Despite a brief rain delay in the first round of competition showcased at Saturday Night Lights presented by Skyla Credit Union, 24 competitors contested the $70,000 Main Street Insurance Grand Prix CSI 2*, with Kristen VanderVeen (USA) and Bull Run’s Celestial jumping to victory in 32.35 seconds. Reserve honors went to Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) aboard Belle De Muze, the Driss Ngadi-owned 2010 Warmblood mare (Ponsee V x Lando), with a time of 33.38 seconds in the jump off round. Stopping the jump off timers at 34.36 seconds, Kristen VanderVeen claimed third place aboard Bull Run’s Jireh, the 2014 Holsteiner gelding (Uriko x Colman) owned by Bull Run Jumpers Inc.

Hunter Kay (Columbia, SC) and Galileo (Unknown x Unknown) took charge in the $10,000 USHJA Open National Hunter Derby, winning the first of three Hunter Derbies hosted Friday during Tryon Spring 6 and Tryon Riding & Hunt Club Charity Horse Show. The team dominated over 13 contestants on the Derby Field, scoring 182 points. Riding Meredith Huddle’s Bluewater (Unknown x Unknown), the 2017 Dutch Warmblood gelding, Liza Boyd (Camden, SC) secured the reserve rosette on 176 points. Jennifer Bliss (Wellington, FL) took Wailea, the 2014 Dutch Warmblood mare owned by Ohana Equine LLC, to third place with 173 points on the board. 

Thursday’s $32,000 LeMieux Welcome Stake CSI 2* was championed by Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) and San Francisco Stables LLC’s 2016 Dutch Warmblood mare Lizelottie W (Comme Il Faut 5 x Guidam), with the fastest jump off round time of 36.45 seconds. Placing second out of the 12 competitors in the jump off, aboard Bull Run’s Kingdom, the 2015 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Dutch Design x Laptop) owned by Bull Run Jumpers Inc, was rider Kristen VanderVeen (USA) in a time of 37.28 seconds. Reaching the podium with both his entries, Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) rode Leeann Ablin’s 2015 Westfalen mare, Baroness (Balous Bellini x Polydor) to a time of 37.71 and third place.

MILL SPRING, NC – June 02, 2025 – Tryon International today announced that Sharon Decker, a key member of its leadership team, will be taking a temporary leave of absence to serve in an important role with Governor Josh Stein’s GROW NC Team. Decker has been contracted to lead the development of a long-term economic revitalization plan for western North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Helene. “We fully support Sharon in this vital work to help rebuild Western North Carolina and its communities,” said Mark Bellissimo, Managing Partner of Tryon International. “She’s been instrumental to Tryon International’s success and is uniquely qualified to lead this important effort.”

To cap off an evening of Saturday Night Lights festivities presented by Skyla Credit Union, Kristen VanderVeen (USA) led the victory gallop in Tryon Stadium to celebrate a $120,000 Vogel Grand Prix CSI 3* win. With equine teammate Bull Run's Jireh (Uriko x Colman), VanderVeen dominated the four-horse jump off, stopping the short track timers in 35.13 seconds. Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) claimed the second place spot on the podium, riding Condara, the 2012 Mecklenburg mare (Conthargos x Catapult 7) owned by Victoria Heurtematte, to a jump off time of 35.26 seconds. Paired with Nintendo (Nintender x Chacco Blue), the 2014 Oldenburg gelding owned by Counter Balance LLC, Megan McDermott (USA) marked a 37.09 second jump off, securing third. 

With Tryon Spring 5, The Tryon Spring Series presented by Fields Auto Group, BMW Asheville, Mercedes Asheville and DEFENDER ushers in FEI CSI 3* competition and top tier hunter/jumper action. Racing to first place in Tryon Stadium on a time of 38.61 seconds, Kristen VanderVeen (USA) and Bull Run's Jireh (Uriko x Colman) clocked in a win in Thursday’s $32,000 LeMieux Welcome Stake CSI 3*. Tying for second, Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) rode Condara (Conthargos x Catapult 7), the 2012 Mecklenburg mare owned by Victoria Heurtematte, to a time of 38.92 seconds. Marking a matching 38.92 seconds on the clock for second place was Carlie Fairty (CAN), aboard Fairgreen Sod Farms’ Jetplane (Whitesnake x Niagara), the 2014 Dutch Warmblood mare. 

