Conor Swail and Theo 160 Finish Strong In $25,000 Sunday Classic

Hannah Smith and Adore Amaze in $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby

Hilary McNerney and Astilbe Win $6,000 FEI Speed Stake CSI 3*

Sybil Moylan and Churchill Champion Leadline Competition

USHJA Zone 3 and 4 Jumper and Platinum Championship Winners Awarded

Summer Series Highlights

For Immediate Release

It was a record 2021 Tryon Summer Series at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (TIEC), with more than 3,500 horses competing at the venue over six weeks piloted by more than 1,500 riders. Competitors represented 19 countries, including numerous Olympians prior to their Tokyo 2020 experiences. After hosting multiple sold-out weeks of competition and opening competitions to spectators in May, the fall Hunter/Jumper calendar is shaping up to be just as exciting at the venue, with the continuation of “Saturday Night Lights” and the return of favorite holiday events. Read highlights from Tryon Summer 6, the most recent Hunter/Jumper competition, as well as top moments from throughout the six-week series, below.

Conor Swail and Theo 160 Finish Strong In $25,000 Sunday Classic

Emily Carpenter for TIEC

Mill Spring, NC – June 24, 2021 – Conor Swail (IRL) and his own Theo 160 took the lead in the $25,000 Tryon Resort Sunday Classic at TIEC with a speedy time of 32.813 seconds in the jump-off phase of competition. Wrapping up second place was Cady Klimas (USA) aboard Celtic Lady M2S, the 2007 Dutch Warmblood mare (Condios x Ekstien) owned by Jumpers Landing LLC with a time of 34.569 seconds. Third place resulted with Eliza Lehrman (USA) claiming the yellow ribbon with Sierra, the 2010 Danish Warmblood mare (Stolzenberg x Lambrusco Ask) owned by Five Way Farm LLC with a time of 36.803 seconds.

Conor Swail and Theo 160
©Sportfot

The Ken Krome (USA) designed course saw 21 horse and rider pairs, with six riders qualifying for the jump-off phase of the competition. After having frustrating faults with his two mounts in the $37,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix CSI 3* earlier that week, Swail was motivated to capture the win on Sunday morning. Despite Theo 160’s recent introduction to larger fence heights, Swail remained confident in his horse’s ability. “The first round was very nice, very smooth. In the jump-off he went a little green on me. I found he got stuck behind my leg a little bit, but he was still very fast and very careful,” Swail said.

Swail commended his new partner, Theo 160, the 2012 Holsteiner gelding (Christian 25 x Calando IV), saying, “He’s very talented, a great little jumper. Today I thought he was awesome.” The pair also won the $6,000 Speed Stake during Tryon Summer 5 competition. Swail was on a streak throughout the Tryon Summer Series, collecting win after win aboard several mounts.

With the conclusion of the Tryon Summer Series, Swail has eight weeks of traveling ahead of him, he shared. “No rest for the wicked!” he emphasized. Swail and his horses have made impressive achievements over their past four weeks competing in the 2021 Tryon Summer Series, which Swail credits in part to the venue. “My horses are leaving here full of confidence, and jumping well. I’m looking forward to coming back in October. It’s been a wonderful time and it’s a great facility.”

Conor Swail and Theo 160 in their presentation ceremony alongside Molly Oakman, TIEC Director of Equestrian Operations.
©Sportfot

Hannah Smith and Adore Amaze in $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby

Allie Hay for TIEC

Mill Spring, NC – June 23, 2021 – Hannah Smith (Winston-Salem, NC) and Adore topped the leaderboards in the Tryon Summer 6 $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, winning with a total score of 175. Relevant, the 2013 Hanoverian gelding (Willaglanz NC x Red Wine) ridden by Winn Alden (Bristow, VA) and owned by Oliver Brown, lived up to his name by earning a handy score of 90.75, a total score of 168.75, and a second place ribbon. Third place honors were given to Martin Videla (Aiken, SC) and Double Tap, the 2013 Hanoverian gelding (De Victor x Fein Star) owned by Deborah Snyder, after the pair earned a two-round score of 168.5.

