Spring 6 Saturday Update: Tryon Spring Series presented by Fields Auto Group
Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Celestial Jump to Victory in the $70,000 Main Street Insurance Grand Prix CSI 2*
Liza Boyd Pilots Ondine D’Orleans to Champion the $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby
Trip of the Day Awards
For Immediate Release
Leyla Caynak and Sarah Madden Taylor for Tryon International
June 7, 2025 – Mill Spring, NC – 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.
Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Celestial
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
Of the 24 competitors who tested the first-round track set by Bernardo Costa Cabral (POR), ten pairs advanced to the jump off, and VanderVeen was thrilled with her junior mount’s performance. Coming off her win with Bull Run’s Jireh last week, VanderVeen was thrilled to let her younger horse, the 2015 Zangersheide stallion (Cicero Z Van Paemel x Numero Uno), take a swing at the top prize.
Luis Fernando Larrazabal and Belle De Muze
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
VanderVeen called the jump off one of her favorite rounds to date, saying, “That might be one of my favorite jump offs I've ever done in my career. Luis set the bar high, going in with that smaller type of horse, and he was really fast!
Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Jireh
©Bailey Beck for for Natalie Suto Photography
“This is actually a newer horse for me,” VanderVeen continued, “and it's only the second time he's ever jumped under the lights.”
Kristen VanderVeen, Luis Fernando Larrazabal, and fourth place finisher Brittni Raflowitz (ISR) in their presentation ceremony alongside (L-R): Glenn Petty, Tryon International General Manager, Equestrian Operations, Joanne Gibbs, President of Tryon Riding & Hunt Club, David White of Tryon Riding & Hunt Club, Stephen Brady of Main Street Insurance, and Doug Grondahl, Tryon International Chief Operating Officer.
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
“I thought there was no time like the present to see what this guy's made of. He answered all the questions, and he was so quick and careful,” VanderVeen shared. “It’s only one of his first few FEI Grands Prix, so it was a really exciting night for our team!”
As the highest placing female rider in the $120,000 Vogel Grand Prix CSI 3*, Kristen VanderVeen received the Leading Lady Award presented by Fairfax & Favor alongside Paula Cudd.
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
The brief rain delay during the first round proved to be no issue for the pair, VanderVeen shared. “I actually went and had some dinner; it was great. I got to refuel, the horses got a little extra break, so the horses were happy and we were happy!”
Pedro Hernandez was presented the Groom’s Award presented by Regal Downs for his care and dedication to Bull Run’s Celestial.
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
RESULTS: $70,000 Main Street Insurance Grand Prix CSI 2*
Horse Name, Year Breed gender (Sire x Sire of Dam)
Rider (COUNTRY), Owner: Faults/Faults/Time
1) Bull Run's Celestial, 2015 Zangersheide stallion (Cicero Z Van Paemel x Numero Uno)
Kristen VanderVeen (USA), Bull Run Jumpers Inc: 0/0/32.35
2) Belle De Muze, 2010 Warmblood mare (Ponsee V x Lando)
Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN), Driss Ngadi: 0/0/33.38
3) Bull Run's Jireh, 2014 Holsteiner gelding (Uriko x Colman)
Kristen VanderVeen (USA), Bull Run Jumpers Inc: 0/0/34.36
4) Commander Bond, 2016 Holsteiner stallion (Corrado I x For Pleasure)
Brittni Raflowitz (ISR), ESI Show Jumpers Inc: 0/0/37.64
5) Fano Car, 2015 North American Sporthorse gelding (K Diamant D'heure ABF x Galiani CH)
Fernando Cardenas (COL), Fernando Cardenas: 0/0/38.43
6) Cool Ray NA, 2014 North American Sporthorse stallion (Quincy CAR x Kannan)
Fernando Cardenas (COL), B&C LLC: 0/0/38.73
7) Caballero, 2009 Holsteiner gelding (Casall x Esteban XX)
Taylor Land (USA), Kim Land: 0/0/40.21
8) Heritage MBF, 2015 Irish Sport Horse gelding (Eldorado Van De Zeshoek x Otangelo)
Daniel Bedoya (BOL), NRG Farm LLC: 0/4/36.89
9) Con Coleur, 2009 Hanoverian gelding (Contendro I x Couleur Rubin)
Rebecca Conway (USA), Blue Hill Farm LLC: 0/5/47.88
10) Nintendo, 2014 Oldenburg gelding (Nintender x Chacco Blue)
Megan McDermott (USA), Counter Balance LLC: 0/8/35.25
11) Daisycutter, 2014 American Warmblood Mare (Diktator Van De Boslandhoeve X Quidam De Revel)
Richie Moloney (IRL), Equinimity LLC: 1/77.89
12) Kannonball, 2016 Swedish Warmblood gelding (Kannan x Ludwig 218)
Paloma Santa Cruz (PER), Paloma Santa Cruz: 4/75.19
For full results from the $70,000 Main Street Insurance Grand Prix CSI 2*, click here.
