Tryon Summer Series presented by The Farm House Hosts the Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Team & Platinum Championships During Summer 6

Markel/USHJA Zone 1.40m/1.45m Platinum Team Winners: Team Milton

Team Ksan D'espirit Conquers Markel/USHJA 1.30/1.35m Platinum Jumper Championship 

Team Jet Run Takes the Gold in the Markel/USHJA 1.20/1.25m Amateur Zone Championship Team Final

Team Sapphire Triumphs in Markel/USHJA 1.20/1.25m Junior Zone Championship Team Final

Team Sinjon Crowned Markel/USHJA 1.10m Junior Zone Champs in Team Final

Riviera Wonder Named Top Team in Markel/USHJA 1.10 Amateur Zone Championship Team Final

For Immediate Release

Mill Spring, NC - July 19, 2025 - Tryon Summer 6 featured the Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Team & Platinum Championships, with a portion of competition wrapping up Saturday afternoon and continuing into Sunday. Read below for interviews and results from the Friday's team competition!

Markel/USHJA Zone 1.40m/1.45m Platinum Team Winners: Team Milton

July 18, 2025 - Team Milton, with riders McKenzie Welch (Lakeland, TN) aboard Leisker, Anna Christina Gansauer (Ocala, FL) with Messthago PS, and Alwaleed Alrashid (Tomball, TX) riding W Senna, were awarded the gold medals and champion rosettes for their efforts in the 1.40m/1.45m Platinum Team competition. Team Milton finished on a score of 10 faults. Reserve honors went to Team Jappeloup with 20 faults; Claire Connaghan (Southern Pines, NC) rode Figment, Pilar Ojeda (Waxhaw, NC) piloted Jagermeister, and John Angus (Mooresboro, NC) rode Frenesie de Mars. The bronze medal winning team, Team Hickstead, wrapped up competition with 43 faults and featured the following riders: Mario Garcia (Lake Worth, FL) riding Blake, Jennifer Strickland (Upperville, VA) aboard Chewbacca, and Audrey Muscari (Germantown, TN) riding Chester du Roset.

Team Milton, Team Jappeloup, and Team Hickstead in their presentation ceremony
©Laci Matthews for Natalie Suto Photography

For full results from the Markel/USHJA 1.40/1.45m Platinum Jumper Champ Team Final, click here.

Team Ksan D'espirit Conquers Markel/USHJA 1.30/1.35m Platinum Jumper Championship 

Team Ksan D’espirit took gold in the Markel/USHJA Zone 1.30m/1.35m Platinum Jumper Championship, accruing four faults throughout competition. The team included Kate Laborde (Mountain Brook, AL) aboard Hakini, Kaitlyn Morris (Chapel Hill, TN) riding Contida Heldenlaan Z, Victoria Fazio (Fort Lauderdale, FL) and Rondalla LS, and Kallie Schafers (Tarpon Springs, FL) aboard MTM Ludwig’s Lust. The silver medal team, Team Diamant, finished on eight faults and included performances from Jesse Smith (Wellington, FL) and Nadav, Ann de Michele (Haymarket, VA) riding Qi L., Rebecca Forbes Smith (Zion Crossroads, VA) aboard Ferno van de Hermitage, and Fernando Cardenas (New Hill, NC) with Copine van de Langevelden. Team Sloopy took bronze with 16 faults, including rides from Katie Cox (Conroe, TX) and ARD Reason To Be, Alexandra Pielet (Highland Park, IL) riding Lununa, Lauren Jost (Fulshear, TX) aboard Bright Saint Denis, and Kelli Cruciotti Vanderveen (Loxahatchee, FL) with Windstar. 

Team Ksan D’espirit in their presentation ceremony
©Natalie Suto Photography

Ksan D’espirit team member Kaitlyn Morris, aboard her own Contida Heldenlaan Z, were the winners of Thursday’s USHJA 1.30/1.35m Platinum Jumper Champ Individual first round. Regarding the unique Zone’s team atmosphere, Morris noted, “it's very fun how all the scores play in, and you really have to depend on each other and you're not riding alone.” 

First time Zone’s participant, Kallie Schafers with the MTM Farm entry, MTM Ludwig’s Lust, shared, “I think this is a really, really cool opportunity for people – for kids, for adults, for juniors, amateurs, professionals. The teamwork and the partnership is really important – it brings fun back to the sport, which we often lose!”

