Mill Spring, NC – June 11, 2017 – Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Cyklon 1083 secured the final FEI win of the week, taking the $35,000 Tryon 1.50m Challenge CSI 4* at the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), as the pair stopped the timers in a blazing time of 35.583 seconds. David Beisel (USA) and Ammeretto made an impressive effort to catch the lead, ultimately earning the second place honors with a time of 36.553 seconds, while Karl Cook (USA) and Caillou 24 took home the third place position with a time of 37.736 seconds.

Sweetnam and Cyklon 1083, a 2001 Swedish Warmblood stallion (Cardento x Cortus), owned by Spy Coast Farm LLC, frequent the winner’s circle at TIEC, and proved yet again to be unbeatable, taking their second win of the week. The duo won the $35,000 Tryon 1.45m Speed Stake CSI 4* on Friday, before earning another blue ribbon in today’s conclusion of FEI CSI 4* competition.

Sweetnam spoke highly of the extraordinary stallion and his ability to remain consistent in the ring, which has brought the duo countless wins from around the world at the international level.

“He is an older horse and he has won everywhere. He is an unbelievable winner. The goal is always to try and win. When Cyklon comes out to show he always ends up at the top and he has a great success rate. He felt especially great today and he really is just a brilliant jumper.”

Sweetnam and Cyklon 1083 were the first pair to attempt the short course, proving to set the pace at an uncatchable speed, which helped to solidify their win. Sweetnam detailed his jump-off plan saying, “With Cyklon, who is a naturally fast horse, I pick up a rhythm and I have a plan. I execute it the way I wanted to do it and if someone beats me after that, it is what it is.”

Sweetnam and his team will head back to Lexington, KY,  for a few weeks before heading to Europe with several horses currently in his string. Sweetnam has his sights set on the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018, that will be held at TIEC in September of 2018 and is competing at the venue in preparation for the event.

Jumper Highlights

The $10,000 High Junior/Amateur Owner Classic was topped by Elisa Uribe Gutierrez of Madellin, FL, and her own Havana De La Lande with a jump-off time of 40.505 seconds. Daniela Stransky of Wellington, FL, and Wauw, owned by the Stransky’s Mission Farm Inc., earned the second place position with a time of 43.691 seconds, while Nicole Bellissimo of Wellington, FL, and VDL Bellefleur, owned by Bellissimo LLC, rounded out the top three with a time of 42.667.

The $5,000 Medium Junior/Amateur Owner Classic was won by Daniel Rihan Jr. of Mexico City, Mexico, aboard his own Deperado after stopping the jump-off timers in 38.626 seconds. Jamie Buis of Wellington, FL, and Bull Run’s Revelation, owned by Bull Run Jumpers, Inc., received the red rosette, following behind with a close time of 38.669 seconds. Lacey Gilbertson of Lake Forest, IL, and Echo D, owned by Seabrook LLC, earned the third place with a time of 38.851 seconds.

The $3,000 Low Junior Jumper Classic was dominated by Katherine Benard of Cumberland Foreside, ME, aboard her own entry Dominicus B with a jump-off time of 38.504 seconds. Victoria Zelch of Novelty, OH, aboard Sniper, owned by Musical Woods, LLC, earned themselves the red rosette with a time of 35.450 seconds and adding four faults to their efforts. Daniel Rihan Jr of Mexico City, Mexico, and his own Chousa Shoz finished in third with a time of 37.037 seconds, also adding four faults to their final score.

The $3,000 Low Amateur Owner Jumper Classic was won by Catherine Wachtell of Long Valley, NJ, aboard Elarina, owned by The Coverboy Group, with a jump-off time of 39.901 seconds. Mackenzie McGehee of Jacksonville, FL, and her own Pegasus took home second place honors with a time of 40.577 second, while Sarah Kerins of Wellington, FL, and Conero, owned by Darragh Kerins, were presented with third place after finishing the short course with a time of 42.109 seconds.

Hunter Highlights

Daniel Geitner of Aiken, SC, and Eleventh Hour, owned by Brenda Mackay, rode to victory in the $1,000 USHJA Pre-Green Incentive with a score of 87. Geitner also took second place aboard Willow, owned by Andrea Guzinski after receiving an 82. David Beisel of Goshen, OH, guided The Girl From Ipanema, owned by Caron Stucky, to third place with a score of 78.

The Amateur Owner Hunter 3’3″ Combined Divisions saw Suzanna Treske of Waxhaw, NC, and her own Cabalina take championship honors in the division ahead of Emily Jones of Jacksonville, FL, and her own Game Boy, who collected reserve champion.

Sally Kay of Charlotte, NC, and her own Autonomous earned divisional champion honors in the Adult Amateur Hunter 36+ Division, while Page Tredennick of Wellington, FL, and her own Hidden Lane finished with reserve.

Jennifer Hannan of Wakefield, RI, and Ocean Mist, owned by Jennifer Smith, earned top honors in the Performance Hunter 3’3″ Division, while Daniel Geitner of Aiken, SC, and Three Olives, owned by Anna Sharp, secured the division’s reserve champion accolades.

The Medium Pony Hunter Division saw Savannah Welch of Elon, NC, and her own Mapleside Magic Wish finish atop the division after a week of top performances, while Sally Ives of Durham, NC, and her own Sequin, finished with the reserve champion title.

Elly Ficca of Charlotte, NC, and her own Quatrain finished atop the leaderboard in the Junior Hunter 3’3″ Division, while Caroline Holland, also from Charlotte, NC, and Toulouse, owned by Coleman Holland, followed behind in reserve.

The Green Hunter 3’3″ Division saw Tommy Serio of Aberdeen, NC, and Christoph take champion honors, while Meagan Bennett of Apex, NC, and Bender, owned by Rebecca Ives, secured reserve champion.

Click here to view full results of $35,000 Tryon 1.50m Challenge CSI 4*.

Competition at TIEC continues this week with Tryon Summer III, beginning Wednesday, 14, and continuing through Sunday, June 18. For more information on TIEC, please visit www.tryon.com.

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