Results: Tryon Summer 5
Ashlee Bond and Elka De La Pomme Soar to $65,000 Buckley Fence Grand Prix CSI 2* Win
Team Cantero Secures USHJA 1.0m Junior Zone Championship
Michael Walton and Dialektro RW Lead $25,000 Buckley Fence Sunday Jumper Classic
William Martin Takes $6,000 Speed Stake CSI 2* Aboard S.I.E.C. Larissa
For Immediate Release
Rette Solomon for Tryon International
Mill Spring, NC – July 13, 2024 – Capping off an evening of Saturday Night Lights festivities presented by Stuller Power Solutions and a thrilling display of show jumping with course design by Guilherme Jorge (BRA), Ashlee Bond (ISR) stepped to the top of the podium of the $65,000 Buckley Fence Grand Prix CSI 2*. Bond, paired with Aurora Farms’ Elka De La Pomme (Cartoon Z x Kannan), dominated the ten-horse jump off with a final time of 36.09 seconds. Last year’s Summer 5 Grand Prix winner, Nicolas Gamboa (COL), returned with NKH LLC’s NKH Mr. Darcy (Darco x Chepetto), the 2013 Holsteiner gelding, to claim reserve honors in a time of 36.13 seconds. Representing the home nation, Doug Payne (USA) piloted Quintessence (Unknown x Unknown), the 2011 Holsteiner gelding of Payne Equestrian, to mark 38.95 seconds on the clock for third.
Ashlee Bond and Elka De La Pomme
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
Bond provided insight into Elka De La Pomme’s development over the team’s two year partnership. “She’s been a fighter since the day I got her – super careful, and all the quality. I just had to channel it in the right direction, because she always wanted to go so fast,” Bond said of the 2014 Hanoverian mare.
Nicolas Gamboa and NKH Mr. Darcy
©Leyla Caynak for Natalie Suto Photography
Bond expressed her delight for Elka De La Pomme’s performance under the Tryon Stadium lights. Known as “Tater” around the barn, Bond noted that the mare is “just learning to put it all together, go fast in a jump off, and keep her head about her. I'm really proud of her today. I felt like it just all came together at the right time.”
Doug Payne and Quintessence
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
Despite the extremely small margin between Bond’s and Gamboa’s jump off times, the Israeli rider explained that she did not dwell for long on her competitors’ jump off rides. “When I go into a jump off, I just do what I feel my horse and I are ready for. If that ends up being the win, great! If not, it's what I felt was right for us in that moment,” she detailed.
Ashlee Bond, Nicolas Gamboa, and Doug Payne in their presentation ceremony alongside Lincoln Meredith, Sherie Campbell, Austin Elliott, and Lindsey Michaux of Buckley Fence, and General Manager, Equestrian Operations Glenn Petty.
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
With the Saturday Night Grand Prix being Bond’s last class before departing to the Paris Olympics, she now has her sights set on her upcoming performance with Donatello 141. “Donnie will fly out with Brittini Raflowitz and Jessie Stanek, my manager, on July 21st. We'll have nine days of just doing what we do and getting ready, but keeping it all the same. It's just another horse show – we've fortunately done an Olympics before, so we kind of know what to expect.”
Miguel Gonzales was awarded the Groom’s Award presented by Veredus for his care and dedication to Elka De La Pomme, alongside Tryon International’s Drew Page.
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
Bond has used her time at Tryon International to prepare for Paris, looking to repeat the same success she had in previous Olympic competition. “Tryon is always great! This was the exact prep I did before the Tokyo Olympics,” she recapped. “I won the 3* Grand Prix, and then went [to Tokyo] and had a very good showing. So if this is a good omen, I'm all for it!”
As the highest placing female rider in the Grand Prix, Ashlee Bond was awarded the Leading Lady Award presented by Marthaler Jewelers, alongside Director of Business Development Lynn Penny.
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
Fans can look forward to seeing Bond back for the Tryon Fall Series. “I'll be back for the Major League Show Jumping 5* in the fall,” Bond said. “I love it here – I think it's great for young horses and older horses, with good footing and a big venue. You can go trail riding on the Cross-Country courses, which I think is amazing for all ages.”