Team Diamant in their presentation ceremony
©Natalie Suto Photography

Regarding the Tack Up Stables 2 LLC mount, Rondalla LS, rider Victoria Fazio shared “it's a new partnership – she's very talented, I love her, and I feel like little by little, we're getting to know each other. Yesterday [July 17th], I had one down, but I was trying to go fast, and then today [July 18th] she felt really good and jumped amazingly, but unfortunately we had two rails. She gave it her all – she’s amazing.”

Kate Laborde and her horse Hakini were “an instant match”, throughout their six month partnership. Laborde detailed, “she's great, so fun, super quick, and definitely a speed horse. She's just amazing, and a bit quirky, but I can't say enough good things about her!”

Team Sloopy in their presentation ceremony
©Natalie Suto Photography

With Team Ksan D'espirit members made up of Tryon International regulars and those competing at the venue for the first time, they shared their experiences showing in the Blue Ridge Foothills. “I could say so much good about Tryon. I love the community here, and I love Saturday Night Lights. It's just such a great place to compete,” Kate Laborde noted.

“I love the staff here, and I think that they do an amazing job! All the ring staff are so organized and are so easy to work with. Nobody is ever, ever rude – they are always willing to help you and they want to know how your day is,” Kallie Schafers shared.

For full results from the Markel/USHJA 1.30/1.35m Platinum Jumper Team Championship, click here.

Team Jet Run Takes the Gold in the Markel/USHJA 1.20/1.25m Amateur Zone Championship Team Final

Earning gold in the Markel/USHJA 1.20/1.25m Amateur Zone Champs Team Final was Zone 4’s Team Jet Run, consisting of Julia Erickson (Pleasant View, TN) riding Magnifico Eickenrode, Morgan Cusick (Tampa, FL) aboard Berlisto, and Wilke Gonwa (Jackson, MS) with Chutzpah. Receiving silver was Team Calypso from Zone 7, made up of of McKayla Brombach (Wimberley, TX) riding Kirian, Shelli Harris (Fairfax Station, VA) aboard Murphy Les Hauts, Riley Townsley (Lake Charles, LA) with W Clement, and Greer Fogel (San Antonio, TX) aboard Heathrow. Rounding out the podium was Team Abdullah, with Brooke Ballhaus (The Plains, VA) riding Fuego from Zone 3, Kristiane Pellegrino (Middleburg, VA) aboard Java Joe from Zone 3, and Jackie Stary (Oswego, IL) with Contan from Zone 5. 

Team Jet Run, Team Calypso, and Team Abdullah in their presentation ceremony
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography

For full results from the Markel/USHJA 1.20/1.25m Amateur Zone Champs Team Final, click here.

Team Sapphire Triumph in Markel/USHJA 1.20/1.25m Junior Zone Champs Team Final

Team Sapphire, from Zone 4 were triumphant in the Markel/USHJA 1.20/1.25m Junior Zone Champs Team Final. The team consisted of Sophia Graham (Kennesaw, GA) aboard Eagle Eye VDP, Mckenzie Badley (Dacula, GA) on Cezarro, and Tabitha Stricker (Parkland, FL) riding Carey Grant K. Earning silver and representing Zone 7 was Team Sympatico, comprised of Lila Jimerson (Prosper, TX) with Kaatje van Het Lindehof, Rhoby Day (McKinney, TX) riding Little Lion Man, Vienna Lewis (Dallas, TX) aboard Ntec Collin, and Luna Valobra (Metairie, LA) on Ileanne SFN. Also from Zone 4, Team Cedric ranked third with members; Zoe Elizabeth Mielenz (Collierville, TN) and Halo, Colby Clifton (Sugar Hill, GA) on Carmelito Blue, and Sadie Remington (Loxahatchee, FL) riding Gringo. 

Team Sapphire, Team Sympatico, and Team Cedric in their presentation ceremony
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography

For full results from the Markel/USHJA 1.20/1.25m Junior Zone Champs Team Final, click here.

