Doug Payne and Quintessence Conquer $15,000 Tryon Resort Grand Prix and $5,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake

Julie Curtin and Anthem Claim $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby Win

For Immediate Release

Mill Spring, NC – April 5, 2021 – Doug Payne (Aiken, SC) and Quintessence were a dominating force throughout the week during Tryon Welcome 2 competition at Tryon International Equestrian Center and Resort (TIEC), besting the field in both Saturday’s $15,000 Tryon Resort Grand Prix, a 1.35m-1.40m Jumper Classic, and the $5,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake on Thursday. Payne also bested another competition hosted simultaneously at TIEC: The Fork at TIEC presented by Nutrena®, including his ProElite® CCI 4*-S Division win with longtime campaigner Vandiver.

Doug Payne and Quintessence
©TIEC

While Payne and Quintessence stopped the short course timers in a time of 31.657 seconds for the win on Saturday, his competitors also boasted consistent weekends: Heather Hooker (Wellington, FL) and her own Charles 82, the 2010 Holsteiner gelding (Cachas x V-Carica), raced to second in a time of 32.02 seconds. David O’Brien (Lexington, KY) repeated a podium placing from earlier in the week, this time guiding One in a Million SCF, the 2014 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Presley Boy x Werly Chin de Muse) owned by Spy Coast Farm LLC, to a short-course time of 32.959 for third. JP Godard served as course designer.

Heather Hooker and Charles 82
©TIEC

Payne’s busy week in Eventing didn’t seem to affect his performance in the Jumper ring with Quintessence, the 2011 Holsteiner gelding (Quinar x Victoria’s Secret) owned by Jane Dudinsky, whose partnership with Payne has flourished over the years with many decorated wins behind them. Payne displayed great admiration for his mount, saying, “He’s a freak, and that’s all there is to it. He’s just an incredible creature, and I am honestly very, very lucky to have him,” he emphasized. “He’s a joy to have around, and I can’t wait to see what he will do in the future.”

David O’Brien and One in a Million SCF
©TIEC

After recently relocating his home base to North Carolina after already known as a frequent competitor at TIEC, Payne touched on his forthcoming plans for the next few weeks, saying, “We will probably be back here in two weeks, and he [Quintessence] will do the two Split Rock dates in the beginning of June, he will do the FEI there.”

Doug Payne and Quintessence Conquer $5,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake

April 1, 2021 – Prior to his $15,000 Jumper Classic win, Doug Payne (Aiken, SC) and Quintessence sped to win the $5,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake, producing a time of 37.95 seconds in the jump-off over the JP Godard course design. David O’Brian (Lexington, KY) and Newton Ocean, the 2011 Swedish Warmblood mare (VDL Atlantic x Nicole) owned by Sweet Oak Farm, landed a close second with a time of 40.361 seconds. Heather Hooker (Wellington, FL) and her own Charles 82, the 2010 Holsteiner gelding (Cachas x V-Carica), claimed third place with a time of 40.593 seconds.

A few weeks off for Quintessence, 2011 Holsteiner gelding (Quinar x Victoria’s Secret) owned by Jane Dudinsky, proved to be no issue for the pair, as Payne rode to a speedy victory on Thursday morning. He shared, “We finally moved into our new place just north of Durham on Tuesday. We’re kind of halfway there, so we just shipped in this morning. We have four horses doing The Fork at TIEC presented by Nutrena® this weekend, too.”

Doug Payne and Quintessence
©TIEC

Payne expressed how grateful he is to have such an experienced horse along with an incredible facility at which to compete. “He’s experienced enough, so it’s a lot of fun to go out and really take a shot at it. I’m very lucky to have him,” shared Payne. He also commented on his gratitude for TIEC, and the positive experiences he frequently has from himself and his clients at Tryon.

Doug Payne and Quintessence in their presentation ceremony with Molly Oakman, TIEC Director of Equestrian Operations.
©TIEC

“[TIEC] is a bit like home for us. We’ve been here quite a bit. We’re probably three hours away, but it’s a super easy and convenient place to show. In my experience, it’s been a very efficient place to show,” he concluded. “You can get a lot done, and we appreciate that because we bring a bunch of people and horses and nobody gets shorted. It’s wonderful!”

Julie Curtin and Anthem Claim $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby Win

April 1, 2021 – Julie Curtin (Woodstock, GA) and Salter Hydinger’s Anthem, the 2008 Hanoverian gelding (Argentinus x Unknown), were unstoppable in the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, scoring an 87 in the first round along with an 85 in the second for a total of 172, leading the field of 14 over the Dean Rheinheimer course design. Curtin also claimed third place honors with her second mount, Narrator, the 2015 Hanoverian gelding owned by Amy Squier Perez, on a total score of 164. Caroline Biggs (Knoxville, TN) and Ashland Farms’ Dress Balou, the 2009 Oldenburg gelding (Quintender x Wienna) had an impressive total score of 169 for second place.

Julie Curtin and Anthem
©TIEC

Curtin was very pleased with how the course rode, saying, “The course was good. It rode and flowed nicely. We were able to get pretty handy and do some tight turns. It was fun to get out here! The footing is always great, even with all of the rain yesterday. The footing was so good today. It’s always nice to show here and have such a nice facility.”

Julie Curtin and Anthem in their presentation ceremony.
©TIEC

Despite unpleasant weather, Curtin’s mount Anthem was unfazed. “I went in on top, so I just didn’t want to do anything stupid. I didn’t want to take any chances, and just go smooth and tidy. He was really good and turned well for me. He really held it together even though it’s cold and windy. He was a really good boy! I’m proud of him.”

Hunter Highlights:
The Junior Hunter 3’3” 15 & Under Division concluded with Madison Keese (Woodstock, GA) and her own True Enough claiming the tricolor, with Sophia Tabasso (Malvirn, PA) and her own Esperanza earning the reserve champion title.

The Baby Green Hunter 2’6” Division champion ribbon was awarded to Jennifer Schwartz (King of Prussia, PA) and The New Normal for owner Tammy Shaw. The reserve champion rosette was earned by Wimberly Debono (Birmingham, AL) and her horse By Far.

Lily Caslin (Charlotte, NC) and Narnia dominated the Children’s Hunter Horse 15-17 Division, earning champion. Stephanie Strean (Charlotte, NC) and her own Arcturus received reserve champion of the week.

Jumper Highlights:
The 1.20m Open Jumper Division resulted in Maryann Charles (Southern Pines, NC) and her own Call Me Maybe claiming championship honors, while Amelia Nowicki (Inman, SC) and her own Daredevil took reserve on the week.

Ricardo Villa (Campobello, SC) and Jumping VG King, owned by Gareth Williams, earned champion status in the Developing Jumper Series 6/7 Year Old Jumper Division, with reserve going to David O’Brien (Lexington, KY) in the irons with the Spy Coast Farm LLC entry, Polaris SCF.

Hannah Collins (Hillsborough, NC) and her own Monkey Boy were champions in the .90m Non-Pro Jumper Division, with reserve earned by Mya Stollery (King City, Ontario) and her own Absolut K.

View all division results from Tryon Welcome 2 here. 

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

For full results from the $15,000 Tryon Resort Grand Prix, click here. 

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

Photo credit ©TIEC. Competitors can sign up for Welcome Series photo requests and purchase photos from Tryon Welcome 2  at www.Tryon.com/photos. These photos may only be used once in relation to this press release with proper credit. Contact media@tryon.com with questions.