissima and his hopes for the pair’s future together, commenting, “She is a really good mare. She does really well with me and takes great care of her owner.”

Daniel Bedoya and Ragtime’s Bellissima in their presentation ceremony with owner Loreanna Andrepont.

Ragtime’s Bellissima’s owner, Loreanna Andrepont, who was present for the duo’s derby win today, touched on how the mare is an excellent dual fit for her as an amateur rider and Bedoya as a professional.

“I feel very confident when I ride her. She is a very safe and sweet mare, but really just a babysitter for me! We started out in the Cross Rails Division and now we are in the Long Stirrup Division. My goal would be the Modified Hunter Divisions, but Daniel thinks we will go higher than that. I think Daniel’s goals are a little higher than mine,” Andrepont said with a laugh. “It was very exciting watching her out on the big grass field this morning and take such a great win.”

Santiago Lambre (MEX) and Hip Living crossed the timers in an impressive 31.577 seconds to secure the victory in today’s $6,000 1.40m Nutrena® Classic CSI 3*, ushering in the third day of FEI competition at the venue during Tryon Summer I. Stefano Baruzzo (ARG) and Anemone’s Vicky earned a close second place finish with a time 32.715 seconds, while Emanuel Andrade (VEN) and Garinco van de Lijnsaerd rode to third place position with a time of 33.056 seconds.

Lambre and Hip Living, a 2009 Swedish Warmblood gelding (Hip Hop x Quite Easy) owned by Aurora de Alba, have been partnered together since this past March, and the duo have placed consistently in international competition up to the CSI 4* level. The pair made an efficient effort around the track set by Michel Vaillancourt (CAN) and Lambre was aware of the time they needed to beat to secure the win.

“The course was very good today. This course designer always asks a lot of questions. You can do one more stride or do one less,” explained Lambre. “I saw the first two horse and riders complete the jump-off and knew their times were roughly between 32 and 33 seconds. I knew I had to beat that. I was lucky to go in third in the order because typically when I go in the beginning of the class I don’t go as fast.”

The duo were able to edge a competitive class that boasted a number of speedy combinations and Lambre executed his quick plan in the jump-off round to perfection. Lambre included a major leave out, which is where he felt they shaved the remaining time off of the clock.

“I took one less in the jump-off to jump two. I think I was the only one to take that risk and I think that’s how we won the class,” Lambre detailed.

Lambre plans to continue competing Hip Living in international ranking classes while their partnership solidifies. Lambre has taken his time to get to know the gelding and feels that there is significant potential in the pair’s future together.

“He is only eight and I bought him at the end of the winter circuit in Wellington, FL. Next week he will jump a little bigger in the 1.50m class and we’ll see where he goes,” Lambre said. “He’s a fantastic horse and I thought he performed very well today.”

Click here to view final results for the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby.

Click here to view final results for the $6,000 1.40m Nutrena® Classic CSI 3*.

Tomorrow’s competition will feature the highlight class of the week, the $130,000 Asheville/Greenville BMW Centers Grand Prix CSI 3*, which will begin at 8:00 p.m. Activities and entertainment will start at 6:00 p.m. and are free and open to the general public. For more information on TIEC, please visit www.tryon.com.

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