Tryon Spring 1 Results
Alberto Michan and Itchcock des Dames Claim $75,000 Grand Prix
Michael Britt-Leon and Private I Score $8,000 Open Hunter Classic 3’6”, 3’9”, 4’ Win
Michael Desiderio Bookends Podium in $8,000 Open Hunter Classic 3’, 3’3”
Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili are Victorious in $30,000 ProElite Welcome Stake
Jimmy Torano Rides Kochio Z to $25,000 Van Winkle Law Firm Sunday Classic
For Immediate Release
Sarah Madden for Tryon International
Mill Spring, NC - May 9, 2023 - The first week of the Tryon Spring Series presented by Main Street Insurance Group featured Hunter, Jumper and Equitation competition at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (Tryon International). Saturday afternoon, Tryon Stadium hosted the $75,000 Grand Prix, with 28 horses and riders presented over the first course. Alberto Michan (Wellington, FL) and Itchcock des Dames were the fastest of the day, clinching the win in a time of 37.102 seconds. Jimmy Torano (Wellington, FL) piloted Chewbacca HCC to reserve, producing a time of 37.895 seconds with the 2012 Holsteiner gelding (Clarimo x Wanda VII) owned by Jet Equestrian Group, LLC. Luke Jensen (Denton, TX) and Bigstar, the 2011 Warmblood gelding (Kannan x Radja de Laubry) owned by North Run, completed the podium after their 38.319 second double-clear performance.
Alberto Michan and Itchcock des Dames
©Karli Dannewitz for Natalie Suto Photography
Michan and his own 2014 Swedish Warmblood gelding (Marius Claudius x Unieme des Dames) are a new partnership, but the duo have already clicked and are collecting positive results together wherever they go. Throughout the Manuel Esparza (New York, NY) course, Michan assessed that the questions were technical and challenging enough to provide good sport for a competitive group of entries.
Jimmy Torano and Chewbacca HCC
©Karli Dannewitz for Natalie Suto Photography
“I thought the course was hard enough. especially technically, there were a lot of lines that were a little bit in rollbacks. And you had a combination in a weird spot for this Grand Prix, that was on the narrow side of the ring. Normally, we don't see a combination there,” he detailed. “There were a lot of options also on strides. It was good money, and I think the course designer did great, he had a nice group for the jump off, and it all worked out well.”
Luke Jensen and Bigstar
©Karli Dannewitz for Natalie Suto Photography
“He’s a young horse, about to turn nine, so he’s pretty young” said Michan of his new partner. “He's a very sweet horse. He always tries hard. We've already had very nice results together. It's a horse I got a little bit for me for the sport, but also I think it's a very nice commercial horse for someone and if a client comes along, very sadly I'll have to sell him. But for now I'll enjoy him as much as I can. He's super fun!”
Alberto Michan and Itchcock des Dames in their presentation ceremony alongside Competition Manager Lance Bennett.
©Karli Dannewitz for Natalie Suto Photography
Though Itchcock will have the next two weeks off, Michan is spending five weeks at Tryon and will next aim him at FEI competition later in the series.
“I've always said that I love this venue,” Michan concluded. “I think it's really so nice for all the riders with all our accommodations that we need, and even for the grooms, it is very easy to work here. Everything is pretty close and pretty easygoing. The people, show secretaries, the grounds - we couldn't ask for more. We're always happy to come, and I think in May the weather is fantastic.”
For full results from the $75,000 Grand Prix, click here.
Michael Britt-Leon and Private I Score $8,000 Open Hunter Classic 3’6”, 3’9”, 4’ Win
May 4, 2023 - Michael Britt-Leon (Alpharetta, GA) piloted Private I to the win in Thursday’s $8,000 Open Hunter Classic at the 3’6”, 3’9” and 4’ heights. Britt-Leon and the 2012 Oldenburg gelding (Corrado x Verdi) owned by Kelly Sims earned a two-round score of 167 points over the Skip Bailey (West Palm Beach, FL) track. Jimmy Torano (Wellington, FL) and Majesty, the 2017 Dutch Warmblood mare (Ibolensky x Falinda II) owned by Jet Equestrian Group LLC, were just a half point behind for reserve, scoring 166.5. Austin Cumming (Madison, GA) and Bugatti, Liddy Strickland’s 2016 Holsteiner gelding (Balou x W-Xiamen), scored 164 to earn third place.
