Welcome 4 Results: Tryon Welcome Series presented by Rug & Home
John Angus and W. Tonix Hero Conclude Welcome Series with $20,000 Tryon International Grand Prix Win
Lucy Rabb and Herkules Sail to Victory in $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby
Brynn Garrett Excels in $1,500 USHJA Pony Derby presented by Fabbri Boots
John Angus Notches a Win in $5,000 LeMieux Welcome Stake
Tryon Welcome 4 Division Highlights
For Immediate Release
Rette Solomon and Sarah Madden Taylor for Tryon International
Mill Spring, NC – April 13, 2025 – Closing out the Tryon Welcome Series presented by Rug & Home, John Angus (Mooresboro, NC) struck gold in Sunday’s $20,000 Tryon International Grand Prix. Aboard W. Tonix Hero (Ogano Sitte x Taquine De Roll), Angus cruised through the Brody Robertson (Ocala, FL)-built jump off course in 39.07 seconds. John Brown (Mill Spring, NC) and Ponce Tidwell Jr.’s 2013 Belgian Warmblood, Ballon Bleu (Amaretto D Arco x Papilon), marked 39.80 seconds in the jump off to take second. Claiming third on a jump off time of 40.17 seconds, Doug Payne (Rougemont, NC) piloted Chaccolate RFB (Chacco Blue x Wolrusa), Issy Kelly’s 2013 warmblood gelding, to the final podium spot.
A regular competitor at Tryon International, John Angus described his partnership with W. Tonix Hero. “‘Tonix’ and I have been together for about six years now. He’s a very specific horse, and there’s a specific ride for that horse,” he shared. “He’s 23 years old now! I take him for walks and let him enjoy the grass. You just have to allow him to do what he wants to do.”
John Angus and W. Tonix Hero
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
With a challenging route facing Sunday’s Grand Prix competitors, Angus admitted he was “a little bit skeptical [about the course]. The first jump was over by the gazebo, and then they started to move it, but it worked out perfectly fine – everything came up great!”
John Brown and Ballon Bleu
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
With nine riders advancing to the jump off, Angus explained his approach that ultimately earned him a win. “I knew I had to cut some turns a little bit tighter, but give myself enough room so [Tonix] could have enough space for the jumps and continue on.”
Doug Payne and Chaccolate RFB
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
Stacking up two wins at the close of the Welcome Series, fans can expect to see Angus and his team of horses again soon. “We’ll be staying in the state of North Carolina,” Angus shared. “We love Tryon! We love it here – it’s home, and will be for a while.”
For full results from the $20,000 Tryon International Grand Prix, click here.
Lucy Rabb and Herkules Sail to Victory in $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby
April 11, 2025 – Fort Mill, SC’s Lucy Rabb dominated the Reynolds Family Grand Hunter Ring Friday morning at Tryon International, winning the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby with Herkules, her own 2018 Oldenburg gelding (Corrinaro x Unica IV). The pair accrued 170 points over two rounds to top the field of 29 competitors. Earning reserve honors, Ashley Lovegrove (Southern Pines, NC) rode Susan Gaines’ Pinot Noir (CW Valente x Henry Jota Pady), the 2016 Silla Argentino gelding, to 168 points. With a 165.5 point performance, Caroline Parkinson (Anderson, SC) and Q Star S (Goldstar Shining S x Chloe-S), the Belgian Warmblood owned by Parkinson Farms, went on to take third place in the derby.
A past Derby winner at Tryon International, Lucy Rabb detailed her partnership with Herkules. “He’s five, almost six, and I’ve had him for three years. We imported him from Germany, and he is my junior hunter. He’s just a character – he’s so fun to ride and has such a pretty canter.”
Lucy Rabb and Herkules
©Ariel Hughes for Natalie Suto Photography
Laying down two effortless performances, Rabb affirmed her show ring strategy was to “play everything safe, and just relax and make sure we’re calm with no nerves.”
Ashley Lovegrove and Pinot Noir
©Ariel Hughes for Natalie Suto Photography
The track brought to competitors by Archer “Skip” Bailey (West Palm Beach, FL), offered riders several options to choose from in the handy round. Rabb impressed the judges with precision and accuracy. “I hadn’t seen anyone else do [that track], and it was very handy. I know he’s really handy and that he could do it,” Rabb explained, noting her confidence in Herkules in the short round.
Caroline Parkinson and Q Star S
©Ariel Hughes for Natalie Suto Photography
Closing out the Tryon Welcome Series presented by Rug & Home with a win under her belt, Rabb spoke highly of her Tryon International experience. “It's close to my home, so it's so nice that I can just come back and forth really easily. It's such a pretty show ground, and I love showing here!” she concluded.
For full results from the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, click here.
