Tanner Korotkin and new mount Ayamonte BG Z finished fifth in the Pilates Rocks Grand Prix at WEF 1. Photo by Catie Staszak Media, Inc.
For Immediate Release — January 21, 2020 — Tanner Korotkin (USA) is quickly establishing himself in the grand prix ring. At just 19 years old, the Wellington, FL native jumped almost exclusively in international competition in 2020, including holding his own among the likes of the nation’s best when contesting CSI4* competition at the American Gold Cup in Traverse City, MI and the Washington International Horse Show, held in Tryon, NC, in the fall. So, when he entered the ring for the Pilates Rocks Grand Prix during the first week of the 2021 Winter Equestrian Festival, it was his mount that was the newer face. Korotkin, an exciting young talent for the United States, has welcomed the 12-year-old Zangersheide gelding Ayamonte BG Z (Air Jordan Z x Capital) to his growing string of top mounts. In what was the pair’s grand prix debut, they produced one of just nine clear rounds in a field of 48, ultimately finishing fifth. “I’ve been working with him for about a month,” Korotkin shared. “He’s fantastic. He has a very big stride and a big canter. He’s very different from my other mounts in that you just have to hold his head up and go with him. He has so much power and with enough pace, he’s going to clear the fence, 100 percent.” Korotkin’s family’s Castlewood Farm owns the gelding in partnership with Ronan Clarke, who imported the bay at the end of last year. Ayamonte BG Z was previously campaigned up to the four-star level in Europe, primarily with Ireland’s Richard Howley in the irons. Now, the big-strided gelding is stateside to get sold, but in the interim, he will give Korotkin a potential third international mount, in addition to Sandalwood Farms’ Country Boy and Castlewood Farms’ Deauville S.
Tanner Korotkin and Ayamonte BG Z. Photo by Catie Staszak Media, Inc.
Korotkin finds himself in a far different position from a year ago, when, with two new horses, global competition came to a halt, giving him limited opportunities to establish a rhythm with him mounts in the ring while also beginning his professional career. But Korotkin kept working, and he earned himself a job riding for Shane Sweetnam, a move that has helped the young professional grow both in and out of the saddle. Following a trial run through the summer, in which Korotkin jumped his way to top rounds at Tryon, Kentucky and Traverse City, Korotkin has maintained his role, earning himself more riding opportunities along the way. “It’s incredible. I get to ride ton of horses, a lot of sale horses,” Korotkin said. “Shane is so in-depth. Ronan is also here now for a bit, and he’s just as intricate, if not more so, [in his guidance]. He’s hard enough on me, but he’s making me a better rider. He wants the best for me and my horse. He’s pushing me to be a better rider and a better version of myself.” In addition to his now three-strong string, Korotkin has also notably recorded rounds aboard accomplished mounts Gerko, Quantum KS and others for Sweetnam, who operates Sweet Oak Farm out of Wellington, just a block from Korotkin’s family’s Castlewood Farm. He has his sights set firmly on climbing the international rankings, and he’ll have plenty of opportunities to learn and produce while competing alongside the world’s best at the now 13-week Winter Equestrian Festival, his home show. “My plans are to just keep getting in the Grand Prix ring,” he said. “I’ve learned so much [in the past year]. I find myself when I’m riding, really thinking about the horse and what I can do to improve the horse. I’m working on rideability and forming partnerships, giving myself an edge in the ring. I’m still climbing the ranking list and trying to get my name out there as much as possible. I’m looking forward to getting more experience in three-star, four-star and maybe even five-star competition this winter.”
About Tanner Korotkin
U.S. show jumper Tanner Korotkin set out professionally in the sport following a most decorated junior career that included the 2019 Junior Jumper Championship at the Devon Horse Show; ribbons at the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals — East, the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Final, and the ASPCA Maclay National Championship; and a runner-up finish in the 2019 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jr/AO Grand Prix at the National Horse Show, among other accolades.
A product of his family's Castlewood Farm, along with Missy Clark and John Brennan's North Run, Korotkin was a part of the winning U.S. junior squad in team competition at the 2019 Palm Beach Masters. He made his FEI debut just before his 16th birthday and finished among the top 10 in his first CSI3* grand prix in 2019. Now working under top Irish rider Shane Sweetnam at Sweet Oak Farm, Korotkin is unquestionably one of U.S. show jumping's brightest young stars. Follow Tanner on Instagram.