Rupert Carl Winkelmann Cashes in for a $120,000 Skyla Credit Union Grand Prix CSI 3* Win

Battle for the Podium in the $25,000 Yanmar America Sunday Classic

Anderson Jones First Out The Gate and First in the Class for NAL Jr/Am 1.30m Jumper Classic presented by Schneiders

Suzette Tittle Go’s Clear in NAL Junior Jumper Classic presented by Prestige

NAL/WIHS Junior Jumper Classic presented by Vogel Sees Only One Clear Ride

For immediate release

Leyla Caynak and Rette Solomon for Tryon International

October 11, 2025 – Mill Spring, NC – Capping off an action-packed evening of Show Jumping $120,000 Skyla Credit Union Grand Prix CSI 3*, Rupert Carl Winkelmann (GER) emerged as the top competitor in a field of 40 teams. Paired with his own Imodo (Bessemeind’s Quasimodo Z x Broere VDL Corland), Winkelmann produced one of only two double clear rounds of the night, finishing the short track in 42.70 seconds. Owner and rider of Flagship De Hus (Windows VH Costersveld x Fergar Mail), Alejandro Leonardo Winkler (MEX) slotted into second place, recording 44.11 seconds in the jump off with the 2015 Selle Francais mare. Keeping the poles up but incurring two time faults to land in third, David Blake (IRL) piloted Conblue (Conthargos x Chacco-Blue), Pine Hollow Farm’s 2014 Oldenburg gelding, to a 53.06 second jump off.

Rupert Carl Winkelmann and Imodo
©Laci Matthews for Natalie Suto Photography

Being a new team, Rupert Carl Winkelmann and Imodo enjoyed a summer season filled with podium appearances. “I bought him about a year ago. Mel Thijssen produced him and brought him up. I would say it took us about six to eight months to actually connect and really click,” Winkelmann explained.

Alejandro Leonardo Winkler and Flagship De Hus
©Laci Matthews for Natalie Suto Photography

“We've had a really nice summer in Europe already,” Winkelmann detailed. “We won a 1.50m and we're top three in another 3* Grand Prix there. Now I'm just getting more and more confident, and really letting him go in the jump offs.”

David Blake and Conblue
©Madison Coleman for Natalie Suto Photography

Being the sixth of nine to tour the Anthony D'ambrosio (USA) jump off track, Winkelmann described the challenges the course presented. “The first few riders struggled with the time allowed and with the course. I think you just had to keep the rhythm going throughout the whole course.”

Rupert Carl Winkelmann, Alejandro Leonardo Winkler, and David Blake in their presentation ceremony alongside (L-R): Dennis Brown, Director of Facility Operations, Doug Grondahl, Tryon International Chief Operating Officer, JP Godard, Tryon International Competition Manager.
©Madison Coleman for Natalie Suto Photography

“Imodo jumped fantastic,” Winkelmann said of the 2013 Dutch Warmblood gelding. “I could really focus on the time allowed. I started off with a good rhythm, and then kept that the whole round.”

As the highest placing female rider in the $120,000 Skyla Credit Union Grand Prix CSI 3*, Kristen VanderVeen received the Leading Lady Award presented by Fairfax & Favor alongside Tryon International’s Director of Equestrian Marketing, Communications & Business Development Jimmie Schramm.
©Natalie Suto for Natalie Suto Photography

Tryon International was Winkelmann and Imodo’s first stop on American soil after their summer European tour. “This is our first show back in the US,” Winkelmann shared. “We just came back from Europe, flew straight to Tryon, and showed in the 2* last week and the 3* this week.”

Recognizing the incredible work of the team behind the scenes, the $120,000 Skyla Credit Union Grand Prix CSI 3* Groom’s Award was presented by Regal Downs.
©Natalie Suto for Natalie Suto Photography

In preparation for the winter circuit, Winkelmann took full advantage of the Tryon International venue. “Obviously a win always makes [the experience] better!” Winkelmann said. “I was taking all the horses out on trail rides, and I love the countryside here. It's a beautiful season to be here, and the facilities are fantastic,” he concluded.

Podium finishers enjoy the champagne toast presented by La Marca.
©Natalie Suto for Natalie Suto Photography

For full results from the $120,000 Skyla Credit Union Grand Prix CSI 3*, click here.

