Merideth Bryans and Jaguar Win $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby

Matthias Hollberg and D.A. Duras Win $5,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake

Mill Spring, NC – November 20, 2020 – Matthias Hollberg (Ocala, FL) and D.A. Duras sped to double victory at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (TIEC) last week, topping the podium in both the $15,000 Tryon Resort Jumper Classic on Sunday and the $5,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake on Friday. In the Jumper Classic, Hollberg piloted D.A. Duras to a winning time of 37.438. Second place was awarded to Lynsey Whitacre (Saint Joseph, MO) aboard her own Barillo W, the 2003 Canadian Warmblood gelding (Unknown x Unknown) with a time of 37.817. John Michael Durr (Shelby, NC) and Marissa Nielsen’s Vinetta M, the 2009 Hanoverian mare (Valentino x Parodie M), rounded out the podium with a third place time of 38.251.

Matthias Hollberg and D.A. Duras
©TIEC/Bailey Beck Photography

Hollberg and D.A. Duras, 2008 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Numero Uno x Quattro) owned by Debbie J. Adams & Jacqueline Badger Mars, challenged 14 entries on the course designed by Joe Carnicom (Toledo, OH). An ex-Event horse, Hollberg has been training his new mount to be a top-level show jumper and is consistently pleased with his performance.

“Duras [D.A. Duras] is a 12-year-old ex-Event horse that I just got the ride on three months ago. I’m planning to make him into a high-level jumper and then sell him. I’m lucky to have him. He wins pretty much every class he goes in! For the first month or two, we were just getting to know each other. Now, he’s on the job everytime he goes in the ring,” shared Hollberg.

Lynsey Whitacre and Barillo W
©TIEC/Bailey Beck Photography

Pleased with his new partner’s performance, Hollberg explained that the Jumper Classic course was “more technical than on Friday, which really worked in my favor for Duras because he’s so rideable and smart. He knows exactly what to do, even when there are a bit more technical questions. I was trying to beat the time without overdoing it. I knew that all of the lines had strides that needed to be left out in order to win, so I was planning on that going in. I was happy that it all worked out just the way I wanted it to!”

John Michael Durr and Vinetta M
©TIEC/Bailey Beck Photography

Hollberg came from Pennsylvania and made the stop at Tryon to “win a couple classes” before heading onto Ocala.

Holberg and D.A. Duras in their presentation ceremony.
©TIEC/Bailey Beck Photography

“I’ve come here a lot and I really like the show. I’ve had a lot of good classes, and always enjoy coming.”

Merideth Bryans and Jaguar Win $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby

November 14, 2020 – Merideth Bryans (Newborn, GA) and Jaguar topped the podium at the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby earning 79 points in round one and 89 in the handy round to end with a score of 168. Second place went to Alexandra Dow (Matthews, NC) and Sally Watkins’ Maxumus, the 2012 Rheinlander gelding (Magnum x Octavia) with 158 points. Genevieve Edwards (Guyton, GA) guided JoJo Howland’s Star Jewel, the 2010 Oldenburg mare (Amazing x Quinta) to a third place score of 155.

Merideth Bryans and Jaguar
©TIEC/Bailey Beck Photography

Seven entries tested TIEC’s final hunter derby course of 2020 designed by Dean Rheinheimer (Sheridan, IN) and Bryans praised her and Jaguar’s experience.

Alexandra Dow and Maxumus
©TIEC/Bailey Beck Photography

“The course was great. I loved the first round. [Jaguar] always lands on his right lead, so I knew landing left on the two bending lines was going to be challenging for us, but we worked it out. The first round was nice. In the handy round, I knew going from one to two was going to be a gamble with the right turn, but again, he lands better [on the right lead], so I opted to take the chance. It paid off!” explained Bryans.

Genevieve Edwards and Star Jewel
©TIEC/Bailey Beck Photography

Bryans shared her special bond with the 2010 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Unknown x Unknown) owned by Vickie Bryans, a horse she has had for seven years now.

