MILL SPRING, N.C. --Boyd Martin of Cochranville, Pa., on Wabanaki won the Advanced A Division at the Tryon Fall Horse Trials at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort with a final score of 47.3.
Sitting fourth after the Dressage and Show Jumping phases, Martin stepped up to the occasion and put in the fastest Cross-Country round of the day to add only 7.2 time penalties and take the win.
Wrapping up her weekend in second place with a final score of 51.1 was Lillian Heard of Cochranville, Pa., on Dasset Olympus, and in third was Lucienne Bellissimo of Wellington, Fla., on Atlantic Vital Spark, with a score of 51.6.
Martin began on top after a Dressage test that earned a score of 32.1.
“It’s his third crack at the level." said Martin. "He was absolutely fantastic for where he is in his training. He still needs to grow, learn and get more seasoned. Tryon put on a spectacular event. Obviously, it was a difficult and tough competition, but it was a great learning experience for the young ones.”
“There were a lot of difficult combinations followed by easier fences," said Martin of the cross country course. "It was good for the young ones to have a tough question and then nice and easy ones to keep them confident.
AFTER THE Jumping phase, Will Faudree on PFun held the lead before withdrawing from the competition.
“I’m using this event for a little prep for these two horses, since they’re both headed to the Maryland 5*. PFun had a little minor setback this spring, but he’s back in really good form, and I was happy with him in both phases,” Faudree said. “Mason [Mama’s Magic Way] is a little wild, but he stepped up. Parts of his tests were excellent, and it’s a work in progress, since he’s still very young. He’s just 10, but he’s a very young ten!
Tim Bourke pf Berryville, Va., on Quality Obsession won the Open Intermediate Division with a final score of 31.8 and also placed second with his second mount, Monbeg Libertine,with a final score of 37.3.
Third went to Martin on Federman B.