Competition Concludes on a High Note for Jessica Jo Tate at Tryon Fall Dressage

Jessica Jo Tate and Cayman V (Photo: ©RichardMalmgren)

Mill Spring, NC - Competition concluded today at the Tryon Fall Dressage FEI CDI-W at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), with a win for Jessica Jo Tate (USA) and Cayman V in the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI-W presented by Adequan®. The pair bested competition in the George Morris Arena, earning a score of 65.294%.

Tate and the 2003 Danish Warmblood gelding (Comeback II x Damgaard's Brunetee x Lobster), owned by Joseph Tate, ended their week of competition on a high note, finishing ahead of Alexandra Duncan (CAN) and her own Vitall, a 2002 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Ferro x Jarelle x Aram), who earned a 60.608% in the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI-W presented by Adequan®.

"This was my first CDI with Cayman V," said Tate. "I am just starting out with him in this kind of electric environment. On Friday I just didn't have him quick enough and didn't have him connected enough. The connection wasn't as good as it can be, so, I went home and watched the video. Today I felt like we definitely improved that. He just tried his heart out for me today, so I was really thrilled."

Jessica Jo Tate and Cayman V in their presentation ceremony with judge Kristi Wysoki (USA). (Photo: ©RichardMalmgren)

Tate, of Landrum, SC, purchased the horse with the idea of getting back into the Grand Prix CDI competition arena.

She continued, "It's exciting that things are moving in the right direction with Cayman because he is still a beginner out here. We love coming to Tryon because it's so close. It's a great place to gain experience with an international feel. The facility is beautiful and well thought out, and footing is world-class. It's one of the best horse show facilities I've ever been to."

Tate also collected a victory in the FEI Intermediaire I presented by Adequan® piloting Summersby, a 2007 Hanoverian mare (Sir Donnerhall x St. Pr. Hauptsutbuch Roxanne x Rosenthau), owned by Joseph Tate, on a score of 69.548%. Second place position went to Emily Miles (USA) and Sir Sherlock, a 2007 Hanoverian gelding (Sir Donnerhall x Shari), owned by Leslie Waterman, with a score of 64.333%.

Jessica Jo Tate and Summersby (Photo: ©RichardMalmgren)

Of Summersby, Tate commented, "Summer was tired today, but I've just been incredibly proud of her this weekend. She's ten this year, and she can be pretty firey and emotional. She just showed up this week and had her game face on. I was thrilled with her consistency and her quality, as well as her complete focus on me."

Tate will head to Dressage at Devon in two weeks to compete, and then will begin to make preparations for the winter circuit at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in Wellington, FL.

For a full list of results and to learn more about Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), please visit www.tryon.com.

FEI Grand Prix Special CDI-W presented by Adequan® Results
Place, Rider, Nationality, Horse, Horse Information: Judge E%, Judge H%, Judge C%, Judge M%, Judge B%, Total %

1. Jessica Jo Tate (USA), Cayman V, 2003 Danish Warmblood gelding by Comeback II x Damgaard's Brunetee x Lobster, owned by Joseph Tate: 64.706%, 64.902%, 63.725%, 64.804%, 68.333%, 65.294%
2. Alexandra Duncan (CAN), Vitall, 2002 KWPN gelding by Ferro x Jarelle x Aram, owned by Alexandra Duncan: 59.804%, 59.412%, 59.902%, 62.941%, 60.980%, 60.608%