Flintfields Horse Park, Traverse City, Michigan, USA. – August 3, 2018 – International horses and athletes returned to the Grand Prix Ring at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF) on Friday to go head-to-head in the $35,000 Grand Traverse Classic CSI 3*. Continuing FEI competition for Week V, it was the USA’s Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili who produced the quickest, clear performance in the one-round speed class to earn the win.

Thirty-three combinations came forth to challenge the technical track designed by Mexico’s Manuel Esparza (MEX). While nine jumped fault-free, it all came down to time.

As second to last in the order, Vanderveen raced around the course and left all of the rails intact to finish in 58.62 seconds, stealing the lead from Chile’s Samuel Parot and his own Atlantis who clocked in at 60.44 seconds.

Vanderveen and the 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion, owned by Bull Run Jumpers Five LLC, have been competing in international competition together since the start of 2015 and have collected numerous wins over the course of their partnership.

Thus far in 2018, they qualified for and competed at the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final in Paris, France, in April after winning the $100,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Qualifier Grand Prix CSI 3*-W at Live Oak International one month earlier in March.

Since then, they’ve gone on to secure multiple FEI wins at the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) this summer, including the $204,000 Coca-Cola Grand Prix CSI 4* in June.

Not showing any signs of slowing down, literally and figuratively, Vanderveen and “Frosty” returned to GLEF to claim another Week V win after the pair also won the Walsh $35,000 Welcome Stake CSI 2* during Week V of GLEF in 2017.

With Parot finishing behind Vanderveen in second place, Luis Pedro Biraben (ARG) rounded out the top three with Claudia Pedroso and his own Eres Tu in 62.99 seconds. Vanderveen (USA) also rode to a fourth place finish with her second mount of the class, Bull Run’s Prince Of Peace, owned by Bull Run Jumpers Six LLC, in 63.20 seconds.

Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili

From the Winner’s Circle

Kristen Vanderveen (USA) – $35,000 Grand Traverse Classic CSI 3* winner

On Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili’s performance on Friday:
“Honestly, he was so fast today. He’s coming off of a week and a half break. He was just in the paddocks while I was away so he’s quite fresh. From start to finish felt quite fast. I left out a couple of strides down the last line. I did six in a seven and left out coming in to a combination, which was a little risky but he was super sharp and really good to me there.”

On Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili:
“What makes him special is that he loves to come out here and do these speed classes. He’ll go out here and give it a run against the fastest speed horses and then he’ll still be ready to jump on Sunday in a $100,000 grand prix. That makes him quite fun.”

On Friday’s course:
“I loved [the course]. I thought it was really nice today. It was challenging enough, where when you were going for speed, it was able to catch you at the vertical-vertical combination. There were a couple of careful spots to keep it really interesting but there were definitely enough places with options to do inside turns, leave-out strides, etc. Really the top three spots weren’t close. We were all two seconds apart from each other and I think classes like that are quite exciting.”

On GLEF:
“I like winning so I love coming here! The footing here has been great and the rings are great. It has such a cool feel and the horses jump great here. On top of that, the area is really fun for us. The weather’s perfect – it’s not too hot – and with the lake, there’s so much to go and do. Overall, it’s really a great show to come to.”

Results – $35,000 Grand Traverse Classic CSI 3*:

Place / Rider / Horse / Country – R1 Faults / Time

1. Kristen Vanderveen (USA) & Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili – 0 / 58.62

2. Samuel Parot (CHI) & Atlantis / Samuel Parot – 0 / 60.44

3. Luis Pedro Biraben (ARG) & Eres Tu – 0 / 62.99

4. Kristen Vanderveen (USA) & Bull Run’s Prince Of Peace – 0 / 63.20

5. Luis Pedro Biraben (ARG) & Colorado 210 – 0 / 64.08

6. Juan Gallego (COL) & Fee Des Sequoias Z – 0 / 67.36

7. Theo Genn (USA) & Boucanier – 0 / 68.04

8. Peter Lutz (USA) & Camillo VDL – 0 / 71.87

9. Ali Wolff (USA) & Casall – 0 / 73.54

10. Samuel Parot (CHI) & Quick Du Pottier – 4 / 64.43

11. Molly Ashe Cawley (USA) & Cassandra – 4 / 65.37

12. Hunter Holloway (USA) & VDL Bravo S – 4 / 65.44

Source: Press Release by Taylor Rains / Phelps Media Group for Great Lakes Equestrian Festival

Photos: ©Diana Hadsall Photography