Marilyn Little and Clearwater scooped up a win in the $35,000 1.50m Welcome Stake CSI 3* to officially open FEI Tryon Summer IV competition at Tryon International Equestrian Center last week, sweeping through the short-course timers in 31.617 seconds.

Aaron Vale and Major, a 2007 Danish Warmblood gelding, claimed second place after clearing the jump-off in 32.701 seconds, while Samuel Parot and Thriller P, a 2004 Swedish Warmblood stallion, finished third on a fast, four-fault round of 31.416 seconds.

A total of 39 entries contested the first-round track set by Alan Wade, with seven pairs welcomed back for the short test. After watching both Parot and Vale’s performances, Little and the 2007 Holsteiner gelding, put in a quick and clean round that could not be beat. 

“It’s always exciting to ride one of Alan’s courses,” said Little of the competitive class. “He does an incredible job and they’re always extremely technical and challenging. I think he usually evaluates the field that he has very well. Today’s was a well-planned course and there were not too many clear. It’s a step up for the 3* week, which was nice and it was a lot of fun.”

Earlier in the week, the $5,000 1.40m Power & Speed Stake CSI 3* congratulated Javier Fernandez and End Good All Good, a 2009 Dutch Warmblood gelding, for their victory, stopping the short-course timers in 29.316 seconds to best the field of 32. 

Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Almighty, a 2008 Hanoverian gelding slid into second place after their 29.569-second jump-off performance, while third place honors went to Mattias Tromp and the 2009 Dutch Warmblood mare Eyecatcher after they completed the short-course in 30.964 seconds.

For full results of the events, people may visit tryon.coth.com.

– Submitted by Tryon International Equestrian Center