The $70,000 Fields Auto Group Grand Prix CSI 2* took centerstage in Tryon Stadium as part of Saturday Night Lights presented by Skyla Credit Union, with Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) and Belle De Muze (Ponsee V x Lando) collecting the win in a time of 40.1 seconds. Kelli Cruciotti Vanderveen (USA) and Mochito V/D Mishagen (Emerald x Lord Z), the 2012 Belgian Warmblood gelding owned by Serenity Farm, toured the short course in a time of 41.67 seconds for reserve honors. Galloping through the timers in 42.10 seconds, Katie Eppinger (USA) and her own 2013 Zangersheide mare, Corneska De La Falize Z (Cornet Obolensky x President), collected third place to complete the podium. 

With the Tryon Spring Series presented by Fields Auto Group continuing with Tryon Spring 4, there was no shortage of action in Tryon Stadium on Thursday afternoon. In a fast paced short round that saw five double clear performances, Megan McDermott (USA) and Nintendo finished the $32,000 LeMieux Welcome Stake CSI 2* on top, blazing through the jump off timers in 35.45 seconds to take the win. Richard Spooner (USA) took second on the podium, marking a jump off time of 36.92 seconds aboard Lyjanair (Lyjanero x Coriano), the 2014 Holsteiner gelding owned by  Show Jumping Syndications International. Maya Ines Denis Chambon (MEX) and her own 2016 Zangersheide gelding, Callypso De La Hamente Z (Chellsini Z x Kashmir van Schuttershof) rounded out the top three with 38.13 seconds in the jump off. 

The $35,000 Bobcat Grand Prix at Saturday Night Lights presented by Skyla Credit Union handed top honors to Hunter Holloway (Ocala, FL) and Henry Jota Ariel (Picadilly Tame x Henry Jota Atlantis), stopping the short course in 38.74 seconds to edge out the competition. Samuel Hutton (Herentals, NY) and Casalltano (Casallco x Chacco’s Gladys), the 2015 Oldenburg gelding owned by AS Trading BV, flew around Tryon Stadium in 39.13 seconds to take home reserve honors. Ramiro Quintana (Wellington, FL) and Jones (Carrera VDL x Cinderella), the 2014 Dutch Warmblood gelding owned in partnership by Quintana Show Stables LLC and Esperanza Imports LLC, cleared the short course in 42.383 seconds to take home third place.

Cruising across the derby field, Victoria Free (USA) scored a win in Tryon International’s first 2025 $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby aboard Step Up. With 14 teams challenging the Archer “Skip” Bailey-designed course on the grass, Free and Step Up collected 378 points to take home the winner’s rosette. Riding Front Page, (Vigo D’Arsouilles x Cartagena Indias Ecaussinnes) for Cynthia Sulzberger, Colin Syquia (PHI) claimed second in the international derby with the 2014 Belgian Warmblood gelding, scoring 367 points over two rounds. On a score of 361 points, Lauren Schweppe (USA) and Cynthia Boudreau’s 2012 Swedish Warmblood gelding, Cataumet (Cabachon x Gaya) earned third place. 

Tryon International announced today the future installation of a custom-designed Mondo Super X 720 track, enabling the center to host full track meets this winter. The new track will be installed by GeoSurfaces, A TenCate Company, and will begin hosting meets starting in December 2025.  The Indoor Complex at Tryon International is designed with over 3,300 seats in close proximity to the competition areas and track, providing a dynamic experience for spectators. The new track will be multi-radius and will support a 12-degree banking, setting it up to be one of the fastest tracks in the country. This new 200m track replaces the one installed by GeoSurfaces in 2023.

Capping off the second week of competition in the Tryon Spring Series presented by Fields Auto Group, BMW Asheville, Mercedes Asheville and DEFENDER, JJ Torano (Wellington, FL) and JET Show Stable’s Vitus K (Verdi TN x Evita) depart from Tryon International with a $30,000 Earl Scruggs Music Festival Grand Prix win under their belts. The fourteen-year-old Torano challenged the Oscar Soberon (Dallas, TX) course on three horses, with two making the cut to the jump off. Emily Dehoff (Wellington, FL) took The Sporty Game, LLC’s Manou De Muze (Arko x Juno De Muze) to the second place spot on the podium. Dehoff and the 2012 Belgian Warmblood mare stopped jump off timers at 37.72 seconds. Rounding out the top three, JJ Torano then rode Chewbacca HCC (Clarimo x Wanda VII) to a double clear effort, taking third on 45.63 seconds with the 2012 Holsteiner gelding owned by Isalou Inc. & JET Show Stable.

