Results: Tryon Summer 2
Samuel Parot Scores $25,000 Buckley Fence Grand Prix Win Aboard Tiffany De Olid
Julianna Empie and Ahron EP Reign Supreme in $5,000 USHJA National Derby Presented by AP Hassinger
Harold Chopping and Geronimo SCF Victors of $5,000 ProElite Welcome Stake
For Immediate Release
Rette Solomon for Tryon International
Mill Spring, NC – June 23, 2024 – Closing out week two of the Tryon Summer Series presented by The Farm House, it was Samuel Parot (Wellington, FL) who claimed the win in Sunday’s $25,000 Buckley Fence Grand Prix. Aboard his own Tiffany De Olid, Parot turned in a jump off time of 37.89 seconds to secure the win over the Archer “Skip” Bailey track. Marking a time of 40.14 seconds, Ashlee Bond (Hidden Hills, CA) and Zambrini (ZambesI TN x La Touche), the 2014 Anglo European mare owned by Bellwyn Farm LLC earned reserve honors. Rounding out the top placings, Alexis Bodo (Nashville, TN) rode Harry’s Chat Girl Z (Houston x Chatwoman 111 Z), the 2014 Zangersheide mare to third place in 40.68 seconds.
Samuel Parot and Tiffany De Olid
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
With eight of the 22 teams qualifying for the jump off, Tryon Stadium saw four double clears. Parot expressed his satisfaction with the win aboard Tiffany De Olid (Huppydam Des Horts x Coco De Mies). “This is a really good mare,” the Chilean rider shared. “I haven’t been lucky the last three weeks, with [rails down], but today was a win! I’m so happy.”
Ashlee Bond and Zambrini
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
With a tight jump off course, Parot praised the 2012 Selle Français mare’s foot speed. “She’s so fast. I was able to do six [strides] after the combination, and turn very quick. All the turns came perfectly, and today was my day.”
Alexis Bodo and Harry’s Chat Girl Z
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
For full results from the $25,000 Buckley Fence Grand Prix, click here.
Julianna Empie and Ahron EP Reign Supreme in $5,000 USHJA National Derby Presented by AP Hassinger
June 22, 2024 – Going two-for-two in Saturday’s $5,000 USHJA National Derby presented by AP Hassinger, Julianna Empie (Chester Springs, PA) claimed top podium placings. Taking the win with Ahron EP, owned by Laura Leigh Lewis, Empie marked a 172.5 over both rounds. Teaming up with Vanilla Ice for reserve honors, Empie clinched her clean sweep with a score of 170.5 points aboard the ride for Stephanie Easler. KatieMae Sweeney (Waxhaw, NC) captured third with 169.5 points, partnered with her own Alpine’s Revolution (Alpine x Belle), 2013 RPSI gelding.
Recognizing the different riding styles of her equine teammates, Julianna Empie explained her strategy across both derby rounds. “I approached the handy course differently for both of them, just with slight changes. For the most part, I had the same plan going in – I just wanted to be smooth everywhere, have a good round, and build up their confidence in these kinds of classes.”
Julianna Empie and Ahron EP
©Laci Matthews for Natalie Suto Photography
Likening her winning mount Ahron EP (Acorado’s Ass x Seven Wonders) to a sports car, Empie shared that the 2014 Rhinelander gelding’s rideability helped set them apart from the rest of the field. “He's super handy, so I can go in, really get on the gallop, and be very tight back in my turns. He's just great that way! I was able to have some really handy turns, and then a good hand gallop at the end.”
Julianna Empie and Vanilla Ice
©Laci Matthews for Natalie Suto Photography
Empie also shared how her second place finish with Vanilla Ice (Light My Fire x Korinna) marks a milestone in the Hanoverian gelding’s career. “He's a bit younger, so we were just working on developing him in the seven year old young hunter classes at WEF. I started doing the derbies with him also this winter, and he's been amazing. This is one of our top results!” she revealed.
KatieMae Sweeney and Alpine’s Revolution
©Laci Matthews for Natalie Suto Photography
“This past year was really my first time competing at Tryon, and I just love being able to compete out on the derby field and in the international ring. It’s a great venue, and I think the horses get a great experience here. It's been a lot of fun for me as a rider as well,” Empie concluded.
For full results from the $5,000 USHJA National Derby presented by AP Hassinger, click here.
Harold Chopping and Geronimo SCF Victors of $5,000 ProElite Welcome Stake
June 21, 2024 – Keeping the poles up to secure a victory in the $5,000 ProElite Welcome Stake, Harold Chopping (Southern Pines, NC) incurred only a single jump off time fault while piloting Geronimo SCF (Vernon x Marie Louise) to first place. Chopping and the 2011 Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Diane Halpin crossed jump off markers at 40.18 seconds, just over the time allowed. With two faults on time, Julianna Empie (Chester Springs, PA) and Kelly Kocher’s 2012 Hanoverian mare, Chanel 479 (Check In x Rascaya), jumped to second place, recording 41.84 seconds. Jordan Gilchrist (Flower Mound, TX) collected three time faults with a time of 42.85 seconds with her own 2012 Belgian Warmblood gelding, Mefisto Il Mondo (Cumthago C x Hapi), for third in the Welcome Stake.
Harold Chopping and SCF Geronimo
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
For full results from the $5,000 ProElite Welcome Stake, click here.
Week three of the Tryon Summer Series presented by The Farm House commences June 26 and runs through June 30. Join us this week for Pony Spectacular presented by Young Rider, a celebration of our smallest and most talented equine athletes! Following an enchanted theme, Pony Spectacular festivities include stall decorating contests, pony costume contests, and a special $10,000 USHJA Pony Derby presented by Penny Insurance Equine and Farm. Saturday Night Lights powered by Stuller Power Solutions resumes June 29, featuring a beach theme and the $65,000 Bobcat Grand Prix CSI2*. More details available at www.Tryon.com/snl.
Photos ©Natalie Suto Photography (Laci Matthews and Sarah Sturgis, as noted) unless otherwise 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.