Tag Archives: Tryon Spring Series

Conor Swail and Vital Chance De La Roque Conquer $37k Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3*

Conor Swail and Vital Chance De La Roque ©Natalie Suto for TIEC.

June 9, 2022 – The #5 ranked rider in the Longines FEI Jumping Rankings, Conor Swail (IRL), piloted Vital Chance De La Roque to a win in Thursday’s $37,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3*, stopping the short-course timers in 30.18 seconds. Lauren Balcomb (AUS) and Verdini D’Houtveld Z, the 2011 Zangersheide gelding (Verdi TN x Caretino 2) owned by Lauren Balcomb and Sharn Wordley, scored reserve on a time of 30.99 seconds, while third place went to Luis Pedro Biraben (ARG) aboard Chacco Bumpy, the 2010 Oldenburg mare (Chacco-Blue x Toulon) owned in partnership with Patricio Miguel Madero Blasquez, on a short-course time of 31.75 seconds.

As a combination, Swail and the 2009 Selle Francais gelding (Diamant De Semilly x Rivage Du Poncel) owned by Mannon Farm are ranked fourth in the world, showing off their speed and technicality in Thursday’s course set by Bernardo Costa Cabral (POR).

“He had a great year last year,” Swail said of Vital Chance, “and he’s starting off very well this year. I started with him at the beginning of last year, so I’ve had him for about a year and a half now. He’s been amazing. He’s so quick and careful, and has a lot of clear rounds. The two of us have a good partnership; it’s fun!”

After what Swail described as a “friendly but difficult enough” first round, Swail walked into the jump-off up against a faster time than he would have liked, he acknowledged. “The jump-off was a bit too fast for my liking, to be honest, but I knew I was riding a fast horse. I’d watched a few go before me; Lauren was very fast and so was Luis, so I knew I just had to go as quick as I could, and it worked out well for me.”

Keeping up with his hot streak at the international levels, Swail will be seen competing all across the continent this summer, but has started off on a positive note in the Tryon Spring Series after previously enjoying a streak of international wins at TIEC in 2021. “I try and keep a couple horses on the East Coast and a couple on the West Coast, and travel back and forth,” he concluded.

For more info and results, visit www.Tryon.com.

Santiago Lambre and Chacco Blue II Crush $139k CrossFit Wide Open Grand Prix CSI 3*

Santiago Lambre and Chacco Blue II ©Natalie Suto Photography for TIEC.

Mill Spring, NC – June 4, 2022 – Santiago Lambre (BRA) and Chacco Blue II stopped the jump-off timers in 35.52 seconds to take the win in the $139,000 CrossFit Wide Open Grand Prix CSI 3* at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (TIEC). Hector Florentino Roca (DOM) and ABC Quantum Cruise, the 2009 Irish Sport Horse gelding (Obos Quality x Cruising) owned by Ronnie Beard and Wyndmont, rose to reserve honors with a jump-off time of 37.02 seconds. Peter Petschenig (AUT) and Ennebel Van Het Posthuijs, the 2009 Dutch Warmblood mare (Numero Uno x Argentinus) owned by Brooke Peterson, completed the podium with a time of 37.15 seconds.

The Michel Vaillancourt (CAN) course design challenged 31 entries in the first round, with 13 horse-and-rider pairs returning for the jump off. Owner-rider Lambre and the 2007 Oldenburg stallion (Chacco-Blue x Cincaba Rouge) were just second in the order of go, taking an early tour of the course and producing the first clear round of the night. “It looked like it was a nice course,” Lambre reported. “There were 13 clears, but it was a good three-star, I think.”

Having earned the first stab at the second round, Lambre chose to be as fast as possible without knocking a rail in hopes that the dozen competitors behind him would not best his challenge. “The jump off was really nice, with some options to do fewer strides. I was the first to go, so I tried to be really fast and then in the end, it paid off.”

Lambre elaborated, “I made a plan; I did six strides between [fences] one and two. I think not so many did that. And turned tight to number three, and then took the risk for the last three jumps. And in the end, it was not so easy to get the first distance like I did.”