Ella Kraut was awarded the Sarah Bagworth Perpetual Trophy as the highest-placing amateur rider in the Grand Prix. Sarah’s family and friends gathered to present the award for the second year in a row, honoring Sarah’s wish to encourage amateur riders to follow their dreams and continue the pursuit of excellence.
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
Bond extended her gratitude for those supporting both her and her equine partners. “I’m grateful for my team! It takes a village, and I wouldn't be here without my family and my team. They’re outside of the ring, but they're just as important,” she asserted.
The top three Grand Prix riders celebrate with a Champagne Toast presented by Biltmore Winery.
©Madison Ibach for Tryon International
Results: $65,000 Buckley Fence Grand Prix CSI 2*
Horse Name, Year Breed gender (Sire x Sire of Dam)
Rider (Country), Owner: Faults/Faults/Time
1) Elka De La Pomme, 2014 Hanoverian mare (Cartoon Z x Kannan)
Ashlee Bond (ISR), Aurora Farms: 0/0/36.09
2) NKH Mr. Darcy, 2013 Holsteiner gelding (Darco x Chepetto)
Nicolas Gamboa (COL), NKH LLC: 0/0/75.36
3) Quintessence, 2011 Holsteiner gelding (Unknown x Unknown)
Doug Payne (USA), Payne Equestrian: 0/0/38.95
4) One and Only, 2014 Belgian Warmblood mare (Diktator Van De Boslandhoeve x Cardento 933)
Charlie Jayne (USA), Kameb Equine Ventures LLC: 0/0/40.62
5) Nakia, 2013 KWPN mare (Action-Breaker x Elegante)
Ella Kraut (USA), Ella Kraut: 0/0/41.60
6) Interactive Mortgage Cayjano, 2013 Westphalian gelding (Cayetano L x Danenkonig)
Olivia Cliver (USA), Johnson Equine LLC: 0/4/37.31
7) Night Wish, 2016 Hanoverian gelding (Unknown x Unknown)
Ashlee Bond (ISR), Aurora Farms: 0/4/37.62
8) Otto BH, 2012 Zangersheide stallion (Norton D’ Eole x Toulon)
Amanda Derbyshire (GBR), Amanda Derbyshire: 0/8/37.23
9) Olympia Van Het Eikenhof, 2014 Belgian Warmblood mare (Elvis Ter Putte x Toulon)
Abigail McArdle (USA), Sweetwater Jumpers LLC: 0/8/45.49
10) Karoline of Ballmore, 2010 Belgian Warmblood mare (Diarado x Convento Van De Helle)
Hallie Grimes (USA), Can We Keep It? LLC: 0/11/51.58
11) Blues RW, 2013, Westphalian gelding (Untouched x Chacco-blue)
Michael Walton (USA), Mia Marano: 2/80.85
12) Buga Z, 2010 Zangersheide gelding (Chester Z x Quality Touch Z)
Samuel Parot (CHI), Samuel Parot: 4/74.44
For full results from the $65,000 Buckley Fence Grand Prix CSI 2*, click here.
Team Cantero Secures USHJA 1.0m Junior Zone Championship
July 12, 2024 – Concluding the team competition of the USHJA 1.0m Junior Zone Championship, Team Cantero of Zone 4 emerged as victors and were recognized in a special awards ceremony before Saturday evening’s Grand Prix. The talents forming Team Cantero were Juliana Hotchkiss (Plantation, FL), McKenzie Badley (Dacula, GA), Lyla Fitzsimmons (Alpharetta, GA), and Eve Tacheny (West Moreland, TN).
Team Cantero of Zone 4 prepares to enter for their awards presentation ceremony.
©Rette Solomon for Tryon International
With all four of Cantero’s team members posting clear rounds during the championship class held in Tryon Stadium, the young riders detailed their experiences.
Juliana Hotchkiss, riding Hawaii ODF, shared that going into the team championship, “there was a lot of pressure to stay on a clean round, as it was the last day, my horse is tired, and I'm tired. I fought for that mentality to stay consistent with my riding, stay tall, keep my horse in check, and keep both of us on the same path.”
