Tryon Summer 4 Results:
Samuel Parot Rides Chrystal Blue to Victory in the $146,000 Cleghorn Golf & Sports Club Grand Prix CSI 3*
Thomas Yofre and Cher Cheval Triumphant in the $6,000 Speed Stake CSI 2*
Katherine Mercer and Goldhills As You Like It Crowned Winners of $10,000 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby Presented by Young Rider
Darragh Kerins and Heritage MBF Win the $25,000 Van Winkle Law Firm Sunday Jumper Classic
Tryon Riding & Hunt Club Charity II Remaining Trophies Presented
For Immediate Release
Leyla Caynak and Rette Solomon for Tryon International
Mill Spring, NC - July 8, 2023 - In a repeat victory, Chrystal Blue (Chacco Blue x Calvaro F.C.) and Samuel Parot (CHI) raced to win the $146,000 Cleghorn Golf & Sports Club Grand Prix CSI 3* with a speedy 34.06 second jump off time. Just a couple seconds behind in the jump off with a time of 36.46 and earning reserve honors was Darragh Kerins (IRL) riding Lissino (Limbus x Lagumera B), the 2011 Holsteiner stallion owned by Eve Jobs. Rounding off the podium was Alexandra “Aly” Worthington (USA) aboard De L’oiseliere (Kapitol D’Argonne x Miss Flight) with a time of 37.2 seconds in the jump off. The 2013 Selle Français gelding owned by Turn A Blind Eye LLC and Aly were also the victors their win in Thursday’s $39,000 ProElite Welcome Stake CSI 3*.
The 2011 Oldenburg gelding owned and ridden by Samuel Parot went clear in both rounds against 19 competitors on the course designed by Alan Wade (IRL). There were five clear counds presented by Stuller Power Solutions to advance to the jump off, with Parot last in the order of go.
Samuel Parot and Chrystal Blue
©Haley Boothe for Natalie Suto Photography
While this marks the second 2023 Grand Prix win at Tryon for Parot and Chrystal Blue, the team has been enjoying their share of successes across the globe this year. “This horse is fantastic. This is his second show here, and second [Grand Prix] win. In Mexico, he was third in the Grand Prix during the Nations Cup,” Parot detailed.
Darragh Kerins and Lissino
©Haley Boothe for Natalie Suto Photography
Parot is preparing his mount for the upcoming Pan American Games, hosted in Chile this fall. “I’m trying to get him in the best condition for the Pan American Games and win the medal. This is the plan!”
Alexandra Worthington and De L’oiseliere
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
Being the last competitors of five riders in Saturday night’s jump off, Parot shared that the course rode “very, very well. The combination and the eight [strides] for the last fence arrived perfectly.”
Darragh Kerins, Samuel Parot, and Alexandra Worthington in their presentation ceremony alongside (L-R): Ringmaster Steve Rector, Tryon Riding & Hunt Club President Angie Millon, Cleghorn Golf & Sports Club General Manager David Quiroz, Tryon Equestrian Partners Carolinas Operations President Sharon Decker, and Tryon Riding & Hunt Club’s Sally Frick.
©Natalie Suto Photography
Parot’s most recent Grand Prix win was made even more special by competing alongside his son, Samuel Parot Jr., who placed seventh in the Grand Prix aboard HFB Versace. “It’s fantastic,” Parot said of this family experience. “I get more nervous when he jumps than me!”
As the highest placing female rider in the Grand Prix, Alexandra Worthington was awarded the Leading Lady Award presented by Marthaler Jewelers, alongside Tonya and Andy Marthaler and Matthew Blair of Marthaler Jewelers and their team.
