Spring 5 Midweek Update: Tryon Spring Series presented by Fields Auto Group
Kristen VanderVeen Triumphs in $32,000 LeMieux Welcome Stake CSI 3* Aboard Bull Run's Jireh
Michael Murphy and Kaida CM Dash to a $32,000 Two Phase CSI 3* Win
Alison Robitaille Pilots Oakingham Lira to Success in $2,000 Two Phase CSI 3*
For Immediate Release
Rette Solomon for Tryon International
Mill Spring, NC – May 29, 2025 – 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.
With 24 teams challenging the $32,000 LeMieux Welcome Stake CSI 3*, the jump off saw five double clear performances, with Kristen VanderVeen proving to be the fastest over the Ivan Tagle (ARG)-designed course. “He built a great track out there today,” Kristen VanderVeen stated after her win. “It was a great warm up for the big class we have coming on Saturday night.”
Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run's Jireh
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
“For my jump off, I waited a bit to watch [other competitors]. There were some fast horses – Carlie was very fast, and also Richard Spooner with Donatello 141. I was interested to see them, and Megan McDermott is very fast on her horse. I was gaging my plan off of [those competitors],” VanderVeen revealed, noting her strategy to save the 2014 Holsteiner gelding’s energy for Saturday’s $120,000 Vogel Grand Prix CSI 3*.
Carlie Fairty and Jetplane
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
With one 2025 Tryon Spring Series Grand Prix win to the team’s name, VanderVeen acknowledged that her partnership with Bull Run’s Jireh was key to their successful jump off effort. “I know him pretty well, and I know that he can spin around pretty fast. I thought there was a chance I could still have a nice top three placing and not go full tilt with him today.”
Luis Fernando Larrazabal and Condara
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
Fans can look forward to seeing VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Jireh in Saturday’s Grand Prix, as well as during the rest of the Tryon Spring Series. “It's been fantastic,” she said, sharing that the Bull Run Jumpers team uses the entirety of the Tryon International facility. “We have the grass field here, and we have the cross country field, so our horses have stayed really fresh and happy to show. It's amazing for the spring and summer circuit to be able to stay somewhere for six weeks and really build the whole time through, without the horses getting sour. It's a special place!”
Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run's Jireh in their awards presentation ceremony.
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
For full results from the $32,000 LeMieux Welcome Stake CSI 3*, click here.
Michael Murphy and Kaida CM Dash to a $32,000 Two Phase CSI 3* Win
May 28, 2025 – The best of 14 double clear rounds produced in the $32,000 Two Phase CSI 3*, Michael Murphy (USA) and Kaida CM (Kennan x Indoctro), the 2015 Dutch Warmblood mare owned by South Coast, marked a winning time of 35.34 seconds. Luis Pedro Biraben (ARG) earned a close second place at 35.47 seconds on Vasco 109 (Vigo D Arsouilles STX x Clarimo), the 2015 German Sport Horse gelding owned by Biraben in partnership with Miguel Madero. Jumping to third place, Kristen VanderVeen (USA) teamed up with Bull Run Jumpers Inc.’s DSP Undercover (Unbreakable Z x Conthargos), the 2016 Rhinelander stallion, recording a time of 35.50 seconds.
Michael Murphy and Kaida CM
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
For full results from the $32,000 Two Phase CSI 3*, click here.
Alison Robitaille Pilots Oakingham Lira to Success in $2,000 Two Phase CSI 3*
May 28, 2025 – In the first of a pair of Two Phases in Tryon Stadium, Alison Robitaille (USA) cruised to first aboard her own Oakingham Lira (Tornesch 1042 x Del Piero P B), the 2013 Anglo European mare, clinching the win in the $2,000 Two Phase CSI 3* with a 34.70 second jump off time. Luis Pedro Biraben (ARG), riding Georgina De Carles (Kannan GFE x Quidam De Revel), the 2016 Selle Français mare owned by himself and Carlos Alvarez Del Castillo, took second place, stopping jump off timers in 43.86 seconds. Completing the podium in third, Taylor Land (USA) and Kim Land’s Caballero (Casall x Esteban XX), the 2009 Holsteiner gelding, produced a 44.03 second performance.
Alison Robitaille and Oakingham Lira
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
For full results from the $2,000 Two Phase CSI 3*, click here.
The Tryon Spring Series presented by Fields Auto Group, BMW Asheville, Mercedes Asheville and DEFENDER continues with Tryon Spring 5, hosted May 27-June 1. The week marks the start of FEI competition for the spring, showcasing CSI 3* competition. Join us for Saturday Night Lights presented by Skyla Credit Union on May 31, for all your favorite SNL activities, including the $120,000 Vogel Grand Prix CSI 3* at 8pm! See all upcoming events at www.Tryon.com/allevents.
Photos ©Natalie Suto Photography (Sarah Sturgis, 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.com. With questions regarding photography at TIEC, contact media@tryon.com.