For Immediate Release

Michelle Yelton for TIEC

Mill Spring, NC – May 29, 2021 – Kicking off the first FEI Grand Prix competition of 2021 at Tryon International Equestrian Center and Resort (TIEC), Hunter Holloway (USA) and Pepita Con Spita raced to win the $73,000 Tryon Resort Grand Prix CSI 2*, stopping the jump-off timers at 37.766 seconds. Nearly securing her fourth FEI win of the Tryon Spring 4 series and taking second place was Erynn Ballard (CAN) with Ilan Ferder’s Classic Penny, a 2012 Norwegian Warmblood mare of unknown breeding, on a clear jump-off performance of 38.482 seconds. Third place was secured by Conor Swail (IRL) and Vital Chance de la Roque, the 2009 Selle Francais gelding (Diamant De Semilly x Image Du Chateau II) owned Adeline Hecart, with score of 39.002. 

Hunter Holloway and Pepita Con Spita
©Madison Ibach, TIEC

Holloway and Pepita Con Spita, the 2011 Westphalian mare (Dsp Con Spirit x Pamina) owned by Hays Investment Corp, challenged a field of 50 horse and rider pairs on the Nick Granat (USA) course design, with 11 teams returning for the jump off.

“I really liked [the course]. I thought there were some difficult spots everywhere, which is usually a sign of a good course. I thought it was very fair and built really well,” she explained. 

Erynn Ballard and Classic Penny
©Madison Ibach, TIEC

For the jump off, Holloway’s strategy was “try and win it” and she praised the mare’s performance. “[Pepita Con Spita] is super careful, super catty, and she is really good at going fast. I knew I definitely had a horse that was up to the task as long as I rode a good round. She’s an amazing little mare we have had her a little over two years now and it is just so fun the way she is come along, she just keeps proving herself more and more every day and the amount of work myself and my team has put into her and to see it all pay off.”

Conor Swail and Vital Chance de la Roque
©Madison Ibach, TIEC

Holloway is a regular competitor at TIEC and enjoys competing at the venue. “We always love showing here. It’s such a fun venue, such a fun ring to ride in. I don’t have enough good things to say about here.”

Stephanie Kramer was presented with the Tryon Resort Groom’s Award for her care and dedication to Pepita Con Spita by Drew Page, In-gate Manager.
©Madison Ibach, TIEC

Holloway will spend another two weeks at TIEC, then return home for a break and re-embark on the competition circuit. 

Erynn Ballard, Hunter Holloway and Conor Swail in their presentation ceremony alongside Sharon Decker, President, Tryon Equestrian Partners, Carolinas Operations.
©Madison Ibach/TIEC

Results 

Horse Name, Year Breed gender (Sire x Dam Sire)
Rider (COUNTRY), Owner: Faults/Faults/Time

1. Pepita Con Spita, 2011 Westphalian Mare (Dsp Con Spirit x Pamina)
Hunter Holloway (USA), Hays Investment Corp.: 0/0/37.766

2. Classic Penny, 2012 Norwegian Warmblood Mare (Unknown x Unknown)
Erynn Ballard (CAN), Ilan Ferder: 0/0/38.482

3. Vital Chance De La Roque, 2009 Selle Francais Gelding (Diamant De Semilly x Image Du Chateau II)
Conor Swail (IRL), Adeline Hecart: 0/0/39.002

4. RMF Chacco Top, 2009 Hanoverian Stallion (Chacco-Blue x Graeva)
Cormac Hanley (IRL), Rushy Marsh Farm LLC: 0/0/40.714

5. Verveine, 2009 Selle Francais Mare (Olala De Buissy x Fleur De Glanville)
Nataly Leibovitz (ISR), Nataly Leibovitz: 0/0/41.37

6. Agana Van Het Gerendal Z, 2011 Zangersheide Stallion (Aganix Du Seigneur x Naminka) Lillie Keenan (USA), Chansonette Farm LLC: 0/0/41.37

7. Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili, 2005 Belgian Warmblood Stallion (Berlin x Darco)
Kristen VanderVeen (USA), Bull Run Jumpers Five LLC: 0/4/39.339

8. Vesta De Lavardin, 2009 Selle Francais Mare (Diamant De Semilly x Pepite Malouine)
Daniel Geinter (USA), November Hill: 0/4/41.353

9. El Balou Old, 2021 Oldenburg Stallion (Eldorado Vd Zeshoek x Sunshine’s Botox)
David O’Brien (IRL), Chansonette Farm LLC: 0/4/41.424

10. Falcon De Hus Z, 2009 Zangersheide Gelding  (Florian De La Vie x Alidiva)
Scott Keach (AUS), Five Henry Stables: 0/4/42.741

11. Gerko, 2011 Dutch Warmblood Gelding (Vdl Zirocco Blue x Belisa)
Daisy Farish (USA), Lanes End: 0/12/47.293

12. Bull Run’s Prince of Peace, 2009 Holsteiner Gelding (Cardenio 2 x P-Comtesse)
Kristen VanderVeen (USA), Bull Run Jumpers Six LLC : 1/71.11

For full results from the $73,000 Tryon Resort Grand Prix CSI 2*, click here. 

Tryon Spring 4 competition concludes Sunday, May 30, with the $25,000 Tryon Resort Sunday Classic at 12:30pm. The Tryon Spring Series continues through Sunday, June 13 and competition is open to the public and live streaming is available for highlight classes on Tryon.com/streaming. 

Photos ©TIEC. These photos may only be used once in relation to this press release. Competitors can view and purchase photos from the Tryon Spring Series as well as request photos for Tryon Spring 4 at Tryon.com/photos. With questions, email media@tryon.com.