Tryon Summer 4 Midweek Update:
Colin Syquia and Front Page Capture the Win in $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Presented by The Farm House
Alexandra Worthington and De L’oiseliere Claim the Top Spot in the $39,000 ProElite Welcome Stake CSI 3*
Richie Moloney and Skelwith Diamond Lady win the $39,000 Two Phase CSI 3*
Jennifer Bliss Rides Sugarman to Win $7,500 USHJA Open National Hunter Derby Presented by The Farm House
Camden Kitchens and Flugel Successful in $7,500 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby Presented by The Farm House
Tryon Riding & Hunt Club Charity II Trophies Presented
For Immediate Release
Leyla Caynak and Rette Solomon for Tryon International
Mill Spring, NC - July 7, 2023 - Colin Syquia (PHI) and Front Page claimed the highlight class of Friday Hunter/Jumper competition, winning the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby presented by The Farm House on a two-round score of 386. Josh Dolan (USA) piloted Con L’Anima, his own 2010 Westphalian mare (Cassini I x Cassina), to a score of 369 and the reserve title, while third place went to Jennifer Bliss (USA) aboard the 2005 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Tangelo van de Zuutheve x Nicolette V) owned by Harris Hill Farm LLC, Poker Face, and their 364-point performance.
Colin Syquia and Front Page
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
The course designed by Archer “Skip” Bailey (USA) challenged 16 entries in the first round, with Colin Syquia and the 2014 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Vigo D’Arsouilles x Cartagena Indias Ecaussinnes) owned by Cynthia Sulzberger walking into the handy round with 191 points in hand.
Josh Dolan and Con L’Anima
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
“It was fun! Skip did a really nice job,” Syquia recalled of the course. “There were singles, but they were on interesting approaches and angles. When you wanted to do the high ones, you had to be a little precise, even off the gallop, so that you didn't get there too early or make a mistake. They could have sucked you into jumping across too much.”
Jennifer Bliss and Poker Face
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
Syquia noted that the handy round was “quite challenging” because of the numerous places where riders could choose to showcase their horse’s handiness - or not.
“Jen Bliss went before me, and she did the inside [track] from jump two to three, which was incredible. And I thought, ‘I'm not going to do that, because she jumped the low side.’ So, I went around, jumped the high [option], but then jumped the other high option. Then, I came around and did the inside [turn] to the oxer instead, which [Jen] didn't do. I think that's what helped me catch up.”
Colin Syquia, Front Page and team in their presentation ceremony alongside Ringmaster Steve Rector. President of the Tryon Riding & Hunt Club Angie Millon presented the Shade Tree Farm Perpetual Trophy, given annually to the winner of the USHJA International Hunter Derby at Tryon Summer 4/Tryon Riding & Hunt Club Charity II.
©Natalie Suto Photography
Syquia concluded that his experience at Tryon International has been serving his horses well: “It's fantastic here! We brought all our horses and have showed all different levels – some green horses in the [national] derby this morning and young horses moving up levels in the jumpers, and they did really well. We always enjoy our time here.”
For full results from the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby presented by The Farm House, click here.
Alexandra Worthington and De L’oiseliere Claim the Top Spot in the $39,000 ProElite Welcome Stake CSI 3*
July 6, 2023 - The $39,000 ProElite Welcome Stake CSI 3* in Tryon Stadium on Thursday saw 23 competitors challenge the Alan Wade (IRL) course design, with nine clear rounds continuing to the jump off. Alexandra Worthington (USA) won the day with a double clear performance and a 38.43 second jump off time aboard the ten year old Selle Francais gelding, De L’oiseliere (Kapitol D’Argonne x Miss Flight), owned by Turn A Blind Eye LLC. Following with reserve honors and a jump off time of 39 seconds was Taylor St. Jacques (CAN) and Jakilly (Harley VDL x Zakilly), her own 2014 KWPN mare. Earning the third spot with a 39.71 second jump off time, was Doug Payne (USA) riding Emeraldo (Emerald Van’t Ruytershof x Inca’s Twinkeling), Payne Equestrian’s 2013 Belgian Warmblood gelding.
Alexandra Worthington and De L’oiseliere
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
Alexandra Worthington and De L’oiseliere, better known as Frank, are having an impressive run at the Tryon Summer Series, and recently earned the title of reserve honors in the $78,000 Grand Prix CSI 2* Presented by Earl Scruggs Music Festival. Of De L’oiseliere, Worthington shared; “That horse is very, very special and I am lucky to have him.”
Taylor St. Jacques and Jakilly
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
Worthington claimed to have a bit of luck on her side, with ten other competitors also clear for the jump off round, “But I did decide to give it a go because he’s such a fast and naturally careful horse, you can really take chances. It just worked out my way today.”
Tryon International has been the summer base for Worthington and her team. “It’s really nice to build consistency. You can show a couple weeks in a row, take a week off and go again.” Worthington detailed, “The facility is incredible, it is top tier everywhere.”
Doug Payne and Emeraldo
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
This pair will have another opportunity in the ring for the $146,000 Cleghorn Golf & Sports Club Grand Prix CSI 3* on Saturday, July 8. Alexandra has been in partnership with Frank since he was eight years old. “A couple of weeks ago, it was actually my first three star show with this horse” she revealed.
Alexandra Worthington and De L’oiseliere in their presentation ceremony alongside Steve Rector, Ringmaster.
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
For full results of the $39,000 ProElite Welcome Stake CSI 3*, click here.
