Tryon Summer 4 Results: Tryon Summer Series presented by The Farm House
Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Jireh Notch $120,000 Fabbri Boots Grand Prix CSI 3* Win
Robert Mercer Scores Personal Best; Bookends Podium in $10,000 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby presented by Fabbri Boots
Francesca Bolfo Wins $25,000 Yanmar America Sunday Classic with Jadalco
Tryon Summer 4 Division Highlights
For Immediate Release
Sarah Madden Taylor and Leyla Caynak for Tryon International
Mill Spring, NC - July 5, 2025 - The $120,000 Fabbri Boots Grand Prix CSI 3* saw a total of 15 trips tour the course designed by Nicholas Granat. Notching their second Saturday Night Lights presented by Skyla Credit Union win in a row, Kristen VanderVeen (USA) and Bull Run's Jireh cleared the course in 34.48 seconds. Claiming second place with 38.32 seconds on the clock, Brittni Raflowitz (ISR) rode the ESI Show Jumpers Inc 2016 Holsteiner stallion, Commander Bond (Corrado I x For Pleasure). Rounding out the podium with their 40.15 second performance was Richie Moloney (IRL) and Coco Beach (Casall x San Patriagnano Corrado), Equinimity LLC’s 2012 Holsteiner mare.
Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Jireh
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
VanderVeen and the 2014 Holsteiner gelding (Uriko x Colman) owned by Bull Run Jumpers Inc. were the last of three to challenge the jump off track. VanderVeen revealed that she was feeling a bit nervous after racking up a very long streak of wins with Bull Run’s Jireh, followed by a streak of wins across FEI classes in Tryon Summer 4:
Brittni Raflowitz and Commander Bond
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
“I was kind of feeling the pressure tonight. You know, we've had an amazing season here, and then we've had a really amazing week, and this horse has won every class he has competed in since World Cup Finals, and he has not had a jump down yet!”
Richie Moloney and Coco Beach
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
Walking into a competitive CSI 3* class with the weight of her past successes on her shoulders, VanderVeen felt an equal measure of gratitude and nerves, she explained. “It's incredible, but for whatever reason, tonight, I felt a little bit of pressure. I actually was a little on edge, and a little nervous.”
Kristen VanderVeen, Brittni Raflowitz, and Richie Moloney in their presentation ceremony alongside (L-R): Tryon International General Manager of Equestrian Operations Glenn Petty, Fabbri Boots' Lorenzo Mazzei, KASK America Chief Executive Officer Fabio Cardarelli, Tryon International Chief Operating Officer Doug Grondahl, and Ringmaster Steve Rector.
©Natalie Suto Photography
The duo was able to produce a clear effort in the first round, over what VanderVeen called a “pretty straightforward” track, and a three-horse jump off unfolded with VanderVeen and “Uno” last to go. That’s when the nerves reappeared, she said.
As the highest placing female rider in the $120,000 Fabbri Boots Grand Prix CSI 3*, Kristen VanderVeen received the Leading Lady Award presented by Fairfax & Favor alongside Paula Cudd.
©Natalie Suto Photography
“Then in the jump off, going last, and with both of them [Raflowitz and Moloney] going clear, I was like, ‘Oh man.’ And then I almost choked, running him into the standard at jump one!” VanderVeen recounted.
Pedro Hernandez was presented the Groom’s Award for his care and dedication to Bull Run’s Jireh alongside Tryon International's Drew Page.
©Natalie Suto Photography
“So he was very good, and wee bit lucky that I didn't knock it over with my foot. And then after that, I thought we were on our game a little bit more, and I calmed down a little bit,” VanderVeen explained. The duo went on to beat the previous leading time by more than four seconds, protecting their streak once again.
Podium finishers enjoy the champagne toast presented by La Marca.
©Natalie Suto Photography
VanderVeen concluded by emphasizing her horse’s winning attitude. “He was winning [the class], whether I was going to be a winning rider or not. He was like, 'I win. So please get out of the way and stop pointing me at standards!' I have an awesome horse, and I'm lucky to ride him.”
Tryon Stadium will crown a fresh face as champion next Saturday, with the Bull Run Jumpers team taking the week off, but will resume their season for Tryon Summer 6.
RESULTS: $120,000 Fabbri Boots Grand Prix CSI 3*
Horse Name, Year Breed gender (Sire x Sire of Dam)
Rider (COUNTRY), Owner: Faults/Faults/Time
1) Bull Run's Jireh, 2014 Holsteiner gelding (Uriko x Colman)
Kristen VanderVeen (USA), Bull Run Jumpers Inc: 0/0/34.48
2) Commander Bond, 2016 Holsteiner stallion (Corrado I x For Pleasure)
Brittni Raflowitz (ISR), ESI Show Jumpers Inc: 0/0/38.32
3) Coco Beach, 2012 Holsteiner mare (Casall x San Patriagnano Corrado)
Richie Moloney (IRL), Equinimity LLC: 0/0/40.15
4) HH Diamant Blue, 2013 Oldenburg Stallion (Diarado x Chacco Blue)
Rachel Long (USA), Rachel Long: 4/77.67
5) Skelwith Diamond Lady, 2014 Anglo European mare (Kalaska De Semilly x Balou Du Rouet)
Richie Moloney (IRL), Equinimity LLC: 4/78.20
6) Tom Hanks, 2014 Selle Français gelding (Bisquet Balou C x Helios De La Cour II)
Sarah Segal (USA), Horatio Street Ventures, LLC: 4/79.69
7) Flagship De Hus, 2015 Selle Francais mare (Windows VH Costersveld x Fergar Mail)
Alejandro Leonardo Winkler (MEX), Alejandro Leonardo Winkler: 4/81.67
8) Heritage MBF, 2015 Irish Sport Horse gelding (Eldorado Van De Zeshoek x Otangelo)
Daniel Bedoya (BOL), NRG Farm LLC: 4/81.70
9) Fahrenheit De Vains RW, 2015 Selle Francais Stallion (Cornet Obolensky x Qredo De Paulstra)
Michael Walton (USA), Mia Marano: 4/82.64
10) Bull Run's Celestial, 2015 Zangersheide stallion (Cicero Z Van Paemel x Numero Uno)
Kristen VanderVeen (USA), Bull Run Jumpers Inc: 8/78.20
11) Ninja Jw Van De Moerhoeve, 2013 Belgian Warmblood mare (Elvis Ter Putte x Kashmir Van Schuttershof)
Sloane Coles (USA), The Ninja Group: 8/79.24
12) Cashgirl 7, 2015 Oldenburger mare (Chaccato x Quidam’s Rubin)
Ty Simpson (USA), Riffle Hitch, LLC: 8/79.37
For full results from the $120,000 Fabbri Boots Grand Prix CSI 3*, click here.
