Matt Cyphert and No Secret De La Pomme Earn $40,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby presented by The Farm House Win Under the Lights

Notorious and Lauren Thomas Jump to $3,000 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby Win

Hunter Kay and Alright Dominate $3,000 USHJA Open National Hunter Derby

Conor Swail and Vital Chance De La Roque Conquer the $37,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3*

Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili Claim Victory in $37,000 Power & Speed Stake CSI 3*

For Immediate Release

Sarah Madden for TIEC

Mill Spring, NC – June 10, 2022 – The 94th Tryon Riding & Hunt Club Charity 1 Horse Show, a USEF Heritage Horse Show and one of the oldest continuous show dates in the United States, named three sets of Hunter Derby podiums throughout Friday’s schedule. The $3,000 USHJA Jr/Amateur Hunter Derby and $3,000 USHJA Open National Hunter Derby took place on the TIEC Derby Field first thing in the morning. Friday evening featured the Carolinas Show Hunter Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Dinner in Legends Club. The venue’s inaugural derby under the lights, the $40,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby presented by The Farm House, took place at 8:00pm and included 11 entries.

Matt Cyphert and No Secret De La Pomme Earn $40,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby presented by The Farm House Win Under the Lights

June 10, 20220 – Matt Cyphert (USA) and No Secret De La Pomme came up golden in the $40,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby presented by The Farm House, scoring 382 points over two rounds to be the first to claim an international derby win under the lights in Tryon Stadium. Colin Syquia (PHI) and Front Page, the 2014 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Vigo D’Arsouilles x Cartagena Indias Ecaussinnes) owned by Cynthia Sulzberger, also produced a handy round score of 203 to take reserve on a two-round total of 378 points. Clinching the final podium spot, Kelli Cruciotti-Vanderveen (USA) and Gambler B scored 345 points over two rounds, with the yellow rosette presented to the 2011 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Campbell VDL x Adelwise VDL) owned by Serenity Farm.

Matt Cyphert and No Secret De La Pomme
©Natalie Suto Photography for TIEC

Cyphert and the 2013 Belgian Warmblood gelding (RMF Cadeau De Muse x Geneve De Muse) owned by Beth Von Brecht navigated the course set by Skip Bailey (USA) for a score of 179 in the first round, clinching the win despite the fact that “Pom Pom” is brand-new to the discipline, he revealed:

“We’ve had him for about two years now, and we’ve done him in the jumpers with his owner, Beth Von Brecht. I’ve played with him in a couple of Midwest Grand Prixs. But you know, he just has such a good jump and he has the right mind for the Hunters, so we wanted to dabble in it a little bit,” he explained. “About a month ago, we did him in a horse show. He was fantastic: champion in the four-foot division, and good in the derby. I think he’s found a new career!”

Colin Syquia and Front Page
©Natalie Suto Photography for TIEC

Earning the perpetual honor of being the first duo to win an International Hunter Derby under the lights in Tryon Stadium, Cyphert noted that he had to contain his mount’s excitement after the first round and help Pom Pom relax into his new role.

“Since this class normally would have been a Grand Prix, and it would have benefited him to be a little bit awake and alert, we had to sort of work to chill him out, and take a breath. Even after the last jump in the first round, he was so good, and people clapped and he really wanted to get excited about that, but he held it together. I’m just so proud of him. He always tries hard.

Kelli Cruciotti-Vanderveen and Gambler B
©Natalie Suto Photography for TIEC

“It [riding under the lights] obviously kind of adds to the suspense and the excitement of it all. For us, Derby Finals is on our radar. What a great preparation for a class like that! You had a nice crowd, with legitimate size jumps, and so they really got the same atmosphere that they’re going to have in a couple of months at Derby Finals,” Cyphert shared about the evening class.

Based in Argyle, TX, Cyphert and team make it a point to attend TIEC competition each year, Cyphert emphasized. “We have been coming here for years… I mean, years and years, and we love it. I was kind of laughing with JP [Godard] because I’ve won a couple Grands Prix here. I told him how much I liked this ring; it has a little bit of magic for me. Now, in the Hunters as well!”

