WELLINGTON, Fla.--Tanner Korotkin of Wellington on Quinn 33 won the $37,000 CSI3* 1.45m Speed class on Friday, Jan. 13, in the International Arena at the Winter Equestrian Festival.
Tanner Korotkin on Quinn 33 (Photo by Sportfot)The Speed class had 54 entries competing over a course set by Nick Granat, with 12 obstacles total and a time allowed of 72 seconds.
The fastest time of the day was posted by 21-year-old Korotkin, who finished in 59 seconds.
Brazil’s Eduardo Menezes on Geavanta-C finished just off the pace by fractions in a time of 59.18 seconds, and Sydney Shulman Desiderio of Israel riding Nanini van d’Abelendreef finished in 60.15 seconds for third.
“The course designer definitely gave us a lot of options to go very fast today,” said Korotkin. “The horse that I’m on, I’m very confident with and we have had a lot of wins recently. I thought it was a very solid course for his style and how he likes to go.”
Korotkin and Quinn have four international victories together in the short five months they have been partnered.
“HE'S JUST a fighter, and he’s one of the fastest horses in the country, in my opinion,” said Korotkin. “He’s careful, loves to win. He’s just got that winner’s heart, and I like that kind of horse. We get along great.”
“I have a good string of horses here at the moment, and my goal is to focus Quinn on the 1.50m classes," said Korotkin. "Then, I’ll point my other ones to the bigger grand prix, and I hope to be a contender in the CSI4* and CSI5* classes.”
In the equitation ring on Friday, Taylor Madden won the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search 2* over 34 competitors in the two-phase class that tested each rider over fences and on the flat, with 12 riders called back for the flat test.
“It felt good; this was his first time showing since Maclay Finals, so we were both a little rusty,” said Madden, 20. “The flat class went well. I would say that is a strong suit for both of us. He can really show off in the extended work, and I’ve known him for a really long time so that’s very helpful.”
“This year I would like to qualify for the young rider championships with my jumper and do more FEI competitions,"said Madden. "I’m trying to get my USEF gold medal, and this was my 19th win, so I just need one more and I’m there.”
When Madden isn’t in Wellington showing, she is back and forth between Dallas and Florida, racking up some air miles.
“I go to Southern Methodist University and I’m a junior,” she said. “I actually have to go back tomorrow to be in class, and I’m on the equestrian team there, so I ride there and then come back here on the weekends to ride here."
“It’s a little bit challenging to balance school and riding, but I love it," said Madden. "With all the flying back and forth, I’ve gotten really good at packing.”
