For Immediate Release
Liza Goodlett for TIEC

Mill Spring, NC – October 30, 2016 – Margie Engle of Wellington, FL, and Indigo took home top honors in today’s $25,000 Tryon Resort Grand Prix at the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) on the final day of competition of the 2016 Tryon Fall Series presented by Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District. Engle and Indigo claimed the victory with a speedy jump-off time of 39.42 seconds, while Ilan Ferder of Wellington, FL, and Hunter ST Anna Z earned second place honors with a time of 40.121 seconds. Trailing by only milliseconds to claim third with a time of 40.174 seconds was Alberto Michan of Royal Palm Beach, FL, aboard Chacco’s Goldy.

Competition at the 2016 Tryon Fall Series presented by Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District concluded today after two very successful weeks of FEI CSI 3* classes and a historical FEI CSI 5*.

Engle and Indigo, a 2000 Dutch Warmblood stallion (Indoctro x Aea Dutch Lorel) owned by Gladewinds Partners LLC, completed the track set by Guilherme Jorge (BRA) early in the order before advancing to the jump-off. The course asked technical questions of adjustability and scope. Engle detailed her specific plan with her veteran partner Indigo.

“I’ve had Indigo for a really long time so the plan was pretty set with him. The first round was built a little bigger than I expected, but it was a very good track. The plank into the double was tricky, but I felt like he handled it great,” Engle added about her first round. “He has a very adjustable stride and he knows where all of his parts are. This course allowed him to open up.”

“In the jump-off, I was hoping to leave out a stride but he jumped so hard that he landed a little shallow. He is very quick and well balanced in the turns, always right there for me. I took a shot with the long gallop down to the last fence and he handled it very well,” Engle added.

Engle and Indigo have been partners for almost a decade now, competing successfully around the world, including a career highlight of winning the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2004. Engle is very selective with what shows she chooses to compete Indigo in now that he is getting a little older.

“He’s been a great horse for me. He loves what he does and is such a fighter in the ring. He is actually quite hard to control in the schooling ring,” Engle added with a laugh. “He is always trying and he would hate sitting at home. In his brain he thinks he is three and he has more energy than all of my horses put together.”

Engle and her team will head down to Wellington, FL, for the winter, but she hopes to return to Tryon in the future, specifically during the 2017 season. She reflected on her experiences at TIEC, saying, “It is a fantastic facility. It is a first class facility for everyone and it has everything you want. There are tons of places to ride, big schooling rings, delicious restaurants, and unbelievable crowds. We hope to be back next year.”

Today’s $25,000 Tryon Resort Grand Prix offered competitors the opportunity to dress in costume for Halloween. Brittni Raflowitz of Palm City, FL, was presented with the “Best Costume” award dressing herself and her mount, Baloumina Du Ry, as paratroopers.

Hilary McNerney of Lake Forest, IL, and her own Contact collected the win in the $25,000 Under 25 Grand Prix at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC). McNerney and Contact finished ahead of a competitive class, edging Fabio Andres Rodriguez of Colombia and Venus for the victory. The winning combination finished the track in George H. Morris Arena with a time of 30.809 seconds, while Rodriguez and Venus collected second place after crossing through the timers in 31.529 seconds. Emanuel Andrade of Wellington, FL, and Belita took third place honors, completing their jump-off round in 31.72 seconds.

McNerney and Contact bested the three-horse jump-off after riding a forward and accurate round to finish ahead of Friday’s $5,000 Under 25 Welcome winners Rodriguez and Venus. McNerney has had a strong campaign at TIEC, finishing 10th aboard Z Acodate DDL in the $130,000 Asheville/Greenville BMW Centers’ Grand Prix CSI 3* this past Saturday.

Today’s competition marked the conclusion of the 2016 Tryon Fall Series presented by Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District. For more information on TIEC and to see full results please visit www.tryon.com.

To view results for the $25,000 Tryon Resort Grand Prix click here.
To view results for the $10,000 Under 25 Grand Prix click here.

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