Shelly Zimmerli and Celebrity Take Top Honors in the Open 2’6 Hunter Derby

Jacqueline Ruyle and Cyramo Z Rule the $15,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake

For Immediate Release

Lily Yampolsky for TIEC

Mill Spring, NC – October 1, 2022 – The first fall Saturday Night Lights presented by Tryon Horse & Home win went to Sarah Hubbard (Cornwall, CT) and Hubbard Horses, LLC’s Latino Van De Looise Heide as they produced a quick clear round with a time of 41.135 in the $30,000 ProElite Grand Prix. The pair finished second in last week’s $25,000 Tryon Resort Grand Prix, and moved up to take the lead this week. Jacqueline Ruyle (Houston, TX) and her own 2009 Oldenburg gelding San Chano (Sandro Boy x Carusa) were quick enough for second with a time of 41.317. Scott Keach (Reddick, FL) and Kandor Farm LLC’s 2014 Oldenburg gelding Cencorinue PS (Centadel x Chacarina) had a time of 46.376 to finish third.

Sarah Hubbard and Latino Van De Looise Heide
©Karli Dannewitz for TIEC

Twenty-five entries traversed Oscar Soberon’s (Dallas, TX) course, with seven going clear and making it into the jump-off. Ultimately it was Hubbard riding the 2011 Belgian Warmblood gelding Latino Van De Looise Heide (Cantos x Hadrilla Van De Looise Heide) who narrowly took the lead by a margin of a second. Hubbard was the quickest of the class in both the first round and the short track:

Jacqueline Ruyle and San Chano
©Karli Dannewitz for TIEC

“Everything rode how I wanted and everything was pretty much how I walked it. So I was happy with my first round. And I was well under the time allowed, so that was good.”

Scott Keach and Cencorinue PS
©Karli Dannewitz for TIEC

“[Going into the jump off] I was a little worried because there was one inside turn back to the combination where I saw a couple of people do the inside turn, but I made a plan for my horse to go around. So I decided I was just gonna stick with it, and I think he’s fast enough. So, [I’m] really glad that worked out.”

(From L to R) Jacqueline Ruyle, Sarah Hubbard, and Scott Keach in their presentation ceremony alongside Lexi Jett of Cargill Animal Nutrition and Tryon Equestrian Partners Carolinas Operations President Sharon Decker.
©Natalie Suto for TIEC

Hubbard and Latino Van De Looise Heide have had a lot of success together, with Hubbard explaining, “I’ve had him for five years. He’s just always trying his best and I trust him a lot. So I always go in [the ring] and just try to go as fast as I can. And I know he’ll try to keep the jumps up.”

Kristina Spellman was presented the Clement Farm & Barn Groom’s Award for her care and dedication to Latino Van De Looise Heide, alongside Michael and Amy Cece.
©Natalie Suto for TIEC

Hubbard is a familiar face in the TIEC Grand Prix classes, saying that, “I really like the [Tryon Stadium], and the show itself is great. I did really well here in the spring, so then I decided to come back. There are great classes for all the horses and it’s really fun to get to do the night classes too. The horse will have two weeks off, and then I’ll be back for the last two weeks of the fall series.”

For full results from the $30,000 ProElite Grand Prix, click here.

Shelly Zimmerli and Celebrity Take Top Honors in the Open 2’6 Hunter Derby

Mill Spring, NC – October 1, 2022 – The $1,000 Open 2’6 Hunter Derby championship honors went to Shelly Zimmerli (Fairfax Station, VA)  and Zimmerli Show Jumping, LLC’s Celebrity with a score of 164. Reserve honors went to Jordan Gilchrist (Flower Mound, TX) and Patrick and Jana Rodes’ 2012 Holsteiner mare Like Always (Catiago x J Columbia) with a score of 160. Heather Bak (Greenville, SC) and her own 2015 Oldenburg gelding Kannstakko (Kannan x Scarlett) finished third with a total score of 159.

Fourteen entries contested Skip Bailey’s (Wellington, FL) course, with Zimmerli aboard the 2015 Swedish Warmblood gelding Celebrity (Unknown x Unknown) leading with a score of 86 going into the handy section.

Shelly Zimmerli and Celebrity
©Karli Dannewitz for TIEC

 “I was really proud of my first round. I thought my horse listened really well. He’s so rideable,  and so bold. I never really have to worry about him being spooky at anything. He’s always right with me. I was really happy with how all the lines rode. I thought everything rode to plan.”

Jordan Gilchrist and Like Always
©Karli Dannewitz for TIEC

In the handy round, Zimmerli scored a 78, which was enough to keep her in the top spot. On her second round, Zimmerli commented, “I thought my second round I could have started with a little bit more canter, but I was able to fix that mistake halfway through the round. And I was really happy with how we finished.”

