Mill Spring, North Carolina, USA – October 26, 2023 – With fifty competitors vying for victory at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (Tryon International), Cathleen Driscoll (USA) and Idalgo (Catoki x Quidam’s Olga M) claimed the win in Tryon Fall 6’s $39,000 ProElite Welcome Stake CSI 2*. Driscoll and Idalgo recorded a winning time of 41.83 seconds in the jump off.

“It was a good course for the 2*. I thought it was built well for the level of horses and riders,” Driscoll said of the track designed by Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA). 

“[Idalgo] is a new ride for me, so I’m still figuring him out a little bit. He’s scopey and he’s careful, and I thought it was a good track for him, especially in the jump off,” Driscoll said of the Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Sher Al Farm, the partnership of Alan Kessler and Don Stewart.

Kristen VanderVeen (USA) claimed the remaining podium spots, marking a time of 42.54 seconds to take reserve honors with Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili (Berlin x Darco), her own 2005 Belgian Warmblood stallion.

VanderVeen also took third aboard Bull Run’s Jireh (Uriko x Colman), Bull Run Jumpers Inc’s 2014 Holsteiner gelding, with a time of 42.78 seconds. 

Driscoll explained that her mount’s ground-covering step was key to making a speedy jump off time. “He’s a bit of a slower goer, but has a big stride, so there were a couple places where I could really let him open up and gallop and use that stride to my advantage. I think I was the only one that was able to get six strides down the last line in the jump off. That’s where I was able to make up a little bit of time.”

Idalgo and Driscoll will be competing in the final Saturday Night Lights Grand Prix of the fall series, taking the momentum of their Welcome Stake win into the weekend. “It was a good class for me, and a good class for him, and I think it sets him up well for the Grand Prix on Saturday,” she recapped.

Driscoll and her team have spent the past few weeks enjoying all the Tryon fall series has to offer. “This is our third week now [at Tryon]. We try to come here in the fall when our schedule allows it. It’s a lovely venue, I really appreciate that they do the night class on Saturday,” she emphasized.

“They get a great turnout from the local crowd! It’s a really fun environment, and not very many shows do night classes anymore. This is one of the few shows where you can get in under the lights. Especially to have a 2*, where you can bring up young horses and students, it’s a great opportunity for us. We’ve had a wonderful time here, our horses have all jumped fantastic. It’s definitely been productive for us, and I’m glad we came!”

Final Results –$39,000 ProElite Welcome Stake CSI 2*

1) Cathleen Driscoll (USA) & Idalgo – 0 / 0 – 41.83

2) Kristen Vanderveen (USA) & Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili – 0 / 0 – 42.54

3) Kristen Vanderveen (USA) & Bull Run’s Jireh – 0 / 0 – 42.78

Source: Press Release by Rette Solomon for Tryon International

Photos: © TIEC / Natalie Suto Photography / Sarah Sturgis / Karli Dannewitz

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