“I imported him as a three-year-old, so I’ve brought him along and done everything, starting with the Baby Green [Hunter classes] and teaching him his lead changes. I’ve done everything, so it makes it all so special. He’s a clown with a lot of personality. He’s super sweet! He’s a really good boy and tries very hard.”

Merideth Bryans and Jaguar in their presentation ceremony.
©TIEC/Bailey Beck Photography

Bryans and Jaguar both enjoy the competition arena, but do not have immediate plans following their stay at TIEC. “Jaguar loves horse showing! We love coming to Tryon, so with these shows slowing down now, I’m not sure where we’re going to go next,” concluded Bryans.

Matthias Hollberg and D.A. Duras Win $5,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake

November 13, 2020 – Matthias Hollberg (Ocala, FL) and D.A. Duras secured first place in the $5,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake at TIEC with a double-clear score of 40.486. Dary Pease (Mount Pleasant, SC) and Cumbaya W, the 2010 Canadian Warmblood gelding (Cabardino x Esprit d’Amour) owned by Augustin Walch, earned second place with a time of 43.642. Lynsey Whitacre (Saint Joseph, MO) piloted her own Barillo W, the 2003 Canadian Warmblood gelding (Unknown x Unknown), to a third-place time of 43.894.

Matthias Hollberg and D.A. Duras in their presentation ceremony
©TIEC/Bailey Beck Photography

Hollberg and the 2008 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Numero Uno x Quattro), owned by Debbie J. Adams & Jacqueline Badger Mars, competed in a field of 11 trips on the Joe Carnicom-designed (Toledo, OH) with only four pairs returning for the jump-off.

Hunter Highlights:
In the Performance Hunter 3’3” Division, Alexandra Dow (Matthew, NC) and Maxumus, owned by Sally Watkins, earned champion honors. Merideth Bryans (Newborn, GA) claimed reserve champion aboard Vickie Bryans’ Jaguar.

Haley Oakes (Cartersville, GA) and her own Quintero were named champion in the USHJA Hunter 2’/2’3” Division while reserve champion was awarded to Isabella Cooper (Chapin, SC) and her own Deal Me In.

Quinn Carter (Mill Spring, NC) rode Classic de la Velle, owned by Janeen Carter, to champion in the Amateur-Owner 3’3”/Junior 3’6” Hunter Division, and Lily Hiller (Statesboro, GA) followed behind as reserve champion with her own Cake Walk.

Jumper Highlights:
In the .90 Non-Pro Jumper Division, Juleeanna Fuller (Liberty, SC) and One Up, owned by Katie McDaniel, were named champion while reserve champion went to Lola Stevanoski (Waxhaw, NC) aboard her own Lampuras with Emily Jay (Waxhaw, NC).

Alexandra Baugh (Lexington, KY) and her own Dogano de L’Oiseliere earned champion status in the Tenda 1.10 Jumper Division while McKenna Martinez (Leesburg, VA) was named reserve champion with her own Commitment.

In the Ken Feagin Truck and Trailer Children/Adult-Amateur Jumper 1.10m Division, Elizabeth Galloway (Taylors, SC) and her own F 16 won champion status. Camryn Mulzer (Ft. Mitchell, KY) and her own Leonardo won reserved champion.

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

For full results from the $15,000 Tryon Resort Jumper Classic, click here.

For full results from the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, click here. 

For full results from the $5,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake, click here. 

Tryon Fall Festival 2 concluded the 2020 TIEC competition season with the 2021 schedule now available at Tryon.com/Compete. Relive the 2020 TIEC competition season by watching highlight classes in the live stream archives at www.Tryon.com/streaming.

Photo credit ©TIEC/Bailey Beck Photography unless otherwise specified in photo caption. Competitors can purchase photos at Bailey Beck Photography. These photos may only be used once in relation to this press release with proper credit. Contact media@tryon.com with questions.