He reported that Chacco Blue II has been “very consistent” in the last year at the Grand Prix level. “I think this is the seventh Grand Prix that he’s been in the top three this year. So now, he will have a few weeks off and then we’re going to try to do some five stars next.”

For more info and results, visit www.Tryon.com.

Sarah Hubbard and Latino van de Looise Heide Spring to $25k Sunday Classic Win

Sarah Hubbard and Latino van de Looise Heide ©Natalie Suto for TIEC.

May 30, 2022 – Tryon Spring 4 competition at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (TIEC) concluded Sunday with the $25,000 Tryon Resort Sunday Classic, with Sarah Hubbard (Cornwall, CT) stopping the jump-off timers in 37.828 seconds for the win with Latino van de Looise Heide. Savannah Hemby (Flower Mound, TX) claimed reserve aboard Juju VDM, clearing the short course in 38.089 seconds with the 2009 Belgian Warmblood mare (Toulon x For Pleasure) owned by Todd Minikus, LTD, while third place went to Santiago Lambre (Wellington, FL) and his own Dingeman, the 2008 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Nintender x Darnels) owned by Aurora Rangel De Alba, after their 38.933 second performance in the jump off.

Hubbard and her partner of nearly five years, the 2011 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Cantos x Quadrillos) owned by Hubbard Horses, LLC, have claimed a string of victories this season at TIEC.

“This is our third week here and he won the $25,000 [Tryon Resort Jumper Classic] the first week, then was third in the $30,000 [Cleghorn Golf & Sports Club Grand Prix]. I’m really happy with him! He always tries his hardest,” said Hubbard.

Hector Florentino Roca and ABC Quantum Cruise Go Back-to-Back with Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake and Grand Prix Wins

Hector Florentino Roca (DOM) and ABC Quantum Cruise claimed their first FEI win of the week on Thursday, topping the $37,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 2* in Tryon Stadium after finishing the jump-off in 40.71 seconds over the Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) course design. Kristen VanderVeen (USA) and Bull Run’s Jireh, the 2014 Holsteiner gelding (Uriko x Colman) owned by Bull Run Jumpers, Inc., stopped the short course timers in 42.16 seconds to take home reserve, while third place went to Gwyneth Babington (USA) aboard Flinstering, the 2010 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Otangelo x Ekstein) owned by Ernst Hofschröer, and their time of 42.68 seconds.

Florentino Roca and the 2009 Irish Sport Horse gelding (Obos Quality x Cruising) owned by Ronnie Beard and Wyndmont also took the win in the Tryon Spring 4 Grand Prix and is thrilled with how his season at TIEC is going.

“This is called ‘back-to-back’! It doesn’t get better than that. I have clients coming next week and I’m hoping that they have good results, too. That’s very important to me and I’m really looking forward to that. I’m very excited for the next two weeks here. I don’t want to be greedy, but I hope they go as well as they have been,” said Florentino Roca.

For more info and results, visit www.Tryon.com.

World Champion Hunter Rider Week Shines Light on Hunters

Matt Martin and Cadouch Z ©Bailey Beck Photography for TIEC.

Mill Spring, NC – May 23, 2022 – Tryon Spring 3 featured World Champion Hunter Rider Week (WCHR) at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (TIEC), with two derbies in the International Stadium on Friday and heightened celebrations for Hunter divisions all week long, in addition to marking the first edition of 2022 Saturday Night Lights presented by Tryon Horse & Home.

Matt Martin and Cadouch Z Capture $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Win

Matt Martin (USA) and Cadouch Z scored a total of 190 points in the first round to lead after the classic, producing a handy score of 203 to clinch the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby win in what was only “Teddy’s” second competition ever as a Hunter, on a final score of 393 points. In reserve, Michael Britt-Leon (USA) scored a class-record 205 points in the handy round with Midas, the 2013 Holsteiner gelding (Casall x Belunye HH) owned by Paul McCracken, to claim second place and a total of 389 points. Caroline Willard Briles piloted Necofino, the 2012 Holsteiner gelding (Nerrado x Sienna), to third place on a total score of 376 for Rein Family LLC, completing the podium.

