Tryon Spring 6/Tryon Riding & Hunt Club Charity Horse Show Midweek Update

Double Derby Win Day for Teen Rider Gigi Phillips in $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby presented by The Farm House

Luis Fernando Larrazabal and Condara Successful in $39,000 ProElite Welcome Stake CSI 3*

Jad Dana and Fleur-de-Lis’ Cherie Claim Repeat Win in $39,000 Two Phase CSI 3*

Trip of the Day Update

For Immediate Release 

Rette Solomon and Sarah Madden for Tryon International

June 9, 2023 - Gigi Phillips (USA) and Thunderbird were victorious under the lights in Tryon Stadium to win the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby presented by The Farm House, taking her second consecutive derby win of the day at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (Tryon International). Phillips and her own 2014 Westphalian gelding (Cornet Session x Thousend Dollar) scored 366.5 points over two rounds to top the podium. In reserve, Hunter Kay (USA) and the 2013 Warmblood gelding (Unknown x Unknown) owned by Bridget Hickton, Serenade, produced a two-round score of 361. Nada Wise (USA) rode Stevie Ray, the 2013 Hanoverian gelding (Escudo x Unknown) owned by Samantha Brown, to a score of 355 to sit in third after two rounds of competition.

Gigi Phillips and Thunderbird
©Kendall Lueder for Natalie Suto Photography

Phillips was one of 19 competitors who tested the course, which was co-designed by Archer “Skip” Bailey (USA) and JP Godard (USA). The top 12 entrants returned to contest the handy round, and Phillips, the youngest competitor at just 16 years old, walked in with the lead to defend. However, she also already had a derby win in her back pocket: at 8am on the Derby Field, Phillips rode Hazelwood, Andrea Guzinski’s 2013 Dutch Warmblood gelding, to a score of 168.5 points and a win in the $10,000 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby presented by The Farm House.

Hunter Kay and Serenade
©Kendall Lueder for Natalie Suto Photography

Receiving a total score of 180.5 from a two-judge panel in the first round, Phillips and Thunderbird had a narrow lead walking into the handy performance. “I’ve never been in the lead in an international derby,” Phillips, who has now competed in five USHJA International Hunter Derby contests, acknowledged. “It was a weird feeling, but it was fun.”

Two years ago, when he first came into her life, Thunderbird was competing in the Jumper rings, but Phillips emphasized that “he definitely wants to be a Hunter. He really likes his job, and he’s like a mind reader!”

Nada Wise and Stevie Ray
©Kendall Lueder for Natalie Suto Photography

“The first round went better than I expected, honestly. I liked that there weren’t any lines; I could just flow around the corners,” she detailed. “In the handy round, I just wanted to be smooth and not leave too much on the table. I didn’t want to be too crazy, and just hoped it was good enough!”

Having competed in two very different atmospheres and winning at both ends of the day, Phillips said that she enjoyed the differences between the Derby Field course and competing under the lights in Tryon Stadium. “It was really different. One was at 8am, and this was at 8pm, so it was obviously very different, but it’s fun.”

Gigi Phillips, Thunderbird and team in their presentation ceremony alongside Angie Millon, Tryon Riding & Hunt Club President, presenting the Barbara Jimenez Memorial Trophy.
©Karli Dannewitz for Natalie Suto Photography

Phillips has her eye on Derby Finals and emphasized that her experience at Tryon - and in an elevated atmosphere, with added pressure - is great preparation for her upcoming schedule. “I’ve done this class once before, last year. I like this one because it’s good prep for Derby Finals, with a similar atmosphere. It’s great exposure for us!”

For full results from the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby presented by The Farm House, click here.

For live stream replay on-demand, click here.

Luis Fernando Larrazabal and Condara Successful in $39,000 ProElite Welcome Stake CSI 3*

June 8th, 2023 - Aboard Victoria Heurtematte’s Condara (Conthargos x Catapult 7), Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) took top honors in Thursday’s $39,000 ProElite Welcome Stake CSI 3*. Larrazabal and Condara stopped the jump off timers in 36.88 seconds to secure the win. Taking reserve in the class was Martien van der Hoeven (USA) and In a Hurry (Dallas VDL x Ultimo), Pine Hollow Farm’s 2013 Dutch Warmblood gelding, marking a time of 38.59. Posting a time of 38.69 seconds to claim third was Alberto Michan (ISR) and Champion League (Cador 5 x Contendro I), Daniel Michan’s 2013 Hanoverian stallion. 

Luis Fernando Larrazabal and Condara
©Kendall Lueder for Natalie Suto Photography

Larrazabal has been enjoying his new partnership with Condara. He said of the 2012 Mecklenburg mare, “I’ve been riding her since the beginning of the year, so I really know her now.”

In the Welcome Stake’s first round, the Venezuelan rider expressed that his mount “answered all the questions, and I was very, very happy the way she jumped it.”

Martien van der Hoeven and In a Hurry
©Kendall Lueder for Natalie Suto Photography

Larrazabal knew that being the first around the jump off course was going to be challenging. “Going first, against thirteen, it was a little bit tough because I wanted to try to win,” he explained. “But knowing my spot, I was in a position where I didn't want to be too greedy, but I didn’t want to go too slow. To be honest, I never thought I was going to go that fast!” 

Alberto Michan and Champion League
©Kendall Lueder for Natalie Suto Photography

Condara’s speed and precision were important factors in Larrazabal’s win. “She’s a fast horse, so I took my chances. All the turns were forward, so I didn’t have to pull at any turn.”