 Heather Bak and Kannstakko
©Karli Dannewitz for TIEC

Celebrity is a fairly new partner to Zimmerli, but the two have meshed quickly, she disclosed. “When I first tried him I knew he would be a really good hunter from the start. He’s so trainable, and it hasn’t taken long for him to turn into a little superstar. I got him in January, so I haven’t had him for too, too long. But I love him so much.”

Shelly Zimmerli and Celebrity in their presentation ceremony.
©Karli Dannewitz for TIEC

When talking about her experience at TIEC, Zimmerli said, “I love [TIEC] because it’s so different from all the other shows. I love all the arenas. The footing is amazing. They do a great job and provide fun classes like the 2’6 derby. They give coolers and they give nice ribbons. Everyone here is so nice. It’s just always a really good experience.”

For full results from the $1,000 Open 2’6 Hunter Derby, click here.

Jacqueline Ruyle and Cyramo Z Rule the $15,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake

Mill Spring, NC – September 29, 2022 – Jacqueline Ruyle (Houston, TX) and her own 2011 Zangershielde mare Cyramo Z (Clarimo x Cyprus) sped to a quick clear with a time of 31.603 to take the win in the $15,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake. In second place was Willie Tynan (Lexington, KY) and MDM Equestrian Group’ LLC’s 2010 Dutch Warmblood gelding Fenise (VDL Campbell x Wica Van De Hermitage) with a fast time of 32.222. Rounding out the top three was Juan Ortiz (Loxahatchee, FL) riding Blue Trim LLC’s 2011 Warmblood mare Toulouse Z (Toulon x Balinamore van de Nblauwaert) with a time of 32.648.

Jacqueline Ruyle and Cyramo Z
©Karli Dannewitz for TIEC

“My first round, she was amped. She was really wild,” Ruyle described, “We’ve had a two month break, so she’s ready to go. So it’s just kind of holding on and not getting in her way. And then she relaxed a little bit to jump off. So I was able to actually ride through the turns and go fast. So it was really fun.”

Jacqueline Ruyle and Cyramo Z in their presentation ceremony.
©Bailey Beck for TIEC

Ruyle has been competing at TIEC for many years now, making her a staple during TIEC Spring, Summer, and Fall circuits. She mentioned that she keeps coming back because,  “I love Tryon so much. I think the facility is first class. It’s my favorite facility of all the facilities I’ve been to, and so I will continue coming back here for years to come.”

For full results from the $15,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake, click here.

 Hunter Highlights:

The USHJA Hunter 2’9 Division champion rosette went to Heather Haase’s Mein Held with Erin Holsenback (Windsor, SC) in the tack and reserve honors went to Empower Z owned and shown by Kolbie Watson (Youngsville, NC)

The Ritchie & Associates LLC Amateur Owner Hunter 3’3″/3’6″ Division championship was awarded to Kathy Serio (Loxahatchee, FL) and her horse Moody Blues with the reserve championship going to Mckenzie Abbate (Charleston, SC) and her horse Leonie.

Jumper Highlights:

The Spy Coast Farm DJS 7YO Young Jumper Division championship went to VW Sales’ Bull Run’s David with Kristen Vanderveen (Wellington, FL) aboard, with reserve honors going to Lindland Equine Sales, LLC’s Popeye Van’t Meulenhof and Sarah Hubbard (Cornwall, CT).

Suzette Tittle (Roswell, GA) finished champion in the Child/Adult Amateur Jumper Division aboard Tittle Sport Horses’ Grappa, while Isabella Sparks (Greer, SC) and her own Lotus Van Het Hagehof rode to the reserve honors.

For full division results from Tryon Fall 2, click here. 

Clement Farm & Barn is a leader in the upstate area for providing the widest selection of premium horse hay as well as top-of-the-line custom barns and run-in sheds. Founded in 1936, they offer small and large bale varieties of timothy, orchard, alfalfa, mixed grass, and more. Bales are sourced from across the country to ensure the best nutrition and quality at the best prices. A dedication to superb customer service and product standards has made clement a local favorite among both horses and owners!

The Tryon Fall Series continues October 4-October 30, with entries still open and stalls available. Tryon Fall 3 is the start of the Fall Series FEI classes, culminating in Saturday evening’s $75,000 John Deere Grand Prix CSI 2* at 7pm. View the Prize List, book your stalls, and learn more about the Tryon Fall Series at www.Tryon.com/compete.

Saturday Night Lights presented by Tryon Horse & Home continues next weekend, Saturday October 8th, with full details about FREE family fun, live music and equestrian competition available here.

Photos ©TIEC (Bailey Beck, Karli Dannewitz, and Natalie Suto as noted). These photos may only be used once, in relation to this press release. Official show photos can be viewed and purchased at www.Tryon.com/photos. With questions, please contact media@tryon.com.