Twenty-one horses took on the Andy Christiansen, Jr. (ECU) track, with a minimum score of 130 qualifying the top twelve combinations to return for the handy test. Martin and the 2009 Zangersheide stallion (Calvaro Z x Nadouch Z) owned by Amy Hassinger were in the neighborhood for the first time in a few years, and decided to test Cadouch Z in only his second Hunter Derby ever, at his third Hunter show in America.

“We imported him a few months ago,” Hassinger said. “He was a winning Grand Prix horse in Europe, and now he stands at Hassinger Farm as a breeding stallion. We did not plan to show him this early,” she revealed. “But Matt did a warm-up class a couple of weeks ago and he just loves when Matt rides him. So, we put him in the Derby and he won that classic round and then he came here! This is the only class he does. He’s just good at it. He doesn’t need to practice!”

When asked about his strategy for the class, Martin points at his horse. “We tried a new bridle today, and I wanted him to be a hair slower off the ground. And then, he really does the rest! For the handy I was trying to be handy while still a little conservative,” trying to remind Teddy he’s not in a Jumper jump-off these days. “He loves turning in the air, and he loves leaving a little soft off the ground. So, there’s not a whole lot of strategy; it’s just keeping him in the corner and finding the middle of the jumps.”

Brady Mitchell and Cornet Blue PS Ace First $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby

Brady Mitchell (Wellington, FL) and Cornet Blue PS attempted their first USHJA National Hunter Derby at Tryon Spring 3, producing two scores of 91 from the judges for a winning total of 182 points in the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby in the International Stadium. Timothy Maddrix (Mountain Brook, AL) scored a class-record 94 in the handy round to earn reserve and a total score of 181 aboard Cypress, Missy Nolen’s 2011 Warmblood gelding of unknown breeding. Wengen, the 2013 Warmblood gelding (Casdorff x Fanfarone) owned by Kate Preston and piloted by Riley Hogan (Warrenton, VA), was named to third on a two-round score of 175.

Mitchell and the 2015 Hanoverian stallion (Cornet Obolensky x Chaccina) owned by Everlong LLC were one of 33 horse-and-rider pairs to navigate the Andy Christiansen, Jr. course, with the top twelve scoring 81 or higher to contest the handy round. In just the horse’s first week showing as a Hunter, whose first trot jumps ever took place in the show pen and the warm-up ring, Mitchell revealed, his potential as seen by owner Ann Thompson is already clear:

“This is just the horse’s first week ever showing as a hunter. We’re ecstatic. This horse is owned by Ann Thompson, who’s obviously a huge supporter of Grand Prix horses in this country, so it’s kind of cool. Ann sent [Brian Moggre and team] this horse to see what they thought of him this winter; she’s owned him since he was three. They thought he was a hunter, and they asked me to come over.”

Amanda Flint and Hudson Win $25,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake

Amanda Flint (Bourbonnais, IL) and her own mount Hudson, the 2012 Cutch Warmblood gelding (Arezzo VDL x Orchidee), posted a double-clear round in Thursday’s $25,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake for the win on a jump-off time of 41.931. Fernando Cardenas, Jr. (New Hill, NC) and his own Madeira SCF, the 2012 Belgian Warmblood mare (Diktator van de Boslandhoeve x Lilli Marlen), earned reserve honors in a time of 43.78 seconds, while third place belonged to Ashley Fleischhacker (Lexington, KY) aboard Davall VDL, the 2008 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Zavall VDL x Rhamanta) owned by Ashland Show Stables LLC, on a time of 46.197.

For more info and results, visit www.Tryon.com.

Ashlee Bond Closes Tryon Spring Series with Multiple Wins

Ashlee Bond and Contefina LVF ©Shannon Brinkman.

