Mill Spring, NC – September 20, 2025 - The first Saturday Night Lights presented by Skyla Credit Union of the 2025 Tryon Fall Series presented by Coca-Cola was full of excitement and beautiful weather. Taking on the Jasen Shelley course was 14 horse and rider combinations. Completing their double clear efforts with the fastest time, Ricardo Alberto Villa (Campobello, SC) and Curioso Van Maarle Z (Canabis Z x Katina VD Holstenhoeve Z) were named champions in the $20,000 Special Olympics North Carolina Grand Prix.

Mill Spring, NC - August 8, 2025 - Rekindling the competitive spirit at Tryon International, John Brown (Mill Spring, NC) piloted Ballon Bleu to victory in the $5,000 LeMieux Welcome Stake. Juan Ortiz (Loxahatchee, FL) entered the ring on his own 2016 Holsteiner gelding Cool More Hero (Casall Ask x Unknown) and earned second place with 37.684 seconds and four jumping faults in the jump off. The 2018 Selle Francais mare, Ines Shanti, (Unknown x Quinta De L'othain Z) owned by Agathe Heurteux and piloted by Florian Ferry (Wiliston, SC) received third place with a time of 38.116 seconds and four jumping faults. 

Riding the Ken Krome-designed course with three of his mounts, Fernando Cardenas (COL) took over the top two spots in Thursday’s $32,000 LeMieux Welcome Stake CSI 3*. The 2017 Hanoverian mare, Balou's Honora Car (Balou Du Rouet x Galiani CH), produced the winning jump off round in a time of 40.69 seconds. Fano Car (K Diamant D'heure ABF x Galiani CH) 2015 North American Sport Horse gelding, was the runner up, clearing the course in 41.50 seconds. Rounding out the podium, Emma Irwin (CAN) rode Las Vegas (Arezzo VDL x Otangelo), Rosalie Midyette’s 2016 Dutch Warmblood stallion, to a time of 42.17 seconds.

Kristen VanderVeen (USA) and the 2014 Holsteiner gelding Bull Run's Jireh (Uriko x Colman) were triumphant in the $32,000 LeMieux Welcome Stake CSI 2*. This pair had a recent successful week during Tryon Spring 6 series, winning both the $32,000 LeMieux Welcome Stake CSI 3* and the $120,000 Vogel Grand Prix CSI 3*. John Brown (GRB) aboard Ponce Tidwell Jr’s 2013 Belgian Warmblood gelding, Ballon Bleu (Amaretto D'Arco x Ariadus) took the reserve honors title. With a time of 39.11 seconds, Francesca Bolfo (USA) and Jadalco (Nabab De Reve x For Pleasure), the 2009 Belgian Warmblood gelding owned by Duterra, claimed third place. 

Mill Spring, NC - June 25, 2025 - the Tryon Summer Series presented by The Farm House kicked off with Tryon Summer 2 competition hosted June 20-22 at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (Tryon International). The weekend saw John Brown (Mill Spring, NC) take top honors in the feature class, the $25,000 Henri de Rivel Sunday Grand Prix, with Ballon Bleu, stopping the short course timers in 37.673 seconds to take the win. In second, Brittni Raflowitz (Palm City, FL) and Hedwina de Villee, the 2013 Warmblood mare (Nabab de Reve x Azarra de Villee) owned by Mackenzie Hirsch, cleared the jump-off timers in 39.215 seconds. David Blake (Wellington, FL) rode the Pine Hollow Farm 2014 Dutch Warmblood gelding, J.Diago (Diarado x Tara), to third place in a time of 40.293 seconds.

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 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.