Category Archives: Tryon

Competitions, Show Jumping, Tryon

Mark Bluman and Cartouche Win $36k Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 2* at TIEC

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Mark Bluman and Cartouche ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – July 11, 2019 – Mark Bluman (COL) and Cartouche claimed the win in a competitive $36,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 2* at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) on Thursday morning, stopping the jump-off timers at 31.402 seconds. Abigail McArdle (USA) and Victorio 5, a 2006 Hanoverian stallion (Uccello x Graf Top) owned by Victorio Equine Group LLC, took second place on a clear jump-off performance of 32.459 seconds, while Todd Minikus (USA) and Calvalou, a 2007 Oldenburg gelding (Calvaro F.C. x Baloubet du Rouet) owned by Todd Minikus LTD, claimed third-place honors on a double-clear effort in 33.314 seconds.

Bernardo Costa Cabral (POR) set the track to test the 55 entries in the class with a total of 24 pairs to return and navigate the jump-off track. “The course was very friendly,” Bluman continued on to explain: “This week [Tryon Summer 5] is a 2* and it is also the first day, so there are a lot of people bringing young horses along. It was a good class and honestly, it’s never nice to have that many go in the jump-off, but I understand the course designer. He’s trying to build up riders, trying to build up the horses so I’m very happy with the course designer. It worked out well for us today!”

Bluman revealed that the 2007 Argentine Warmblood stallion (Unknown x Unknown) is not one of his usual mounts and is owned by his cousin, Daniel Bluman, and Over the Top Stables LLC. “[Cartouche] is a horse that my cousin Daniel rides, but he’s in Europe right now, so I got to take him! I’m lucky I got to ride him. He’s a super fast horse and very careful. I literally can just sit there and let him do his job. I know every time I go in the ring, he’s going to try everything not to have any jumps down so I can go as fast as I can and it worked out today.”

Bluman continued: “I didn’t pay much attention [to the other riders],” Bluman shared on his strategy heading into the jump-off. “I just tried to follow my plan. I wasn’t looking at anybody and I just think I was fast from the first to the last jump. That’s the best way to ride him and he loves it. It worked out very well!”

For full results from the $36,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 2*, click here.

For more information and results, please visit www.Tryon.com.

Competitions, Show Jumping, Tryon

Pablo Barrios and Le Vio Are Three for Three after Win in $36k Sunday Classic CSI 3* at TIEC

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Pablo Barrios and Le Vio ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – July 8, 2019 – Pablo Barrios (VEN) and Le Vio sped to win the $36,000 Sunday Classic CSI 3* at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), stopping the jump-off timers at 28.837 seconds with no faults to claim their third FEI win of the week. Steve Schaefer (USA) and Valinski S, a 2002 Dutch Sport Horse gelding (Nijinski x Julius) owned by Wyndmont Inc, took second place on a clear jump-off performance of 29.603 seconds, while Sharn Wordley (NZL) and his own Gatsby, a 2004 Irish Sport Horse stallion (Simba x Cruise On), claimed third-place honors with another clear round and a time of 30.602 seconds.

Barrios and the 2009 Hanoverian gelding (Van Gogh x Drosselklang II) owned by Gut Einhaus LLC, were one of 11 pairs to be tested in the jump-off track, designed by Alan Wade (IRL). Barrios went in with a plan to gain the advantage: “I think I found a super nice [jump to] number one that allowed me to do eight strides. The [distance from] one to two was pretty far and I couldn’t bend it. I turned really quick to the combination, [jump] seven to eight, and I was able to do six strides to the final jump and I think that was the key,” Barrios revealed.

He continued: “Alan has done a great job; he’s a great course designer, and I love when we come here. He really tests the horses and he knows the feel of the riders and horses. It has been a very nice week; all the courses have been good and very fun to ride!”

