Mill Spring, NC – April 10, 2022 – The twentieth edition of the The Fork, hosted at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (TIEC) since 2017, featured an exciting repeat win for Doug Payne and Vandiver in the CCI 4*-S Division, with optimum time breaking a tie between Payne and his USA Eventing teammate Phillip Dutton aboard Z. The weekend was full of personal bests and celebrations across all levels, with 225 entries kicking off the first Eventing competition of the season at TIEC. Read below to hear from competitors and view results.

Doug Payne and Vandiver Double Up on CCI 4*-S Wins at The Fork at TIEC

Repeating their 2021 win at The Fork, Doug Payne (USA) and Vandiver climbed from seventh to top of the pack, producing the fastest Cross-Country round of the day in the CCI 4*-S Division to clinch the win on a score of 30.8. Meanwhile, Phillip Dutton (USA) and Z, the 2008 Zangersheide gelding (ASCA x Babouche VH Gehucht Z) owned by Evie Dutton, Ann Jones, Suzanne Lacy, Caroline Moran, Thomas Tierney, and David and Patricia Vos, added just 2.8 points to their previous score of 28 to also achieve a score of 30.8. With Payne’s more optimum time across the Captain Mark Phillips (GBR) course design, he won the tie-breaker. Will Coleman (USA) and Off the Record, 2009 Irish Sport Horse Gelding (VDL Arkansas x Ard Ohio) owned by Off The Record Syndicate, claimed third place honors on a score of 31.2 to round out the podium.

Payne and the 2004 Trakhener gelding (Windfall 2 x Mystic Replica XX) owned by Debi Crowley, Doug and Jessica Payne, are longtime partners, knowing each other “inside and out,” Payne shared. Using the weekend as a prep for spring competitions and as a fitness test, “the conditions were just about perfect,” he raved. “The ground was awesome, big course and everything. It was the perfect opportunity to move along a bit and use [the run] not only to sharpen up a bit, but use it as a fitness round as well. He was excellent.”

Click here to read more from Payne.

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