Tryon Summer 3 Midweek Update
Alison Robitaille Claims Double Podium Spots in $32,000 ProElite Welcome Stake CSI 2*
Ashley Conkle and Return To Me Team Up To Win $5,000 USHJA National Derby presented by AP Hassinger
Kevin Gallagher Clinches First in $6,000 Two Phase CSI 2*
For Immediate Release
Rette Solomon for Tryon International
Mill Spring, NC – June 27, 2024 – Navigating Thursday’s $32,000 ProElite Welcome Stake CSI 2* with two mounts, Alison Robitaille (USA) found herself among the top three, ultimately claiming the win with Oakingham Lira (Tornesch 1042 x Del Piero P B). Robitaille and her own 2013 Anglo European mare secured the win on a jump off time of 36.87 seconds across the Colm Quinn (IRL) course. Ali Ramsay (CAN) marked 37.70 seconds on the clock for reserve honors with Bonita VH Keizershof Z (Bustique x For Pleasure), the 2011 Zangersheide mare owned by Ramsay Equestrian Inc. Rounding out the podium with her second mount, Robitaille and Dagny (Durrant x Verdi), the 2014 Swedish Warmblood mare, stopped timers with a clear 40.04 seconds for third.
Alison Robitaille and Oakingham Lira
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
With her winning mount returning from off-season rest, Alison Robitaille was thrilled with the results. “Oakingham Lira is a horse I've had for almost three years now. She's just amazing, we get along so well. We've always had great chemistry from the start,” Robitaille stated. “She had a little time off this winter, and this is her third show back in international competition, so it's great to have her back.”
Ali Ramsay and Bonita VH Keizershof Z
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
With fourteen competitors moving on to the jump off, Robitaille artfully strategized her first two jumps with Oakingham Lira. “I tried to angle fence one a little to the outside so I could really keep going in the seven strides to fence two, to make it a little faster. She's just a very naturally fast horse, so once I got the seven strides from one to two, I just tried to keep it the same the whole way around.”
Alison Robitaille and Dagny
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
With plans to partner with both Oakingham Lira and Dagny in Saturday’s $65,000 Bobcat Grand Prix CSI 2*, Robitaille shared that she is preparing her equine partners with a light day of work following the Welcome Stake, and is looking forward to competing under the Tryon Stadium lights. With all hands on deck, Robitaille expressed her appreciation for her team. “I'm really thankful for my grooms, Mary Glyer and Izzy Phillips. They're fantastic!”
Alison Robitaille and in her presentation ceremony.
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
Enjoying Tryon International’s family-friendly atmosphere, Robitaille shared that she has some extra helping hands. “My daughter is here with me – she normally doesn't travel with me to the shows, so this is really cool. I told her she's my good luck charm!”
For full results from the $32,000 ProElite Welcome Stake CSI 2*, click here.
Ashley Conkle and Return To Me Team Up To Win $5,000 USHJA National Derby presented by AP Hassinger
June 28, 2024 – Touring the Archer “Skip” Bailey-designed course with characteristic ease, Ashley Conkle (Wellford, SC) took the win with Return To Me in the $5,000 USHJA National Derby presented by AP Hassinger. Conkle and the 2011 gelding earned 181 points over two phases for owner Laura Hunt. Julianna Empie (Chester Springs, PA) continued her successful streak aboard Vanilla Ice (Light My Fire x Korinna), Stephanie Easler’s 2017 Hanoverian gelding, claiming second with 177 points. Riding Rafael Di Cantero (Alicante x Nanou Di Cantero) to third, Joy Janouskovec (Whitsett, NC) secured 174 points on the 2017 Belgian Warmblood gelding for Cape Bay Farm.
Ashley Conkle and Return To Me
©Ann Stanton for Natalie Suto Photography
A familiar face at Tryon International, Return To Me (Twister x Opal) will be hitting the show arena with owner Laura Hunt, new owner of Charming Bay Farm in Campobello, SC, during the Tryon Summer Series as well. “He's such a spectacular animal. Laura gets to show him in the cross rails, so he's kind of the jack of all trades, and master of all,” Ashley Conkle shared, praising the gelding’s versatility. “The best thing about this horse is that he's brave and he's always going to do his job. He's tried and true.”
Julianna Empie and Vanilla Ice
©Ann Stanton for Natalie Suto Photography
With Julianna Empie and Vanilla Ice on the team’s heels going into the handy round, Conkle expressed the pressure facing her. “My good friend Julianna went in and laid it down [in the handy], and she came out with a 92. I was trying to figure out how I could potentially be handier than my original plan. I asked Laura if she was cool if I tried to go for it and she said, “absolutely, go win it!” He landed all the leads, he jumped brilliantly, and I couldn't ask for much more.”
Joy Janouskovec and Rafael Di Cantero
©Ann Stanton for Natalie Suto Photography
Conkle and team plan to stay for the fourth week of the Tryon Summer Series, and will return for fall competition. “Things have always been very great here. Everyone's done a great job with the improvements here – we love it!” Conkle concluded.
For full results from the $5,000 USHJA National Derby presented by AP Hassinger, click here.
Kevin Gallagher Clinches First in $6,000 Two Phase CSI 2*
June 26, 2024 – Galloping to first aboard Campinas 4 (Campitello x Aloubet Z), Kevin Gallagher (IRL) bested a field of sixteen for victory in Tryon Stadium’s $6,000 Two Phase CSI 2*. Gallagher and the 2016 Westphalian gelding owned by Freedom Group posted a jump off time of 28.42 seconds. Just behind the winning team, recording 28.98 seconds, Katherine Huffstutler piloted her own 2010 Belgian Warmblood gelding Kimmel SCF (Amaretto D’Arco x Lester) to second. Taking third on a time of 31.14 seconds, Ashlee Bond (ISR) maneuvered the course with Night Wish (Unknown x Unknown), Aurora Farms’ 2016 Hanoverian gelding.
Kevin Gallagher and Campinas 4
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
For full results from the $6,000 Two Phase CSI 2*, click here.
Tryon Summer 3 continues through Sunday, June 30, and features the Pony Spectacular presented by Young Rider, the $10,000 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby presented by Penny Insurance Agency Equine & Farm on Saturday morning in Tryon Stadium, and the Pony Costume Parade presented by Ride EquiSafe Just Juniors ahead of Saturday evening’s $65,000 Bobcat Grand Prix CSI 2*. To be announced during the highly anticipated Pony Costume Parade, winners of the Pony Spectacular stall decorating contest will receive a prize pack from Imperial Mercantile. Fairy Tale Farms is graciously sponsoring cookies, available in the show office on Sunday morning! Saturday Night Lights presented by Stuller Power Solutions kicks off at 5pm Saturday, with more information available at www.Tryon.com/allevents.
Photos ©Natalie Suto Photography (Laci Matthews and Sarah Sturgis, 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 atwww.nataliesutophotography.shootproof.com. With questions regarding photography at TIEC, contact media@tryon.com.