Tryon Summer 4 Midweek Update

Ali Ramsay and Bonita VH Keizershof Z Win $32,000 Two-Phase CSI 3*

Kelly Mullen and Playhouse Prevail in $5,000 USHJA National Open Derby Presented by AP Hassinger

Madison Ramsey On Top in $5,000 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Derby Presented by AP Hassinger

Samuel Parot Continues Reign Aboard David Guetta with $32,000 ProElite Welcome Stake CSI 3* Win

Sloane Coles and Ninja JW Van De Moerhoeve Claim $2,000 Two-Phase CSI 3*

For Immediate Release

McKenna Honeycutt and Rette Solomon for Tryon International

July 3, 2024 – Keeping her momentum after a second place Grand Prix finish last week at Tryon International Equestrian Center and Resort (Tryon International), Ali Ramsay (CAN) and Bonita VH Keizershof Z (Bustique x For Pleasure) took top honors in the $32,000 Two Phase CSI 3* in Tryon Stadium. With Ramsay clocking a time of 29.01 seconds in the jump off, the team bested the previous Grand Prix-winning team of Samuel Parot (CHI) and David Guetta (Zento x Vigaro). Taking second place out of 18 trips, Parot and his 2008 Dutch Warmblood gelding completed the jump off in 29.67 seconds. Kevin Gallagher (IRL) and the 2016 Westphalian gelding, Campinas 4 (Campitello x Aloubet Z), finished the Alan Wade (IRL) course in 30.17 seconds, earning them third place on the podium.

After placing second in last week's Grand Prix behind Parot and David Guetta, Ramsay and the 2011 Zangersheide mare were hoping to come out victorious. “I wasn't going to let [Samuel Parot] have it again!” she said with a smile. “You don't ever like to get too cocky, but I really thought that I had it in the Grand Prix. When [Samuel] smoked me, I definitely went home with a tear in my eye.” 

Ali Ramsay and Bonita VH Keizershof Z
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography

Ramsay has had “Bonita” for seven years, taking the mare into 5* competition two years ago. “Honestly, every day she comes out and impresses and surprises us – she is amazing,” Ramsay said of her equine partner. The pair have created a strong relationship. “She's like my child. I have so much love for that animal, I don't think I can ever sell her,” Ramsay added.

Samuel Parot and David Guetta
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography

Consistency is key for the team, and keeping Bonita happy is exactly what Ramsay aims to do. “She's a lady, so she doesn't like to be told what to do. If you can find a way to make her think that everything is her idea, she will give you her all,” Ramsay explained.

Kevin Gallagher and Campinas 4
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography

Bonita VH Keizershof Z is Ramsay’s projected mount for the Major League Show Jumping tour, with the team taking the chance to fine-tune their skills during the Tryon Summer Series presented by The Farm House. “We have a big end to our summer coming up, because she's my main horse for Major League Show Jumping,” the Canadian rider shared. “It’s nice to come and have it be a good level for her. I can keep her heart big so she's ready to go for some serious stuff in a couple months.” 

Ali Ramsay and Bonita VH Keizershof Z in their presentation ceremony.
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography

“The schedule [at Tryon] is really accommodating for the horses that are jumping the highest, and tries to keep them out of the heat. It's actually been lovely, I'm really glad that we came here for the summer,” Ramsay added.

For full results from the $32,000 Two Phase CSI 3*, click here.

Kelly Mullen and Playhouse Prevail in $5,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby presented by AP Hassinger

July 5, 2024 – To kick off Friday of Summer 4, Kelly Mullen (Franklin, TN) and Playhouse (El Capitan x Cassiana) found the top of the podium in the $5,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby presented by AP Hassinger on a score of 179. Navigating the Andy Christiansen (Royal Palm Beach, FL) course, Liza Boyd (Camden, SC) and Bluewater (Unknown x Unknown), Meredith Huddle’s 2017 Dutch Warmblood gelding, placed second with a score of 178.5. Earning the yellow rosette, Victoria Colvin (Loxahatchee, FL) rode Gothic (Gemini CL XX x Locartha Red Wine), the 2018 warmblood stallion, for J T Farm to finish the derby with a score of 178. 

Kelly Mullen and Playhouse
©Laci Matthews for Natalie Suto Photography

Mullen shared Playhouse’s career trajectory during 2018 gelding’s time in her program. “His barn name is “Ken”, and he’s been with us for three years. Allison Ventura owns him, and he is her soon-to-be amateur horse. He's been doing some of the national derbies, doing the pre-greens, and hopefully will do the 3’6 next year.”