Liza Boyd pilots Ondine D’Orleans to Champion the $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby
June 7, 2025 - While the $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby may have gotten off to a rocky start with a weather delay Friday evening that eventually led to its rescheduling, rider Liza Boyd was unfazed, piloting her two entries to first and second place Saturday morning. Aboard Finally Farm Inc’s 2014 Belgian Warmblood mare, Ondine D’Orleans (Vigo D'Arsouilles x Coco Chanel Z), Boyd led the pack with a total score of 394. The best second round score of 207 was earned by Liza Boyd’s (USA) mount MTM Crossed My Mind (Comme Il Faut x Madame F), the 2015 Oldenburg gelding owned by Hodgkiss Farm LLC. A combined score of 375 secured third place for Jennifer Bliss (USA) aboard Harris Hill Farm LLC’s 2005 Dutch Warmblood gelding Poker Face (Tangelo Van De Zuutheve x Nicolette V).
Liza Boyd and Ondine D’Orleans
©Leyla Caynak for Natalie Suto Photography
Achieving the highest first round score out of twelve competitors, Boyd shared, “My plan today was to just to really try to have two smooth rounds with her. It's really lucky when you have two horses, because it took a little bit of pressure off Ondine. Her first round scores were very high, so I didn’t have to take the risk, just go for a prompt, efficient clear round, while still practicing the high obstacles to prepare for Derby Finals.”
Liza Boyd and MTM Crossed My Mind
©Leyla Caynak for Natalie Suto Photography
The course was designed by Joseph Carnicom, and Boyd was happy with how it rode. “I thought Joe did a really nice job with the course. I really appreciate when the course designers bring in new obstacles, you know, they have some traditional Hunter jumps, but he added a lot that we didn't jump during the week.”
Jennifer Bliss and Poker Face
©Leyla Caynak for Natalie Suto Photography
Boyd will be competing at Tryon through July, and then heading to the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show before Derby Finals in Kentucky in August. “I really appreciate the effort that Tryon makes to give us great derbies,” Boyd concluded.
Liza Boyd, Ondine D’Orleans and team in their presentation ceremony receiving the Barbara Jimenez Memorial Trophy alongside JP Godard, Competition Manager, and Angie Millon of Tryon Riding & Hunt Club
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
For full results from the $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, click here.
Trip of the Day Awards
The $500 "Trip of the Day" Prize is given to the highest-scoring Hunter rider each day at Tryon Spring 6/Tryon Riding & Hunt Club Charity Horse Show competition, in any division. In addition to the prize money, the daily top-scoring rider will also receive a special commemorative ribbon.
To view previous days’ Trip of the Day Winners, click here.
Mary Kate George in her presentation ceremony.
©Rette Solomon for Tryon International
Mary Kate George aboard her own 2016 Dutch Warmblood gelding, All Too Well (Gullit HBC x Pauke) scored 90 in the 3’3 Junior Hunters 16-17 Division which earned them Saturday’s Trip of the Day presented by AspireLIFE Skincare.
The Tryon Summer Series presented by The Farm House runs June 19 through July 20, and Prize Lists and entry information can be found at www.Tryon.com/compete. Saturday Night Lights resumes June 28, with details available at www.Tryon.com/snl.
Photos ©Natalie Suto Photography (Bailey Beck and Leyla Caynak, 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.