For Immediate Release

Lily Yampolsky for TIEC

Mill Spring, NC – October 8, 2022 – Lauren Balcomb (AUS) took the win in the $75,000 John Deere Greenville Turf & Tractor Grand Prix CSI 2* astride Verdini D’Houtveld Z, owned by Balcomb herself and partner Sharn Wordley, with an impressive time of 39.95 seconds. Following close behind in second place, Sharn Wordley (NZL) riding Fernando Cardenas’ 2009 Warmblood gelding Valentine Car (Son of Juan Car x Galiani CH) who sped to a time of 40.10 seconds. David O’Brien (IRL) and Chansonette Farm LLC’s 2012 Oldenburg stallion El Balou Old (Eldorado VD Zeshoek x Balou du Rouet) snagged the third place position with a time of 41.36.

Lauren Balcomb and Verdini D’Houtveld Z
©Natalie Suto for TIEC

Guilherme Jorge’s (BRA) course challenged 32 entries, with 13 combinations going clear and advancing to the jump-off. Wordley and Valentine Car had the leading time early on in the class, however Balcomb and the 2011 Zangersheide gelding Verdini D’Houtveld Z (Verdi TN x Caretino 2) were able to beat his time by a small margin.

Sharn Wordley and Valentine Car
©Emily Thurner for TIEC

“I think I was a little bit faster to the combination. I left one stride out, and we were both pretty fast everywhere else.”

David O’Brien and El Balou Old
©Emily Thurner for TIEC

While Verdini D’Houtveld Z is known on the show circuit as a top show jumper, he actually was bought by Balcomb to do three day eventing: “I’ve owned since he was a six year old. I’ve been jumping him Grand Prix level for a long time now. He was actually a [3-day eventing] horse, that’s what I bought him to be, because I was still eventing. Then I brought him [to America]. He did a few events, and he was jumping so well that I did some show jumping as I was ready to make the change.”

(From L to R) TIEC Director of Equestrian Operations Molly Oakman, Sharn Wordley, Lauren Balcomb, David O’Brien, and TIEC Competition Manager JP Godard.
©Natalie Suto for TIEC

Wordley and Balcomb are familiar faces at TIEC: “We love it here. We’ve been coming here for years. I think it’s a great place for families. These guys put on an amazing show. I mean, to get to compete under these lights, the music, the atmosphere, it’s amazing. Everyone’s really friendly. It doesn’t get much better than this.”

Winner of The Groom’s Award presented by Clement Farm and Barn; Jaiden Waddle alongside Verdini D’Houtveld Z, with award presenters Lauren Bergrud, Kaitlyn Kubiak, Claire Newsom, Olivia Loheac, Gisele O’Grady, Amelia Nowicki, and Alex Goins.
©Natalie Suto for TIEC

Lauren Balcomb and the presenting sponsors of the Leading Lady Award, Marthaler Jewelers: Tonya, Andy, and Matthew Marthaler.
©Natalie Suto for TIEC

Balcomb also took the Marthaler Jewelers’ Leading Lady Award as the highest placed female rider in the Grand Prix. As the winner of this award, Balcomb will take home a 14-karat gold necklace with .33 carat diamonds. “It’s such a great prize,” Balcomb exclaimed, “I was really hoping to win the award tonight!”

RESULTS: $75,000 John Deere Greenville Turf & Tractor Grand Prix CSI 2*

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

1. Verdini D’Houtveld Z, 2011 Zangersheide gelding (Verdi TN x Caretino 2)
Lauren Balcomb (AUS), Lauren Balcomb and Sharn Wordley: 0/0/39.95

2. Valentine Car, 2009 Warmblood gelding (Son of Juan Car x Galiani CH)
Sharn Wordley (NZL), Fernando Cardenas: 0/0/40.10

3. El Balou Old, 2012 Oldenburg stallion (Eldorado VD Zeshoek x Balou du Rouet)
David O’Brien (IRL), Chansonette Farm LLC: 0/0/41.36

4. Kinky Boy van het Gildenhof, 2010 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Nabab de Reve x Darco)
Juan Ortiz (VEN), Blue Trim LLC and Juan Ortiz: 0/0/41.92

5. Zilouet Mystic Rose, 2013 Brazilian Warmblood (Balou Du Rouet x Chin Chin)
Juan Bolanos (ESA), RM Agronegocios Eireli: 0/0/42.98

6. Cesna M, 2012 Oldenburg gelding (Check In 2 x Sandro Boy)
Margie Goldstein-Engle (USA), Virginia T. Bartholomay: 0/0/45.08

7. Happyboy van de Doornakkers, 2007 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Tinka’s Boy x Nabab De Reve)
Jordan Gilchrist (USA), Jordan Gilchrist: 0/0/45.87

8. Cyramo Z, 2011 Zangersheide mare (Clarimo x Vigo D Arsouilles STX)
Jacqueline Ruyle (USA), Jacqueline Ruyle: 0/4/41.11

9. Noble De La Chapelle, 2013 Belgian Warmblood gelding (For Passion D’Ive Z x Eros Platiere)
Scott Keach (AUS), Scott Keach and Southern Cross Equestrian, LLC: 0/4/43.19

10. Idalgo, 2013 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Catoki x Quidam de Revel)
Thomas Foley (IRL), Sher Al Farm & Donald Stewart: 0/8/43.63

11. Kometh von der Weretherbach, 2010 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Didas de L’Esperance x Perhaps VH Molenvondel)
Peter Petschenig (AUT), Petschenig Showjumping, LLC: 0/8/53.64

12. Milan 7, 2013 Hanoverian stallion (Perigueux x Lordanos)
David Blake (IRL), Pine Hollow Farm: 0/16/47.74

For full results from the $75,000 John Deere Greenville Turf & Tractor Grand Prix CSI 2*, click here.

Marthaler Jewelers is a first-generation, family-owned, full-service jewelry repair and retail store in Fletcher, NC. The Marthaler Jewelers team comprises six jewelers with over 112 years of experience combined. The first location opened in 2010, with the recent Fletcher location expansion allowing for the addition of state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment to produce all types of jewelry from start to finish, like the beautiful Leading Lady pendant. Incredibly loyal customers, attention to providing an outstanding jewelry buying experience, unwavering commitment to never compromise integrity, and divine blessings have enabled Marthaler Jewelers to grow beyond wildest imaginations.

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 through Sunday, October 9th, with competition information available at www.Tryon.com/compete. Highlight competitions are live streamed and available for replay at www.Tryon.com/streaming.

Photos © TIEC (Natalie Suto and  Emily Thurner 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.