Barrios and Le Vio have been together for almost a year, competing in major Grand Prix competitions and even winning the gold medal for Individual Jumping at the 23rd Central American and Caribbean Games Barranquilla 2018. “He has been a very good horse so far. Every time he’s showing a little more scope [over the jumps]. This week I put it down a little bit and just decided to jump the speed classes and the lower classes. He’s very quick and he covers the ground – I mean, he’s a super careful horse.”

Barrios’ win to wrap up Tryon Summer 4 at TIEC came following a very successful week aboard Le Vio: “[Le Vio] was perfect this week. He won three classes this week out of the three that he jumped, so that’s very impressive. He is a winner, but I never expected to win three classes in the same week!”

For full results from the $36,000 Sunday Classic CSI 3*, click here.

For more information and results, please visit www.Tryon.com.

Competitions, Show Jumping, Tryon

Adam Prudent and Romeo de Villaret Dominate in $134k Adequan CSI 3* Grand Prix at TIEC

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Adam Prudent and Romeo de Villaret ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – July 6, 2019 – Adam Prudent (USA) and Romeo de Villaret prevailed in the $134,000 Adequan® CSI 3* at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), stopping the jump-off timers at 42.412 seconds. Fernando Cardenas Jr. (COL) and Quincy Car, a 2004 Oldenburg stallion (Galiani Car x Amour Parfait) owned by Fernando and Meredith Cardenas, followed with a second-place performance of 49.35 seconds in the short course. Finishing out the podium, Sharn Wordley (NZL) aboard Sky Group’s Casper, a 2006 Oldenburg gelding (Contender x Baloubet du Rouet), claimed third-place honors on a four-fault effort in 42.769 seconds.

Alan Wade (IRL), who also designed the course for the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 at TIEC, set a track that truly tested the 30 pairs attempting the first-round course, as only six pairs returned for the jump-off round. “It was a good course for this horse,” Prudent revealed. “By the end of the course he was definitely a little tired with the heat here, but he managed to come through quite well and, I think, with the jump-off being a little cooler he really dug in and showed what he had.”

Prudent and the 2005 Selle Francais stallion (Mr. Blue (NL) KWPN x If de Merze), owned by Plain Bay Sales, were one of only two pairs to finish the jump-off round fault-free. Although Prudent and the stallion have only been teamed together for a month, Prudent kept his strategy simple heading into the six-person jump-off: “My strategy heading into the jump-off was just turn and go fast!” Prudent elaborated: “I planned to do seven strides in the last line but had to add one [more stride] last moment because I just didn’t see it coming up, but that was the only thing I hadn’t been expecting.

“He [Romeo de Villaret] is a great horse and I feel great heading into next week [Tryon Summer 5 Series at TIEC] with him.” Prudent continued, “This was my first FEI show with him, so I’m very happy with his performance. I’ve just been starting to get to know him and just figuring him out.” Prudent also revealed that this was his own personal first Grand Prix win in Tryon Stadium.

For full results from $134,000 Adequan® Grand Prix CSI 3*, click here.

For more information and results, please visit www.Tryon.com.

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, Tryon, USHJA

Julie Curtin and Cassico Defend $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Title at TIEC

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Julie Curtin and Cassico ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – July 5, 2019 – Julie Curtin (USA) and Cassico repeated their 2018 victory in Friday’s $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, earning a first-round score of 182 and receiving a handy score of 212 for a grand total of 394 to top the field. Harold Chopping (CAN) and Barbara Scott’s Catchphrase, a 2010 Zangersheide gelding (Marome NW x Prelude), collected scores of 160 and 193 to land in second place on a total of 353, while Kelley Farmer (USA) and As Quoted, the 2013 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Zambesi TN x Bybalia SMH) owned by David Glefke, produced rounds garnering scores of 178 and 172.5 to claim third with a total of 350.5.