Mill Spring, NC – June 13, 2021 – Ashlee Bond (Wellington, FL) and Contefina LVF made their last day of competition at Tryon Spring 6/Tryon Riding & Hunt Club Charity Horse Show a good one, claiming the win in Sunday’s $25,000 Tryon Resort Sunday Classic at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (TIEC). The duo stopped the jump-off timers in 36.404 seconds to best the field, while Erynn Ballard (Tottenham, ON) and Verdict De Kezeg, Ilan Ferder’s 2009 Selle Francais gelding (Diamant De Semilly), jumped to second place with a jump-off time of 38.163 seconds. Martein Van Der Hoeven (Pinehurst, TX) claimed third with 4 faults in the jump off and a time of 39.362 seconds on Morris Horta, a 2012 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Eldorado Van De Zeshoek x Irenice Horta) owned by Luccirelli International, LLC.

Bond and her 2012 Holsteiner mare (Contefino x Southern Girl) sliced and diced through the Michel Vallaincourt (CAN) course design to earn the blue ribbon. The pair’s elegant partnership is evident in the arena, and Bond owes this in part to having known her since birth, she noted. The homebred mare has been with Bond her whole life, along with her dam and grand-dam. Because of this, she has “practiced turns and slices with her since she was pretty much born!”

Contefina LVF is making her way back into the higher levels of competition after some time off from an injury. “She’s really very green for her age,” Bond admitted. “She was doing the meters and 1.10m [divisions] all last year coming back from an injury, so I just took back the reins in December. We’ve had a little bit of trial and error, I think, in the jump-offs. She’s still so green, and she’s got so much scope and stride that I would have the last jump down, because she would just get too flat and then catch the fence behind: things like that. You know, I took risks out there today. I knew, ‘Okay, worst case scenario, we’ll have one down,’ but I was just hoping we kind of would pull it all together, and we did!”

For more info and results, visit www.Tryon.com.

Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Prince of Peace Win $75k Tryon Resort Grand Prix

Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Prince of Peace ©TIEC.

Mill Spring, NC – May 8, 2021 – Kristen VanderVeen (Wellington, FL) and Bull Run’s Prince of Peace announced their arrival at the Tryon Spring Series with a win in the $75,000 Tryon Resort Grand Prix at Tryon International Equestrian Center and Resort (TIEC), stopping the jump-off timers in 39.172. Sharn Wordley (Citra, FL) and Gatsby, his own 2004 Irish Sport Horse stallion (Simba x Daisy Cruise), flew to reserve on a time of 39.556, while third place went to Sydney Shulman (Greenwich, CT) and Villamoura, the 2009 Selle Francais mare (Diamant de Semilly x Kasina) owned by Jill Shulman, after their 40.531-second performance in the jump-off.

VanderVeen and the Bull Run Jumpers Six LLC-owned 2009 Holsteiner gelding (Cardenio x P-Comtesse) were one of 10 pairs to qualify for the jump-off test after 19 entries toured the first-round track set by Peter Grant (CAN). Last to go, VanderVeen reported that she knew she had to run to the last fence after seeing Wordley’s performance. It was an all-out gallop to the last fence, shaving just four-tenths of a second off Wordley’s time to win.

“It worked for us once, when we tried that, so I figured [I would] trust him and run as fast as I could to the last,” VanderVeen recapped. “I know his [Bull Run’s Prince of Peace] strength is in the long runs, and actually there were quite a few long runs here. I decided to not risk too much at the rollback turns, but really leave some strides out and push it to the last jump. I also left out a step into the combination because he’s very smart about that. I just tried to work to his strengths.”

Sydney Shulman and Villamoura Take a Tryon Detour to Win $25,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake

Sydney Shulman (Greenwich, CT) and Villamoura kicked off Tryon Spring 1 with a win in the $25,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake, speeding through the jump-off timers in 35.405 seconds. Catherine Tyree (Chicago, IL) and Bokai, the Catherine Tyree LLC-owned 2006 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Up To Date x Lucky Girl), cleared the short course in a time of 36.682 to earn reserve, while Fernando Cardenas, Jr. (New Hill, NC) and his own Calvados, the 2010 Danish Warmblood gelding (Chellys Z x Serupgards Canasta), scored third on a time of 40.082.