Brynn Garrett Excels in $1,500 USHJA Pony Derby presented by Fabbri Boots
April 12, 2025 – With pocket-sized equine athletes taking center stage in the $1,500 USHJA Pony Derby presented by Fabbri Boots, Brynn Garrett found herself leading the victory gallop aboard Stonewall Bright Light (Gayfields The Thief x Hillcrest’s Silver Lining). The Linden, NC rider collected 166 points over two rounds for the win. Ella Vanzant (Fayetteville, GA) teamed up with Picturesque Paintball (Picturesque Formal Attire x Honey Pot), her own Welsh Pony, for a second place finish, ending the morning with 161.5 points. Brynn Garrett rounded out the top three on her second mount of the day, riding Brian Garrett’s Odyssey Orion (Hilin Peredur x Blueridge Starlet) to a score of 161.
In their short time together as a team, Brynn Garrett and Stonewall Bright Light, also known as “Sally”, have enjoyed much success in hunter rings across the country. “I’ve been riding her for about a year. She’s very sweet, and she likes lots of treats,” Garrett said of the 2015 Welsh Pony mare owned by GC Ponies, LLC. “She likes stud muffins, carrots, apples – she’ll eat anything!”
Brynn Garrett and Stonewall Bright Light
©Caitlyn Andresen for Natalie Suto Photography
Garrett detailed that her winning strategy was to stay consistent throughout. “My first jump on my first line was really good,” the young rider stated, noting the strongest part of her course.
Ella Vanzant and Picturesque Paintball
©Caitlyn Andresen for Natalie Suto Photography
As of publication, Stonewall Bright Light is leading the nation in money earned in Pony Hunter Derbies. After a successful winter season, Garrett contributed this accolade to always staying consistent in the show ring. “At WEC Ocala, we were first, second, or third in almost every derby,” she shared.
Brynn Garrett and Odyssey Orion
©Caitlyn Andresen for Natalie Suto Photography
For full results from the $1,500 USHJA Pony Derby presented by Fabbri Boots, click here.
John Angus Notches a Win in $5,000 LeMieux Welcome Stake
April 11, 2025 – For the second week in a row, John Angus (Mooresboro, NC) and W. Tonix Hero (Ogano Sitte x Taquine De Roll), the 2003 Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Stephanie Angus, jumped to top honors in the $5,000 LeMieux Welcome Stake with a winning time of 31.20 seconds. Paired with Salut Ca-Va (Stakkato x Ria Granada), the 2009 Hanoverian gelding, Alicia Wilkinson (Charlotte, NC) marked 32.54 seconds on the clock for second place, riding for Horse Show Leases, LLC. In third, Ricardo Villa produced a 32.67 second jump off with his own 2016 Zangersheide gelding, Curioso Van Maarle Z (Canabis Z x Katina VD Holstenhoeve Z).
John Angus and W. Tonix Hero in their awards presentation ceremony.
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
For full results from the $5,000 LeMieux Welcome Stake, click here.
Tryon Welcome 4 Division Highlights
The Amateur Owner Hunter 3’3 Division congratulated Rebecca Love (Atlanta, GA) and Ral-Star LLC’s Next Chapter as champions for the week. Bugatti, piloted by owner-rider Liddy Strickland (McDonough, GA), claimed the reserve rosette.
Campobello, SC’s Ricardo Villa piloted Layla 74 to the top of the Open 1.20m Jumper Division, in the irons for Carnes Equestrian Holdings LLC. In reserve, Theresa Tolar (Forest City, NC) was recognized for her efforts with Kelly Kocher’s Chanel 479.
The USHJA Hunter 2’6 Division saw Athena, owned by Sister Act LLC and ridden by Hope King (Mt. Pleasant, SC) take the championship title, while Kelsey Barbour McArdle (Fletcher, NC) and Sophie Buraglia’s Over the Moon earned reserve honors.
The Junior/Amateur 1.0m Jumper Division champion team included Bree Hendrick (Winston Salem, NC) and her own mount Lewine. Greenlee Taylor (Fletcher, NC) and Katherine Dilworth’s Carolina secured the reserve title.
For all division championship results, click here.
For full results by day, click here.
Up next in Tryon International’s competition calendar is Tryon Spring Dressage 1, hosted in Rings 2-4 Friday April 18-Sunday, April 20. Schedules will be posted at Tryon.com when available. Easter weekend also hosts a sunrise service, a delectable Easter brunch and free egg hunts for all ages. The Katydid CDE at Tryon International will take place April 24-27, with full details available here. For more information about upcoming events at Tryon International, visit www.Tryon.com/allevents.
Photos ©Natalie Suto Photography (Sarah Sturgis, Ariel Hughes, and Caitlyn Andresen 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.