Curtin and the 2011 Holsteiner gelding (Carrico x Trevigiana) owned by Rebekah Warren were able to earn a repeat victory from last year’s USHJA International Hunter Derby during Tryon Summer 4, besting a competitive field of 21 entries over the Dean Rheinheimer (USA) course design. “The course rode really nicely,” Curtin reported. “There were a lot of long lines out there, which is nice, but it’s sometimes kind of easy to get lost. This is the first time I’ve ridden in this arena – Cassico actually won this same Derby last year here on the grass! It was nice – the footing is great, and the course rode really great.

“We were eight points behind [going into the handy], so I had to just go for it all,” Curtin explained of her winning strategy. “We took every tight turn, high option, and just tried to lay it down, because I knew I had some ground to catch up. We’re getting ready for Derby Finals, so I knew I had to practice. I knew it would either work or it would not, and today it worked! He’s such a scopey horse. The jumps were big, and it was hard, but he was good.”

They made up the difference – and earned their 41-point lead – in two areas, Curtin believes: in their first jump, choosing the high option, and in overall handiness. “Jump one was hard – that was a blind turn for a high option, but he handled it so well. But otherwise, I just tried to keep it tidy everywhere. And he’s so scopey that on all the tight turns it just kept coming up nicely. The two-stride came out a little long, but he just got right up there and handled everything beautifully.”

While Derby Finals is the next goal in focus, Cassico will be Curtin’s ride in National and International Derbies for a long time to come, she hopes. “He’s still young and has a big future, so we’re really excited. Hopefully, Derby Finals will go well, but then his mother is going to start showing him; I will just do Derbies with him and let him be an amateur horse. Right now, I’m doing Derbies and High Performance with him, but we’ll back down a little bit and let her ride him in the Amateurs. Hopefully, I’ll have him for the next eight years to do Derbies on!”

Curtin, who also earned second in Friday morning’s $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, concluded, “It was a very good day! Tough competition – it’s always a tough competition when Kelly [Farmer] and Evan [Coluccio] have as many horses as they had each! I’m very happy about the win.”

For full results from the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, click here.

For more information and results, please visit www.Tryon.com.

Competitions, Show Jumping, Tryon

Aaron Vale and Major Conquer $36k Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3* at TIEC

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Aaron Vale and Major ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – July 4, 2019 – Aaron Vale (USA) and Major raced to win the $36,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3* at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), stopping the jump-off timers at 37.01 seconds. Sharn Wordley (NZL) and Casper, a 2006 Oldenburg gelding (Contender x Baloubet Du Rouet) owned by Sky Group, followed closely in second place with a clear jump-off performance of 37.168 seconds. Vale and his other mount, Finou 4, a 2006 Hanoverian gelding (Flashlight 16 x Concetto Famos) owned by Thinks Like A Horse and Donald E. Stewart, were awarded third-place honors with a time of 38.355 seconds to open Tryon Summer 4 competition.

Forty-three pairs attempted the course designed by Alan Wade (IRL), who was also the designer for the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 hosted at TIEC. Vale commented that Wade challenged the riders in both the long and short courses: “The first round was quite a difficult course. The jumps were pretty big and the oxers were wide. This ring can feel a little small, just depending on how the course designers set the oxers coming out of the turns,” Vale explained. “Alan really made us work at the oxers off the turns today and the time was a hair short, so it was a difficult first round.” Only ten riders successfully tackled the long course to continue into the jump-off.

“The first few who had been leading in the jump-off before I went in with my first horse [Finou 4] were not super quick,” said Vale. “I was warming up when Abigail [McArdle] went, so I didn’t really get a good judge of her time, but I knew it wasn’t unbeatable. I was pretty happy to get that time with my first horse. He’s a good horse, but he’s never the fastest one in the jump-off, so I was happy to get into the lead with him. Then, Sharn [Wordley] went in there and snatched it right away,” Vale playfully shared.

Vale and Major were the last pair to attempt the jump-off, with USA riders encouraging the pair to go for blue: “It being the 4th of July, all my American colleagues were urging me on, saying that an American had to win the class, so I was really trying! I took all the chances and went for it! He [Major] is a faster horse than Finou 4, so I didn’t hold back and let it rip; it was awesome and good fun!”

