Competition at Tryon Spring 3 (April 30-May 3), the third installment of the inaugural eight week spring series at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), concluded yesterday after a strong week of hunter and jumper competition. The Tryon Spring Series continues this week with Tryon Spring 4 beginning Thursday, May 7, and concluding Sunday, May 10. The final week of the Tryon Spring Series will be held from June 4-7 before the Tryon Summer Series begins on June 25. Candice King of Wellington, FL, and Bellissimo LLC's Bugatti VDL put in a speedy round to take the victory in the Tryon Spring 3 $25,000 Grand Prix at TIEC, finishing nearly two seconds faster than the rest of the competition in the jump-off. Benjamin Rosichan of Tryon, NC, and Gandor De Walput finished second in 39.717 seconds while Kristen Vanderveen of St. Charles, IL, aboard Bull Run's Testify placed third in 40.291 seconds. King and Bugatti VDL finished their first round clean in 79.531 seconds, moving them forward to the five-horse jump-off, where they sealed the win with a fast and clean ride. The nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion (Silverstone x Uzamieka VDL) made easy work of the Pierre Jolicoeur designed course, producing one of four double clear rounds. "I just started competing him and we thought this would be a great class for him to do because the footing is absolutely perfect here and we want to get him feeling comfortable at the level. Pierre [Jolicoeur] did a great job designing the course," said King. "Right now I'm getting to know him and we're starting to get our partnership going, but I'm just thrilled with how he handled everything." The jump-off course proved to be challenging for the riders, with several tight inside turns needed to finish competitively in the class. King rode fourth in the line-up and was thrilled with the effort Bugatti VDL gave her "There were a few difficult turns in the course and I'm still building a relationship with him so I figured it was a good opportunity to really go for the win and learn on him," she said. "He just has a great mind and he's so scopey and talented. Everything he does, he just wants to please you, which is great. We're starting to get that mileage together and he was with me the entire time." The duo will compete again this coming week during the Tryon Spring 4 competition before setting their sights on the FEI CSI 3* to follow later in the month at TIEC. "I really am looking forward to being here in Tryon for majority of the summer. This venue is the perfect place to develop young horses and young Grand Prix talent, and it is just an incredible place to stay. I'm so thankful to the Bellissimo's for their continued support and all they have done to make this a truly world-class venue for our sport," King expressed.