“The most rewarding part was definitely having a victory gallop! That's the first time I've ever experienced one of those,” Hotchkiss added. “It was really a special moment to be celebrated by everybody around – my trainers, my parents, my friends, and my family that all came out to support us. It was really special hearing all of them and cheering for us in the crowd.”
Partnered with Bull Run’s Badleys Bay, McKenzie Badley expressed her appreciation of her parents’ contribution on her Zones Championship journey. “I knew I had to do the best I could, because my parents did everything they could to get me here. On the last day, my horse wasn't as spunky as she usually is. The first jump was hard, but we got through it!”
Badley also noted what an honor it was to compete on this level. “The most rewarding thing was just being here, but I was just glad to get any placing,” she said. “Everybody cheering me on was very exciting!”
USHJA 1.0m Junior Zone Championship Finalists
©Natalie Suto Photography
Lyla Fitzsimmons, paired with her own Rochefort, praised her equine teammate’s focus and consistency. “Going into this, I just knew I had to do my best. My horse was amazing this week, and he was really on it. We were just trying to keep it clean!”
“My favorite part was definitely the support from everybody – from my trainers, my parents, my friends, and the community you have with everybody,” Fitzsimmons concluded.
Eve Tacheny joined forces with Diamondloma to contribute to Team Cantero’s win. “I wasn't really expecting to win!” Tacheny shared. “My horse is amazing, and I definitely could not have done it without him.”
She also noted that “my favorite part was getting to go on the podium, and the victory gallop. I've never gotten to do that before, and I just got my horse, so it was crazy that I even got to come here!”
Michael Walton and Dialektro RW Lead $25,000 Buckley Fence Sunday Jumper Classic
July 14, 2024 – Posting the sole double clear round of the morning, Michael Walton (Coatesville, PA) navigated the $25,000 Buckley Fence Sunday Jumper Classic for the win aboard Dialektro RW (Diacontinus x Arafina) for owner Mia Marano. Walton and the 2015 Hanoverian gelding stopped jump off timers at 44.93 seconds to take the win. On four faults, Megan Wexler (Ocala, FL) and Jillian Minahan’s Gatsby’s Green Light (Carinjo x U-Joyfull), the 2008 Holsteiner gelding, recorded a 38.37 second jump off for second place. Julianna Empie (Chester Springs, PA), also incurring four faults and a time of 41.58 seconds, rode Kelly Kocher’s 2012 Hanoverian mare, Chanel 479 (Check In x Rascaya) to third place.
Michael Walton and Dialektro RW
©Sarah Sturgis Natalie Suto Photography
For full results from the $25,000 Buckley Fence Sunday Jumper Classic, click here.
William Martin Takes $6,000 Speed Stake FEI CSI 2* Aboard S.I.E.C. Larissa
July 11, 2024 – Riding for Leslie Martin, William Martin (CAN) triumphed in the $6,000 Speed Stake FEI CSI 2* with S.I.E.C. Larissa (Livello x Contendro I), the 2011 Oldenbrug mare. The team put 71.20 seconds on the clock to claim first place in Tryon Stadium. Paired with Indigo Z (Inshallah De Muze x Cantango Z), Samuel Parot Jr. (CHI) completed the course on a time of 78.28 seconds with Jill Greiner’s 2013 Zangersheide gelding. Megan Wexler (USA) rode her own 2013 Holsteiner gelding, Chronicle 4 (Centurion x Cristo 5) to third, marking 78.43 seconds.
William Martin and S.I.E.C. Larissa
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
For full results from the $6,000 Speed Stake FEI CSI 2*, click here.
Join us July 17-21 for the final week of The Tryon Summer Series presented by The Farm House! This week’s feature classes include National Hunter Derbies, FEI 3* competition, and the $120,000 The Farm House Grand Prix CSI 3* to celebrate our final Saturday Night Lights presented by Stuller Power Solutions of the summer! July 20’s Saturday Night Lights will welcome Christmas in July, with a visit from Santa, pop-up vendors, live music, and more. Christmas in July also continues through July 21, with a holiday vendors market, Christmas bounce houses, and a DJ’d foam party. More information is available at www.Tryon.com/allevents.
Photos ©Natalie Suto Photography (Leyla Caynak, Sarah Sturgis, and Bailey Beck 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.