Tryon Fall 4 Results:
Nayel Nassar and Coronado Debut at Tryon International with a Win in 328’000 CHF Land Rover Asheville Grand Prix CSI 4*
Wonder If and Amanda Derbyshire Claim 60’000 CHF Grand Prix CSI 2* Win
Jad Dana and After Eight End on a Good Note with 50’000 CHF Winning Round CSI 4* Win
Kendall Mashburn and Heuristic 20 are Heroes in $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby presented by The Farm House
For Immediate Release
Sarah Madden for Tryon International
Mill Spring, NC - October 18, 2023 - Nayel Nassar (EGY) and longtime mount Coronado were the sole horse-and-rider pair to go double clear in Tryon Stadium as part of Saturday Night Lights presented by Tryon Horse & Home, scoring the winning payday in the 328’000 CHF Land Rover Asheville Grand Prix CSI 4* in a time of 45.24 seconds. Dropping one rail and posting a time of 43.45 seconds, Paul O’Shea (IRL) and Imerald Van’t Voorhof, the 2008 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Emerald x Bacardi Orange De Muze) owned by Imerald Partners LLC, rode to reserve honors. Also on four faults and stopping the timers in 44.03 seconds, Erynn Ballard (CAN) took third place aboard Gakhir, Ilan Ferder’s 2011 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Spartacus TN x Labor’s VDL Indorado).
Nayel Nassar and Coronado
©Karli Dannewitz for Natalie Suto Photography
Forty-seven entries traversed the Peter Grant (CAN) course design in the first round, with only four clear rounds presented by Stuller Power Solutions earning the chance to dash for the cash in the jump off. Nassar was the trailblazer with the 2009 Holsteiner gelding (San Patrignano Cassini x Accord II) owned by Evergate Stables LLC, and chose to focus on a clear round that others would have to beat to win. The strategy paid off, he recapped:
Paul O’Shea and Imerald Van’t Voorhof
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
“I did get caught, but they knocked some jumps down. The jump off suited me in a way, but sometimes he can be a little difficult to turn, so going first we just wanted to leave the jumps up, and then let the chips fall as they may.”
Nassar knows his horse “inside and out,” choosing to aim him at specific classes where they can succeed together. “Coronado has had an unbelievable year. We try to use him sparingly, since he's 14 now. I feel like I know him inside out and we can kind of target the right classes for us.”
Erynn Ballard and Gakhir
©Kristin Anchors for Natalie Suto Photography
The formidable track caught contestants with time and rails spread throughout the course, which he thought really ramped up halfway through, he analyzed. “When I walked the course, I thought it was a lot of jumping. It was 14 efforts, with big combinations. I thought the course really started at the triple, and then the wall out of the corner with a very short distance to a scopey double, then a very long five to a skinny followed by a very delicate plank.”
Paul O’Shea, Nayel Nassar, and Erynn Ballard in their presentation ceremony alongside Keean White of Major League Show Jumping, Angie Williams, Land Rover Asheville Master Sales Consultant, and Sharon Decker, Tryon Equestrian Partners Carolinas Operations President.
©Natalie Suto Photography
Though no stranger to the Major League Show Jumping circuit or the highest levels of competition, Nassar admitted that he is a first-time competitor at Tryon International:
“This is my first time here, actually, so this is a great start. The place is fantastic. I mean, it's wonderful for the horses, the footing is great. I really like the Saturday Night Lights atmosphere, and the horses really seem to thrive here. I'm happy to be here, and I'll be back!”
As the highest placing female rider in the Grand Prix, Erynn Ballard was presented the Leading Lady Award presented by Marthaler Jewelers, alongside Matt Blair.
©Natalie Suto Photography
For Nassar, the win also serves as a testament to his team and the hard work they put in year-round, he concluded. “I want to thank my team, really. It's been a long year, we've been on the road a lot, and the horses have been jumping a lot. So, it's great to pick up these sorts of results. Evergate Stables does everything, from top to bottom, and we don't leave any stone unturned, so it's nice to see the results pay off for all the hard work all the guys put in.”
Jesus Escalera was awarded the Groom’s Award presented by Ariat for his care and dedication to Coronado, alongside Tryon International’s Drew Page.
