Candice King of Wellington, FL, and Valinski S brought home another victory at Tryon Spring 6 for Wyndmont, Inc. and trainer Ronnie Beard, this time topping the $75,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix under the lights in George H. Morris Stadium at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC). King and Angel Karolyi (VEN) were the only two riders to advance to the jump-off, going head to head for the victory. Tryon Spring 6 concludes tomorrow May 24, and the Tryon Spring Series will continue through June 7.
King and Valinksi S made headlines with their previous win this past week in the $25,000 Suncast® 1.45m Welcome Stake, only the third time King had sat on the 2002 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Nijinski x Rockina. The win today marks their fourth class together and the pair hasn't placed outside of the top ten in their partnership thus far. The duo finished their first trip in 79.68 seconds and completed the jump-off in 50.705 to take the victory.
"I'm so thrilled with him. He's been absolutely great. This is another great step in the partnership we're creating with him," said King. "We've got to discuss where we want to go but we do have plans for the next few weeks with him."
The course designed by Florencio Hernandez (MEX) proved difficult for most riders as only two of 28 entries moved forward to the jump-off. The time allowed was adjusted to 82 seconds after the first three trips of the class, which challenged riders even more.
Several fences proved tough for riders, most notably 10B, the second element in a tight one-strided line. The combination was the biggest test on course for riders and it drew significant attention during the course walk.
"There were a few combinations that I knew were going to be really tough. Fence 4, the plank fence, to the big oxer at Fence 5 caught a few and then also Fence 9 out of the corner because it was right towards the in gate and gave them a chance to bulge," explained King. "I knew though that 10AB was the biggest question on the course and for me when I walked with some of my students and friends I said you have to line that up and get extremely straight and help your horses out because it was quite wide. It walked a little easy and then it was quite wide out."
King was thrilled with her two rounds aboard Valinski S, as he was attentive and focused throughout the night in a large and intense atmosphere. The duo went first in the jump-off, putting the pressure on Karolyi and Raylyn Farm's Venus, who ultimately dropped a rail to finish second. As for their future together, it is still undecided but the duo will contest the FEI CSI3* competition next week at Tryon Spring 7 and the CSI4* competition at Tryon Spring 8.
