Jennifer Ward/Starting Gate Communications for Equestrian Canada
Mill Spring, NC., Nov. 15, 2021 – Tik Maynard won the CCI2*-L division at the Tryon International Three-Day Event held from November 10 to 14, 2021, in Mill Spring, North Carolina.
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 was also riding 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-country 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.”
Tik Maynard, originally from Vancouver, BC, led the CCI2*-L division from start to finish riding Galileo at the Tryon International Three-Day Event.
Photo Credit – Anthony Trollope for RedBayStock.com, www.RedBayStock.com
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 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 Karen and her husband, David O’Connor, in exchange for Karen 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!”