United States Eventing Association

Jan Byyny Sets the Standard at the Inaugural Carolina International and Adequan USEA Gold Cup Qualifier/PRO Tour Series

After only one day of competition, the inaugural Cloud-Eleven Gavilan North LLC Carolina International CIC and Horse Trial has outdone itself to the notice of competitors and spectators alike. Not a negative word was overheard, and the organizers and staff were lauded for the exciting atmosphere, beautiful courses, clean and thoughtful stabling, and the bustling vendor area. After the very rainy Gold Cup qualifier at Red Hills (March 6-9, Tallahassee, Fla.), the weather took a turn for the better and spring officially arrived in Raeford, N.C.

Jan Byyny of Purcellville, Va. grabbed the top spot in the CIC***/Adequan USEA Gold Cup/PRO Tour Series qualifier early in the morning and didn’t let go. Despite a shake-up in the leaderboard below her, she and Inmidair, owned by Jo, Jan, and Richard Byyny, couldn’t be knocked off the top of the dressage podium. Will Coleman of Gordonsville, Va., and Conair (Concorde/unknown) came the closest, scoring a 42.0, only 1.5 penalties higher than Byyny’s 40.5.

The ever-classy Byyny, who won the Ironmaster award at the 2013 USEA Annual Meeting and Convention, insisted that despite a big win at the Fair Hill International CCI*** with Inmidair last fall and a very promising showing today, this sport is too unpredictable to get ahead of yourself.

“You have to live one day at a time. Today was nice, and he was really good today,” she said. “Any given day could be your day and the next, you’re on the floor. He is so capable, and I am not always the luckiest person in the world…but who is?” She also gave a nod to her friend Jessica Hampf for her grooming help, as Byyny came to the event without a groom or working student.

Coleman painted a beautiful picture with Conair, owned by the Conair Syndicate, despite his relatively new partnership with the horse.

“I’m still trying to get to know him as I only got him last summer,” Coleman explained. “I was very happy with today but there are a few things I can improve on, as always. He is a good cross-country horse, but not the flashiest jumper, so maybe show jumping is his biggest question mark.” Coleman and Byyny both plan to take their horses to the Rolex Kentucky CCI**** in April.

Michael Pollard of Dalton, Ga., floated into third on the beautiful chestnut Ballingowan Pizazz with a 42.3, and Doug Payne of Aiken, S.C., who serves on the Organizing Committee for the event, followed with a 44.1 on the very talented Crown Talisman. “Tali” stunned the spectators, who crooned about the black gelding’s extravagant movement. Sharon White (Summit Point, W.Va.) and Allison Springer (Upperville, Va.) are tied overnight on a 45.0, riding Under Suspection and Arthur, respectively. An unfortunate spook early in Michael Pollard’s test on Mensa dropped them lower in the rankings than they would have been otherwise, but they executed a workmanlike test after the bobble for a 45.9 and seventh place.

Both riders voiced excitement and praise about the new Carolina International, the new cross-country course design (designed by Hugh Lochore), and the $50,000 in prize money.

“I think the whole organizing committee has done a great job. The people running this really care about the sport and it shows in a big way,” said Byyny. “They have only been putting [the prize money] together since October I think, so if they can pull that together in such a short amount of time I think it says a lot about what the future holds. These people are good people, and good horse people.” Coleman echoed her sentiments.

Tomorrow, riders will head across the road to the spectacularly-decorated grass show jumping field to take on Marc Donovan’s show jumping course, leading up to the finale on everyone’s favorite day: cross-country Saturday.

About the Adequan USEA Gold Cup and PRO Tour Series
Qualifying for the 2014 Adequan USEA Gold Cup began last fall with the Plantation Field CIC3* (PA) and the Woodside CIC3* (CA) and features 11 qualifying competitions throughout the United States at the Advanced Horse Trials and CIC3* levels. The final will take place at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships September 2014 in Tyler, Texas. Riders who complete a qualifier earn the chance to vie for $40,000 in prize money in the Adequan Advanced Division and the title of Adequan USEA Gold Cup Champion.

The Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series is made possible through the support of its many sponsors:Adequan; Standlee Forage; Nunn Finer; SmartPak Equine; Nutrena; Broadstone Equine Insurance Agency, Point Two;Dubarry; and FITS.

The PRO Tour Series consists of 13 premier destination events in the United States and Canada in 2013/2014 featuring the best riders and most entertainment. Riders and Horses are awarded points on the PRO Tour Rider Leader Board and PRO Tour Horse Leader Board. Riders can also earn points on the PRO Tour Series at the Intermediate or two-star level for the Multi Radiance Intermediate Challenge. The 2014 Multi Radiance Challenge Leader Board Champion will win a Multi Radiance MR4 ACTIVET Portable Laser System.

The Professional Riders Organization would like to thank the following sponsors for their support of the 2014 PRO Tour Series: Martin Collins USA, The Official Footing of PRO; Multi Radiance Medical, The Official Laser Therapy of PRO & Sponsor of the Multi Radiance Medical Intermediate Challenge ; Tex Sutton, the Official US Equine Air Carrier of PRO; SSG Riding Gloves; Finish Line Horse Products; Midlantic Ltd.; and Mythic Landing Events.