Tryon Spring 2 Results
Kristen VanderVeen Crowned First Saturday Night Lights Winner
Cocolores and Michael Desiderio Claim $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby presented by The Farm House
$20,000 ProElite Welcome Stake Winner: Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Jireh
For Immediate Release
Sarah Madden for Tryon International
Mill Spring, NC - May 16, 2023 - Tryon Spring 2, one of six weeks of Hunter, Jumper and Equitation competition in the Tryon Spring Series presented by Main Street Insurance, hailed the start of Saturday Night Lights presented by Tryon Horse & Home, the fan-favorite event series featuring free entertainment, live music and a carnival atmosphere alongside premier jumping competition in Tryon Stadium.
Kristen VanderVeen (Wellington, FL) and Bull Run’s Jireh went two-for-two under the lights, claiming both Spring 2 featured jumping classes and stopping the jump-off timers in 34.634 seconds to win the $30,000 Tryon International Grand Prix. Kaitlyn Williams (Paoli, PA) and Cassio Melloni, her own 2007 Holsteiner gelding (Caretino x Ornelia), earned reserve on a time of 34.749 seconds. Keeping the podium in the ladies’ court, Schuyler Riley (Wellington, FL) rode Robin de Ponthual, Katherine Gallagher’s 2005 Selle Francais gelding (Elf D’or x Io de la Grange), to third place and a time of 35.585 seconds.
Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Jireh
©Karli Dannewitz for Natalie Suto Photography
VanderVeen and the 2014 Holsteiner gelding (Uriko x Conella) owned by Bull Run Jumpers, Inc. were one of nine clear rounds presented by Stuller Power Solutions to challenge the jump-off track after 47 entries contested the Joey Rycroft (Alberta, Canada) course design. She noted that her young gun had really stepped up to the plate, taking his role as one of the main horses in her string this season. “He’s one of my young ones who’s just coming up, so it’s pretty exciting for him to come in and lay it down like that in a night class,” she emphasized. “He’s starting to step in to be my main horse. I’ve actually sold most of my older horses, so he’s really rising to the occasion.”
Kaitlyn Williams and Cassio Melloni
©Kristen Anchors for Natalie Suto Photography
With a competitive jump-off cohort, VanderVeen called on her mount’s previous practice at speed. “He’s a fast horse, and I always believe they have to learn how to go fast from the beginning. Otherwise, when you need them to be fast, they’ve never done it before,” she explained. “I did plan on going fast, risking a little bit and seeing how the cards played out. I think he loves it! I thought he went even better in the jump off than the first round.”
For the first installment of the season’s evening Grand Prix classes in Tryon Stadium, VanderVeen pointed out the course designer’s challenge to both accommodate inexperienced horses and riders and simultaneously challenge a competitive field.
Schuyler Riley and Robin de Ponthual
©Kristen Anchors for Natalie Suto Photography
“I thought [Joey Rycroft] did an awesome job,” she recapped. “It was super fair for my young horse doing his first night class, but still challenging enough that we had the right amount clear. We had a huge class tonight, and I thought he did a phenomenal job with it.”
Luis Salvaras was awarded the Tryon International Groom’s Award for his care and dedication to Bull Run’s Jireh, presented alongside Competition Manager Lance Bennett.
©Natalie Suto Photography
While VanderVeen had some bad luck with her longtime mount, Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili, and retired him from the first round, an up-and-down class didn’t keep the evening from concluding her successful week on a high note. “It’s great [to be back under the lights]. There’s been a great atmosphere this week, especially for the Welcome Stake, which this horse won as well.”
Riley, VanderVeen, and Williams in their presentation ceremony alongside Director of Equestrian Operations Molly Oakman, Tryon Equestrian Partners Carolina Operations President Sharon Decker, and Competition Manager Lance Bennett.
©Natalie Suto Photography
VanderVeen concluded, “We love Tryon. We come every year! The ground has been great and the horses love going out on the trails and grass field. It’s so nice that we have so many different options that allow us to stay here for a long period of time, so the horses stay really fresh and happy.”
For full results from the $30,000 Tryon International Grand Prix, click here.
On-demand replay of live stream coverage is available here.
Cocolores and Michael Desiderio Claim $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby presented by The Farm House
May 12, 2023 - Michael Desiderio (Wellington, FL) and Cocolores, the 2014 Warmblood gelding (Casiro I x Raphaela) owned by Debbie Bianco, scored a 179 in the Hunt & Go formatted $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby presented by The Farm House on Friday, besting a class of 34 entries who challenged the Skip Bailey (West Palm Beach, FL) course. Penny Lombardo (Loxahatchee, FL) and Party Started, the 2016 Westphalian gelding (Prado x Evian Odeveld) owned by Tricia Barr, scored 177 to claim reserve, while Austin Cumming (Madison, GA) piloted Bugatti, the 2016 Holsteiner gelding (Balou x W-Xiamen) owned by Liddy Strickland, to a score of 176 for third place.
Michael Desiderio and Cocolores
©Kristen Anchors for Natalie Suto Photography
For full results from the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby presented by The Farm House, click here.
On-demand replay of live stream coverage is available here.
$20,000 ProElite Welcome Stake Winner: Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Jireh
May 11, 2023 - Kristen VanderVeen (Wellington, FL) and Bull Run’s Jireh started the week strong with a win in the $20,000 ProElite Welcome Stake, stopping the timers in 34.957 seconds. The Torano family dominated the remainder of the podium, with Danielle Torano (Wellington, FL) taking reserve aboard Feromoon G, her own 2010 Warmblood mare (Azteca VDL x Basic Instinct), on a time of 36.781 in the jump off. Jimmy Torano (Wellington, FL) rode Chewbacca HCC, JET Equestrian Group’s 2012 Holsteiner gelding (Clarimo x Wanda VII), to a time of 37.12 seconds in the jump off to claim third place.
Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Jireh
©Kristen Anchors for Natalie Suto Photography
For full results from the $20,000 ProElite Welcome Stake, click here.
For all division results from Tryon Spring 2, click here.
Tryon Spring 3 will take place May 17-21 and features the $35,000 Cooper Motor Group Grand Prix at Saturday Night Lights presented by Tryon Horse & Home. All upcoming live music, entertainment events and more can be found at the events calendar here.
Photos ©Natalie Suto Photography (Karli Dannewitz and Kristen Anchors as noted). These photos may only be used once, in relation to this press release. Competitors may view and purchase competition photos atwww.nataliesutophotography.shootproof.com. With questions regarding photography at TIEC, contact media@tryon.com.
About Stuller Power Solutions:
Stuller Power Solutions, locally owned and operated since 2000, is WNC’s #1 Generac home standby generator dealer. Our customer base has been built by providing unparalleled service with our Generac Generators trained and certified technicians. Whatever your generator needs, from installation and maintenance to repairs, Stuller Power Solutions has you covered.