Erynn Ballard Scores Fifth Consecutive Podium Finish at TIEC

Sarah Madden

Mill Spring, NC – May 30, 2021 – Erynn Ballard (CAN) claimed first-place results left and right throughout Tryon Spring 4 CSI 2* competition, capping a successful week with a win in the $25,000 Tryon Resort Sunday Classic after also notching wins in Wednesday’s $6,000 Power & Speed Stake CSI *, Thursday’s $37,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 2*, and Friday’s $6,000 Speed Stake CSI 2*. Saturday evening, Ballard piloted Classic Penny to reserve in the $73,000 Tryon Resort Grand Prix CSI 2*, making Sunday’s win her fourth of the week and fifth podium placing. Last to go in the jump-off, Ballard stopped the jump-off track in a time of 33.74 with Ceitasi, the 2010 Westphalian mare (Caretello B x Cavalier) owned by Ilan Ferder. In reserve, Kristen VanderVeen (USA) and Bull Run’s Divine Fortune, the 2009 Dutch Warmblood mare (Padinus x Caruso 279) owned by Bull Run Jumpers Six LLC, posted a time of 34.335 seconds, while Hector Florentino (DOM) rode Santiago Lambre’s D’Artagnan to third place on a time of 35.429. Ballard also earned fourth aboard Corner Pocket Z, The Z Group’s 2012 Zangersheide gelding (Cornet Obolensky x Lux Z), stopping the timers in 35.524 seconds. Ballard recapped her incredible week of wins with a strong finish aboard her “old friend,” Ceitasi, who was perfectly slated to go last in the jump-off, she shared: “I knew I had my ringer last, with Ceitasi. Actually, the order was made for me perfectly. Insider [BH] is eight, and this was his third national Grand Prix, with a solid one [rail] down. He finished in the top ten, which I’m quite proud of. My own horse Vince [Corner Pocket] had a nice clear. I got to ride him first in the jump-off, and then Ceitasi is an old friend. I’ve ridden her more times than most of the horses in the barn, and I’ve shown her all over the place. She has all the experience, so it was kind of nice to have her go last and feel quite comfortable.”