Shulman and the 2009 Selle Francais mare rerouted to TIEC just last week, at the urging of Cat Tyree, Shulman revealed. “Cat said, ‘I’m never telling you to come to a horse show when you’re not going!’ – I wasn’t planning to come here until about a week ago, but we decided to catch this show on our way back home.”

Besides being a convenient place to pause for two weeks on their way back north after a grueling winter circuit in Wellington at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), Shulman noted that she was looking for some confidence-boosting rides as well by competing at the national level.

“The jumps are super big at WEF and it’s so hard all the time, every weekend, so I kind of needed a little ego boost for my horses and myself,” Shulman admitted. “We wanted to take a deep breath at a new venue and jump some nice classes. I’m really happy that we came here!”

For more info and results, visit www.Tryon.com.

Parot Jumps to Success during Conclusion of Tryon Spring V CSI 3*

Samuel Parot and Quick du Pottier. Photo Credit ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – June 3, 2018 – Chile’s Samuel Parot concluded competition at Tryon Spring V on a high note, guiding his own 2004 Selle Francais gelding Quick du Pottier (Hurlevent de Breka x Silnette de Menell) to a first place victory on the Derby Field at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) in the $35,000 1.45m Sunday Classic CSI 3*.

Parot piloted his mount across the fast track in 39.44 seconds, besting more than 25 combinations and riding more than two seconds ahead of second place pair Aaron Vale (USA) and Cassevel, a 2007 Holsteiner gelding (Cassini II x Quidam de Revel) owned by Hays Investment Corp., who claimed the red rosette after a jump-off time of 41.57 seconds. Third place honors were awarded to Manuel Torres (COL) aboard Santa Catalina Farm’s Alejandro, a 2009 Rheinlander gelding (Acorado’s Ass x Continue), who rode through timers in 41.7 seconds.

Parot and the gelding have been competing at the FEI level together since 2016 and have notched several top finishes at the venue. Of his turnout for the day’s class, Parot explained, “This horse has a lot of experience out on the grass. I’ve taken him out on it a lot in Europe at shows over there. It’s easy for him to come out here. This footing is fantastic.”

The duo competed throughout the course of the week, placing fifth in the $35,000 1.50m Welcome Stake CSI 3*, after riding to the fastest jump-off time of 33.505 seconds, but adding four faults to their score.

“He jumped out here the first day and we had a fast jump-off, but knocked a rail,” exclaimed Parot. “Yesterday he competed in the Grand Prix, but had two down very quickly, so I retired him to save him for today. That was the right choice and today he was fantastic.”

Parot plans to continue on with competition next week during the CSI 4*, and will stay at the venue until the end of July. He concluded, “For the summer I will stay here and then I will figure it out from there!”

Please visit www.tryon.com or call (828)-863-1000 for more information.

Rowan Willis and Everse W Finish on High Note at Tryon Spring 4

Rowan Willis and Everse W. Photo Credit ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – May 27, 2018 – Tryon Spring 4 competition concluded Sunday at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) with a win for Australia’s Rowan Willis aboard Everse W in the $35,000 1.45m Sunday Classic CSI 3*, stopping the short-course timers in 40.162 seconds. Daniel Bedoya (BOL) claimed second place honors with Carolyn M. Elsey’s 2004 Zangersheide mare, Quilona V Z (Quasimodo Z x Nimmerdor), clearing the course in 41.6 seconds, while Deborah Stephens (USA) rode Cairo B, a 2007 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Vermont x Mr. Blue) owned by Centennial Farm Inc., to third place after their 41.865-second performance on the short track.

Willis and Dinah Posford’s 2009 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Lexicon x Carthago) were last to go after 16 entries toured the first round and six pairs returned to test the short track. Willis also achieved eighth place aboard his own Shark, a 2008 Anglo European Sport Horse gelding (Arko x Pilot), after a speedy four-fault first round.