Matt Cyphert, No Secret De La Pomme and team in their presentation ceremony receiving the Barbara Jimenez Memorial Trophy alongside: Ringmaster Steve Rector, Tryon Equestrian Partners President Sharon Decker, Tryon Riding & Hunt Club President Angie Millon, and The Farm House owner Noreen Cothran.
©Natalie Suto Photography for TIEC

Cyphert concluded of the venue, “I don’t know what you can’t like about it. I mean, the rings are fantastic, and it’s a well-run show. We love the area, too; there’s just so many things to do between golfing, hiking, restaurants, and more. The customers love it, we love it, JP does a great job running it. It’s always on our schedule every year – sometimes different times of the year – but we always make an effort to be here.”

For full results from the $40,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby presented by The Farm House, click here.

Notorious and Lauren Thomas Jump to $3,000 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby Win

June 10, 2022 – Lauren Thomas (Kingsport, TN) and Notorious scored 177.5 points over two rounds to take the win in Friday’s $3,000 USHJA Junior/Amateur Hunter Derby. Leigh Ashby (Lincolnton, NC) and L Cruising Forlani Z, her own 2010 Warmblood gelding (Lord Chin x O’Neilla), scored 177 points for reserve honors, while Macy Williams (Knoxville, TN) piloted Houston, the 2015 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Balpar De Trebox Z x Jeannette Trefle) owned by Select Sporthorses, to a score of 174 points and third.

Lauren Thomas and Notorious
©Bailey Beck for TIEC

Thomas and her own 2013 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Jes Van Het Lindehof x Dancing Queen Deux), who goes by “Biggie” in the barn, have been partnered for over a year. “He has a huge personality! He’s like a toddler sometimes, but he’s amazing,” she shared. “I love Tryon; it’s one of my favorite places to show!”

Of the track set by Jasen Shelley (Wellington, FL), Thomas relayed, “I was a little bit nervous [in the first round] about making it down the ten-stride bending line, and I ended up getting a nine, but it worked out fine. [In the handy,] I needed to make sure I got enough pace, because sometimes I let him get too slow. I went in and got a good pace, and it went pretty smoothly after that!”

For full results from the $3,000 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby, click here.

Hunter Kay and Alright Dominate $3,000 USHJA Open National Hunter Derby

June 10, 2022 – Hunter Kay (Columbia, SC) and Alright had a great morning at TIEC, Dominating the $3,000 USHJA Open National Hunter Derby on TIEC’s Derby Field and walking into the winner’s circle with a score of 183. Harold Chopping (Southern Pines, NC) and Light My Fire MD, the 2016 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Dallas VDL x Red Flame) owned by Alexis Niepert, earned reserve on the day with a score of 181.5, while third-place honors went to Colin Syquia (Wellington, FL) aboard Wherewithal, the 2011 Zangersheide gelding (Chamberlain Z x Ulimolga) owned by Christina Mohr, after their 181-point performance.

Hunter Kay and Alright
©Bailey Beck for TIEC

Kay and the 2011 Holsteiner gelding (Unknown x Unknown) owned by Ann Rice Ervin excelled in the Derby Field environment, though it was the first time he’d competed on the grass in a few years.

“The first round rode really well. It was nice to be out in the field where you could get a full gallop. I had one small thing that I wanted to fix in the first round,” Kay admitted, “so I really wanted to go for it in the Handy. There were options to go inside several places, so I wanted to make sure I got all of the inside tracks and go for it a bit by moving up a couple of spots.”

The strategy paid off for the rider now based in the Camden, SC region who has frequented the TIEC rings often and who’s been partnered with Alright in professional divisions for a few years.

“I love that they’ve now opened it [The Derby Field] back up. We ride on the grass a lot at home, so the horses are familiar with it, which is nice. I loved being out there and being able to get a good gallop. I love showing at Tryon,” Kay commented. “This is the first week we’ve been here so far this year, but it’s definitely in our schedule to come here several weeks. We’re not too far, just about two hours away, so it’s an easy trip to make whether it’s for one week or a couple. We always love coming here!”

For full results from the $3,000 USHJA Open National Hunter Derby, click here.

Conor Swail and Vital Chance De La Roque Conquer the $37,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3*

June 9, 2022 – The #5 ranked rider in the Longines FEI Jumping Rankings, Conor Swail (IRL), piloted Vital Chance De La Roque to a win in Thursday’s $37,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3*, stopping the short-course timers in 30.18 seconds. Lauren Balcomb (AUS) and Verdini D’Houtveld Z, the 2011 Zangersheide gelding (Verdi TN x Caretino 2) owned by Lauren Balcomb and Sharn Wordley, scored reserve on a time of 30.99 seconds, while third place went to Luis Pedro Biraben (ARG) aboard Chacco Bumpy, the 2010 Oldenburg mare (Chacco-Blue x Toulon) owned in partnership with Patricio Miguel Madero Blasquez, on a short-course time of 31.75 seconds.