Major, a 2007 Danish Warmblood gelding (Carmargue x A’khan Z) owned by Sleepy P Ranch LLC and Donald Stewart, is returning to the Grand Prix competition level after a three-month break due to an infected tooth, Vale revealed. “It was a mystery for a while; we didn’t know what was going on. It’s just nice to have him back. He jumped 1.40m classes last week, just for fitness purposes. He’s a really competitive horse, fast and careful.

“It’s better to not go that fast going into the Grand Prix,” Vale commented after his success with two of his mounts in the Welcome Stake. “It’s better to get your horse mentally quick going into the next class, but sometimes you have to take the win when it’s there, and you know you can’t win both big classes if you don’t win the first one! I have a couple days to put his brain back together for Saturday night, and hopefully I can get him where he’s focused again.”

Vale is wrapping up his last week at TIEC, but hinted at a return later in the summer: “We go to Kentucky next, then maybe the Hamptons and the 5* at Saugerties at the end of the summer. I haven’t thrown the idea at my wife yet, but maybe these two horses will come back for the last 3* here. But it’s not set at the moment,” Vale concluded.

For full results from the $36,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3*, click here.

For more information and results, please visit www.Tryon.com.

Competitions, Show Jumping, Tryon

Todd Minikus and Calvalou Prevail under Pressure in $36k Sunday Classic CSI 2* at TIEC

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Todd Minikus and Calvalou ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – July 2, 2019 – Todd Minikus and Calvalou dominated the $36,000 Sunday Classic CSI 2* at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), stopping the jump-off timers at 35.465 seconds. Aaron Vale (USA) and Eye Catcher, a 2009 Dutch Sport Horse gelding (Tangelo Van De Zuuthoeve x Narcos II SF) owned by Troy Glaus, took second place on a clear jump-off performance of 38.112 seconds, while David O’Brien (IRL) and Kir Royal SCF, a 2010 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Amaretto D’Arco x Nabab de Reve) owned by Spy Coast Farm, LLC, claimed third-place honors on an eight-fault effort in 36.169 seconds.

The Guilherme Jorge (BRA) designed course did not fail to test the riders, with only three pairs out of the field of 20 qualifying for the short-course track. Minikus and his own 2007 Oldenburg gelding (Calvaro F.C. x Baloubet du Rouet) laid down a careful and efficient round that put them well ahead for the win.

Minikus explained that heading into the three-man jump-off was stressful following his performances in Saturday night’s $72,000 Ingles Grand Prix CSI 2*: “I was a little frustrated heading into today. I didn’t do much differently [this morning] other than just ride better and not make silly mistakes. There were only three clear, so it was a hard enough course.”

Minikus, a familiar face at TIEC, will be based at the venue for the remainder of the summer and also plans to compete in the fall series, he shared, and aims to carry his positive momentum into next week’s CSI 3* competition. “We will be back for the 3* Grand Prix next week!” Minikus concluded.

For full results from the $36,000 Sunday Classic CSI 2*, click here.

For more information and results, please visit www.Tryon.com.

Competitions, Show Jumping, Tryon

Sydney Shulman and Villamoura Deliver $72,000 Ingles Grand Prix 2* Victory at TIEC

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Sydney Shulman and Villamoura. ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – June 29, 2019 – Sydney Shulman (ISR) and Villamoura sped to win the $72,000 Ingles Grand Prix CSI 2* at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), halting the jump-off timers at 36.291 seconds. Sharn Wordley (NZL) and Casper, a 2006 Oldenburg gelding (Contender x Baloubet Du Rouet) owned by Sky Group, took second place for their performance of 40.316 seconds, while Santiago Lambre (MEX) and Ibabco, a 2008 Belgian Warmblood stallion (Nabab de Reve x Darco) owned by Lambre and Stephex Stables, claimed third-place honors with four faults and a time of 36.543 seconds.