“The course was strong enough, actually, and it rode how it walked for me,” Willis said of the track set by Hector Loyola (PRI). “I thought it was going to be a little bit easier being a 1.45 meter on Sunday, but [Hector] builds a tough, but nice course. It was a competitive enough jump-off. I was lucky to go last because Everse W has been drawn first all week, so that was nice. When you let him off and go fast he’s got such a big stride and just covers the ground easily.”

Entering the class with two mounts that also tested the $70,000 Spy Coast Farm Grand Prix CSI 3* Saturday night was a last-minute but fruitful decision, Willis explained, as he was hoping to improve his rides on both mounts before leaving the venue.

“I’m off to Spruce Meadows next. I was actually going to start driving there today, but after I didn’t ride so well in the Grand Prix last night, I thought we had to stay and jump today,” said Willis of his two mounts Everse W and Shark.

Willis has been named to the Short List for the Australian Jumping Team ahead of the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 (WEG) hosted at TIEC September 11-23, 2018, and while he’s not aiming Everse W at the Games, Willis commented that his first experience as a competitor at the venue was positive, and he hopes to carry this momentum forward.

“It’s a great facility. I’ve been very impressed,” he emphasized. “It’s lovely, and I’m really excited about coming back in September. [Everse W] is a great horse, but I’m not aiming him at this WEG since he’s only nine. I’ve got my older one Blue Movie here that I’m hoping to bring back. Maybe [Everse W] for the next one!”

Everse W started off Eventing before Willis acquired the ride for owner Dinah Posford and plans to continue building the gelding’s experience at Spruce Meadows as he prepares for potential WEG contention, he noted. “Hopefully next time I’m back here I’ll be winning, too!”

Please visit www.tryon.com or call (828)-863-1000 for more information.

Holloway and Eastern Jam Win $70k Spy Coast Farm Grand Prix CSI 3* during Tryon Spring 4

Hunter Holloway and Eastern Jam. Photo Credit ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – May 26, 2018 – The $70,000 Spy Coast Farm Grand Prix CSI 3* hosted at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) during Tryon Spring 4 saw Hunter Holloway (USA) and Eastern Jam secure top honors after the pair flew around the short course in 45.06 seconds ahead of Santiago Lambre (MEX) and his own Cetano Van Aspergem Z, a 2009 Zangersheide gelding (Clinton x Ahorn Z), who finished in second with a time of 45.525 seconds. Richie Moloney (IRL) claimed third place aboard Rocksy Music, a 2008 Irish Sport Horse gelding (ARS Vivendi x Diamond Serpent) owned by Equinimity LLC, with a time of 44.876 second and a four-fault finish.

The field of twenty-two entries saw four pairs return to test the short course designed by Hector Loyola (PRI), and Holloway was last to go in the jump-off. Lambre had just finished the first clear round in the jump-off, but Holloway felt she could complete the fast track just a tiny bit quicker than Lambre.

“I knew I could shave off a little time on Santiago’s round and [Eastern Jam] is a really quick horse on his own, so he helped me out a lot. He was a great boy,” said Holloway of her jump-off strategy.

“This horse is amazing,” she said of the 2009 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Lexicon x Monaco) owned by Hays Investment Corporation. “I got him about two years ago now and have just brought him along slowly. He’s really developed into an amazing Grand Prix horse. He just won the Grand Prix in Omaha, so to come back and win his second Grand Prix in a row is super. He just moved up to the FEI level mid-circuit in Wellington, so I’m really proud of him.”

Holloway complimented the course designer on a “lovely” course, saying, “I thought it had a good flow and it was fair. It was set really well and rode nicely,” she explained. “There was a question about how many strides to do in the five to the six – I did six to seven on mine, and on my other ride I did six to six, so I think it required knowing your horse there, but overall I thought it was a great track.”

Though her mount is still new to the international competition action, he took well to TIEC’s electric atmosphere and Holloway added that Eastern Jam actually enjoys the spotlight.