Team Sinjon Crowned Markel/USHJA 1.10m Junior Zone Champs in the Team Final

Concluding Friday’s team finals, Team Sinjon from Zone 7 was crowned as the Markel/USHJA 1.10m Junior Zone champs. Riders Miles Saathoff (Hockley, TX), Emma Melville (Baton Rouge, LA), Piper Palko (Fort Worth, TX), and Sara Maria Corbeanu (Katy, TX) finished on a total score of 8 faults. Silver was awarded to the Zone 7 team, Gem Twist consisting of Lexi Stratton (San Antonio, TX) riding Ghianti, Hazel Rudner (Fort Worth, TX) on FA Special Edition DWB, Mary Elizabeth Cone (Lubbock, TX) with Indigo, and Hailey Savage (Mineola, TX) aboard CR Poetic. Zone 4’s Team For The Moment, with Margeaux Caldwell (Palm City, FL) riding Mucho Gusto, Dakota Sheikh (Weston, FL) aboard Guerrera, and Allison Beck (Tampa, FL) piloting Northern Exposure WSS collected bronze. 

Team Sinjon in their presentation ceremony
©Laci Matthews for Natalie Suto Photography

Participating in their first championship were riders Miles Saathoff aboard Nicole Saathoff’s Centro Van De Start Z and Emma Melville riding Alexandra Crown’s Ribero. Commenting on the team aspect of the competition, Melville commented, “I had a really good experience – this was my first time at a championship like this, and I really enjoyed it and being able to compete on a team!” 

Enjoying his championship debut with his equine partner, Miles Saathoff added, “this is also my first time at a championship. I've had my horse [Centro Van De Start Z] for two years now, and we are learning how to move on to the higher levels.”

Team Gem Twist in their presentation ceremony
©Laci Matthews for Natalie Suto Photography

USHJA Zone 7 Chef d’Equipe Kim Cox shared, “[Team Sinjon] has come together and worked together amazingly, and that's so fun to have a team that pulls together! They've decorated, they've cheered each other on, and that's really, really cool to see.”

Team For The Moment in their presentation ceremony
©Laci Matthews for Natalie Suto Photography

Sara Maria Corbeanu, the anchor for Team Sinjon, rode her own horse, High Quality. Corbeanu produced the fastest round of the finals, sharing, “I think I was just hoping for a good round with my horse, and then it was so nice to know that my team also did well and that we were named champion overall!” Corbeanu also shared, “this is my second year showing here [Tryon International], and I was here last year for the championship. Tryon is amazing – it's so pretty, and I love the trails that we get to go on!”

Piper Palko, who rode Casino owned by Palladium Equine, LLC, reflected on her Tryon International experience. “I've shown at Tryon for about three years, and it's always been a pleasure. So much fun, and this one's definitely one to remember,” Palko concluded.

For full results from the Markel/USHJA 1.10m Junior Zone Champs Team Final, click here.

Riviera Wonder Named Top Team in Markel/USHJA 1.10 Amateur Zone Champs Team Final

Fast and clean riding earned Team Riviera Wonder top honors in the Markel/USHJA 1.10 Amateur Zone Champs Team Final. Taylor Chamblee (Madison, MS) with Don Corleone, Sophia Bruny (Bradbury, CA) aboard Murdoxx, and Rebecca Salazar (Waller, TX), riding Vanity, finished on a score of 0 faults. Team Good Twist took the silver medal on 12 recorded faults, with members Ellie Weinreb (Alpharetta, GA) aboard Limboy Von Worrenberg, Riley Fitzgerald (Cobb, GA) riding BC Jente, and Lindsay Shapiro Skrmetta (Fairhope, AL) on Power-H making up the roster. Completing the podium with 16 faults was Team Nautical. Josie Evans (Covington, GA) rode Festival de Vallery, Ava Jenkins (Franklin, TN) piloted Bellirina, Elizabeth Craddock (Jackson, MS) was aboard Muchachomalo VD Knuffel, and Jordyn Zoul (Saint Simons Island, GA) rode Reticella BG.    

Team Riviera, Team Good Twist, and Team Nautical in their presentation ceremony
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography

Competition at Tryon International next continues with the Tryon Summer Finale August 8-10, also hosting the Tryon Summer Dressage 3 & 4 August 9-10. View prize lists at www.tryon.com/compete. View all upcoming events and competitions at www.Tryon.com/allevents. 

Photos ©Natalie Suto Photography (Bailey Beck, Laci Matthews, and Natalie Suto 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.