Traverse City, Michigan, USA – September 15, 2024 – Kristen Vanderveen (USA) tackled a challenging track in the Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel International Ring during the second week of the Traverse City Tournament of Champions. She secured the win in the $40,000 Grand Prix CSI 2* aboard Bull Run’s Ruah. 

From a field of 41 combinations over Alan Wade’s (IRL) final two-star track of the week, Vanderveen is no stranger to the winner’s circle at Traverse City Horse Shows. This time, she piloted her eight-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Caracho x Quintero). 

“This is his first two-star ever so he’s starting off with a bang here,” Vanderveen laughed. “He’s a little unique and has a bit of his own style technique but he’s brave and he’s careful, and even though he’s a big boy he’s quick enough. He has really only done basic classes where there aren’t as many questions, so today he felt like a real adult.” 

Ruah is one of many in Vanderveen’s current successful string, which she credits to careful selection based on character. 

“I try to look at their character when I’m buying,” she detailed. “For me, I am always looking for something brave and willing versus overly sharp because they seem like the ones that want to learn, and once they learn they are always careful enough. I do some wild things in the jump-off so, they have to be all-in with me and then we figure it out together.”

An inspiring all-female podium, Canada Olympian and no. one female rider in the world, Erynn Ballard (CAN) came the closest to catching Vanderveen with Ilan Ferder’s Mullentine Shalom. Fresh off her return from the 2024 Paris Olympics and wasting no time back on U.S. soil, she and the 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare (Untouchable x Dollar du Murier) clocked in a mere .06 seconds off Vanderveen’s pace to land in 37.20 seconds.

FEI World Cup™ veteran Beezie Madden (USA) rounded out the victory gallop with a double-clear effort in 37.26 seconds aboard Abigail Wexner’s nine-year-old Oldenburg mare, Nairobi (Casallco x Landadel). 

Final Results – $40,000 Grand Prix of Traverse City CSI 2*

1) Kristen Vanderveen (USA) & Bull Run’s Ruah – 0 / 0 – 37.14

2) Erynn Ballard (CAN) & Mullentine Shalom – 0 / 0 – 37.20

3) Elizabeth Madden (USA) & Nairobi – 0 / 0 – 37.26

Source: Press Release from Traverse City Horse Shows

Photos: © TCHS / Andrew Ryback Photography / Megan Giese Photography

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