After the conclusion of the Tryon Spring Series, Larrazabal looks forward to preparing for the Pan American Games. “I have the Grand Prix on Saturday, and then two weeks off, then going back home to get ready for the [Pan American] Games.”

Luis Fernando Larrazabal and Condara in their presentation ceremony alongside TIEC Competition Manager JP Godard.
©Kendall Lueder for Natalie Suto Photography

Larrazabal has enjoyed many successes at this year’s Tryon Spring Series. “I love this show. It's so nice, comfortable, the stalls and everything are so easy for horses and for riders. It's a beautiful place, the food is great. The barns are super nice. Everything is in a good place and you have different types of restaurants. I love coming here, I bring my family, and we really enjoy ourselves!” He added that “here, we really try to really enjoy ourselves, not only in the showgrounds, but in every aspect.”

Larrazabal concluded by thanking Condara’s owner, Victoria Heurtematte. “She's been supporting me since day one, and trusting in Condara and I. I'm very glad and happy, and I’m grateful to have her by my side in the journey.”

For full results from the $39,000 ProElite Welcome Stake CSI 3*, click here. 

Jad Dana and Fleur-de-Lis’ Cherie Claim Repeat Win in $39,000 Two Phase CSI 3*

June 7, 2023 - For the second week in a row, Jad Dana (LEB) and Fleur-de-Lis’ Cherie (Clarimo x Lancer II) were crowned the winners of Wednesday’s $39,000 Two Phase CSI 3*. Dana and the 2012 mare, owned by the Cherie Group, marked a jump off time of 23.92 seconds. Placing second was Simon McCarthy (IRL) and Gotcha (Stakkato x Cassini I), the 2011 Holsteiner mare owned by Rock Ridge Farms. McCarthy and Gotcha marked a jump off time of 24.19 seconds. Samuel Parot (CHI) rode Tiffany de Olid (Huppydam des Horts x Coco de Mies), his own Spanish Sporthorse mare, to third place honors with a time of 24.33 seconds. 

Jad Dana and Fleur-de-Lis’ Cherie
©Karli Dannewitz for Natalie Suto Photography

With twenty-one competitors tackling the Bernardo Costa Cabral (POR)-designed course, Dana knew Fleur-de-Lis’ Cherie was up to the challenge. He said of the mare, “She has been absolutely incredible for me. She wins all the time. We always know we have a chance to win a big class like this when we enter her.”

Simon McCarthy and Gotcha
©Karli Dannewitz for Natalie Suto Photography

Fleur-de-Lis’ Cherie has shown great consistency throughout the Tryon Spring Series. “She won the same $39,000 class last week, and the first week she was also clear in the Grand Prix. So this has been a great triumph for her,” Dana recapped. “I'm extremely, extremely happy with her and grateful and thankful for the generous owners that believe in us and that secured the ride for me.”

Samuel Parot and Tiffany de Olid
©Karli Dannewitz for Natalie Suto Photography

The mare’s speed on the ground was key to Dana’s victory on Wednesday. “I have to say that I was lucky, because the other people that I was able to beat actually did less numbers of strides on the rollback, but my mare is maybe the fastest and has the fastest foot speed. I can make up time, even though I added some strides,” he detailed. “I would say that I wasn't able to leave strides out like some others did, but she's so quick and she's so fast off the ground. That's what made it possible for me to win today.”

Jad Dana and Fleur-de-Lis’ Cherie in their presentation ceremony.
©Karli Dannewitz for Natalie Suto Photography

Dana concluded that Fleur-de-Lis’ Cherie is ending on a high note. “I think she's probably done, because she couldn't be better!” He added, “I have two other horses also in the FEI division, After Eight and Caro W – they will jump. They're in the Welcome Stake tomorrow, and one of them will do the Grand Prix Saturday night.”

Dana and his team will be at Tryon for another week of competition. “It's been fantastic! It's always [a show] that we like to do after WEF is done. We hang out in Florida for a bit more to show and then normally Tryon is our first away show of the year. We really like it here. We've been here for three weeks and will come back.”

For full results from the $39,000 Two Phase CSI 3*, click here.  

Trip of the Day Update

The $500 "Trip of the Day" Prize is given to the highest-scoring Hunter rider each day at the competition, in any division. In addition to the prize money, the daily top-scoring rider will also receive a special commemorative ribbon.

©Rette Solomon for Tryon International

Wednesday’s Trip of the Day presented by Tryon International went to Elena Portu (Wellington, FL) aboard Carlotta, scoring an 86 in the Foothills Hunters 2’6” Division.

©Rette Solomon for Tryon International

Thursday’s Trip of the Day presented by NS Equine Therapies went to Megan Rosenthal riding Selwyn in the 4’ High Performance Hunters Division, scoring an 88.

©Rette Solomon for Tryon International

Friday’s Trip of the Day presented by Ibach Media was awarded to Hunter Kay for his performance in the USHJA Hunter 2’6” Division with Samba, scoring an 87.

Tryon Spring 6/Tryon Riding & Hunt Club Charity Horse Show competition continues through Sunday, June 11, and features the final spring edition of Saturday Night Lights presented by Tryon Horse & Home. Free family activities, live music and entertainment kick off at 6pm Saturday, with the $146,000 Main Street Insurance Group Grand Prix CSI 3* taking place at 8:10pm in Tryon Stadium. 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 at www.nataliesutophotography.shootproof.com. With questions regarding photography at TIEC, contact media@tryon.com.