Wellington, Florida, USA – February 14, 2019 – Catherine Tyree (USA) and Bokai won the $50,000 Suncast Grand Prix Qualifier CSI 5* yesterday during the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup USA CSIO 5*, held during the Palm Beach Masters Series at Deeridge Farms in Wellington, Florida, USA.

Thirty-five combinations entered the ring, with Catherine Tyree (USA) and Bokai being the first of only four combinations that managed to clear all the 1.55m obstacles without having any penalties attributed to them. Time was definitely an issue since 7 pairs came short of qualifying for the jump-off for not being able to complete the course set by Alan Wade (IRL) within the time allowed of 76 seconds.

Cormac Hanley (IRL) and VDL Cartello (Cartani x Lord) gave spectators what they had expected, securing a jump-off after registering a penalty-free performance right after Tyree.

Four combinations later, Beezie Madden and Breitling LS (Quintero x Acord II) joined them, soon followed by Todd Minikus (USA) and Chaventyno, completing the finalists.

The young American and the thirteen-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Up to Date x Olympic Ferro) had the disadvante of being the first ones to go in the jump-off, however, that did not keep them from setting the winning round in 40.60 seconds.

Cormac Hanley (IRL) did not participate in the decisive phase, but Tyree still had two of the best in the sport to challenge her mark.

Beezie Madden (USA) was conservative aboard Breitling LS (Quintero x Acord II), saving the 13-year-old dark bay La Silla stallion for Sunday’s Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup USA CSIO 5*, completing the jump-off with 8 penalty-points and a time of 51.49 seconds, good enough for bronze honors.

As the last ones to go in the decisive round, Todd Minikus (USA) and Chaventyno tried to overcome Catherine’s mark, falling short only only in regards to their a time of 41.74 seconds, finishing in second place.

Winner’s Circle

Catherine Tyree 

“Going first, I knew I had Beezie and Todd behind me, and both are very fast. So, I thought I would give it a good shot. I knew there were only three for the jump-off, and I was guaranteed a top three finish no matter what, so I really wanted to use that to my advantage and gain experience going fast at this level. I’m finally getting comfortable at that,” said Tyree. “I was really happy with my horse and how everything played out. He was really great in the jump-off. He fought for me, and I really appreciate it when he does that.”

Todd Minikus

“He didn’t turn very well after the oxer, so I got carried wide at the vertical. That was probably where I couldn’t catch Catherine,” said Minikus. “These girls look like they’re very nice girls, but they’re not. They were supposed to play ‘old guy wins’ this week, but so far they’re not doing that.”

Beezie Madden

“Right now, my plan is to use Breitling in the [CSIO5* Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ USA] on Sunday, so I didn’t want to put the pedal to the metal too much. I just wanted to give him a nice round again,” said Madden. “I felt his first round was good, but he hasn’t showed a lot lately, so I wanted to give him one more lap around and make sure he was confident and paying attention. I was happy with the way my jump-off went, and hopefully it will be a good result on Sunday.”

For full results, please click here.

Photo: © Kathy Russel Photography