Conor Swail and Vital Chance De La Roque
©Natalie Suto for TIEC

As a combination, Swail and the 2009 Selle Francais gelding (Diamant De Semilly x Rivage Du Poncel) owned by Mannon Farm are ranked fourth in the world, showing off their speed and technicality in Thursday’s course set by Bernardo Costa Cabral (POR).

“He had a great year last year,” Swail said of Vital Chance, “and he’s starting off very well this year. I started with him at the beginning of last year, so I’ve had him for about a year and a half now. He’s been amazing. He’s so quick and careful, and has a lot of clear rounds. The two of us have a good partnership; it’s fun!”

After what Swail described as a “friendly but difficult enough” first round, Swail walked into the jump-off up against a faster time than he would have liked, he acknowledged. “The jump-off was a bit too fast for my liking, to be honest, but I knew I was riding a fast horse. I’d watched a few go before me, Lauren was very fast and so was Luis, so I knew I just had to go as quick as I could, and it worked out well for me.”

Keeping up with his hot streak at the international levels, Swail will be seen competing all across the continent this summer, but has started off on a positive note in the Tryon Spring Series after previously enjoying a streak of international wins at TIEC in 2021. “I try and keep a couple horses on the East Coast and a couple on the West Coast, and travel back and forth,” he concluded.

For full results from the $37,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3*, click here.

Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili Claim Victory in $37,000 Power & Speed Stake CSI 3*

June 8, 2022 – Kristen VanderVeen (USA) and Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili claimed a narrow win in Wednesday’s $37,000 Power & Speed Stake CSI 3* over Santiago Lambre (BRA), stopping the speed phase clock at 23.13 seconds. Meanwhile, Lambre piloted Cetano van Aspergem Z to a time of 23.14 seconds for reserve with his own 2009 Zangersheide gelding (Clinton x Ahorn Z), also scoring third with Mario Onate’s 2010 Oldenburg gelding (Chacco-Blue x Nekton), Pampero, in 23.28 seconds.

Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili in their presentation ceremony alongside Ringmaster Steve Rector.
©Natalie Suto for TIEC

Twenty-two entries presented for the course set by Bernardo Costa Cabral (POR), with 18 continuing on to the speed test, where the competition became stiff as twelve pairs produced double-clear rounds.

VanderVeen and the 2005 Belgian Warmblood stallion (Berlin x Darco) owned by Bull Run Jumpers Five LLC, fan-favorites at TIEC and known for their thrilling wins, put on a show to utilize the course design to their full advantage, she explained. “I thought the course design was great. It was really smooth, with a lot of turns. I was able to use our stride down to the last jump and leave out a step there, which I think helped put the timers right.”

The grey stallion known as “Frosty” has had some unlucky moments in the past few weeks, VanderVeen shared, but it was his day in Tryon Stadium. “I mean, it really did come down to a little bit of luck there at the end with Santiago and I, but I’ll always take some luck on my side. It’s nice when he pulls a win. He has the crowd on his side,” she said of Frosty’s fans. “He’s been getting so unlucky, so it was nice that today it finally all came together.”

Beyond the international ring, VanderVeen has been using her time at TIEC to develop her string of young jumpers, she concluded. “We have a lot of young jumper horses with us, too. It’s been really fun to develop the young horses here. It’s a great setup with those young jumper classes, and we have a whole slew of them. So hopefully they’ll be ready to step into Frosty’s shoes at some point!”

For full results from the $37,000 Power & Speed Stake CSI 3*, click here. 

Tryon Spring 6/Tryon Riding & Hunt Club Charity 1 Horse Show continues through Sunday, June 12, featuring the $139,000 Cleghorn Golf & Sports Club Grand Prix CSI 3* in Tryon Stadium at 8pm on Saturday evening as part of the Saturday Night Lights Series. Free and open to the public, with live streaming available for highlight classes, more information is available at www.Tryon.com/thisweek. Competition information, including the Tryon Summer Series Prize List, can be found at www.Tryon.com/compete. 

Photos ©TIEC (Bailey Beck and Natalie Suto as noted). These photos may only be used once, in relation to this press release. For official show photos, competitors may request photos and view galleries for purchase at www.Tryon.com/photos. All photographers must be credentialed in order to sell or distribute photos taken at TIEC. With questions, contact media@tryon.com.