“The goal with both of them was to have a solid and clear first round so that we could get more competitive in the jump-off,” explained Alexander.
Alexander has formed a strong partnership with the 2006 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Wandor van de Mispelaere x Lys De Darmen) owned by Alexander LLC, and the pair have dominated the Under 25 classes at Tryon so far this season, taking top honors in last week’s $10,000 Under 25 Welcome and finishing second in the $25,000 Under 25 Grand Prix.
“He’s really a super easy horse in the barn, which is really nice. In the ring, I am really confident on him. I always know that he’s going to be really careful so I can always test him a bit in the jump-off,” she elaborated. “I got him at the end of March. Nick [Skelton] was riding him at the end of WEF in the 1.40m and 1.45m classes. We worked a lot on our partnership throughout the summer.”
Both of Alexander’s horses have performed well at TIEC and she feels the experience they’ve gained will be valuable looking towards the end of the season, as well as the approaching winter circuit.
“I’ve had Ryan a bit longer. I started riding him in December so I’ve had longer to get to know him and it’s really starting to come along recently,” explained Alexander. “He’s pretty quick too so that’s what I’ve been trying to focus on with him.”
Riding a gutsy jump-off round, Alexander sealed the win with a first class performance aboard Gipsy King. Commenting on her intense strategy for the second round track, Alexander stated, “I feel like we’ve really capitalized on these past two weeks and I’m really looking forward to riding in the class on Sunday.”