The final day of competition at the the Yanmar America Tryon International Spring Three Day Event presented by Tow & Collect crowned five new champions, featuring Show Jumping competition in Tryon Stadium and the final rounds of Cross-Country competition on the White Oak Cross-Country Course at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (Tryon International).

Day three of competition at the Yanmar America Tryon International Spring Three Day Event presented by Tow & Collect showcased Clayton Frederick’s course design at the picturesque White Oak Cross-Country Course at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (Tryon International). The leaderboard of the CCI 4*-L Division saw a shakeup after two phases of competition: Boyd Martin (USA) and Cooley Nutcracker cleared the course ten seconds under time to take over the lead and carry a score of 32.7 into Sunday’s Show Jumping competition. Phillip Dutton (USA) and Jewelent (Valent x Roselier), the 2012 Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Jewlent Group, also improved their ranking with a double-clear performance, with a 34.8. Bruce Davidson Jr. (USA) and Cooley Candyman (Sligo Candy Boy x Flame Hill), the 2013 Irish Sport Horse gelding owned in partnership with Cassandra Segal, collected eight time faults to claim third place on a score of 41.2 points.

Mill Spring, NC - May 9, 2025 - The Yanmar America Tryon International Spring Three Day Event presented by Tow & Collect kicked off Thursday with Dressage in the International Stadium and Rings 6/7, continuing into Friday. The event serves as a qualifier for the US Open of Eventing (CCI* 4-S Division) and is the first Eventing competition on the 2025 calendar at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (Tryon International). Live streaming for Show Jumping phases on Saturday and Sunday can be found at www.Tryon.com/streaming, and free shuttles are available to and from the White Oak Cross-Country Course on Saturday. Read below for updates from the first two days of competition!

Saturday Night Lights presented by Skyla Credit Union kicked off at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (Tryon International) in Tryon Stadium with the $75,000 Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Grand Prix. Fresh off an FEI World Cup Finals appearance with Bull Run’s Jireh, Kristen VanderVeen (Wellington, FL) was unbeatable in the jump off to secure the win in a time of 35.979 seconds. Rowan Willis (Ocala, FL) grabbed reserve with a time of 38.441 seconds across the Manuel Esparza course, riding For Dilando PS, the 2016 Hanoverian gelding (For Pleasure x Dilanda Cha Cha) owned by Just a Cheeky One. Completing the podium was Campbell Brown (Fayetteville, AR) and Colina Z, the 2014 Zangersheide mare (C-Ingmar x Calina Z) owned by MMK Equestrian LLC, for their 39.341 second performance in the jump off. 

The Tryon Spring Series presented by Fields Auto Group, BMW Asheville, Mercedes Asheville and DEFENDER kicked off with a slew of Hunter action, crowning Hayley Waters Wear (Sparr, FL) and Genuine (Diarado x Kampari W) as the $10,000 USHJA National Junior/Amateur Hunter Derby champions. The winning pair finished the morning with a score of 178 points. Finishing second overall with 175 points was Grace Loughlin (Austin, TX), riding Loughlin Sport Horses’ Briljant Z (Balougran Z x Robijn), the 2008 warmblood gelding. Lilly Sonneborn (Washington, DC) and the 2016 Holsteiner gelding, Big Country (Lord Fauntleroy x Turin 1), owned by Caroline Ingalls, completed the top three on 169.5 points. 

Mill Spring, NC - April 29, 2025 - Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (Tryon International) welcomed the Katydid CDE to the venue April 24-27, also hosting the USEF National Combined Driving Pony Championships for Training, Preliminary, Intermediate, & Open Advanced Divisions. Competitors navigated three phases of competition: Dressage, Marathon, and Cones. Read more for highlights.

Tryon International is pleased to welcome Skyla Credit Union as the presenting sponsor for the 2025 Saturday Night Lights series, hosted sixteen Saturdays May through October. Each Saturday Night Lights presented by Skyla Credit Union combines family fun for all ages with Grand Prix show jumping competition under the lights in Tryon Stadium, and is a signature tradition for the community.

These action-packed nights feature free entertainment such as pony rides, live bands, face painting, rides on a hand-painted Venetian carousel, performers, and more. Grab dinner, a carnival-style treat, your beverage of choice, and enjoy top show jumping competition under the lights in Tryon Stadium with family and friends. Leashed pets are always welcome, too.

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.