Variety is the spice of life for Tanner Korotkin

Variety is working wonders for Tanner Korotkin, who rode four horses in Wellington’s ESP Spring 5’s $24,999 Grand Prix, qualified two for the jump off and won aboard Lane’s End Show Jumping’s Etonemoi del Cabalero.

Fast is the word for Etonemoi del Cabalero as she won the jump off by almost two seconds. Photo: Sarah Eakin

Tanner, 25, is a true local and grew up at Castlewood Farm where he had the opportunity to ride a multitude of different horses under the guidance of his father and trainer, Alan Korotkin. “We just sort of threw him on things,” said Alan. “In the beginning he just sort of did it for fun and we would just throw him on to just go and experiment. He would go for half an hour and jump things and just work on stuff himself and it’s starting to pay off. He can ride the super hot ones, the super quiet ones. He adapts amazingly.”

Tanner Korotkin is getting into his professional stride. Photo: Sarah Eakin

Tanner had come into the show with a definitive plan. “It was a bit of a producing week,” he said. “I have a four star in Devon pretty soon. So my main horse, Kinmar [Quality Hero], I wanted to set him up nicely, jump a little bit of a smaller Grand Prix before the four star there.” The pair finished twelfth in the jump off, bumped down by a single rail.

Sixteen qualified from the opening round played out on the Derby field at Equestrian Village – among them newly recrowned world number one Kent Farrington and his celebrated mare Greya who were tuning up in their home town ready for the summer season.

Just recently back at the top of the world rankings, Kent Farrington stopped by Wellington with Greya as they tune up for the summer season. Photo: Sarah Eakin

Tanner shaved a good three seconds off the existing fastest time, when he took the ring with the 12-year old Selle Francais mare, who he has been partnered with for just a month or two, having taken over the ride from Daisy Farish – and who falls under the category of ‘super hot’.

“She’s unbelievably aggressive and strong,” said Tanner. “She’s probably not the ride for everybody. It takes a lot out of you when you’re jumping. The only thing she’s thinking about is running a hundred miles an hour. She loves to win and I like to win also and so the only thing you’re thinking about on course is holding her back and she does the rest.”

Tanner runs the gamut of super quiet to super hot with his string – ‘Tony’ falls into the latter. Photo: Sarah Eakin

USA’s Ali Wolff and Grazina Comme Il Faut claimed second place in a time of 38.16 seconds with Ireland’s Corman Hanley and Santiago VH Netehof third on 38.34 seconds.

“I’m extremely happy with his progress,” Alan said following his son’s standout day on the Derby field at Equestrian Village in Wellington. “He’s starting to really become a true professional.”

Etonemoi del Cabalero showing a little of her spicy personality at the presentation. Photo: Sarah Eakin

Tanner would agree that his current trajectory is a good one – not least he has plans for ‘Tony’ – who won at three-star level with Daisy – to go to four-star level at Devon.“I have a number of students training with me and I’m fortunate enough to have quite a few sponsors as well,” he said. “So my goal is just to keep going obviously with very big dreams. I think just keep doing what I’m doing and keep working hard and hopefully it all comes together.”

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