“In general, this horse is a winner. He likes to win and to be in the arena and have it be all about him – so he’s pretty straightforward,” she said. “We’ll keep developing him since he’s still fairly green. We’ll show the next two weeks here and then he’ll have a week or two off before we go to Spruce Meadows and see how he is there,” she concluded.

Please visit www.tryon.com or call (828)-863-1000 for more information.

Samuel Parot and Couscous Van Orti Win $86k 1.50m Suncast Challenge to Wrap Up Tryon Spring

Samuel Parot and Couscous Van Orti. Photos ©FlyingHorsePhotography.

Mill Spring, NC – June 12, 2016 – On the final day of FEI CSI 5* classes at the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), Samuel Parot (CHI) took home the blue ribbon in the $86,000 1.50m Suncast® Challenge on his mount Couscous Van Orti. The speedy duo edged the competition with a time of 35.128 seconds. Parot was one of two combinations to jump double clear around the challenging course designed by Alan Wade (IRL). Karl Cook (USA) piloted his ride Caillou 24 to a faultless round and a time of 36.822 seconds, earning them second place. Coming in third to round out top three was Scott Keach (AUS) and Fedor with a time of 37.490 seconds.

The class brought an exciting jump-off round featuring six horse and rider combinations and had spectators cheering for Parot, as he dashed through the course and made a big move to the last oxer. Alan Wade delivered another solid course, building two tracks that aimed to test speed and agility. Parot commented on the course, “Alan Wade is really strong course designer and each of his courses is tough, yet fair. In the jump-off I kept seeing good distances. I honestly got a little lucky, and I won. A little luck is always necessary.”

“Both of my horses jumped well this week and I’m pleased with their performances,” he added.

Couscous Van Orti, a 2002 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Nabab de Reve x Cash), and Parot have been a team for a little over a year, competing in multiple FEI CSI 4* and FEI CSI 5* competitions. Parot spoke about the facility, which is growing to be a favorite stop for his team, saying, “Everything here is amazing. It is new, the footing is pristine, and the people are great. Also, the attention to the riders is unlike another show I’ve been too.”

On the final day of TIEC’s first ever FEI CSI 5* week, Parot touched on the importance of the entire competition, as he successfully guided two horses to top finishes, stating, “I cannot say enough good things about Tryon. It is comfortable for the riders and the horses. I hope more and more people will begin to come here because it is an unbelievable place.”

Karl Cook and Caillou 24
Karl Cook and Caillou 24

With this thrilling win now under his belt, Parot feels confident for the future success of Couscous Van Orti, Atlantis and the rest of his team as they begin a short break in competition before heading back to North Carolina for the four weeks of the Tryon Summer Series.

“Next we will head to Chile, my home country, for two weeks and then we will back to Tryon in July for the FEI CSI 3* and FEI CSI 4* competitions in the summer series,” he explained. “My plan for the fall is to head north to compete in Calgary at Spruce Meadows and then maybe the L.A. Masters in California. Wellington, FL will be our winter pit stop, before returning to this remarkable facility in the spring in 2017.”

“Normally every year after the winter season in Wellington, I head to Europe. However, last spring I came here to the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) and I was blown away. There is no need to go to Europe when America has immaculate shows such as these. We will absolutely be back,” Parot added.

Competition draws to a close at TIEC, concluding the 2016 Spring Series, which could not have been more successful, showcasing the talents of equestrians from around the country and the world. The first two weeks of the 2016 Tryon Summer Series, will begin on Wednesday, June 29, and entail back-to-back FEI CSI 3* weeks and AA Premier hunter divisions. The Tryon Summer Series will host four consecutive weeks of the popular “Saturday Night Lights” Series with two consecutive $130,000 Grand Prix CSI 3* classes up for grabs, followed by two $216,000 CSI 4* classes. The inaugural Great Charity Challenge of the Carolinas (GCCC) is set for Friday, July 1. If interested in participating as a rider or becoming a team or event sponsor, please contact gcc@tryon.com. For more information on Tryon International Equestrian Center please visit www.tryon.com.