Under the Tryon Stadium lights for Saturday Night Lights presented by Skyla Credit Union, concluding the Tryon Summer Series presented by The Farm House, Kristen VanderVeen (USA) claimed yet another victory in the $120,000 Cleghorn Golf & Sports Club Grand Prix CSI 3*. Atop Bull Run’s Jireh (Uriko x Colman), VanderVeen crossed the jump off timers in 38.05 seconds to best a field of 25 competitors. Richie Moloney (IRL), riding Skelwith Diamond Lady (Kalaska De Semilly x Balou Du Rouet), the 2014 Anglo European mare owned by Equinimity, LLC, secured second place with a 38.46 second jump off round. Completing the podium in third place, Michael Walton (USA) and Mia Marano’s 2015 Selle Francais Stallion, Fahrenheit De Vains RW (Cornet Obolensky x Qredo De Paulstra), finished with 42.54 seconds on the clock. 

Fifteen trips took to Tryon International’s Derby Field to ride the $5,000 USHJA Open National Hunter Derby course. Kelli Cruciotti Vanderveen (Loxahatchee, FL) piloted the Remington Farm’s entry, Ratino KN ter Beuken (Gino H x Extreme From The Breeder D 09), to score a 176 and take the win. Second place with a total Hunt & Go score of 172 was awarded to Alicia Wilkinson (Charlotte, NC) riding Corvet Chaqueño (G..P. Chicco Blue x Corvet Coqueta), the 2017 Warmblood stallion owned by Crown Sport Horses LLC. Completing the podium on a score of 170 was the Kristen Kulinski 2012 Oldenburg gelding entry, Calistro (Cornet's Prinz x Alexa), ridden by Ellarose Lewis (Ethel, LA).

Riding the Ken Krome-designed course with three of his mounts, Fernando Cardenas (COL) took over the top two spots in Thursday’s $32,000 LeMieux Welcome Stake CSI 3*. The 2017 Hanoverian mare, Balou's Honora Car (Balou Du Rouet x Galiani CH), produced the winning jump off round in a time of 40.69 seconds. Fano Car (K Diamant D'heure ABF x Galiani CH) 2015 North American Sport Horse gelding, was the runner up, clearing the course in 41.50 seconds. Rounding out the podium, Emma Irwin (CAN) rode Las Vegas (Arezzo VDL x Otangelo), Rosalie Midyette’s 2016 Dutch Warmblood stallion, to a time of 42.17 seconds.

David Blake (IRL) and Cornwall BH flew through the Tryon Stadium at Saturday Night Lights presented by Skyla Credit Union to take home the win in the $70,000 The Farm House Grand Prix CSI 2*, stopping the clock at 40.21 seconds. Audrey Muscari (USA) navigated the short course in a time of 38.5 to take home second place with Chester du Roset, her own 2015 Swiss Warmblood gelding (Chief V x Tlaloc M), on four faults. Rounding out the podium in a time of 41.89, Nicolette Hirt (USA) rode Dalton van de Lindehoeve Z (Dagano Vdw Z x Walme Z), the Chatwood Farms LLC owned 2015 Zangersheide gelding, to third place. 

July 11, 2025 - Championing the $5,000 USHJA Open National Hunter Derby with the highest second-round score of 90 and the second highest first-round score of 88 for a total of 178, Tiffany Cambria (Upperville, VA) rode Not To Worry (Casall x Flora VI). The 2017 Westphalian gelding, Innamorato (Angel x Unknown) owned by Emily Sweeny with rider Lauren Underhill (Long Lake, MN) scored an 88 in the handy, earning them Reserve Honors on a total score of 174. Last week’s derby champions, Ceyda Sezer (Roswell, GA) and her own 2016 Belgian Warmblood gelding New Beginnings (Prince van de Wolfsakker x Doreen van het Lindehof), had the highest first round score of 89, finishing in third place with a score of 171.

The $120,000 Fabbri Boots Grand Prix CSI 3* saw a total of 15 trips tour the course designed by Nicholas Granat. Notching their second Saturday Night Lights presented by Skyla Credit Union win in a row, Kristen VanderVeen (USA) and Bull Run's Jireh cleared the course in 34.48 seconds. Claiming second place with 38.32 seconds on the clock, Brittni Raflowitz (ISR) rode the ESI Show Jumpers Inc 2016 Holsteiner stallion, Commander Bond (Corrado I x For Pleasure). Rounding out the podium with their 40.15 second performance was Richie Moloney (IRL) and Coco Beach (Casall x San Patriagnano Corrado), Equinimity LLC’s 2012 Holsteiner mare.

Friday afternoon, 16 pairs took to the Tryon Stadium for the $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby. Receiving top honors with a total two-round score of 382 was Liza Boyd (USA) aboard Finally Farm LLC’s Ondine D’Orleans. Posting the second highest combined score of 374.25 was Josh Dolan (USA) aboard Something Blue (Carambole x Special BP), the 2014 Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Meg Robinson. Front Page (Vigo D’Arsouilles x Cartagena Indias Ecaussinnes), the 2014 Belgian Warmblood gelding owned by Cynthia Sulzberger and ridden by Colin Syquia (PHI), earned third place with an official score of 372. 

Kristen VanderVeen (USA) continued her successful Summer Series at Tryon International and qualified both her mounts for the jump off during the $32,000 LeMieux Welcome Stake CSI 3* on Thursday. Receiving top honors was Bull Run’s Celestial (Cicero Z Van Paemel x Numero Uno), the 2015 Zangersheide stallion owned by Bull Run Jumpers Inc., completing the jump off with a time of 39.94 seconds. Alejandro Leonardo Winkler (MEX), owner and rider of Flagship De Hus (Windows VH Costersveld x Fergar Mail), the 2015 Selle Francais mare, walked away with reserve honors after their double clear efforts in a time of 42.32. Earning third place was Mia Marano’s 2016 Holsteiner gelding, Crusher RW (Crumble x Unknown), with rider Michael Walton (USA) and a time of 48.37 seconds in the jump off and adding six faults along the way. 

David Blake (Wellington, FL) took both first and second place in Sunday’s $30,000 Yanmar America Sunday Classic, stopping the timers in 30.542 seconds with J.Diago, the 2014 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Diarado x Unknown) owned by Pine Hollow Farm. Aboard Fayuri, the 2013 Warmblood gelding (Favorit Ask x Larissa KB XXV CH) owned by P Stables LLC, Blake cleared the short course in 30.852 seconds to claim the reserve slot. Jordan Gilchrist (Flower Mound, TX) grabbed third place in a time of 32.248 seconds with Mefisto IL Mondo, her own 2012 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Cumthago C x Cartier Van De Heffinck).

Kristen VanderVeen (USA) and Bull Run’s Jireh scored big in Saturday night’s $70,000 Silver Spoon Saloon Grand Prix CSI 2* at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (Tryon International), posting a time of 35.36 seconds amongst seven competitors in the jump off. David Blake (IRL) and Cornwall BH, the 2008 Holsteiner gelding (Con Air x Unknown) owned by Gochman Sport Horse LLC, claimed reserve honors in a time of 39.46 seconds. Completing the podium, Blake also rode Conblue, the 2014 Oldenburg gelding (Conthargos x Chacco-Blue) owned by Pine Hollow Farm, to a time of 40.07. 

Kristen VanderVeen (USA) and the 2014 Holsteiner gelding Bull Run's Jireh (Uriko x Colman) were triumphant in the $32,000 LeMieux Welcome Stake CSI 2*. This pair had a recent successful week during Tryon Spring 6 series, winning both the $32,000 LeMieux Welcome Stake CSI 3* and the $120,000 Vogel Grand Prix CSI 3*. John Brown (GRB) aboard Ponce Tidwell Jr’s 2013 Belgian Warmblood gelding, Ballon Bleu (Amaretto D'Arco x Ariadus) took the reserve honors title. With a time of 39.11 seconds, Francesca Bolfo (USA) and Jadalco (Nabab De Reve x For Pleasure), the 2009 Belgian Warmblood gelding owned by Duterra, claimed third place. 

Edited Press Release

MILL SPRING (June 26, 2025) – In the wake of Hurricane Helene, Tryon International Equestrian Center made space available for 20 retail businesses from the decimated village of Chimney Rock, so those businesses could survive. Tryon International made a commitment to make the second floor of the International Pavilion - a 25,000 square-foot indoor space - available for nine months at no cost, and implemented a minimal rent in June for vendors who opted to continue their presence long-term at the indoor market.

Mill Spring, NC - June 25, 2025 - the Tryon Summer Series presented by The Farm House kicked off with Tryon Summer 2 competition hosted June 20-22 at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (Tryon International). The weekend saw John Brown (Mill Spring, NC) take top honors in the feature class, the $25,000 Henri de Rivel Sunday Grand Prix, with Ballon Bleu, stopping the short course timers in 37.673 seconds to take the win. In second, Brittni Raflowitz (Palm City, FL) and Hedwina de Villee, the 2013 Warmblood mare (Nabab de Reve x Azarra de Villee) owned by Mackenzie Hirsch, cleared the jump-off timers in 39.215 seconds. David Blake (Wellington, FL) rode the Pine Hollow Farm 2014 Dutch Warmblood gelding, J.Diago (Diarado x Tara), to third place in a time of 40.293 seconds.

Mill Spring, NC - June 25, 2025 - Tryon International, together with Glenn and Joan Petty, have announced that the Duke "Jump for the Children" Horse Shows will be moving from Raleigh, NC to Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (Tryon International) in November 2025. Two weeks of competition (November 5-9, November 12-16) will feature USEF National and Level 4 competition, continuing a 42-year tradition of raising lifesaving funds for Duke Children’s Hospital (Duke Children’s). Duke “Jump for the Children” I is a USEF Heritage Competition. The series will be preceded by the Triangle Farms Finale C, hosted October 31-November 2 (NCHJA C, SCHJA Palmetto and BRHJA).

The Tryon Spring Series was brought to a close with the $25,000 Yanmar America Sunday Jumper Classic championed for a third time by Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) aboard last week’s winning ride, Check Me Out (Chacoon Blue x Condara). The second double clear round of the class was performed by Sabrina Lefebvre’s 2017 Warmblood mare Ribery (Aganix Du Seigneur X Osasoena), piloted by Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN). Jumping off with a time of 44.574 seconds earned Amanda Flint (USA) aboard her own 2013 Zangersheide gelding Irvington VDL (Dallas x Quickstar) third place. 

Despite a brief rain delay in the first round of competition showcased at Saturday Night Lights presented by Skyla Credit Union, 24 competitors contested the $70,000 Main Street Insurance Grand Prix CSI 2*, with Kristen VanderVeen (USA) and Bull Run’s Celestial jumping to victory in 32.35 seconds. Reserve honors went to Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) aboard Belle De Muze, the Driss Ngadi-owned 2010 Warmblood mare (Ponsee V x Lando), with a time of 33.38 seconds in the jump off round. Stopping the jump off timers at 34.36 seconds, Kristen VanderVeen claimed third place aboard Bull Run’s Jireh, the 2014 Holsteiner gelding (Uriko x Colman) owned by Bull Run Jumpers Inc.

Hunter Kay (Columbia, SC) and Galileo (Unknown x Unknown) took charge in the $10,000 USHJA Open National Hunter Derby, winning the first of three Hunter Derbies hosted Friday during Tryon Spring 6 and Tryon Riding & Hunt Club Charity Horse Show. The team dominated over 13 contestants on the Derby Field, scoring 182 points. Riding Meredith Huddle’s Bluewater (Unknown x Unknown), the 2017 Dutch Warmblood gelding, Liza Boyd (Camden, SC) secured the reserve rosette on 176 points. Jennifer Bliss (Wellington, FL) took Wailea, the 2014 Dutch Warmblood mare owned by Ohana Equine LLC, to third place with 173 points on the board. 

MILL SPRING, NC – June 02, 2025 – Tryon International today announced that Sharon Decker, a key member of its leadership team, will be taking a temporary leave of absence to serve in an important role with Governor Josh Stein’s GROW NC Team. Decker has been contracted to lead the development of a long-term economic revitalization plan for western North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Helene. “We fully support Sharon in this vital work to help rebuild Western North Carolina and its communities,” said Mark Bellissimo, Managing Partner of Tryon International. “She’s been instrumental to Tryon International’s success and is uniquely qualified to lead this important effort.”

To cap off an evening of Saturday Night Lights festivities presented by Skyla Credit Union, Kristen VanderVeen (USA) led the victory gallop in Tryon Stadium to celebrate a $120,000 Vogel Grand Prix CSI 3* win. With equine teammate Bull Run's Jireh (Uriko x Colman), VanderVeen dominated the four-horse jump off, stopping the short track timers in 35.13 seconds. Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) claimed the second place spot on the podium, riding Condara, the 2012 Mecklenburg mare (Conthargos x Catapult 7) owned by Victoria Heurtematte, to a jump off time of 35.26 seconds. Paired with Nintendo (Nintender x Chacco Blue), the 2014 Oldenburg gelding owned by Counter Balance LLC, Megan McDermott (USA) marked a 37.09 second jump off, securing third. 

With Tryon Spring 5, The Tryon Spring Series presented by Fields Auto Group, BMW Asheville, Mercedes Asheville and DEFENDER ushers in FEI CSI 3* competition and top tier hunter/jumper action. Racing to first place in Tryon Stadium on a time of 38.61 seconds, Kristen VanderVeen (USA) and Bull Run's Jireh (Uriko x Colman) clocked in a win in Thursday’s $32,000 LeMieux Welcome Stake CSI 3*. Tying for second, Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) rode Condara (Conthargos x Catapult 7), the 2012 Mecklenburg mare owned by Victoria Heurtematte, to a time of 38.92 seconds. Marking a matching 38.92 seconds on the clock for second place was Carlie Fairty (CAN), aboard Fairgreen Sod Farms’ Jetplane (Whitesnake x Niagara), the 2014 Dutch Warmblood mare.