Mid-Show Update: Tryon Spring 1
Amanda Derbyshire Sees Top Two Podium Placings in $30,000 ProElite Welcome Stake
Campbell Clement Shines Aboard Whinny The Blue in $1,500 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby presented by Penny Insurance Agency Equine & Farm
Luke Jensen and Meadowvale Cruise Sail to First in $20,000 Open Jumper Classic
For Immediate Release
Rette Solomon for Tryon International
Mill Spring, NC – May 2, 2024 – The Tryon Spring Series presented by Main Street Insurance kicked off this week with Tryon Spring 1, hosted April 30-May 5. Coming off their reserve honors in Wednesday’s Open Jumper Classic, Amanda Derbyshire (Wellington, FL) and Otto BH (Norton D'eole x D-armel Van't Kamerveld) capitalized on their success to win Thursday’s $30,000 ProElite Welcome Stake. Derbyshire’s other mount, Cornwall BH (Con Air x Tessi), the 2008 Holsteiner gelding, was close behind his barnmate to take second, marking a jump off time of 39.94 seconds. Aboard Kung Fu (Arezzo VDL x Valencia), the 2015 Dutch Warmblood gelding, Zayna Rizvi (Greenwich, CT) claimed third, recording 40.22 seconds in the jump off.
Amanda Derbyshire and Otto BH
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
With 17 competitors returning to the jump off, Amanda Derbyshire required both focus and speed from her winning mounts. “Manuel Esparza built a nice first round, and there were plenty of clears. I knew the jump off was going to be fast with some young guns in it,” Derbyshire said of the short-track round, which she and Otto BH completed in 38.25 seconds.
Amanda Derbyshire and Cornwall BH
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
Derbyshire set the pace with the 2012 Zangersheide stallion. “I went first on Otto, and he’s very fast, so I just gave it my all,” she explained. “As everyone [in the jump off] tried to go so fast, there weren’t too many clears. On the second [of my horses], I tried to be as fast. I knew I probably couldn’t beat Otto’s time, but with first and second, it’s a great day!
Zayna Rizvi and Kung Fu
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
“It feels great to be back here! The weather is perfect right now because it's not too hot,” Derbyshire said of the Tryon spring climate. “It’s generally just relaxing, and the show is very laid back compared to Florida.”
Amanda Derbyshire in her presentation ceremony alongside Lance Bennett, Stabling and Competition Manager.
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
For full results from the $30,000 ProElite Welcome Stake, click here.
Campbell Clement Shines Aboard Whinny The Blue in $1,500 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby presented by Penny Insurance Agency Equine & Farm
May 3, 2024 – Challenging the derby course brought to Tryon International by Archer “Skip” Bailey, Campbell Clement (Fort Mill, SC) and Whinny The Blue were declared winners in the $1,500 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby presented by Penny Insurance Agency Equine & Farm, scoring a total of 165 points over two rounds. Leila Henshaw (Atlanta, GA) rode her own A Never-Ending Story, (Unknown x Unknown), the 2017 New Forest Pony gelding, to 160 points to capture reserve honors. With 149 points, Sarasen Jablon (Charleston, SC), rounded out the top three aboard her own Crocodile Rock (JLA Sir William x Queen Of Mary Tricks), the 2008 Welsh/Thoroughbred gelding.
Campbell Clement and Whinny The Blue
©Natalie Suto for Natalie Suto Photography
Whinny The Blue (Griashall Kiwi x Polaris Farida), the 2013 Welsh Pony gelding known as “Puff”, was one of three mounts for Clement in the derby. “He’s a lot of fun to ride!” She shared. “I’ve been riding him for a year.” Owned by Clement’s friend and fellow junior rider Ivy Smith, the two young athletes often share the pony.
Leila Henshaw and A Never-Ending Story
©Natalie Suto for Natalie Suto Photography
“I liked the bending lines, and I thought it was a good course. My first round was good, and we got an 81. In my second round in the handy, I got an 84,” Clement said, recapping her winning rides.
Clement noted that she capitalized on her initial performance in the second round. “Handies are more fun, and I felt like I rode looser and felt better,” she observed.
Sarasen Jablon and Crocodile Rock
©Natalie Suto for Natalie Suto Photography
A familiar face at Tryon International, Clement will be competing in the Tryon Spring Series with her team of ponies for the next two weeks, and then sets off across the country for the summer. “I’m going to Devon to do the jumpers and equitation, then we’ll be at Aiken, then back to Tryon, and then to Kentucky.”
Campbell Clement and Whinny The Blue in their presentation ceremony.
©Natalie Suto for Natalie Suto Photography
For full results from the $1,500 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby presented by Penny Insurance Agency Equine & Farm, click here.
The Tryon Spring Series presented by Main Street Insurance will feature a total of three USHJA Pony Hunter Derby classes, with more details available here.
Luke Jensen and Meadowvale Cruise Sail to First in $20,000 Open Jumper Classic
May 1, 2024 – Kicking off Tryon International’s Spring Series highlight classes, Luke Jensen (Denton, TX) piloted Meadowvale Cruise, owned by Wyndmont Inc., to win the $20,000 Open Jumper Classic, held in Tryon Stadium. The pair tackled the Manuel Esparza-designed jump off track in 28.09 seconds to best a field of thirty-seven competitors. Claiming second in the Classic with a jump off time of 28.81 seconds was Amanda Derbyshire (Wellington, FL) aboard her own Otto BH (Norton D'eole x D-armel Van't Kamerveld), the 2012 Zangersheide stallion. Marking a time of 28.97 seconds for third was Sharn Wordley (Citra, FL) and Fernando Cardenas’ Valentine Car (Son Of Juan Car x Sofia Car), the 2009 warmblood gelding.
Luke Jensen and Meadowvale Cruise
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
For full results from the $20,000 Open Jumper Classic, click here.
Tryon Spring 1 continues through Sunday, May 5, with Saturday Night Lights presented by Stuller Power Solutions, hosting the highlight $75,000 Tryon International Grand Prix hosted in Tryon Stadium at 7:20PM. For the first Saturday Night Lights of 2024, enjoy a “Derby Day” theme – bring your best Kentucky Derby hat to celebrate! Event is rain or shine.
Photos ©Natalie Suto Photography (Natalie Suto and Sarah Sturgis, as noted). These photos may only be used once, in relation to this press release. Competitors may view and purchase competition photos at www.nataliesutophotography.shootproof.com. With questions regarding photography at TIEC, contact media@tryon.com.