Hannah Smith and Adore
©TIEC

Twenty-eight riders tackled the first round of the Skip Bailey course, with a cutoff score of 76 set for the handy round. Smith and Adore, her own 2008 Warmblood (Hauptstutbuch Carina x Colbert GTI), sat in third place after a first round score of 86 going into the second round of competition. The pair earned a score of 89 in the handy to best the competition and win the first place prize. “There were a lot of fun challenges and opportunities to really show off in the course,” Smith explained, “She’s a great jumper, so it’s really fun to be able to kind of canter up, have those big jumps that were really pretty for them to look at, and jump up great.”

Winn Alden and Relevant
©TIEC

Smith shared her strategy to earn the top spot: “We were bold to the first jump, then had some nice rollbacks. The big challenge was to go inside to the trot jump, she was great and listened. There was the hand gallop to the last jump. Sometimes hand gallops can be hard because you don’t practice that every day, but she stepped right up and jumped the last jump great.”

Double Tap and Martin Videla
©TIEC

The pair has a long-standing history in the show ring, dating over five years back. “I got her my freshman year of high school,” Smith shared, “She’s been awesome, she’s taken me through everything, I’m really fortunate to be able to have her.” Smith credits her win to their history, noting that she was able to make smart decisions and pick places on course to show off her mount.

Hannah Smith and Adore in their awards presentation.
©TIEC

As a North Carolina native, Smith considers TIEC to be a home away from home. “It’s a great facility and the horses seem to really enjoy it,” she shared. The pair will be returning home after the Tryon Summer Series ends. She concluded by saying, “Thank you to everybody that helped get me here, and to Dory for always being the best!”

Hilary McNerney and Astilbe Win $6,000 Speed Stake CSI 3*

Allie Hay for TIEC

June 23, 2021 – Hilary McNerney (USA) and her own Astilbe, the 2008 Swedish Warmblood mare (Empire x Stanford), took home first place in the $6,000 Speed Stake CSI 3* during Tryon Summer 6 at TIEC with a time of 70.32 seconds. Taylor St. Jacques (USA) earned second aboard Guess What-S, the 2001 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Clinton x Crown Z), stopping the timers at 77.36 seconds. Claiming third place honors with a time of 77.73 seconds was Hadden Frost (GBR) piloting Finou 4, the 2006 Hanoverian gelding (For Pleasure x Concetto Famos) owned by Thinks Like A Horse and Donald Stewart.

Hilary McNerney and Astilbe
©Sportfot

Sybil Moylan and Churchill Champion Leadline Competition

Allie Hay for TIEC

June 25, 2021 – Sybil Moylan piloted Churchill, the 2009 Welsh Pony owned by Mr. and Mrs. Gavin Moylan, around the Tryon Stadium during Sunday’s Leadline Class at TIEC. Moylan took home a medal, a rainbow-colored first place ribbon, a commemorative tote bag, and a TIEC stuffed pony for her efforts. The pair was determined to win, having won last week’s Leadline Class, and Moylan proudly marched her pony into the Tryon Stadium alongside her mother and father. After her win, Moylan took a victory lap around the ring to explore all of the big fences she hopes to jump one day.

Sybil Moylan and Churchill in their awards presentation alongside parents and pony owners, Gavin and Alden Moylan.
©Allie Hay, TIEC

Tryon International Equestrian Center Hosts USHJA Zone 3 and 4 Jumper Team and Platinum Championships

Allie Hay and John Madden for TIEC

Mill Spring, NC – June 25, 2021 – TIEC proudly played host to the USHJA Zone 3 & 4 Jumper Team and Platinum Championships during Tryon Summer 6, the final competition of the Tryon Summer Series, on July 23-25. Welcoming those who qualified in the 1.10-1.15m Children and Adult Amateur, 1.20-1.25m Junior and Amateur, and 1.30-1.35m Junior and Amateur Divisions, the competition consisted of three days of team and individual competition. USHJA Zone 3 & 4 Jumper Team and Platinum Championships competitors navigating courses designed by Ken Krome (USA) in the iconic Tryon Stadium at TIEC. Competitors enjoyed clinics, competition, and camaraderie throughout the week, earning valuable experience and new friendships along the way.

