Will Coleman and Off the Record Win, an Update on Chin Tonic, and Boekelo-Bound Dan Kreitl at The Fork at Tryon

Will Coleman and Off the Record. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Will Coleman had his original Paris horse, Off the Record, back in action this week at The Fork at Tryon (NC), moving up from second Saturday on cross country to finish first on a score of 38.5. This run is serving as one of his final preparation competitions ahead of a trip back to France to compete in Les 5 Etoiles de Pau at the end of October.

After opting not to do a spring 5* or other Long format with “Timmy” in anticipation of Paris and then after narrowly missing out on an opportunity to compete at the Olympics, Will selected Pau as his fall destination thinking it will suit the 15-year-old Irish gelding.

“I’ve never been there before, but I think it will be a track that suits Timmy,” Will said. “And he’s getting a little older, so we thought we’d just enjoy him while he’s finding this fun and easy. I just continue to be so impressed with how professional and reliable he is. He really just loves it. It’s amazing to leave the start box on a horse like that. It really does make cross country so fun.”

Will Coleman and Off the Record. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

As is typical with these Long format preps, time penalties played a role in the final standings. Will “didn’t go blasting around” and went out with more of a plan to let Timmy set his own pace. “He’s just so efficient, so we had a bit of time but on a course like that I think it will be a great set-up for what’s next.”

Will will aim Diabolo at the Maryland 5 Star before hopping a plane to meet Off the Record (Arkansas VDL – Drumagoland Bay, by Ard Ohio), who is owned by The Off the Record Syndicate, in France for Pau at the end of the month.

He also gave us an update on Chin Tonic HS, who was sidelined earlier this year after a mild check ligament injury caused some swelling in the carpal sheath. That swelling prompted Will to withdraw “Chin” from the Lexington 4*-S and, subsequently, from Olympic consideration. “The only way we could determine if the tendon was involved was through an arthroscopy,” he explained. “And it was really just the irritation had caused the swelling, so he had a very mild surgery on that and now he’s back in work.” We can anticipate a return to competition in 2025 for Chin Tonic, who is owned by Hyperion Stud.

Dan Kreitl and Carmango. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Dan Kreitl has his Aachen partner, Kay Dixon’s Carmango (Chirivell – Taramanga, by Templer GL xx), back in action at the 4* level this summer, finishing second today with a score of 44.6 with 9.6 time penalties added on cross country.

“Fritz” picked up mild strain in a front tendon following Aachen last year, and while he stayed in dressage work during his downtime, Dan took the gas off the pedal in terms of jumping and competing. This, as well as the effects of the accumulation of fitness that horses build over time, has resulted in the 11-year-old Westphalian gelding feeling “better than ever”.

“The fitness, he’s so much stronger,” Dan explained. “We’ve learned more how to manage him well, and that means not running quite as often. It was really nice to feel like he could go awhile without competing and still show up and be ready to go.”

Of course, with this horse being the only horse Dan has going at the Advanced level at the moment (though he does have a group of exciting young ones moving up the ranks now), he admits that the repetition has always been useful for him. “My confidence comes from repetition, so if I could show him every weekend that would be great, but that just wouldn’t work with the horse, my work, my family. So I just try to keep my cool, and I do think I’m getting mentally better and I’ve learned that the harder I try, the worse I do!”

Dan Kreitl and Carmango. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Dan was selected as an alternate for the U.S. Nations Cup team heading to Boekelo in October, but he’d planned to go as an individual regardless of team selection. After all, he has an unused Dutta Corp. flight grant still waiting its usage after winning the Tryon CCI4*-L in 2022!

To that end, Dan used this final prep run to ensure he was riding in a similar manner to how he will need to in the Netherlands. “Part of me wanted to make the time [today], but I wanted to prioritize giving him a good run,” Dan said. “I did ride more direct and aggressive on the turns, trying to make it a little more challenging for him because I can imagine Boekelo will have that same feel of intensity.”

Dan will focus on fine-tuning his dressage and show jumping between now and early October, when he’ll fly to meet Carmango in Europe.

Phillip Dutton and Jewelent. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Phillip Dutton earned the third spot on the leaderboard for his birthday (which was on Friday) with the Jewelent Group’s Jewelent (Valent – Bellaney Jewel, by Roselier), finishing on a score of 46.9. This 12-year-old Irish gelding will be aiming for a fall Long format and seeking a first 4*-L completion since joining Phillip’s string from Ireland at the end of the 2023 season.

Boyd Martin had his Paris partner, Fedarman B, back in action in the Advanced division. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Here’s a look at the remainder of the winners crowned across divisions on Saturday at The Fork at Tryon:

CCI3*-S: Will Coleman and Cold Red Rum (28.2)
CCI2*-L: Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Sebastian (29.3)
CCI2*-S: Dan Kreitl and Odyssey (38.7)
CCI1*-S: Anna Rose Hutcheson and F For Fortune (36.4)
Advanced: Boyd Martin and On Cue (56.8)
Open Intermediate: Gabby Dickerson and Top Carrera (35.7)
Open Prelim: Ashley Adams and Global Halycon (29.8)
Prelim Rider: Logan Harris and Omnipotent (29.0)
Modified: Caitlin Harms and LCC King Julian (28.3)

The Fork at Tryon (NC): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

5 1 vote
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments