The Fork at Tryon International presented by Yanmar America Debuts September Date to Rave Reviews
Boyd Martin Sweeps CCI 4*-S, CCI 1*-S, and Advanced Divisions
Caroline Pamukcu Claims CCI 2*-L Podium Bookends
For Immediate Release
Sarah Madden for Tryon International
Mill Spring, NC - September 17, 2023 - The Fork at Tryon International presented by Yanmar America celebrated its debut on the September calendar at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (Tryon International), welcoming more than 200 horses and riders to compete at the national and international levels. The new date for this long standing event, founded by Jim and Bernadette Cogdell at The Fork Farm & Stables and relocated to Tryon International in 2017, was well received with a successful and safe weekend for all involved, said Director of Equestrian Operations, Molly Oakman.
“We could not have asked for better weather or conditions,” Oakman shared, “and our Turf team is extremely proud of the surface that’s been presented here to nonstop compliments all week. Team Tryon is dedicated to producing the best possible facilities for the horses we love so much, and we were thrilled to host The Fork at Tryon International in its new calendar date as a feature of our fall season.”
Course designers Captain Mark Phillips (GBR) and Beth Perkins, also serving as course decorator, earned high praise from competitors at all levels.
"We are proud to support The Fork at Tryon International presented by Yanmar America,” said Jon Richardson, Director, Yanmar America Rural Lifestyle Division. “This partnership underscores our dedication to both quality equipment and equestrian excellence. We look forward to an exciting event and the opportunity to showcase our versatile UTVs in action."
Said Lynn Penny, Director of Business Development, Tryon International: "We're thrilled to have Yanmar America as our naming sponsor for The Fork at Tryon International. Their dedication to quality and performance perfectly complements our equestrian community's values.”
Boyd Martin and Commando 3 are Three-for-Three in CCI 4*-S Competition
Boyd Martin (USA) and Commando 3, the 2013 Holsteiner gelding (Connor 48 x Amigo) owned by Yankee Creek Ranch LLC, galloped through the finish flags on the White Oak Cross-Country Course to maintain their day-one lead in CCI 4*-S competition. The duo kicked off the weekend with a 29.2 in Dressage, cruising through Show Jumping and Cross-Country with minimal time penalties for a final score of 38.3. In reserve was Jacob Fletcher (USA) and Fabian, the 2010 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Up to Date x Beaujolais) owned by Fletcher Farms, scoring 38.7 and also holding fast to their placing after Dressage. Doug Payne (USA) and Quantum Leap, the 2011 Zweibrucker gelding (Quite Capitol x Corporate Report) owned by Doug and Jessica Payne, rounded out the podium on a three-phase score of 40.
Boyd Martin and Commando 3
©Shannon Brinkman Photography
Martin, who brought “just” five horses to The Fork instead of his full string, was hoping for positive, educational fitness runs for his upcoming competition schedule, and shared that he was “very, very pleased” with the results:
Boyd Martin and Commando 3
©Shannon Brinkman Photography
“I brought LuLu [Advanced] and Commando here in preparation for their big goal of the CCI 4*-L at Morven Park, and I selected Tryon just because I knew it would be a great course with top footing to prepare them for the big one,” he said. “I didn't run them flat out, but tried to open them up and work on their fitness a bit. Both horses gave me fantastic performances in all three phases. So, I've got my tail up and I'm very, very pleased with both of them.”
Jacob Fletcher and Fabian
©Shannon Brinkman Photography
Martin emphasized at every opportunity how impressed he was with the Cross-Country Course footing and the efforts of management to provide the “best of the best” for equine athletes and their riders.
Doug Payne and Quantum Leap
©Shannon Brinkman Photography
“I can't tell you how much all the riders appreciate the huge effort gone into the footing here at Tryon. These horses are so valuable, and we've put thousands and thousands of hours and years of training and schooling and competition into them, and to prolong their career with fantastic footing like here at Tryon International is just unbelievably appreciated by anyone out there that loves horses,” Martin raved. “I don't think I've ridden on better footing anywhere in the world. Tryon has set the bar!”
For full results from The Fork at Tryon International presented by Yanmar America, click here.
Caroline Pamukcu Claims CCI 2*-L Podium Bookends
Arguably the busiest rider in her division, Caroline Pamukcu (USA) navigated three horses through the CCI 2*-L competition to positive results for her string of up-and-coming athletes, including a win aboard Billy Be Jolly with a score of 32.7. The 2015 Anglo-European Warmblood mare (Billy Congo x Kannan) owned in partnership with Gayle Davis and Sherrie Martin shared the podium with Pamukchu’s mount Cascadella 8, the 2015 Zweibrucker mare (Cascadello I x Ciacomo) owned in partnership with Sherrie Martin and Derek Strine, who earned 35.4 points throughout the weekend. Tim Bourke (IRL) and Excel Star Lewiston, the 2014 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Unknown x Unknown) owned by Elenor van Gemeren, grabbed reserve honors on a three-phase total of 33.3 points.
For Pamukcu, the timing of the competition could not have been better for her horses, who benefited from a positive experience at the CCI 2*-L level:
Caroline Pamukcu and Billy Be Jolly
©Shannon Brinkman Photography
“This weekend was very good. Most importantly, all of the horses were super sound and happy. I’m super excited to take their shoes off and let them live out in the field for the next two months. It was a good end to their season. They’re all very young and green,” she acknowledged. “Billy Be Jolly and Cascadella 8 started Eventing in April, and HSH Kilbrackan R started Eventing in June. I have to say, people have to look out for this one... He’s only six but he’s going to be a five-star winner. They went from zero to one hundred very quickly, so I’m very happy!”