Zone 3 and 4 Adult Amateur Jumper Team Competition Claimed By The Southern Bears

Twenty pairs navigated the course during Friday afternoon’s Adult Amateur Jumper Team Competition, with Zone 4 team, the Southern Bears, taking home first. Composed of Fleming Troup (Decatur, AL) on Canesso VA, Julie Snyder (Canton, GA) on Bellscross Sunny Cruise, and Kayla Benson (Collierville, TN) on Corville Z, the team finished with just 4 faults combined.

Adult Amateur Jumper Team winners in their presentation ceremony.
©Sportfot

All three team members were determined to win, but Snyder, in particular, was ready to prove herself. “I came out with a vengeance!” she revealed. “Yesterday was not the greatest, so I had a little come-to-Jesus meeting with him, and I rode better today.”

Fleming Troup and Canesso VA
©Sportfot

Troup and her mount, Canesso VA, are a new pairing, having only two other shows under their belt before this weekend’s competition. She revealed that his tendency to spook and her new partnership influenced her game plan, saying, “He’s been great. He can be kind of spooky, but he went in and didn’t even look at anything today, which is a big deal for him!”

Benson, a newcomer to both Zone Championships and the venue, came out of the ring with a smile. She went into the competition a little wary, as her horse doesn’t handle heat well, but rode to a clear round to help earn gold for her team. This is her first time competing at TIEC, she revealed, and emphasized her excitement: “It’s been so much fun! I have never shown here. I was here in 2018 to watch WEG, but it was not built like this. This has been amazing! I’m in a bit of a culture shock. This is the biggest horse show I’ve been to before, so it’s been an amazing experience.”

Zone 3 and 4 Children’s Team Championship Competition Crowned The Dolphins, Zone 3  Team, As Winners

Thirty-two pairs navigated the course during Friday afternoon’s USHJA Zone 3 and 4 Children’s Jumper Team Competition, with Zone 3 team, the Dolphins, taking home first-place honors. Riders Pilar Ojeda (Waxhaw, NC) on Go Johnny Go, Trey Batts (Hillsborough, NC) on Kuhl, Lilly Myers (Midothian, VA) on Luyu, and McKenna O’Neil (White Hall, MD) on Classico Z, members of the Dolphins, finished with just 4 faults combined.

Zone 3 and 4 Children’s Team Championship winners in their presentation ceremony.
©Sportfot

The class was tightly contested, as Zone 4 team, the Hawkies, had only 8 faults. “I think I scared my team a little bit. I got excited and left a stride out of the last line, but it went well, and we went clear,” said Batts. His mount, Kuhl, is the first horse Batts ever rode and the first horse he has owned.

Pilar Ojeda and Go Johnny Go led the team with a fourth place finish in the team final round, and the pair followed up on that achievement with a third place finish in Saturday’s individual final. Ojeda attributes her success to her courage while riding, saying, “He’s kinda skittish and spooky, so I try to ride him really confidently. It was really fun!”

Myers, aboard her own mount, Luyu, helped her team to victory by riding clear during the first day of competition and having just one rail down during the second day of competition. Myers and her mare have enjoyed their time at Zone Championships, making friends along the way. She commented on her time thus far, saying, “I had an unlucky rail today, but it was a good round. I love it here. It’s beautiful!”

The competitors unanimously noted their fond memories created this weekend at TIEC. McKenna O’Neil, the Maryland native, competed for the first time at TIEC this weekend and is going home with medals, championship ribbons, and valuable lessons from her show experience. “I love Tryon!” she said enthusiastically. “It’s been a great experience!”

Cady Klimas and Celtic Lady M2S Capture Win in Zone 3 and 4 Platinum Jumper 1.40-1.45m Individual Finals

Twelve riders galloped for gold in this week’s Zone 3 and 4 Platinum Jumper 1.40-1.45m Individual Finals, but, after three days of performance, Cady Klimas (Hernando, FL) and Celtic Lady M2S were crowned champions after a clear jump-off and a time of 34.569. Hailey Royce (Wellington, FL) and Sonic Boom sped through the jump-off in just 34.491 seconds, but an unfortunate rail landed the pair in second place. Third place honors were awarded to Kama Godek (Fairfax Station, VA) and Continuity after 8 first round faults and a time of 80.930 seconds.