©Natalie Suto Photography
RESULTS: $146,000 Cleghorn Golf & Sports Club Grand Prix CSI 3*
Horse Name, Year Breed gender (Sire x Sire of Dam)
Rider (COUNTRY), Owner: Faults/Faults/Time
1. Chrystal Blue, 2011 Oldenburg gelding (Chacco Blue x Calvaro F.C.)
Samuel Parot (CHI), Samuel Parot: 0/0/34.06
2. Lissino, 2011 Holsteiner stallion (Guardus Limbus x San Patrignano Corrado)
Darragh Kerins (IRL), Eve Jobs: 0/0/36.46
3. De L'oiseliere, 2013 Selle Français gelding (Kapitol D’argonne x Unknown)
Alexandra Worthington (USA), Turn A Blind Eye LLC: 0/0/37.20
4. Evita, 2009 Dutch Warmblood mare (Otangelo x Cash)
Lexi Ray (CAN), Lexi Ray: 0/0/39.27
5. Skara Glen’s Para Bellum, 2011 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Singulord Joter x Labor’s VDL Indorado)
Diego Alejandro Bedoya Yanez (BOL), NRG Farm LLC: 0/4/38.21
6. Coco Beach, 2012 Holsteiner mare (Casall x San Patrignano Corrado)
Richie Moloney (IRL), Equinimity LLC: 4/72.38
7. HFB Versace, 2012 gelding (Verdi TN x Indorado)
Samuel Parot Jr. (CHI), Samuel Parot: 4/73.29
8. Dialuna, 2013 Holsteiner mare (Diarado x Quidam’s Rubin)
Diego Perez Bilbao (ESP), Over Fences Farm LLC: 4/73.55
9. Kiekeboe Spirit, 2015 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Darius x Game Boy)
Todd Minikus (USA), Aquilo Investment LLC: 4/74.57
10. Upper, 2008 Selle Français gelding (Diamant De Semilly x Nadir Di San Patrignano)
David Oberkircher (USA), Southfields Farm: 8/71.54
11. Cardora, 2010 Holsteiner mare (Caretino 2 x Clearway)
Tomas Yofre (ARG), Stellium Sport Horses LLC: 8/72.21
12. San Chano, 2009 Oldenburg gelding (Sandro Boy x Chacco-Blue)
Jacqueline Ruyle (USA), Jacqueline Ruyle: 8/74.74
For full results from the $146,000 Cleghorn Golf & Sports Club Grand Prix CSI 3*, click here.
Roldolfo Medina was awarded The Groom’s Award presented by Samshield, advanced protection helmets available exclusively at The Farm House, for his care and dedication to Chrystal Blue, alongside Noreen Cothran of The Farm House and Tryon International’s Drew Page.
©Natalie Suto Photography
Thomas Yofre and Cher Cheval Triumphant in the $6,000 Speed Stake CSI 2*
July 7, 2023 - In Friday’s $6,000 Speed Stake CSI 2*, with a time of 65.23 seconds, Thomas Yofre (ARG) and Stellium Sport Horses LLC’s 2013 Holsteiner gelding Cher Cheval (Casalito x Warina I) were triumphant. With a time of 70.59 seconds, Andrea Torres (COL) riding Levito 12 (Legendario Listo x Grace) the 2013 Westphalian gelding, owned by Santa Catalina Farm LLC, earned reserve honors. Placing third with a time of 73.15 seconds was Lexi Ray (CAN) and Cara 199 (Chap LL x Celina) her own 2013 Dutch Warmblood mare.
Thomas Yofre and Cher Cheval
©Natalie Suto Photography
For full results from the $6,000 Speed Stake CSI 2*, click here.
Katherine Mercer and Goldhills As You Like It Crowned Winners of $10,000 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby Presented by Young Rider
July 8, 2023 - With thirty-six trips of small, medium, and large ponies in Tryon Stadium, Katherine Mercer (Wellington, FL) and Goldhills As You Like It took top honors in the $10,000 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby presented by Young Rider. Aboard the pony owned by Frog Pond Stables, Mercer scored a 184 over two rounds to claim the win. Carsyn Korotkin (Wellington, FL) and Pepsi (Goldhills Master Bronze x Silvandra’s Classy Chassis), the 2014 Welsh Pony gelding owned by Lily Epstein, marked a 182 to earn reserve in the class. Lilly Herzog (Pepper Pike, OH) and Marley McGlaughlin’s September Starlight (Mapleside Wish List x Storm Cloud), the 2013 Welsh Pony gelding, rounded out the top three with a score of 172.