Battle for the Podium in the $25,000 Yanmar America Sunday Classic

October 12, 2025 – Tryon Fall 4 concluded with the $25,000 Yanmar America Sunday Classic taking place in the Tryon Stadium. Only three pairs produced a clear preliminary round, allowing them a chance to sort the podium standings in the jump off. The Alison Firestone LLC 2014 Swedish Warmblood entry Dagny (Durrant x Boloma Paulowna) with rider Alison Robitaille (Upperville, VA) were the first pair to earn a spot in the jump off and ultimately the class winners. Doug Payne (Rougemont, NC) snuck into the jump off as the third to last rider in the class, and was fortunate to have the only other double clear of the class earning second place with the Payne Equestrian, LLC 2013 Warmblood gelding, Chaccolate RFB (Chacco Blue x Wolrusa). Robitaille held onto her clear round after their eighth order of go position until the 23rd trip, Ansgar Holtgers Jr. (Wellington, FL). Holtgers Jr. and the 2009 Oldenburg stallion Tulum (Chacco-Blue x Caramba), owned by Gut Einhaus LLC, joined the jump off contenders. An unfortunate rail cost the team four jumping faults, putting them in the third spot on the podium.

Alison Robitatille and Dagny
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography

For full results from the $25,000 Yanmar America Sunday Classic, click here.

Anderson Jones First Out The Gate and First in the Class for NAL Jr/Am 1.30m Jumper Classic present by Schneiders

October 12, 2025 – As the first to enter the arena, Anderson Jones (Key Largo, FL) kicked off the Schneiders 1.30m NAL Jr/Am Jumper Classic aboard his own 2016 Irish Sport Horse mare Cloonbarry Kannalilly (Kannan x Cassa Lilly). The pair then produced a winning ride with their speedy jump off round. The HC Sporthorses LLC 2013 Warmblood gelding, Big Boy Z (Big Star Jr K Z x Cassandra Z), placed second with rider Hope Cushman (Marblehead, MA). Trotting away with third was Eva Paliouras (Wellington, FL) riding Du Beau Z (Dominator 2000 Z x Viper), the 2016 Zangersheide gelding owned by P Stables LLC.

For full results from the NAL Jr/Am 1.30m Jumper Classic presented by Schneiders, click here.

Suzette Tittle Go’s Clear in NAL Junior Jumper Classic presented by Prestige

October 12, 2025 – Continuing her success during Tryon Fall 4, Suzette Tittle (Roswell, GA) and the Tittle Sport Horses 2014 Holsteiner gelding, Bull Run’s Redemption (Caretano x Rochella), produced the only clear round in the NAL Junior Jumper Classic presented by Prestige. Emma Ridinger (Charlotte, NC) and Babalou VK (Balou Du Rouet x Amy Surprise), her 2013 Oldenburg gelding, finished on four jumping faults for the red ribbon. Producing a speedy time on eight jumping faults was Kaydence Cothran (Bixby, OK), who rode the Cool Kid Farms 2014 Warmblood gelding Adio, (Quintero's Cassiny x Aura) to third place.

For full results from the NAL Junior Jumper Classic presented by Prestige, click here.

NAL/WIHS Junior Jumper Classic presented by Vogel Sees Only One Clear Ride

October 12, 2025 – As the only fault-free rider of the class, Emma Ridinger (Charlotte, NC) and the Sigma Stables LLC 2015 Selle Francais mare, Frenesie De Mars (Kannan x Tilda De Mars), took home the blue. Just a single time fault on the clock for Katiemae Sweeny (Waxhaw, NC) and her own 2013 German Sport Horse gelding Alpine’s Revolution (Alpine x Belle) gave them the second place spot. Andrea Guzinski’s 2018 Westphalian mare, CFI Encore (Chaccon Blue x Polly) made a quick effort of the course, but had one rail down for third place finish with Teagan Price (Aiken, SC).

For full results from the NAL/WIHS Junior Jumper Classic presented by Vogel, click here.

For full division results from Tryon Fall 4, click here.

The Tryon Fall Series presented by Coca-Cola continues with Tryon Fall 5, which will take place October 14-19, and feature the thrilling Major League Show Jumping [MLSJ] competition. FEI CSI 5* and 2* highlight classes include Vogel CSI 2* Grand Prix on Friday, MLSJ Team and Individual CSI 5* competition also on Friday, and the $120,000 KASK Grand Prix CSI 5*, hosted in Tryon Stadium on Saturday. To learn more, visit www.Tryon.com/allevents.

Photos ©Natalie Suto Photography (Madison Coleman, Laci Matthews, Sarah Sturgis, and Natalie Suto 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 Tryon International, contact media@tryon.com.

Tryon Fall 4: Results

Battle for the Podium in the $25,000 Yanmar America Sunday Classic

Anderson Jones First Out The Gate and First in the Class for NAL Jr/Am 1.30m Jumper Classic present by Schneiders

Suzette Tittle Go’s Clear in NAL Junior Jumper Classic presented by Prestige

NAL/WIHS Junior Jumper Classic presented by Vogel Sees Only One Clear Ride

Tryon Fall 4: Hunter Update