Jordan Gilchrist Cliches Top Two Spots in $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby Presented by Meg and Damian Fine Homes & Equestrian Properties

James Billington and Halifax Des Rosiers WB Kick Off Tryon Fall 1 with $5,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake Win

For Immediate Release

Lily Yampolsky for TIEC

Mill Spring, NC – September 25, 2022 – Todd Minikus (Lake Worth, FL) and Autumn View Farm’s Betty Balou took the win in the $25,000 Tryon Resort Grand Prix with a speedy time of 38.462 in the jump-off. The reserve honors went to Sarah Hubbard (Cornwall, CT) and Hubbard Horses, LLC’s 2011 Belgian Warmblood gelding Latino Van De Looise Heide (Cantos x Hadrilla Van De Looise Heide) with a time of 38.905. Brian Murphy (Berryville, VA)  and Light Speed Equestrian, LLC’s 2014 Westphalian stallion Dubolensky (Douglas x Fiquinerie) rode to a time of 39.861 to finish third.

Todd Minikus and Betty Balou
©Karli Dannewitz for TIEC

Twenty-three entries tackled course designer Skip Bailey’s (Wellington, FL) track, with 10 riders advancing to the jump-off. Todd Minikus piloting two rides to the second round: the 2013 Oldenburg mare Betty Balou (Balou du Rouet x Alisson) claimed the win, with Autumn View Farm’s 2012 Belgian Warmblood mare, Morgana Van De Brouwershoeve (Nonstop x Talmery Zeus Verte), having the quickest time but the last rail down to keep them from the win. Minikus was very proud of Betty Balou, saying:

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

“She’s been going very well. That’s the second Grand Prix win that she’s had in a few weeks and she’s just been going really nice and getting pretty consistent. She’s a little bit of a hot mare, but she’s starting to stay relaxed and still keep up that energy. So it’s a lot of fun to ride her.”

Brian Murphy and Dubolensky
©Karli Dannewitz for TIEC

Minikus is a familiar face at TIEC and will be here for the remainder of the Tryon Fall Series, he concluded. “We’re back here for the Fall series and we’re glad to be back in Tryon. We think it’s a great facility and we really enjoy being here.”

Todd Minikus in his presentation ceremony alongside TIEC Competition Manager JP Godard.
©Karli Dannewitz for TIEC

For full results from the $25,000 Tryon Grand Prix, click here.

Jordan Gilchrist Cliches Top Two Spots in $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby Presented by Meg and Damian Fine Homes & Equestrian Properties

Mill Spring, NC – September 24, 2022 – Jordan Gilchrist (Flower Mound, TX) and her own Carige clinched the win in the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby presented by Meg and Damian Fine Homes & Equestrian Properties. Gilchrist rode the 2004 Holsteiner stallion (Cassini I x Ocay) to an impressive two-round score of 182. She also took second place honors aboard Laura Hightower’s Zwiebrucker stallion (Unknown x Unknown) Shy Boy with a total score of 176. Savannah Welch (Chapel Hill, NC) and her own 2013 Dutch Warmblood gelding (I’m Special De Muze x Burgloma) Intrepid rounded out the top three with a score of 170.

Jordan Gilchrist and Carige
©Karli Dannewitz for TIEC

Nineteen riders contested the course set by Dean Rheinhemer (Sheridan, IN), with Gilchrist and Carige leading the way into the handy hunter round with a score of 93 after taking all four high options. After having a baby three months ago, Gilchrist has just recently returned to the show ring. Despite having some time off horses, she has not skipped a beat as she put in four flawless rounds to stay in 1st and 2nd place throughout both rounds. 

Jordan Gilchrist and Shy Boy
©Karli Dannewitz for TIEC

“I was really pleased with both horses. They were really dialed in and smooth and they just were great partners today, both of them.”

Gilchrist was especially pleased with Cariage’s handy round saying, “he was very patient even in all the rollbacks. And, he was always looking for the next jump and he gave good efforts.”

Savannah Welch and Intrepid
©Karli Dannewitz for TIEC

Despite being based in Texas, Gilchrist makes sure to keep TIEC on her show schedule every year, because, “We love Tryon. The rings are amazing, the footing is amazing. There’s always places to ride. It’s very horse friendly. You can go on the trails, you can be in an arena. It’s really easy to operate out of.”

Jordan Gilchrist and Carige in their presentation ceremony.
©Karli Dannewitz for TIEC

For full results from the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby presented by Meg and Damian Fine Home & Equestrian Properties, click here.

James Billington and Halifax Des Rosiers WB Kick Off Tryon Fall 1 with $5,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake Win

Mill Spring, NC – September 23, 2022 – James Billington (Wellington, FL) and the Samantha Mackenzie’s 2013 Belgian Warmblood gelding Halifax Des Rosiers WB (Presley Boy x Pernele De Smet) took the win in the $5,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake with a clear round and a quick time of 39.366. Second place honors went to Brittni Raflowitz (Palm City, FL) and ESI Show Jumpers’ 2015 Belgian Warmblood, Peridoni 20 (Cassander C x James Bond Girl De L’Ecuyer), with a close time of 39.928. Rounding out the top three was Richie Moloney (Wellington, FL) and Equinimity LLC’s 2014 North American Warmblood mare Daisycutter (Diktator Van De Boslandhoeve x Trulli) who rode to a time of 43.961 and two time faults.

James Billington and Halifax Des Rosiers WB
©Bailey Beck for TIEC

“Heading into that second round,” Billington detailed, “I just wanted to keep it tight with him. He’s very fast anyway, so I tried not to push him too much. I just [wanted to] make the tight turns nice and smooth, and he did that really well today.”

James Billington and Halifax Des Rosiers WB in their presentation ceremony.
©Bailey Beck for TIEC

Billington raved about his experience at the facility to kick off the start of the Tryon Fall Series. “It’s been great here,” he concluded. “I’ve been to some nice places, and [TIEC] is the nicest.”

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

Hunter Highlights:
The Farm House Junior Hunter 3’3” Division championship went to the self-owned Intrepid with Savannah Welch (Chapel Hill, NC) in the irons, while reserve honors were named to Ira Baker’s own (Bristol, TN) Expectation. 

In the Children’s Hunter Pony Division, Hailey Bostic (Charlotte, NC) guided her own Orchard Hills Fine Line to the champion rosette, while Natalie Mercer (Jonesborough, TN) and Ira Baker’s Woodlands Velvet Peach took home reserve honors.

Jumper Highlights:
In the Open 1.30m Jumper Division, Harriet McCord (Reddick, FL) and her own Fairy Tail were champion on the week, with reserve honors going to Lincoln Russell (Columbus, NC) riding Harry for Heather Bounds.

Carly Ziegler (Troutman, NC) rode to the champion ribbon in the Ken Feagin Truck & Trailer Low Child/Adult Jumper Division with her own Diamond City. Jessica Miller (Dunwoody, GA) and Iverdi Van’t Prinsenveld claimed the reserve award for owner Kristen Cox. 

For full division results from Tryon Fall 1, click here. 

The Tryon Fall Series continues September 27-October 30, with entries still open and stalls available. Tryon Fall 2 boasts multiple opportunities to compete and school under the lights in Tryon Stadium, including: Tuesday evening jumper schooling (1.15m-1.25m), Friday evening DJS 5-7YO jumper classes, and Saturday evening’s $30,000 ProElite Grand Prix 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 kicks off next weekend, Saturday October 1, with full details about FREE family fun, live music and equestrian competition available here. 

Photos ©TIEC (Bailey Beck and Karli Dannewitz 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.