©Natalie Suto Photography
RESULTS: 328’000 CHF Land Rover Asheville Grand Prix CSI 4*
Horse Name, Year Breed Gender (Sire x Sire of Dam)
Rider Name (Country), Owner Name: Fault/Fault/Time
1) Coronado, 2009 Holsteiner gelding (San Patrignano Cassini x Accord II)
Nayel Nassar (EGY), Evergate Stables LLC: 0/0/45.24
2) Imerald Van't Voorhof, 2008 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Emerald x Bacardi Orange De Muze)
Paul O’Shea (IRL), Imerald Partners LLC: 0/4/43.45
3) Gakhir, 2011 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Spartacus TN x Labor’s VDL Indorado) Erynn Ballard (CAN), Ilan Ferder: 0/4/44/03
4) Dance Du Buisson Z, 2011 Zangersheide mare (Dutch Capitol Z x Favoritas XX)
Caroline Mawhinney (USA), Caroline Mawhinney: 0/4/51.95
5) San Chano, 2009 Oldenburg gelding (Sandro Boy x Chacco-Blue)
Jacqueline Ruyle (USA), Jacqueline Ruyle: 1/84.11
6) Aventador 5, 2012 Rheinlaender gelding (Arpeggio x Landadel)
Coco Fath (USA), Hillside Farm LLC: 1/84.35
7) Hamrah Van Het Exelhof Z, 2014 Zangersheide stallion (Harley VDL x Cassini I)
Darragh Kenny (IRL), Heathman Farm LLC: 1/84.66
8) Robin De Ponthual, 2005 Selle Français gelding (Elf D’or x Calypso D’Herbiers) Schuyler Riley (USA), Katherine Gallagher: 2/85.43
9) Castlefield Cornelious, 2011 Oldenburg stallion (Cornet Obolensky x Contender)
Kaitlin Campbell (USA), 3P Equine Partners, LLC: 2/85.47
10) James Kann Cruz, 2013 Irish Sport Horse gelding (Kannan x Cruising)
Shane Sweetnam (IRL), Gizmo Partners, LLC: 4/78.08
11) Donatello 141, 2011 Westphalian gelding (Diarado x Lamoureux I)
Ashlee Bond (ISR), Ashlee Bond: 4/79.34
12) Cashew CR, 2008 Holsteiner gelding (Cassini II x Quinar Z)
Alex Matz (USA), Dorothy Matz: 4/79.73
For full results from the 328’000 Land Rover Ashevielle Grand Prix CSI 4*, click here.
Wonder If and Amanda Derbyshire Claim 60’000 CHF Grand Prix CSI 2* Win
October 14, 2023 - Amanda Derbyshire (GBR) and Wonder If were the fastest double-clear entry of the day to win the 60’000 CHF Grand Prix CSI 2* on Saturday afternoon, posting a jump-off time of 40.42 seconds. Ilan Bluman (COL) and Acajou, his own 2015 Bavarian Warmblood mare (Casallco x Chico’s Boy), stopped the timers in 41.04 seconds to claim the red ribbon. Roberto Teran Tafur (COL) and Santana, the 2013 Holsteiner gelding (Cascadello I x Carthago) owned by Rocking Basilisk Farm LLC, grabbed their piece of the pie in a time of 41.47 seconds to walk away with third place. In a stiff competition with 49 entries and 18 pairs qualifying for the jump-off round over the track set by Peter Grant (CAN), Derbyshire had her work cut out for her to emerge victorious with her own 2012 Anglo-European Warmblood mare (Cevin Z x Bolivar).
Amanda Derbyshire and Wonder If
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
Derbyshire was building on an already successful stint at Tryon International, adding to her 112’500 CHF ProElite Welcome Stake CSI 4* win, and she emphasized that she was thrilled to continue her winning streak, this time on a horse that “makes you feel like you can do anything.”
Ilan Bluman and Acajou
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
“Every time you walk into the ring on that horse, you know you have a chance of winning. She's a little horse with big heart,” Derbyshire said of the mare, who is coming back from a month break in competition. “She always tries her best, and she always leaves the jumps up! She’s amazing.”
Roberto Teran Tafur and Santana
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
Derbyshire admitted that her winning time might have been due to an extra stride, she revealed. “I had the advantage of watching the first few go, and they did the leave out to the oxer through the middle, and they were having the front rail. I actually chose to add a stride there and roll back tighter on the next one. I think that's where I got it,” she theorized. “Although she's not the scopiest horse, she makes up for it with a big heart, and she's so fast. There's nothing she feels like you can't do, so it makes you believe that, too.