Katherine Mercer and Goldhills As You Like It
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
Goldhills As You Like It (Gayfields Call The Cops x Goldhills As You Wish), the 2008 Welsh Pony mare also known as “Gracie”, takes competition very seriously. “At horse shows she always has her game face on,” Mercer shared. “She loves derbies and handies!”
Carsyn Korotkin and Pepsi
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
“Gracie is definitely special,” she added. “She has her own attitude about everything. Normally, if I just let her have her way, then it goes well.”
Mercer detailed that both of her derby rounds, each earning a score of 92, “were really amazing. [Gracie] had enough energy so that I could find whatever distance I needed, and it really worked out well.”
Lilly Herzog and September Starlight
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
Of all the activities and events at the annual Pony Spectacular, Mercer shared that her favorite part is the pony hunter derby. Like many young riders, her time at Tryon is used to help prepare for competitions later in the summer. “I'm looking forward to Pony Finals. I'm using this as a practice week for it, so I'm hoping that goes well.”
Mercer is no stranger to showing at Tryon International, and has thoroughly enjoyed her Tryon experiences. “I love Tryon!” She concluded. “We've been going here every summer for as long as I can remember, and it's always just really fun.”
Katherine Mercer and Small Surprise (4th Place) in their presentation ceremony alongside Ringmaster Steve Rector.
©Natalie Suto Photography
For full results from the $10,000 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby presented by Young Rider, click here.
Darragh Kerins and Heritage MBF Win the $25,000 Sunday Jumper Classic Presented by The Van Winkle Law Firm
July 9, 2023 - Darragh Kerins (IRL) aboard NRG Farm LLC’s, Heritage MBF (Eldorado Van De Zeshoek x Volivia), win Sunday’s $25,000 Van Winkle Law Firm Jumper Classic. The 2015 Irish Sport Horse gelding and Kerins were the only pair to have double clear rounds in the class. Earning reserve honors with a jump off time of 35.396 seconds and four faults were Andrea Torres (COL) and her own, 2015 Belgian Warmblood mare Picara Polka Amouretta (Kannan x Wolinda). Taking third place was the 2011 Holsteiner stallion, Singulon owned and ridden by Samuel Parot (CHI), with a 37.336 second jump off time with four faults.
Darragh Kerins and Heritage MBF
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
For full results from the $25,000 Van Winkle Law Firm Sunday Jumper Classic, click here.
Tryon Riding & Hunt Club Charity II Remaining Trophies Presented
The Tryon Riding & Hunt Club presented the remaining perpetual trophies to winners in several divisions in the final days of Tryon Summer 4/Tryon Riding & Hunt Club Charity II competition.
Finley Clement and Boca’s Pop Star
©Rette Solomon for Tryon International
Finley Clement (Indian Trail, NC) and Boca’s Pop Star, owned by Ponies & Palms Show Stables LLC, were presented the Brownland’s Graduation Day Trophy for earning Grand Pony Hunter champions. As Grand Amateur Owner Hunter Champion, Chloe White (Berwyn, PA), aboard Tztargazer was awarded the Laughin’ Place Trophy. The Stoney Knoll Trophy, awarded to the Grand Child/Adult Jumper champion, was presented to Erika Fekete (Marietta, GA), riding DMS Kings Rising.
Earning the Penny Ante Trophy as Grand Children’s Hunter champion was Khloe McSwain (Alpharetta, GA), with As Ever. Stephanie King (St. Augustine, FL) claimed the Will Do Trophy as Grand Adult Amateur Hunter champion aboard Play Maker. The winner of the Darrel and Jane Shawback Memorial Trophy was presented to Penelope Noonan (Hollywood, SC), riding Magic Trick, as Grand Short Stirrup champion.
Stephanie King and Play Maker
©Rette Solomon for Tryon International
For full division results from Tryon Summer 4, click here.
Tryon Summer 5 will take place July 11th-July 16th, with more information available at www.Tryon.com/allevents.
Photos ©Natalie Suto Photography (Bailey Beck and Haley Boothe 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.