Julio Mendoza Loor and Jewel’s Goldstrike Make it Two for Two in the FEI Grand Prix During Tryon Dressage Fall 1&2

For Immediate Release

Lily Yampolsky for TIEC 

Mill Spring, NC – September 18, 2022 – Jovanna Stepan (Wellington, FL) and longtime mount Fuerstin Romantica took the lead in the open section of FEI Intermediate I during Tryon Fall Dressage 1, as well as in the open section of the FEI Intermediate II during Tryon Fall Dressage 2, with scores of 71.176% and 69.118% respectively. In the Intermediate I at Tryon Fall Dressage 1, Trayce Doubek (Tryon, NC) and her own 2010 Rheinlander gelding Lisandro (Lord Loxley x Andina) took second in the open section, with a score of 60.50%.

Jovanna Stepan and Fuerstin Romantica
©Sharon Packer Photography

Stepan and her own 2009 Hanoverian mare Fuerstin Romantica (Furst Romancier x Salome) have been a partnership since the beginning of the mare’s career:

“I have had her since she was four and a half and unbroken. She’s my heart horse. It has been quite a journey because she’s really an athlete. A horse that athletic comes with challenges that a lot of other horses don’t have. She’s taken a little bit more time than most because of her level of athleticism. She’s a very strong character in a workaholic way, but you have to be delicate. It’s like driving a Ferrari, right? You don’t want to crash it. So, she’s really been a fun journey. She’s a very reliable competitor. She always steps up for the game and you can pretty much count on her in the ring every time.”

Jovanna Stepan and Fuerstin Romantica
©Sharon Packer Photography

Stepan is no stranger to TIEC, having competed at many Dressage competitions hosted at the venue:

“I love going to [TIEC] because I think it’s really special in that not every day do you get to ride at the venue where they hosted the [FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018] and know that so many amazing horses and rider combinations have competed on that soil. I find that very inspiring, and just like that whole vibe. I love the big arenas, the footing is great so I can always count on that, and the barns are very horse-friendly and safe. Of course, that’s a big deal to us as well.”

 Julio Mendoza Loor and Jewel’s Goldstrike Make it Two for Two in the FEI Grand Prix During Tryon Dressage Fall 1&2

In the open section of the FEI Grand Prix, Julio Mendoza Loor (Columbus, NC) took the win on both days of Tryon Fall Dressage 1&2 aboard his own 2011 Dutch Warmblood gelding Jewel’s Goldstrike (Bretton Woods x Zilia) with scores of 77.609% and 76.739% respectively. During both Fall 1&2, Hailey Marie Seals (Blaine, TN) and her own 2011 Warmblood gelding Maximus (Sword x Morgenrot) took second-place honors with scores of 56.739% and 61.848%. In third both days was Danielle Perry (Canton, GA) and her own 2003 Hanoverian gelding Wincenzo (Worldy x Arani) with scores of 56.196% and 59.348%. 

Julio Mendoza Loor and Jewel’s Goldstrike
©Sharon Packer Photography

For full results from Tryon Fall Dressage  1, click here.

For full results from Tryon Fall Dressage  2, click here.

Photos ©Sharon Packer Photography. These photos may only be used once, in relation to this press release. Competitors may view and request photos at www.Tryon.com/photos. With questions, contact media@tryon.com.