Richie Moloney and Skelwith Diamond Lady Win the $39,000 Two Phase CSI 3*
July 5, 2023 - The $39,000 Two Phase CSI 3* concluded with Richie Moloney (IRL) and Equinimity LLC’s 2014 Anglo European mare, Skelwith Diamond Lady (Kalaska De Semilly x Skelwith Lady Delilah) taking the win with a time of 26.55 in the speed phase. With a 25.69 second speed round time, Samuel Parot (CHI) and his own 2012 mare, Tiffany De Olid (Huppydam Des Horts x Coco De Mies), received reserve honors. Taking third place was Todd Minikus (USA) and the 2015 Warmblood gelding, Kiekeboe Spirit (Darius x Lolita MH), owned by Aquilo Investments LLC with a time of 29.66 seconds in the speed course.
Richie Moloney and Skelwith Diamond Lady
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
For full results from the $39,000 Two Phase CSI 2*, click here.
Jennifer Bliss Rides Sugarman to Win $7,500 USHJA Open National Hunter Derby presented by The Farm House
July 7, 2023 - In a competitive class of sixteen entries, Jennifer Bliss (Wellington, FL) aboard Harris Hill Farm LLC’s Sugarman scored 190 points over two rounds to claim the win in Friday morning’s $7,500 USHJA Open National Hunter Derby presented by The Farm House. With a score of 181 points, Kelly Mullen (Franklin, TN) and Playhouse (El Capitan x Cassiana), the 2018 Hungarian Warmblood gelding, received reserve honors for owner Allison Ventura. Jennifer Bliss also rode Dandelion Farm LLC’s Flight (Connor x Timelight), the 2013 Holsteiner mare, to third place with a score of 169.
Jennifer Bliss and Sugarman
©Tara Corman for Natalie Suto Photography
Bliss shared that Sugarman has become a dependable mount in her show string. “We've had him for a number of years now. We started him as a young horse in the pre-green divisions and have just brought him along,” Bliss said of the 2007 gelding. “At this point, we really just save him for the derby classes. He’s gotten to the point where he’s a pretty reliable partner for the derbies!”
Kelly Mullen and Playhouse
©Tara Corman for Natalie Suto Photography
Marking scores of 95 in both derby rounds with Sugarman, Bliss explained her strategy for the Archer “Skip” Bailey (USA)-designed course. “For the first round, I just tried to keep a nice, flowing gallop everywhere. I didn't really count strides anywhere, I just tried to keep a smooth pace. I thought it was a nice course for that.”
Jennifer Bliss and Flight
©Tara Corman for Natalie Suto Photography
“I love doing handy rounds on Sugarman because he's very brave and pretty unflappable. But of course, there's always a little bit of strategy involved with the handies, especially coming back on top [with the high score].”
“In a derby like this, with all top professionals coming back, you can't be too cautious, so it's kind of a fine line! I tried to take almost all the handiest options and still really go for it, without going too crazy, and finding that balance.”
Jennifer Bliss and Sugarman in their presentation ceremony.
©Tara Corman for Natalie Suto Photography
Riding to two of the top three placings in the derby, Bliss was also pleased with both horses’ performances. “I was really happy with how [Sugarman] went. I had a younger horse in the class, [Flight], who's at a very different point in her career. She's new to the derbies. She also went nicely and it was a good experience for her. So, a good day for both of them!” she concluded.
For full results of the $7,500 USHJA Open National Hunter Derby presented by The Farm House, click here.
Camden Kitchens and Flugel Successful in $7,500 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby presented by The Farm House
July 7, 2023 - Leading the $7,500 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby presented by The Farm House was Camden Kitchens (Shaker Heights, OH) riding her own 2010 Dutch Warmblood gelding, Flugel (Corland x Tersina), and finishing the class with a score of 191. Earning reserve honors and a score of 178 was Maddie Figgie (Novelty, OH) and Wolfstone Stables & Sales INC’s, Levanto (Cornet Oboensky x Con Canto), a 2016 Dutch Warmblood gelding. Placing third in the derby with a total score of 173 was the 2012 Oldenburg gelding, Star Attraction (Filou De Muze x Carley), owned and ridden by Gabriella Matteucci (Franklin, TN).
Camden Kitchens, Flugel and team in their presentation ceremony alongside Ringmaster Steve Rector.
©Tara Corman for Natalie Suto Photography
For full results of the $7,500 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby Presented by The Farm House, click here.
Tryon Riding & Hunt Club Charity II Trophies Presented
The Tryon Riding & Hunt Club presented trophies to winners in several divisions in the first days of Tryon Summer 4/Tryon Riding & Hunt Club Charity II competition, with more to be presented throughout the weekend.
Liza Boyd and Arvantos
©Rette Solomon for Tryon International
The Holmberg Junior Trophy, awarded to the Grand Green Hunter champion, was presented to Kelly Mullen (Franklin, TN), who rode Allison Ventura’s Playhouse. Liza Boyd (Camden, SC) and Greenley Achuck’s Arvantos were awarded the Edward and Eileen Jeffrey Memorial Trophy, presented to the Grand Performance Hunter champion. Mary Caroline Nolan (Marietta, GA) with Ferrari claimed the Eleanor Moffit Borg Trophy as the Grand Junior Hunter champion.
Kelly Mullen and Playhouse
©Rette Solomon for Tryon International
Tryon Summer 4 continues through Sunday, July 9 and features the Tryon Pony Spectacular presented by Young Rider, as well as Hunter and Jumper competition. Saturday Night Lights presented by Tryon Horse & Home will continue on July 8th, with activities starting at 6pm and the $146,000 Cleghorn Golf & Sports Club Grand Prix CSI 3* kicking off at 8pm. Learn more at www.Tryon.com/snl.
View details and learn more about ongoing events at Tryon.com/allevents.
Photos ©Natalie Suto Photography (Bailey Beck, Natalie Suto and Tara Corman 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.