With her eyes set on future competitions, selecting Tryon International as a destination along the way made sense for several reasons, she detailed. “For me, there was a bit of pressure because I have a big fall season with the Pan Ams coming up. I really wanted to give my young horses a good ride before they got the break they deserve. I feel like we all ended on a high note!
Tim Bourke and Excel Star Lewiston
©Shannon Brinkman Photography
“I’m really thankful that Tryon put on a two-long right now,” she continued. “I thought this was a super educational course. The eight-minute Cross-Country track was lovely, and it was great to see what these young horses are made of. I think there are big futures ahead for all three of them!”
Like many of her fellow competitors across all divisions, Pamukcu raved about the competition surfaces she and her horses experienced all weekend.
Tim Bourke and Excel Star Lewiston
©Shannon Brinkman Photography
“Tryon, by far, has the best footing in the world. The Cross-Country footing was superior; it felt like you were riding on a cloud! For Show Jumping and Dressage, it was perfectly smooth and level. I wish my footing at home were like this!
“I’ve never seen that at a competition, where they’re consistently maintaining it,” Pamukcu emphasized. “There is so much love and care that goes into the footing here. There were a few shows this summer that had quite disappointing footing, so it’s nice to come to a long format and see how much care they have for our horses. I’m really grateful for that!”
For full results from The Fork at Tryon International presented by Yanmar America, click here.
Boyd Martin Rides Kolbeinn to Debut CCI 1*-S Winning Performance
Boyd Martin (USA) notched another level in Kolbeinn’s Eventing resume at The Fork at Tryon International presented by Yanmar America, presenting the 2016 Swedish Warmblood gelding (Comfortuna VDL x Be My Chief) owned by Malmo Mob and Sherry Pound at his first FEI competition. Kolbeinn kept his leading Dressage score through Show Jumping and added just 0.4 time penalties on Cross-Country to keep the lead across all phases, finishing on a score of 29.6. Tim Bourke (IRL) and Electric Quality, the 2017 Irish Sport Horse mare (S Creevagh Ferro Ex Siebe x Parco) owned Marley Bourke, Barbara Cassani, and Lisa Takada, scored 34.2 over three phases to earn reserve. Caroline Pamukchu (USA) rode HSH Clever Z, her own 2018 Zangersheide gelding (Clicksem x Calvados), to third place on a total score of 35.1.
Boyd Martin and Kolbeinn
©Shannon Brinkman Photography
“Kolbeinn is a horse that we found in Sweden last year when I was competing at the Stockholm Arena Eventing,” Martin explained of his up-and-coming star. “He's jumped 1.40m in Sweden, and we've spent the year converting him into an event horse.”
Grabbing a score of 29.2 in Dressage to start off with the lead, Kolbeinn demonstrated his talent in all phases to keep himself securely at the top of the division leaderboard. Martin revealed that the gelding has eaten up every challenge presented to him, with plenty left in the tank for bigger and better performances to come.
“We started him in January at Beginner Novice, and he's cooked his way up the levels and this is his first one star. He's a very, very impressive horse with a very exciting future,” Martin concluded.
For full results from The Fork at Tryon International presented by Yanmar America, click here.
Boyd Martin Wins Advanced with Miss LuLu Herself
In true Boyd Martin (USA) fashion, his weekend concluded with a three-division sweep of first place awards, extending into national competition as well as dominating in FEI ranks. Piloting Miss LuLu Herself, the 2013 Hanoverian mare (Stolzenfels x Nobre) owned by Bonnie J. Stedt, Martin walked onto the White Oak Cross-Country Course with a two-phase lead and added 6.4 time penalties to receive 39.2 points all weekend. Jenny Caras (USA) and Sommersby, the 2012 Mecklenburg gelding (Sergeant Pepper x D’Olympic) owned in partnership with Jerry Hollis, scored 46.2 across all phases to earn second place, while Liz Halliday-Sharp (USA) rode Shanroe Cooley, the 2015 Irish Sport Horse stallion (Dallas x Condios) owned by Ocala Horse Properties, to the third place position with 50.1 points.
Boyd Martin and Kolbeinn
©Shannon Brinkman Photography
For full results from The Fork at Tryon International presented by Yanmar America, click here.
Up next, the Tryon Fall Series starts September 22nd and features six weeks of Hunter, Jumper, and Equitation competition. View the full competition calendar and all upcoming events here.
Photos ©Shannon Brinkman Photography, the official photographer of The Fork at Tryon International presented by Yanmar America. These photos may only be used once, in relation to this press release. Competitors may view and purchase photos at www.shannonbrinkman.zenfolio.com. For questions regarding photography at Tryon International, contact media@tryon.com.
About Yanmar America Corporation
Yanmar America Corporation, located in Adairsville, GA, is the regional headquarters of Yanmar Holdings Co., Ltd. a global company based in Osaka, Japan. Yanmar was established in 1912, and in 1933 became the world's first manufacturer to develop a practical small diesel engine. Today, Yanmar is a recognized leader in the design and manufacturing of advanced performance diesel engines and diesel-powered equipment, as well as gas engine-based energy systems. Yanmar America Corporation is located at 101 International Parkway, Adairsville, GA 30103. For more information, please visit yanmar.com/us.