Mill Spring, North Carolina, USA – October 20, 2021 – Tanner Korotkin (USA) went two-for-two in FEI competition at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (TIEC), topping the $37,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3* with Volo’s Diamond
Fifteen horse-and-rider pairs qualified for the jump-off track from 59 pairs who challenged the first round set by course designer Olaf Petersen, Jr. (GER). Korotkin and the 2011 Oldenburg gelding (Stakkatol x Baloubet du Rouet) owned by Sandalwood Farms were first to go, and Korotkin knew he had an all-star lineup of fast competitors to follow behind him. The American put the pedal to the medal, registering the winning time of 37.957 seconds in the jump off.
Karl Cook (USA) and Coachella 4, the 2012 Oldenburg mare (Christian 25 x Last Liberty 2) owned by Signe Ostby, cleared the short course in a time of 38.772 seconds for reserve honors.
Rowan Willis (AUS) guided Wellington Grey Goose, his own 2011 mare of unknown breeding, to a time of 38.786 seconds for third place.
“I knew there were a lot of good riders behind me, like Karl [Cook], Rowan [Willis], and McLain [Ward] and many others. I knew I had to be quick, and I was planning on doing nine strides from the first fence to the second, but I got swung out a bit and ended up doing the ten. I was still quick enough everywhere else!”
Korotkin earned his first career FEI win in Wednesday’s $37,000 Power & Speed Stake CSI 3*, making Thursday’s $37,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3* doubly sweet. “Today’s course was a bit bigger for a 3*,” Korotkin assessed. “There were a ton of very good riders in this class, and my horse jumped absolutely incredibly today. It was a big enough track – maybe a little easier of a course, but a tougher competition than last week – it was very tough!”
Newly-paired with Volo’s Diamond, Korotkin is eager to compete in more international competitions and build on the experiences gained in recent weeks. He continued:
“I don’t have too much jump-off experience with that guy, so I’m absolutely thrilled that we were able to keep up the pace.” Korotkin figures that pace had the most to do with his win, he reflected. “I think overall, it was very, very close. Karl was right behind me. I might’ve had it at the third to last jump, the oxer, and back to that vertical is where I would say I got it.
Final Results – $37,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome CSI 3*
1) Tanner Korotkin (USA) & Volo’s Diamond– 0 / 0 – 37.957
2) Karl Cook (USA) & Cochella 4 – 0 / 0 – 38.772
3) Rowan Willis (AUS) & Wellington Grey Goose – 0 / 0 – 38.786
Source: Press Release by Sarah Madden for TIEC – Tryon International Equestrian Center
Photos: © TIEC / Natalie Suto
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