Platinum Jumper Individual Finals winners in their awards presentation.
©Sportfot

Klimas and her “forever horse and best friend,” affectionately known as Gracie, have been aiming for the Zone Championships for the last seven years. The pair worked their way from the 2’ Jumpers to the Grand Prix, culminating in a win in the Platinum Jumper Individual Finals. “I was really just going for the gold, I can’t deny that,” she said, giggling, “I could feel every stride of the last few fences today, just putting her heart in it for me, and it was wonderful. She’s a star.”

Cady Klimas and Celtic Lady M2S
©Sportfot

The two had a difficult journey to compete in this week’s Zone Championships, including truck and trailer problems. Despite this, they were able to come out on top. Klimas shared about her stressful experience, explaining, “We didn’t get here until 4:00 am the morning of the competition. The morning we were supposed to do our next day, our truck broke down, we were the first to go in the rain, and we had to catch a ride and hurry up and get ready! But it’s been great being here.”

After an eventful journey to TIEC, Klimas hopes her trip home will be quiet and easy. She plans to take a few weeks off before finishing her summer competing in Florida. “We just came from Ocala, but this is still my favorite venue to attend. I really love it here,” she concluded. “I’ve been coming here for about three years, and I’m happy to be back. I think we’re going to come back this fall!”

Emily Haas and Maximiliano Victorious in Junior/Amateur 1.30-1.35m Individual Finals

After three days of clear rounds and top placings, Emily Haas (Greenville, SC) and Maximiliano earned first overall in the Junior/Amateur 1.30-1.35m Individual Finals. The pair finished the final round of competition with a time of 72.005 seconds; as the only clear round, she guaranteed herself the first place spot and did not compete in a jump-off round. Trinity Beitler (Boca Raton, FL) and Coconut were the only pair with 4-faults, earning second place with a time of 71.629 seconds in the first round of competition. Three riders battled for the bronze, but Ansley Wright (Manalapan, FL) and Diamanto JT Z came out on top with a clear jump-off and a time of 42.735 seconds.

Emily Haas and Maximiliano
©Sportfot

Sydney Levy and Sherlock Holmes 21 Secure Win in Junior 1.20-1.25m Individual Finals

Nine riders competed for first place honors in this week’s USHJA Zone 3&4 Junior Jumper 1.20-1.25m Individual Final, with Sydney Levy (Plantation, FL) taking the win aboard Sherlock Holmes 21. After riding clear in the first two rounds, the pair finished with three faults and a time of 77.052, securing the first place finish. Two riders competed in a jump off for second place: Telina Tibbs (Great Falls, VA) and TT Lotus rode clear with a time of 37.927 to claim the red ribbon, while Mary-Grace Segars (Canton, GA) and Nigel Horta finished in third with four faults and a time of 38.389.

Sydney Levy and Sherlock Holmes 21
©Sportfot

Levy made the most out of her first visit to Tryon, despite a challenging course which saw no riders go clear. “It was pretty difficult, but the Lord helped me clear it over an oxer. There were a lot of challenges for my horse, and some things that he’d be scared of, but he went through it,” she said. Levy was pleasantly surprised by her horse’s excellent performance, whom she described as somewhat anxious. “He’s a little nervous, so he’s got a little support pony named Tiny, who my brother rides,” she explained. “He’s doing pretty good right now: he’s happy.”

Upon returning home, Levy will have glowing memories of her time at TIEC, saying, “It’s my first time here, and it’s been really, really fun. The facilities are really nice. I love all the restaurants they have, and the trails. It’s pretty awesome!”

Summer Series Highlights

View more TIEC competition headlines here. 

For full division results from Tryon Summer 6, click here.

For full results from the $25,000 Tryon Resort Sunday Classic, click here.

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

For full results from the $6,000 Speed Stake CSI 3*, click here.

For full results from the Markel/USHJA Zone 3 & 4 Jumper Team and Platinum Championships, click here.

Competition will resume at TIEC on Friday, August 13 for Tryon August 1 and on Saturday, August 14 for Tryon Summer Dressage 3&4 competitions. Live streaming will be available for highlight competitions at www.Tryon.com/streaming. To learn more about the remaining 2021 competition season at TIEC, visit www.Tryon.com/compete. 

Photos ©Sportfot, unless otherwise noted. These photos may only be used once in relation to this press release. Tryon Summer Series competitors can request photos and review galleries at www.Tryon.com/photos.