For Immediate Release

Mill Spring, NC – May 12, 2019 – Greg Crolick (Clarkston, MI) and Corallo Z aced the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby at Tryon International Equestrian Center on Friday, May 10, earning first place with a top score of 178. Michael Britt-Leon (Marietta, GA) secured second place with a score of 177 aboard Eleventh Hour owned by Kelly Sims, and Sarah Duhon (Wright City, MO) claimed third riding Nice To Have owned by Down The Line Equine, LLC with a score of 175.

Greg Crolick and Corallo Z
©TIEC 

Crolick, who had three mounts in the derby, remained ahead of the competition jumping in tandem with Corallo Z, owned by Renaud Farm, LLC. “I had three horses in there, a couple of them were really green, and one had never done it all,” he stated.
“With Corallo Z, [my strategy] was to be as handy as I possibly could, knowing that he can really turn on a dime and has such a good and careful jump. I just tried to be as handy as I could be to outperform the others, but the other competitors really gave me a run for my money; they were all really good.
“I think [our strengths were] in the turns and just cutting it a big tighter and sharper than everybody else and having the confidence that he just jumps so well. This is our second week here and our first time here [at TIEC]. I’m incredibly happy here, the venue is beautiful, and everybody is so hospitable. It’s been a lot of fun. It’s definitely going to be a spot for us to hit next year, too,” he remarked.

 Greg Crolick and Corallo Z in their awards presentation ceremony.

Hunter Highlights:
In the $1,000 Green Hunter Incentive 3’/3’3″, Cassandra Kahle (Langley, BC) won first and second place. For the first place win, Kahle earned a score of 84 riding Givenchy owned by Redfield Farm. Kahle claimed second place with Pepita owned by Redfield Farm with a score of 82. Colin Syquia (Wellington, FL) jumped into third aboard Durant owned by Eurasia Inc. with a score of 81.5.

Michael Britt-Leon (Marietta, GA) topped the $1,000 Green Hunter Incentive 3’6″/3’9″ claiming first, second, and third place. For the first place finish, Britt-Leon received a score of 84 riding Eleventh Hour owned by Kelly Sims. Britt-Leon placed second with Bacchus owned by Kelly Sims with a score of 82 and placed third with Private I also owned by Kelly Sims with a 79.

The $500 Marshall & Sterling Insurance NAL/WIHS Adult Amateur Hunter 18-35 Classic congratulated Helen Ulrich (Mooresville, NC) with first place aboard her own, Nuff Said, with a score of 163. Second place was awarded to Tess Lee (Potamac, MD) with her own, Intouchable, earning a score of 154. Third place was congratulated to Katie Crump (Athens, GA) aboard her own, Cotes Du Rhone, with a score of 134.

Kat Fuqua (Atlanta, GA) topped the $500 Large Pony Hunter Classic placing first and second place. For the first place win, Fuqua earned a score of 171 aboard her own, Prestige. To earn second, Fuqua scored 168 with her own, Chic In Time. Leigh Ashby (Lincolnton, NC) took third with her own, Onyxfords Blue Magic with a score of 167.

The USHJA Hunter 3′ Division awarded top honors to Colin Syquia (Wellington, FL) aboard Champion De Coeur owned by Eugenie Redman. Reserve honors were granted to Tommi Clark (Tryon, NC) riding her own, Chosen.

In the High Performance Hunter 4′ Division, Cassandra Kahle (Langley, BC) was crowned champion aboard Game On owned by Casey Zuraitis. Greg Crolick (Clarkston, MI) was reserve champion with Corallo Z owned by Renaud Farm, LLC.

The USHJA Hunter 2′ Division awarded Flynn Trent (Gainesville, GA) with champion honors riding Beetle Cat owned by Madison Beavers, while Laura Schettler (Cumming, GA) earned reserve honors with Moreland’s Achiever owned by Kathy Schettler.

In the Small Pony Hunter Division, JJ Torano (Wellington, FL) was crowned champion with H. G. Mud Puddles owned by Cold Spring Farm. Reserve honors were awarded to Finley Clement (Waxhaw, NC) with Farnley Crown Prince owned by Caroline Gilmer.

Jumper Highlights:
The 1.40m Nutrena® Open Jumper Division awarded Aaron Vale (Williston, FL) with champion honors riding Billionaire owned by Karol Kallay, while Daniel Michan (Wellington, FL) aboard Erika Sergent’s Karina R and Tomas Yofre (Lexington, KY) with KNH Investments’ Caresse Z tied for reserve honors.

Mallory Vale (Williston, FL) and Aaron Vale (Willison, FL) conquered the 1.40m High Junior/Amateur Jumper Division claiming champion honors with Elusive owned by Thinks Like A Horse. Ava Ellis (Annapolis, MD) took reserve honors with Remmits Delphi owned by Clear Ride LLC.

In the 1.30m Adequan® Open Jumper Division, Aaran Vale (Williston, FL) rode home with top honors with Campo S owned by Wendy Peralta and Tomas Yofre (Lexington, KY) won reserve honors with Betagravin owned by North Run and Missy Clark.

In the 1.35m Open Jumper Division, champion honors were congratulated to Ann Horrell Glaus (Ocala, FL) and Aaron Vale (Williston, FL) with Darling GR owned by Troy Glaus. Reserve honors went to Taylor Land (Atlanta, GA) with Falco V owned by Pinetree Farms LLC.

Michael Britt-Leon (Marietta, GA) was crowned champion aboard Charisma owned by Kelly Sims in the 1.20m CaptiveOne Advisors Open Jumper Division. Arianna Tucker (Kannapolis, NC) and Maryann Charles (Southern Pines, NC) with Walter 61 owned by Arianna Tucker tied for reserve honors with Linda Langmeier (East Granby, CT) and Bridget Ennever (Wayzata, MN) with Julius owned by Bridget Ennever.

The 1.10m Low Adult-Amateur Jumper Division awarded champion honors to Jill McManus (Pinehurst, NC) and Maryann Charles (Southern Pines, NC) with Vico owned by Jill McManus. Reserve honors were granted to Jane Gemerllaro (Oakland Township, MI) with Ulanos owned by Nevergreen Farm LLC.

Lauren Henry (North Kingstown, RI) earned champion honors in the 1.20m Low Amateur Jumper Division aboard her own, VDL Ferrari. Christina Couper (Savannah, GA) claimed reserve honors with Cora owned by Double C Sporthorses.

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

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

About Tryon International Equestrian Center at Tryon Resort:

Tryon International Equestrian Center at Tryon Resort, host of the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018, is one of the world’s ultimate equestrian lifestyle destinations with first-class facilities for all FEI disciplines and showcasing Hunter/Jumper, Equitation, Steeplechase, Polo, and multidiscipline events in Mill Spring, NC. From carousel to competition, the mission of Tryon Resort is to celebrate the magic of the horse, grow equestrian sport, and increase access to this majestic animal. A haven for equestrian competitors and enthusiasts, Tryon Resort is an iconic, year-round destination for connoisseurs of diverse cuisine and shopping, lodging getaways, and family entertainment. Learn more at www.Tryon.com.