Mill Spring, North Carolina, USA – October 7, 2023 – Recording a jump off time of 33.37 seconds, the $78,000 Nutrena Grand Prix CSI 2* win was collected by Aaron Vale (USA) and Elusive (Rodrigo x Capfuncino), the 2009 Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Thinks Like A Horse. Stopping the jump off timers at 34.11 seconds to take reserve honors was Sharn Wordley (NZL) and Della Wordley’s 2008 Hanoverian gelding, Mick Jagger (Chacco Blue x Acentora). Rounding out the podium with a 34.28 second jump off round was Luiz Francisco de Azevedo (BRA) and HFG Quaman (Diamant De Semilly x Quidam’s Rubin), the 2013 BH gelding owned by Santa Cecilia Stables. 

Elusive and Aaron Vale (USA) have enjoyed a long and highly successful partnership. “Elusive is fourteen, we bought him as a six-year-old,” Vale detailed. “Over the years, he was second in the six-year-old finals, he won the seven-year-old finals, I won a couple small national Grands Prix when he was eight, and my wife showed him when he was nine and ten.”

“He’s not the biggest horse, and he doesn’t have the most ability, but he’s got a real big heart,” Vale said in praise of the Dutch Warmblood gelding. “We haven’t been to Tryon in a couple years, but the last time we were here, he won the 3* Grand Prix. He’s just been an unbelievable horse for us.” 

With fifteen clear rounds presented by Stuller Power Solutions making it back to the jump off after a forty-four entry preliminary round, Vale prioritized studying other competitors’ rounds. “I went towards the end, and I got to watch everyone go. I saw Sharn [Wordley] put in a really fast round, amongst some other people. My horse being smaller, he has to go faster to make the same amount of strides [to each jump],” he explained.

With a jump off course consisting of sharp turns across Tryon Stadium, competitors were challenged to be adjustable and precise. “It was a bit on the edge of the rope going to the oxer across the middle, but to win, those are the chances you have to take. [Elusive] put in a good effort.” 

Elusive has been a trusted partner for the entire Vale family. “In another year or two, my daughter will take him over to get into the horse classes. He nearly has a place in the house with us. He can come on the couch if he wants to!” Vale shared. 

Vale shared that the secret to Elusive’s enduring success is simple. “We’re just nice to him, and he’s nice to us! He lives at home [with two other horses], and they go in a pretty good size field together. He’s got buddies at home.” 

Final Results – $78,000 Nutrena Grand Prix CSI 2*

1) Aaron Vale (USA) & Elusive – 0 / 0 – 33.37

2) Sharn Wordley (NZL) & Mick Jagger – 0 / 0 – 34.11

3) Luiz Francisco de Azevedo (BRA) & HFG Quaman – 0 / 0 – 34.28

Source: Press Release by Leyla Caynak and Rette Solomon for Tryon International 

Photos: © TIEC / Natalie Suto Photography / Sarah Sturgis

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