Megan Rosenthal and Den Dekker Celebrate Victory in $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby

Mattias Hollberg and D.A. Duras Win Tryon Fall Finale $5,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake

For Immediate Release

Michelle Yelton for TIEC

Mill Spring, NC – November 14, 2021 – The 2021 Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (TIEC) Hunter/Jumper competition calendar concluded with Glenn Hartigan (CAN) and Picadero 16 landing first place in the Tryon Fall Finale $25,000 Tryon Resort Grand Prix with a time of 38.332, rising from second place in the same class last week during Tryon Fall 7. Gianna Aycock (USA) and her own Flex a Tia, the 2009 Warmblood mare (Flexible x Sequoyah Utopia), earned second place with a time of 40.401. In third place with a time of 38.413 was Beth Franco (USA) aboard Havanna, the 2012 Dutch Warmblood mare (Zirocco Blue VDL x Cereedom VDL) owned by Steven Goodwin. 

 Glenn Hartigan and Picadero 16
©TIEC/Natalie Suto Photography

Formerly an opponent, Hartigan was thrilled to get his chance to show with his new partner, the 2009 Rhineland gelding (Prinz Wilhelm x Sabina) owned by Nicola Dickinson.

“He’s brand new to us. I used to compete against him in Germany, actually. I always liked him. When he came up for sale I said, ‘Daniel, I’d like to have your horse!’ I brought him over here in July, and this is my second show with him. He’s been above and beyond my expectations!” shared Hartigan. 

 Gianna Aycock and Flex a Tia
©TIEC/Natalie Suto Photography

Twelve trips tested the Dean Rheinheimer (USA) course with only three pairs returning for the jumpoff, two going double clear, and Hartigan and Picadero 16 rising to the top.

“The course rode well. He has a big stride, and the combinations I found were a little tight for him, but he tried his heart out and made it happen. He likes to go fast so the jump-off wasn’t a problem,” explained Hartigan. 

 Beth Franco and Havanna
©TIEC/Natalie Suto Photography

“I saw Gianna’s ride and I knew I could leave out a stride here and there and maybe make the rollback turn from fence two to nine, which he did for me and it worked out.” 

Hartigan, a seasoned competitor at TIEC, has enjoyed his success at the venue and plans to return. 

Glenn Hartigan and Picadero 16 in his presentation ceremony.
©TIEC/Natalie Suto Photography

“I love [Tryon]! We’ve been coming here since they first started. It has been fantastic, we love coming here and we’ll be back.” 

Megan Rosenthal and Den Dekker Celebrate Victory in $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby

November 13, 2021 – Megan Rosenthal (USA) and Den Dekker celebrated victory in the Tryon Fall Finale $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby at TIEC with a score of 179. Coming in second place with a score of 174 was Macy Williams (USA) aboard Fernhill Corbeaugh Delux, the 2013 Irish Sport Horse gelding (unknown breeding) owned by Select Sport Horses. Sadie Parker (USA) and Balanchine d’Inca, the 2011 Selle Francaise gelding (Quite Easy x Jessica d’Anglin) that she owns with Carol Parker, earned 172 points for third place. 

Megan Rosenthal and Den Dekker
©TIEC/Natalie Suto Photography

Rosenthal was very pleased with the Dean Rheinheimer (USA) course that challenged 11 horse-and-rider pairs.

“[The courses] were really nice. Last week the derby was pretty straight forward. We had a smaller group here. Just one kid competed in the class, and so it was nice to see this week because the course asked a couple more questions, the fences were built a little bit bigger, and it was a lot of fun. The horse went really well,” explained Rosenthal. 

Rosenthal’s partnership with the 2008 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve x Wonia) owned by her family’s farm, Fairytale Farms, is new, so she debated on how aggressively to ride in order to put in a strong performance against a top-notch field of entries.

“Everyone I felt really brought their A-game. There were some really high scores being thrown out there. The horse that I rode is still relatively new to us. We just got him, and so I really just wanted to be smooth and consistent. I like, in the handy, sometimes being a little bit bold and daring, and I was honestly debating whether or not to take some of the inside turns with him just cause I don’t know him quite as well. But, he was game and he was right there ready and just slipped inside a couple places and I was really happy with how he performed.  

Megan Rosenthal and Den Dekker in their presentation ceremony.
©TIEC/Natalie Suto Photography

Rosenthal has had her hands full with clients during the Tryon Fall Finale, but is thankful everything has gone well. 