The course, designed by Guilherme Jorge (BRA), challenged 41 pairs, with five returning to pilot the short course. Jorge was the architect of the show jumping course for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio and will design for this summer’s 2019 Pan American Games held in Lima, Peru from July 26 to August 11.

Shulman and the 2009 Selle Francais mare (Diamant de Semilly x Unknown) owned by Jill Shulman conquered a course that “was made for her,” Shulman said. “When I walked the course, I immediately thought, ‘Okay, this course is made for Villamoura.’ Anywhere I needed to add [a stride] it was available to me, because she’s a small horse, so I was super excited to jump her tonight. And I loved the jump-off course.

“She is amazing. She’s everything you could want in a horse: she’s light, hot, careful, and brave. Once she starts, you don’t have much of an option to stop. Her normal pace is very fast, so I always think stay calm and steady for the jump-off, not too fast,” Shulman shared after laying down an early clear round that ended up more than four seconds faster than the rest of the field.

Shulman revealed that the win was especially meaningful because it was her first FEI win as a rider representing Israel: “To hear the Hatikvah play was just super meaningful to me,” said Shulman. “My family has always been super connected to Israel and I’ve been wanting to do this for a very long time, and was waiting for the right time. Last fall I went with my dad to Israel and made Aliyah, and it was super exciting. I’ve been waiting for this moment to hear the Hatikvah play.”

Shulman continued, “I’m just working on building my string up to help support the Israeli team, which will continue to thrive. So I think the next few years will be a huge stepping stone for Israel, and I’m really looking forward to being a part of it.”

“I want to thank my mom, Jill Shulman, and John Roche, who is very influential in tonight’s win. He spends a lot of time with Villamoura and he said to me this morning, ‘If you get it right, she could win.’ So I’m glad it turned out that way!” Shulman concluded.

For full results from $72,000 Ingles Grand Prix CSI 2*, click here.

For more information, visit Tryon.com.

Competitions, Show Jumping, Tryon

Samuel Parot and Bahira S Claim $25,000 Main Street Insurance Grand Prix Win at TIEC

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Samuel Parot and Bahira S ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – June 22, 2019 – Samuel Parot (Wellington, FL) and Bahira S sped to a swift time of 42.176 seconds in the jump-off to secure the $25,000 Main Street Insurance Grand Prix at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC). Sarah Bagworth (Toronto, ON) and her own Malou, a 2004 Swedish Warmblood mare (Maloubet de Pleville x Carthago), took second place with a short-course performance of 46.766 seconds, while David O’Brien (Lexington, KY) and Kir Royal SCF, a Belgian Warmblood gelding (Amaretto D’arco x Nabab de Reve) owned by Spy Coast Farm, claimed third-place honors finishing in 40.821.

The course designed by Keith Bollotte (Lake Lure, NC) saw 35 entries attempt the first-round track with nine pairs returning for the jump-off round. Parot and his own 2010 Oldenburg mare (Balou du Rouet x Unknown) was the only pair to navigate the short course without any faults.

“This is this horse’s [Bahira S] first time jumping at the Grand Prix level, so she is very new,” commented Parot. “She is young, [only] 8 years old. She is very careful and very fast; it makes me very happy!”

In the past few weeks, Parot has had success competing at TIEC on a few of his other mounts as well. “For me, it is the best show in the United States!” Parot exclaimed. “The people are fantastic. The atmosphere is fantastic. The show is fantastic. Everything is good.”

For full results from the $25,000 Main Street Insurance Grand Prix, click here.

For more information and results, please visit www.Tryon.com.