Michael Britt-Leon and Private I
©Kendall Lueder for Natalie Suto Photography
For full results from the $8,000 Open Hunter Classic 3’6”, 3’9”, 4’, click here.
Michael Desiderio Bookends Podium in $8,000 Open Hunter Classic 3’, 3’3”
May 4, 2023 - Michael Desiderio (Wellington, FL) and Michael Britt-Leon stacked the top four slots of the $8,000 Open Hunter Classic at the 3’ and 3’3” heights, with Desiderio claiming first and third aboard Cocolores and Cromwell, respectively. Cocolores, the 2014 Warmblood gelding (Casiro I x Raphaela) owned by Debbie Bianco, earned 175 points over two rounds through the Skip Bailey (West Palm Beach, FL) track, while Desiderio rode Cromwell, Debbie Bianco’s 2009 Warmblood gelding (Mighty Magic x Silka), to a score of 170. Britt-Leon and Maverick, the 2017 Selle Francais gelding (Couleur Latour x Arian’s Isolde) owned by Sadie Furr, earned a 171.5 for reserve honors.
Michael Desiderio and Cocolores
©Kendall Lueder for Natalie Suto Photography
For full results from the $8,000 Open Hunter Classic 3’, 3’3”, click here.
Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili are Victorious in $30,000 ProElite Welcome Stake
May 4, 2023 - Kristen VanderVeen (Wellington, FL) and Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili were the quickest double-clears of the day in Thursday’s $30,000 ProElite Welcome Stake, stopping the timers in 33.633 seconds to earn the win out of 40 entrants. VanderVeen and the 2005 Belgian Warmblood stallion (Berlin x Bijou van de Vijfheide) owned by Bull Run Jumpers Five LLC, were one of 20 pairs to qualify for the jump-off, with nine pairs managing a faultless execution of the Skip Bailey (West Palm Beach, FL) course design in the second round. Sharn Wordley (Citra, FL) and Valentine Car, the 2009 Warmblood gelding (Son of Juan Car x Sofia Car) owned by Fernando Cardenas, sped through the timers in 34.217 seconds for reserve honors. Zayna Rizvi (Greenwich, CT) rode Exquise Du Pachis, the 2010 Belgian Warmblood mare (Unknown x Unknown) owned by Optimus Agro NV, to third place in a time of 35.195 seconds.
Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili
©Karli Dannewitz Natalie Suto Photography
For full results from the $30,000 ProElite Welcome Stake, click here.
Jimmy Torano Rides Kochio Z to $25,000 Van Winkle Law Firm Sunday Classic
May 7, 2023 - Jimmy Torano (Wellington, FL) and Kochio Z were the victors in the $25,000 Van Winkle Law Firm Sunday Classic to round out Tryon Spring 1 competition on a high note. Torano and his own 2014 Zangersheide gelding (Kannan x Datura Z) cleared the jump-off timers in 33.968 seconds for the win. Kaitlyn Williams (Wayne, PA) and her own Cassio Melloni, the 2007 Holsteiner gelding (Caretino x Ornelia), earned reserve in a time of 35.824 seconds, while third place went to Sharn Wordley (Citra, FL) aboard Cobalou, the 2011 Westphalian gelding (Comme Il Faut x Baronesse) owned by Della Wordley, for their 43.234 second performance.
Jimmy Torano and Kochio Z
©Karli Dannewitz Natalie Suto Photography
For full results from the $25,000 Van WInkle Law Firm Sunday Classic, click here.
To view all results and Division Champions from Tryon Spring 1, click here.
The Tryon Spring Series presented by Main Street Insurance Group continues with Tryon Spring 2, May 10-14. Saturday, May 13 features the first Saturday Night Lights presented by Tryon Horse & Home of the season, and the weekend also features the Tryon International Three-Day Event presented by Fairfax & Favor. For more information, visit www.Tryon.com/allevents.
Photos ©Natalie Suto Photography (Karli Dannewitz and Kendall Lueder 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.