Tryon, NC—June 18, 2007—While others are taking a break from showing, the Aiken, SC based DFG Stables and Finally Farm of Camden, SC teams took the 79th Annual Tryon Riding and Hunt Club event by storm with multiple Championships in both hunter and jumper divisions.
Two of the biggest victories included Daniel Geitner, of DFG Stables, paired with the Kyle Register owned Trading Places taking top honors in the EMO Insurance sponsored Grand Prix and Finally Farm’s Elizabeth Towell Boyd with Jennifer Smith’s At First Glance win in the White Oak Open Hunter Classic.
“It’s been a very good week here for all of us,” said Geitner of his time in Tryon. “The Grand Prix was my personal highlight, probably the best both horses [Trading Places and Sympa] have been this year.” Daniel began the week with a 1-2-3 finish in Thursday evening’s Michel Vaillancourt designed Welcome Stake, finishing first with the 9 year-old German bred Palermo owned by Mr. and Mrs. Rex Marquette of Ocala, FL then 2nd on 8 year old Argentine bred Trading Places, and 3rd with the 8 year old Rheinlander mare Sympa owned by Mrs. Charles Bostwick. An apparent fine tuning for the main event on Saturday evening as Geitner’s two entries [Trading Places and Sympa] again went 1-2 in the $15,000 EMO Grand Prix.“We’ve had a couple of close seconds, thirds, and such lately so they were due to win some,” added Geitner with a smile. “All three give their best everytime.” Sympa’s owner Mrs. Charles Bostwick commented of their 2nd place finish, “She’s not an easy ride, but Daniel has brought her along so beautifully. We’re very pleased with her progress.”
And the Grand Prix wasn’t Geitner’s only win this week. He was also the blue ribbon victor in the Young Hunter Championship divisions aboard Harrison (owned by Mary Guynn) and in the Green Working Hunters divisions with Bellagio (owned by Katie Jarriel), as well as 2nd place in the $5000 White Oak Open Hunter Classic with Colorado (owned by Mr. And Mrs. Rex Marquette), and in the $5000 Gamblers Choice Open Jumper class took 2nd place with Snook (owned by Sara Stumberg) as well as 5th aboard Fargo (owned by Rex Marquette). Geitner and Trading Places were also presented with the Agedorn Perpetual Trophy for top Grand Prix horse.
Geitner noted that DFG Stables clients also had a winning week in Tryon. Tara Gail Bostwick was 4th aboard her horse Libertas in the White Oak Open Hunter Classic and the pair were Reserve Champion in Large Junior Hunters division. And in the Adult Amateur Hunters Jennifer Gamboa with her mount How Now were Reserve Champions while husband Dr. Juan Gamboa and Kodak Moment were the Level 5 Jumper Champions.
In addition to DFG Stables, the Tryon event yielded favorable results for Towell Family and clientele of the Camden, SC based Finally Farm. Being one of the busiest riders at the show Elizabeth “Liza” Towell Boyd found herself in the top ribbons on a daily basis. Kicking off with a big win in the popular $5000 Gamblers Choice Jumper Stakes provided by Ken Feagin aboard the Paxton Mendelssohn owned 8-year-old German bred Noble Carthago. “He’s young but has tremendous potential.” Liza said of the new ride, who also finished a strong 8th in their first Grand Prix showing. The pair went double clean but had 4 time faults. From there she continued racking up Championships; in the Regular Working Hunter division aboard Brunello (owned by Caroline C Morrison), Pre Green 3’ Hunters with Enticer (owned by Helen Scot Milner), Morris Schooling Hunter with Daybreak (owned by Jennifer Smith), and the Pre Green Hunter3’3 division riding Jennifer Smith’s At First Glance. And speaking of At First Glance, this pair went on to win the $5000 White Oak Open Hunter Classic scoring a combined two round total of 174. She also rode the Helen Scot Milner owned Enticer to a 3rd place win in the Hunter Classic. Liza placed in the top ten of each class she competed in and was presented with first annual Barbara Jimenez Memorial Trophy for her performance in the Hunter Classic. A memorable moment as Barbara was not only a regular competitor at the Tryon event but a dear friend to all, show chairman Martha Hall commented how appropriate it is for Liza to be the first recipient as like Barbara, “she serves as a reminder to us of the gracious competitor we all strive to be.”
Not to be out done, brother Jack Hardin Towell, Jr found his way to the top ten of his entries as well. Finishing 7th in the Gamblers Choice Open Jumper with his own 14 year-old gelding Eventual as well as an 8th place riding new mount 6-year-old Baldato Van’t Merelsnest for owners Millstream, Inc and Mrs. Janet Peterson. “He’s a really nice ride” Hardin said of the young Baldato, “I’ve no doubt he’s going to do great things in the future.” For the Welcome Stake Hardin rode the Millstream-Peterson entry as well as his and co-owner Neil Sites’ Iago Du Quesnoy. Iago had just given Towell his first professional Grand Prix victory last month at the Atlanta Spring Premiere event. “The jump off was tough with some hard turns. I think with my chestnut [Iago] if I hadn’t gone first and could have watched a couple then I probably wouldn’t have made that inside turn to fence 3 (causing the unfortunate rail down), but it’s alright. When you go first it’s a learning experience no matter what the outcome.” Hardin said. Taking his own advice to heart Towell went into the Grand Prix better prepared mentally for the challenge of Vaillancourt’s technical jump off course of twists and turns. Iago without a doubt had the quickest time at 37.669, far below the 49-second allowance but some unfortunate faults put them into 6th place. Eventual’s vacation from showing proved to be a wise decision on Towell’s part as the gelding had a stellar return to the ring finishing in 3rd place. “We’re ready for the Atlanta series now!” Towell concluded of their performance.
Finally Farm clientele certainly had a great week of showing as well with Sarah Ward taking the Large Junior Hunter Championship with her 7 year-old Blink, then on to win the Pessoa/USEF National Hunter Seat Medal class and placed 2nd in the Washington International Hunter Phase with Voltaire, while her Pre Green Hunter, Saint Patrick placed 2nd and 3rd with Hardin in the irons. Owner-rider Caroline C Morrison with Brunello took Championship honors in the Adult Amateur 35 & Over Hunter division.
Both Daniel Geitner, who has competed at the Tryon event for the past 15 years and the Towell siblings who have basically grown up at this event all agreed the biggest draw to showing here is the genuine “Southern Hospitality” that is extended to every rider. Daniel explained, “they make sure you feel welcomed and that there is a class for every level of rider.” Hardin added with a chuckle, “and the food at the nightly parties is great!”
DFG Stables and Finally Farm will meet up with the rest of the Flashpoint Media family in Conyers, GA for the Atlanta Summer Classics beginning June 20th for two weeks of heated competition and to lend their support to the Horses Helping Horses Charity weekend on June 30th which benefits Old Friends Equine Retirement Facility of Georgetown, KY.
Flashpoint Media Services, based in Harrodsburg, KY, is a comprehensive public relations firm specializing in the equestrian sports. For additional information about any Flashpoint clients or for exclusive photographs, contact Robbi Meisel, 859-734 3713, [email protected] or Cynthia Grisolia, 347-423 7322, [email protected].
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