 “We are lucky to have a lot of clients here. and everyone’s having a good time competing. You know it’s always a little bit tougher with the three-day B show schedule having so many classes with all the horses that we have back to back, but I think everything’s been run very smoothly and the days are getting done as relatively early as they can and everyone’s having a good time. We’re based in Charlotte, NC, so we ended up here since it’s so close and it’s always enjoyable and fun.”

 Mattias Hollberg and D.A. Duras Win Tryon Fall Finale $5,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake

November 12, 2021 – With the only double clear rounds of the class, Mattias Hollberg (USA) and D.A. Duras took the win in the Tryon Fall Finale $5,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake at TIEC with a time of 39.29. Adolpho Franco (BRA) and Hayadina PP, the 2012 Dutch Warmblood mare (Emerald Van’t Ruytershof x Udina) owned by Capital Equine LLC, were the only other pair to advance to the jumpoff, finishing in second but not clear with a time of 37.985. In third place with four faults and a time of 66.759 was Glenn Hartigan (CAN) and Picadero 16, the 2009 Rhineland gelding (Prinz Wilhelm x Sabina) owned by Nicola Dickinson.

Mattias Hollberg and D.A. Duras
©TIEC/Natalie Suto Photography

Hollberg was pleased with his horse’s performance and his overall record since their partnership began.

“He’s been with me for a year and a half now. He wins most classes, he’s wonderful. I’m really thankful that I have him,” said Hollberg. 

Adolpho Franco (BRA) and Hayadina PP
©TIEC/Natalie Suto Photography

With only two pairs returning for the jumpoff, Hollberg was challenged by the Dean Rheinheimer (USA) course.

“The course was not easy today. I was the only double clear. The course design was such that horses were locking onto different jumps and you kind of had to take their eye off of them and onto the one you were going to. My good guy can handle it, and my other two less experienced horses had rails because of that,” explained Hollberg.

Glenn Hartigan and Picadero 16
©TIEC/Natalie Suto Photography

Hollberg enjoyed his final competition of the year at TIEC before he returns to Florida for the winter.

Mattias Hollberg and D.A. Duras in their presentation ceremony.
©TIEC/Natalie Suto Photography

“This is actually my last show of the year. I love it here. I’ve always enjoyed coming here and competing. It’s a great place to be at.”

Hunter Highlights:
Mylin Eckard (Kings Mountain, NC) and The Little Mermaid, owned by Fairy Tale Farms, were awarded champion in the Short/Long Stirrup Hunter 2’ Division. Aleksandra Keele (Atlanta, GA) was named reserve champion aboard her own Brighton’s Tinsel.

In the Ride Every Stride USHJA Hunter 2’9” Division, Megan Rosenthal (Charlotte, NC) took top honors aboard Talk To Me, owned by Kathryn Billesdon while reserve champion was awarded to Victoria Waugh (Mooresville, NC) and her own TDF Dark Heart.

Jumper Highlights:
Katherine Benson (Charlotte, NC) and her own Cantender were named champion of the Sport Horse Essentials 1.10m Jumper Division. Reserve champion resulted in a tie between Kieran Donaldson (Gap, PA) with her own Charmeur P and K Loyd Cece (Columbus, NC) and in the irons with her own Cappa Crusader. 

Imagine Dragons took champion honors guided by owner Taylor Howard (Federalsburg, MD) in the .90 Non-Pro Jumper Division while Katherine Maroko (Kennett Square, PA) earned reserve champion with Rosie’s Little Miss Liberty owned by Denise Barry.

For full division results from Tryon Fall Finale, click here. 

For full results from the $25,000 Tryon Resort Grand Prix, click here. 

For full results from the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, click here. 

For full results from the $5,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake, click here. 

The Tryon Fall Finale concludes the Tryon Fall Series and TIEC’s 2021 competition calendar. In addition to the Tryon Fall Finale, TIEC also hosted the Dutta Corp. Tryon International Three-Day Event and the Young Horse Show Finals presented by Spy Coast Farm. Read recaps of these competitions and more at Tryon.com. 

Photos ©TIEC. These photos may only be used once, in relation to this press release. Competitors may review and purchase photos from the entire Tryon Fall Series or request Tryon Fall Finale photos in advance at Tryon.com/photos. For questions, contact media@tryon.com.