November 15, 2021 – Mill Spring, North Carolina – Tik Maynard won the CCI2*-L division at the Tryon International Three-Day Event held from November 10 to 14, 2021, in Mill Spring, NC.

The annual event attracted large numbers, including many Canadians, across the five international divisions offered.  In the CCI2*-L division, Maynard, who is originally from Vancouver, BC, and now based in Ocala, FL, led from start to finish to beat out 78 other entries for the win.  In Friday’s opening dressage phase, Maynard posted an impressive score of 21.4 penalty points riding Galileo, a 10-year-old black Dutch Warmblood gelding (San Remo x Rousseau).  During Saturday’s cross-country phase, the pair cruised home after jumping clear to easily make the optimum time of seven minutes, 26 seconds.  During Sunday’s show jumping phase, Maynard erred on the side of caution, exceeding the time allowed by one second to secure victory with a final score of 21.8.

“My whole family was here, and it felt like the biggest team effort,” said Maynard who operates Copperline Farm with his wife, U.S. eventing athlete Sinead Halpin.  “Everything came together at the right moment.  I feel so lucky and so happy about it.”

In addition to winning with Galileo, Maynard also rode SKM Lux Sonata in the CCI2*-L division.  After scoring 34.5 penalty points in dressage to tie for 41st position, the pair were clear on cross-county and in show jumping to move up to 18th place in the final standings.

“Having two horses gave me an opportunity to practice cross-country and stadium,” said Maynard.  “On cross-country, both horses felt tired at the end.  There was a big hill with the last four fences to finish.  I was a little worried that they were going to be tired going into show jumping but I can’t believe how well they both jumped and how hard they tried for me.”

Galileo originally came to Maynard three years ago after proving to be too difficult for his previous owner.  The horse was intended for his father, Rick, who competed in eventing well into his 70s and, at age 78, continues to ride and teach every day in Vancouver, BC.

“His first couple of events were with my dad,” said Maynard of Galileo’s competition history.  “When COVID hit, I took over the ride and he’s become my horse.  Along with my mom, my dad has always been my coach growing up, so it feels like he’s our horse together now.  Galileo has always been a fantastic mover and he’s so athletic and tries so hard for me.  He does get nervous easily, so my biggest challenge is to keep him relaxed and confident and happy.

“Going into show jumping, I knew I had at least three points in hand over Liz Halliday-Sharp, so I wasn’t thinking about time at all; I was just trying to leave all the rails up,” continued Maynard.  “I was in a similar position last year in the two-star long at Tryon and I had the last fence down and dropped a few placings and Liz won.  This year, it was the reverse.”

Maynard has been working with U.S. eventing legend Karen O’Connor for the past year and a half in a unique situation that is proving beneficial for both parties.  Maynard has been starting young horses for O’Connor and her husband, David O’Connor, in exchange for Karen O’Connor giving him lessons with his higher-level horses.

Another Canadian scoring a top 10 finish in the CCI2*-L division was Shelby Brost, 23, originally from Vernon, BC.  Riding RHF Peterzano, her nine-year-old Hanoverian gelding, Brost finished the weekend on her dressage score of 30.3 penalty points to take eighth place.

Waylon Roberts, currently based in West Grove, PA, also finished on his dressage score of 32.1 to finish 11th in the final standings riding CS Carrera.  He did the same thing with his second mount, OKE Ruby R, to finish in 19th place on his dressage score of 34.6.

Jessica Phoenix of Cannington, ON, also had two horses finish the CCI2*-L division with sub-40 scores.  Riding Classicals Smartie Pants, Phoenix added nothing to her dressage score of 34.4 to place 16th overall while Serengeti added nothing to his score of 37.7 in the opening phase to finish in 27th place overall.

 

Top Three Finish for Kendal Lehari

In the CCI3*-L division, Kendal Lehari of Uxbridge, ON, led the Canadian charge, finishing on her dressage score of 31 penalty points to place third overall in the 37-horse starting field.  Riding Audacious, her eight-year-old grey Canadian Sport Horse gelding sired by Iron Man, Lehari produced a textbook effort during Saturday’s cross-country phase, crossing the finish line under the optimum time of eight minutes and 33 seconds with one second to spare.  In Sunday’s final show jumping phase, the pair again jumped clear to finish third overall.

“Everything was the best it could be,” said Lehari of the three phases of competition.  “The dressage was very consistent; he went out and did what he can do at this point in his training.  On cross-country, he was a machine!  He ate it up and made it feel easy.  Mark Phillips designed a big, bold course which worked well for him.

“Show jumping is his best phase,” continued Lehari, who was competing at Tryon for the first time after spectating when the venue hosted the 2018 World Equestrian Games.  “I thought he would be tired after cross-country, but he was quite wild so maybe I have him too fit!  He jumped great and still had lots of go at the end.  He thinks he’s a big deal, which he definitely is!”

Lehari has been riding Audacious since backing him as a three-year-old.  Her mother’s friend from high school had gotten in touch about having Lehari take on some of her horses to train and sell.  While Lehari initially tried to market Audacious, she bought him for herself after working out a payment plan with the breeder, Carolyn Baird.  Lehari also competes another horse bred by Baird, Iron Lorde, at the two-star level.

“Sadly, the breeder passed away a few years ago and didn’t get to see her homebreds get to this point,” said Lehari.  Of Audacious specifically, Lehari noted, “If you look up ‘audacious’ in the dictionary, the definition suits him 110 percent.  He is very vocal, and he jumps in and out of paddocks.  You turn him out and he’ll look at you and then go jump the fence.  We have a lot of high fencing to try to contain him.  He is sweet to be around and loves Krispy Kreme donuts as a treat.  He won’t eat any other brand, just Krispy Kreme.  He’s quite a character!

“He’s only eight and an exciting horse for the future,” continued Lehari, who has approximately 20 horses in training at Lehari Eventing in Uxbridge, ON.  “He’ll continue to grow into himself and learn his job, and hopefully he’ll be a team horse for me in the future.  I have a huge support team; it takes a village.  Thank you to everyone!”

Phoenix finished 11th and 16th in the CCI3*-L division riding Freedom GS and Isla GS, both owned by Charlotte Schickedanz, with scores of 39.9 and 42.5 penalty points respectively.  Her student, Hanna Bundy of Toronto, ON, earned a final score of 44.3 penalty points for 17th position in the final standings riding Lovely Assistant for owner Juliana Hansen.

Lehari also acted as chef d’equipe of the Canadian team in the CCI2*-L division of the inaugural Adequan®/USEF Eventing Youth Team Challenge – East Coast Final for athletes aged 25 and under.  Comprised of Chelsea Lowe riding Don’t Blink, Nicole Reynolds riding One In A Million, and Makayla Rydzik aboard Fluorescent Adolescent, the Canadian team finished fifth overall.

“I’ve been very impressed with these young riders,” said Lehari, noting that all the Canadian team members were under 21 years of age.  “Regardless of what kind of day they had, they have all been great.  It is everyone’s first time riding on a team, and this will be great experience for them in the future.”

For more information on the Tryon International Three-Day Event, visit https://tryon.com/page/eventing-at-tryon-resort.