Robert Mercer Scores Personal Best; Bookends Podium in $10,000 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby presented by Fabbri Boots
July 5, 2025 - Robert Mercer (Wellington, FL) achieved a personal best score of 92 in the handy round with Captain America to champion the $10,000 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby presented by Fabbri Boots, with a total score of 181. Mercer also snagged third place aboard Rolex, the 2012 Welsh Pony Cross gelding (Unknown x Unknown) owned by Frog Pond Stables, with a two-round total of 172.75. Geneva Saunders (Nashville, TN) took home reserve honors riding Newsflash, the 2007 Warmblood gelding (Unknown x Unknown) owned by Family Circus, Inc., for their score of 173 points.
Robert Mercer and Captain America
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
Mercer and the 2007 Welsh Pony gelding (Brookside Pink Magnum x Rosmel’s Polly Pocket) owned by Frog Pond Stables produced an ultra-handy round to score a 92 in the second phase of the course set by Andy Christiansen. “Handy rounds are my favorite thing,” said Mercer. “That [92 points] was my record. It felt amazing!”
Geneva Saunders and Newsflash
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
The highlight class of Tryon International’s annual Pony Spectacular presented by Fabbri Boots, the pony derby put the venue’s smallest athletes on display in Tryon Stadium Saturday morning. “I thought the course was fun! I really liked it,” Mercer recapped. “I just went in there hoping for the best. I did my best, and it came out really good.”
Robert Mercer and Rolex
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
Mercer noted that Captain America is the newer of his two podium placing ponies. “We’ve had him for two years. He’s amazing. He’s so sweet, and I love him so much.” With Rolex, Mercer has been in the irons for three years, and their partnership extends beyond the Hunter rings. “I’ve been riding Rolex for about three years. Sometimes, I do the .80-meter Jumpers with him!”
Robert Mercer and Captain America in their presentation ceremony alongside Fabbri Boots' Lorenzo Mazzei and Ringmaster Steve Rector.
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
For full results from the $10,000 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby presented by Fabbri Boots, click here.
Francesca Bolfo Wins $25,000 Yanmar America Sunday Classic with Jadalco
July 6, 2025 - Francesca Bolfo (New York, NY) and Jadalco, Duterra’s 2009 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Nabab de Reve x Excellentia de Muze), scored a win in Sunday’s $25,000 Yanmar America Sunday Classic in Tryon Stadium, stopping the jump off timers in 42.561 seconds. Tiffany Cambria (Upperville, VA) added another podium placing to her weekend, claiming second with Perfect Match D, the 2015 Westphalian mare (Pilothago x Lucy Lancer) owned by Sarah Hellman, in a time of 43.827 seconds. In third, Sloane Coles (The Plains, VA) rode the 2017 Zangersheide gelding, Limoncello Z (Grandorado TN x Topala), to a time of 44.331 seconds for the Limoncello Z Group LLC.
Francesca Bolfo and Jadalco
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
For full results from the $25,000 Yanmar America Sunday Classic, click here.
Tryon Summer 4 Division Highlights
The Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3 Division congratulated Missy Yoder (Palm Beach Gardens, FL) and her own Classy Lady as champions for the week. In reserve, Kelly Bauernschmidt (Bratenahl, OH) rode her own mount, Citation.
Kimberly Swenson (Wellington, FL) and her own Colourful Lady were champion in the 1.20m Amateur Jumper Division, with Alex Parrish (Midway, KY) and the self-owned Bally V Poppy claiming reserve honors.
In the Foothills Hunter 3’ Division, Blythe Goguen (Lexington, KY) rode Endeavor to the championship for Belhaven Stables LLC. Reserve went to Gisele Beardsley-O’Grady (Tryon, NC) aboard Eliot du Banney for Randee Cherner. Cherner championed the Low Adult Hunter 2’6 Division with Eliot du Banney as well.
Kara Jones (Cornelius, NC) championed the 1.40m Junior/Amateur Jumper Divisionwith her own End Game. In reserve, Samantha Rice (Wellington, FL) combined with NRG Farm LLC’s Kaiser Denfer.
For full division results from Tryon Summer 4, click here.
The Tryon Summer Series presented by The Farm House will continue through July 20, and Prize Lists and entry information can be found at www.Tryon.com/compete.
Photos ©Natalie Suto Photography (Bailey Beck, Sarah Sturgis, 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 atwww.nataliesutophotography.com. With questions regarding photography at TIEC, contact media@tryon.com.