Competitions, Show Jumping, Tryon

Caelinn Leahy and Dymendy Dash to Victory in $5,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake

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Caelinn Leahy and Dymendy ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – June 21, 2019 – Caelinn Leahy (Maple Park, IL) and Dymendy sped to win the $5,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), stopping the jump-off timers at 39.881 seconds. Todd Minikus (Loxahatchee, FL) guided his own JuJu VDM, a 2009 Belgium Warmblood mare (Toulon x For Pleasure 310258786), to claim second place on a clear jump-off performance of 41.114 seconds, while Brittni Raflowitz (Palm City, FL) aboard Dustin 254, a 2007 Westphalian gelding (Dollar Du Murier x Lancer III) owned by Garland Stables, took third-place honors with another clear round and a time of 43.143 seconds.

Course Designer Keith Bollotte of Lake Lure, NC had 30 pairs test the course, with nine returning for the jump-off round. Although Leahy and the 2009 Dutch Warmblood mare (Quasimodo van de Molendreef x Julio Mariner XX) owned by Steve Schaefer have only been together since the beginning of this year, Dymendy has been very consistent ever since coming off a win at Devon, Leahy explained. “She’s a really fun mare, and she loves to go fast, so this was the perfect class for her.”

Leahy continued: “I watched Todd [Minikus] go [in the jump-off], and obviously Todd is super fast. I studied his round and I noticed that his horse jumped the second jump amazingly and landed a little wider after it, and I thought that maybe I could be tighter there. So, after the second jump when I was rolling back to the combination, I decided to try to make up some time there because his horse was so fast everywhere else,” Leahy detailed. “My mare is also really great about those long gallop stretches. I just lean back, and she sets herself up really well. I really just tried to take a little bit of a shot and gallop down to where I could.”

Leahy shared that Dymendy is not the first horse she has competed at the Grand Prix level, stating, “I had a horse that I was competing in the Grand Prix classes, but unfortunately he passed away in 2017. The next year I wasn’t really showing in the bigger stuff, and then we bought her in the fall and imported her from Europe in January.”

For more information and results, please visit www.Tryon.com.

Competitions, Show Jumping, Tryon

Sarah Bagworth and Malou Prevail in $25,000 Cleghorn Golf & Sports Club Grand Prix

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Sarah Bagworth and Malou ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – June 18, 2019 – Sarah Bagworth (Toronto, ON) and her own Malou were victorious in Sunday’s $25,000 Cleghorn Golf & Sports Club Grand Prix to conclude week one of the Tryon Summer Series at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), finishing with a jump-off time of 38.135 seconds. Ricardo Villa (Campobello, SC) and Walnut, a 2010 mare (Costello x Potomac) owned by Juan Pablo Betancourt, claimed second place with a short course time of 38.373 seconds. Darragh Kerins (Wellington, FL) piloted Trefoil Farm LLC’s Delight M-G C de Leuze, a 2009 Belgian Warmblood mare (Armitage x Unknown), to a swift 39.068-second round for third.

The course, designed by Bobby Murphy (Lexington, KY) tested 24 pairs in the first round, with seven returning for the jump-off. “The course was great. I think it was really fair for the group… it was a tough group today,” Bagworth remarked. “I was actually a little nervous when I walked in. I have been a little rusty in my riding so far this summer, so I am happily surprised!”

Malou, a 2004 Swedish Warmblood mare (Maloubet de Pleville X Carthago), is not new to the jumper ring. “She [Malou] is amazing; ‘professional’ would be my best one word to describe her,” Bagworth explained. “She has only ever been ridden well before me. She was ridden by McLain Ward, his wife Lauren, and before that Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum. She has had the best education possible.”

Bagworth has owned Malou since November of 2017. “She [Malou] has just been amazing for me, she always goes in the ring and tries extremely hard. She is extremely fair when I make a mistake, and she is very fast,” Bagworth shared.

The pair hopes to continue to have successful rounds at TIEC. “We made Tryon a bit of a summer base. We really enjoy the show and it is good to us. We love the area, too. It is really fun to hang out on your days off, and the horses are happy jumping here,” Bagworth concluded.

For more information and results, please visit www.Tryon.com.