Ilan Bluman, Amanda Derbyshire, and Roberto Teran Tafur in their presentation ceremony.
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
“I've had a great week, so I'm obviously going to say it was the best course designing ever! I love showing at Tryon, and the weather's perfect. We made a nice effort this week. And yeah, I can't complain about the best show I've had for a long time,” Derbyshire concluded. “I'm leaving really happy!”
As the highest placing female rider in the Grand Prix, Amanda Derbyshire was presented the Leading Lady Award presented by Marthaler Jewelers, alongside Tryon Equestrian Partners Carolinas Operations President Sharon Decker.
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
For full results from the 60’000 CHF Grand Prix CSI 2*, click here.
Jad Dana and After Eight End on a Good Note with 50’000 CHF Winning Round CSI 4* Win
October 15, 2023 - Jad Dana (LBN) and After Eight were one of just ten horses to make the final round in the 50’000 CHF Winning Round CSI 4* after 49 entrants toured the first round course. Stopping the jump off timers in 35.59 seconds, Dana and the 2010 Swedish Warmblood mare (Diarado x Cardento) owned by Springhill Farm 1850 LLC secured a highlight win to conclude their time at Tryon International. In reserve, Erynn Ballard (CAN) rode Coconet, the 2014 Oldenburger mare (Colman x Cornet’s Stern) owned by Wight Show Stables, to a time of 36.11 seconds, while third place went to McKayla Langmeier (USA) riding Pepita VD Rollebeek, the 2015 Belgian Warmblood mare by Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve and owned by Linda Langmeier, to a time of 36.18 seconds.
Jad Dana and After Eight
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
The course set by Peter Grant (CAN) saw 18 clear efforts over the first round track, but riders had to be faster than 69.57 seconds to make the top ten callback. Dana and After Eight were one of the faster first-round rides at 67.57 seconds, earning a later order of go for the speed test. Dana explained that he was able to use this position to his advantage:
Erynn Ballard and Coconet
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
“There were some tricky lines here and there. In the jump off, I had a quick time in the first round, and in this format, if you're faster in the first round, you get to go at the end. So, I got to watch a few, and I saw how fast they went,” he detailed. “I knew what I had to do after watching how fast the other riders went. After Eight is extremely fast, so as long as I do my part, I know that we have a big chance of winning.”
McKayla Langmeier and Pepita VD Rollebeek
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
For Dana, it was important to end the week on a high note after a mixed bag of results throughout tough competition, he shared. “I think the last class [of the week] counts a lot, because even if you win early in the week, and the last class goes badly, you remember the bad class the most. I'm glad I ended the week on such a high note.
“She's definitely my style of horse,” Dana said of the mare that he’s been partnered with for two years. “I really like when they are hot and I like horses with blood. She’s a fighter, and she tries hard to win, and that's why we win a lot!”
Jad Dana and After Eight in their presentation ceremony.
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
“For sure, I've had better weeks,” Dana concluded, “but it was a good learning experience to jump against some of the best riders in the world. The competition was tough, and I think it's nice to compete against the best because it lets you know where you are, and you have something to work for.”
For full results from the 50’000 CHF Winning Round CSI 4*, click here.
Kendall Mashburn and Heuristic 20 are Heroes in $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby presented by The Farm House
October 13, 2023 - Kendall Mashburn (Kinston, NC) rode Heuristic 20, the 2017 Warmblood gelding (Heinrich Heine x Whisky) owned by Emery Sheally, to a score of 173 over two rounds to take top honors in the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby presented by The Farm House on Friday, besting a class of 22 entries. Joy Janouskovec (Whitsett, NC) rode Danieli, Molly Alderman’s 2011 Warmblood gelding (Unknown x Unknown), to reserve on a score of 171. Rounding out the podium was Julianna Empie (Chester Springs, PA) aboard Ahron EP, the 2014 Rhineland gelding (Acorado’s Ass x Seven Wonders) owned by Laura Leigh Lewis, for their 166-point performance.
Kendall Mashburn and Heuristic 20
©Karli Dannewitz for Natalie Suto Photography
For full results from the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby presented by The Farm House, click here.
The Tryon Fall Series continues through October 29, 2023 and features Hunter, Jumper and Equitation competition and is followed by the Tryon Fall Finale Series. Learn more at www.Tryon.com/compete.
Photos ©Natalie Suto Photography (Bailey Beck, Karli Dannewitz, Kristin Anchors, 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.