Welcome 1 Results: Tryon Welcome Series
Santiago Arenas and Maba Indigo ©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
Mill Spring, NC – March 23, 2025 – Touring Tryon Stadium in a lightning-fast jump off round, Santiago Arenas (Fuquay Varina, NC) claimed the first Grand Prix win of Tryon International’s Welcome Series presented by Rug & Home. Aboard Maba Indigo (My Way x Mariposa), Arenas posted the fastest round of the 21-entry $20,000 Tryon International Grand Prix with 37.15 seconds on the clock. Florian Ferry (Williston, SC) took home the remaining podium positions with a pair of equine teammates owned by Agathe Heurteux. Marking 37.57 seconds in the jump off, Ferry finished in second with Balkan De Riverland (Unknown x Glycine Des Bois II), the 2011 Selle Français gelding. Ferry then partnered with Ines Shanti (Unknown x Quinta De L’othain Z), the 2018 Selle Français mare, riding to 39.62 seconds in the jump off for third place.
“Indigo loves his job and loves to be in the show,” Santiago Arenas said of Maba Indigo, the 2018 Oldenburg gelding owned by Maba Equestrian. The development and success of the young gelding has been a true family affair.
“[Indigo] has a big family behind him,” Arenas detailed, following his Grand Prix win. “[My dad] found him and my cousins own him, so he’s from the family.
“He’s just seven. This is his first Grand Prix, and he just loves to win, and he loves to go fast. I just kind of let him be himself – he’s a very special horse.” Arenas also emphasized his strategy in developing young equine athletes. “[Indigo] wants to be the best, and I’m just trying to develop him slowly with patience and let him grow.
“We’re going back home now to rest and make sure he [stays feeling] 100 percent. Thanks to my family that believe in and support me with him,” Arenas concluded.
2’6 Open Hunter Derby Winners: Chelsea Koornick and Truffle
March 22, 2025 – Chelsea Koornick (Charleston, SC) was in top form during Saturday’s 2’6 Open Hunter Derby, partnered with her own Truffle (Kibrahm x Kensay) to bring home the win in the Jarrett Schmid ring. Earning 169 points over two rounds, Koornick and Truffle bested a field of 18 derby competitors. Just behind with 168 points, Evelyn Siravo (Waxhaw, NC) took second place aboard Andrea Guzinski’s Three Olives (Unknown x Unknown), the 2004 Warmblood gelding. Gracyn Sobel (Charlotte, NC) completed the top three, taking 160 points with Andrea Guzinski’s Déjà Vu (Unknown x Unknown).
Derby winner Chelsea Koornick described her longtime partnership with the 2007 Dutch Warmblood gelding Truffle. “I’ve had him since he was five, and he’s 18 next month, so it’s been a long journey. He brought me from local 3’ all the way to 3’6 Indoors. He is one of a kind, very treat driven, and the most social animal you’ll ever meet.”
Koornick revealed that getting in and out of the lines smoothly was a key component of her winning strategy, explaining that she allows Truffle to open up and stretch out during the team’s warmup. “We were very lucky to have a large schooling ring today, and he came in ready to rock!” Koornick added.
“The goal was constant rhythm,” Koornick said of her handy round performance. “Coming down the last line, we were able to really relax because I read it correctly, and I was able to not kick every step.”
With Koornick and Truffle winning a box of Equine Quality Horse Treats along with their first place accolades, the amateur rider shared that her equine partner will be sharing with his barn mates. “He’s getting plenty from all directions, and we will absolutely be doing the same!”
Koornick concluded with thanks for her AMW Stables family. “Annie [Walters-Rogeri] is one of the best trainers I’ve ever ridden with. She’s such a beautiful horseman, and she’s taught all these girls about being a team player.
John Brown Conquers $5,000 LeMieux Welcome Stake
March 21, 2025 – In Friday’s $5,000 LeMieux Welcome Stake, John Brown (Mill Spring, NC) teamed up with Ballon Bleu (Amaretto D Arco x Papilon) for the win. Brown and Ponce Tidwell Jr.’s 2013 Belgian Warmblood gelding achieved a double clear effort with a 37.34 second jump off time. Sher E. Schwartz’s CS Carrera (Contendro I x Beaulieus Cayenne), the 2009 Holsteiner/Westphalian mare, was piloted by Waylon Roberts (Aiken, SC) to second place, stopping the jump off timers at 39.42 seconds. Ricardo Villa (Campobello, SC) and his own 2016 Zangersheide gelding, Curioso Van Maarle Z (Canabis Z x Katina VD Holstenhoeve Z), finished the jump off on 41.78 seconds for third place.
Tryon Welcome 1 Division Highlights
The Pony Jumper Division named Alexandra O’Toole’s Drumlane Oscar as the week’s champion, with Callan O’Toole (Monroe, GA) in the irons. Reserve honors went to Plot Twist and Brooke Billesdon (Charlotte, NC) for B Freedom Farm LLC.
Cruise Quality sailed to top honors in the Junior Hunter 3’3”/3’6” 15&U Division, owned and piloted by Grace Wahlberg. Crosby Esstman (Winston Salem, NC) rode Hannah Smith’s Adore to reserve honors.
Morgan Batton (Aiken, SC) and her own Betty Z were champions in the 1.20m Open Jumper Division, also claiming top honors in the $2,000 1.20m GSS Marketing Open Jumper Stake. Reserve honors in the division belonged to Ricardo Villa (Campobello, SC), piloting Linen Owens’ Libelle van de Moerhoeve.
The Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” Division congratulated Infinity Equestrian LLC’s The Silver Screen with Payton Potter (Raleigh, NC) in the irons as champion. Bugatti claimed reserve honors with owner-rider Liddy Strickland (McDonough, GA) aboard.
Durham, NC’s Zoey Horn dominated the Adult Equitation Division riding Michael Bertozzi’s Bonaire, while Christa Gilroy (Jefferson, GA) celebrated a reserve championship for her efforts with her own mount, Oliver C.
For full results, visit www.Tryon.com.
