Daniel Bedoya (Magnolia, TX) capped off a successful 12 weeks at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) with a win in the $30,000 Sunday Jumper Classic aboard Abracadabra WKT, stopping the short-course timers in 35.111 seconds after also finishing third in Friday’s $15,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake. Taking second, Alberto Michan (Wellington, FL) guided Cosa Nostra to a time of 35.358 seconds with the 2010 Oldenburg mare (Conthargos x Quintender) owned in partnership with Daniel Michan Halbinger. Third place honors went to Doug Payne (Aiken, SC) and Quintessence, the 2011 Holsteiner gelding (Unknown x Unknown) owned by Jane Dudinsky, clearing the short course in 36.156 seconds.
The class saw 38 entries test the first round, with seven pairs advancing to the Skip Bailey (Loxahatchee, FL) course design. Bedoya and the 2008 Holsteiner mare (Casall x Romino) owned by Monica Hanks were first to go in the jump-off, and “sometimes, going first is a good thing,” Bedoya said. “You don’t see anybody, so you just ride what comes up and do your plan. Then, everybody has the pressure to catch you. Sometimes it works!"