Liza Boyd and Bluewater
©Natalie Suto Photography

Horse-and-rider pairings were challenged in both phases of the Hunt-N-Go, with the chance to show off the equine athletes’ adjustability and precision. “In the handy, we sliced a jump that not many other people did, and did a tough roll back to another fence,” Mullen detailed, explaining how she and the Hungarian Warmblood set themselves apart. “He was pretty dynamic to the last jump, it was brilliant. I think the judges liked that!” 

Victoria Colvin and Gothic
©Laci Matthews for Natalie Suto Photography

With just half a point separating first and second in the open derby, Mullen shared that “it was very, very close. I think it could have gone any way with either of the top horses.” 

Kelly Mullen and Playhouse in their presentation ceremony.
©Laci Matthews for Natalie Suto Photography

Combating the summer heat, Mullen and her team have been enjoying all Tryon International has to offer, especially the slew of hunter derbies. “These derbies are wonderful. It’s a good experience for the horses, young and old, and the people! We have some amateurs in the Junior/Amateur derby. We enjoy coming to Tryon and the town itself, and the facilities are amazing,” she concluded. 

For full results from the $5,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby presented by AP Hassinger, click here.

Madison Ramsey On Top in $5,000 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby presented by AP Hassinger

July 5, 2024 - Madison Ramsey (Palm Harbor, FL) secured the top two spots in the $5,000 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby presented by AP Hassinger with MTM Enchanted and Troubadour. Taking first with MTM Enchanted (Unknown x Unknown), Kevin Eufemia’s 2016 warmblood mare, Ramsey jumped to a score of 178. Collecting 173.5 points with Matt Martin's Troubadour (Balou Du Rouet x Virginia), the 2014 American Warmblood gelding, Ramsey continued her clean sweep to take second. Elle Boyd (Camden, SC) and Finally Farm, Inc.’s Illusion Imperio Egipcio (Esprilio x Abrienne), the 2008 Belgian Warmblood gelding, earned a score of 172, placing third to complete the podium. 

Madison Ramsey and MTM Enchanted
©Laci Matthews for Natalie Suto Photography

For full results from the $5,000 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby presented by AP Hassinger, click here.

Samuel Parot Continues Reign Aboard David Guetta with $32,000 ProElite Welcome Stake CSI 3* Win

July 4, 2024 - Samuel Parot (CHI) continued his Tryon winning streak aboard his own David Guetta (Zento x Vigaro). Parot came out victorious in the $32,000 ProElite Welcome Stake CSI 3* on the 2008 Dutch Warmblood gelding in a time of 35.08 seconds, out jumping a field of 28. Kelli Cruciotti Vanderveen (USA) and Gideon (Super Trooper De Ness x Corland), Serenity Farm’s 2014 Zangersheide gelding, completed the jump off course in a time of 35.40 seconds, putting the pair in second place. With a time of 36.03 seconds, Sloane Coles (USA) and Ninja JW Van De Moerhoeve (Elvis Ter Putte x Kashmir Van Schuttershof) the 2013 Belgian Warmblood mare owned by The Ninja Group, claimed third. 

Samuel Parot and David Guetta
©Natalie Suto Photography

For full results from the $32,000 ProElite Welcome Stake CSI 3*, click here.

Sloane Coles and Ninja JW Van De Moerhoeve Claim $2,000 Two-Phase CSI 3*

July 3, 2024 – Sloane Coles (USA) and Ninja Jw Van De Moerhoeve (Elvis Ter Putte x Kashmir Van Schuttershof) claim $2,000 in the Speed Stake CSI 3*. Coles and the 2013 Belgian Warmblood mare completed the Alan Wade (IRL) course in 27.52 seconds. Chandler Meadows (USA) and Calciet EB Z (Cornet Obolensky x Berlin), the 2013 Zangersheide mare, soared around the course in 27.67 seconds, finishing in second place. Out of eight trips, Alison Robitaille (USA) and Quolonko Van Het Weidse Hof (Vigo D’arsouilles x Toulon), the 2014 Belgian Warmblood gelding, gained a time of 29.05 seconds, placing them in third.  

Sloane Coles and Ninja JW Van De Moerhoeve
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography

For full results from the $2,000 Speed Stake CSI 3*, click here.

Tryon Summer 4 continues through Sunday, July 7, with feature classes including the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Presented by Equiline and the $120,000 Camp Electric Co. Grand Prix CSI 3* to come. 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 (Bailey Beck and Laci Matthews, 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 at www.nataliesutophotography.shootproof.com. With questions regarding photography at TIEC, contact media@tryon.com.