Taylor Matalon and Semi-Automatic C are Top in $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby presented by The Farm House

Doug Payne Sweeps the Podium for $5,000 Welcome Stake

For Immediate Release

Sarah Madden for TIEC

Mill Spring, NC – April 18, 2023 – Alicia Wilkinson (Waxhaw, NC) and Salut Ca-Va claimed the $20,000 Sunday Grand Prix to close out the Tryon Welcome Series presented by Horse Illustrated, stopping the jump off timers in 39.989 seconds to clinch the victory. Doug Payne (Rougemont, NC) and Damokles, the 2008 Dutch Warmblood stallion (Ukato x Orindy) owned by the Windwood Group, cleared the short course in 41.13 seconds, while third place went to Heather Hooker Boggio (Atlanta, GA) and Charles 82, her own 2010 Holsteiner gelding (Cachas x V-Carica), after their 42.254-second performance. 

While 18 entries challenged the Brody Robertson (Ocala, FL) course in the first round, nine entries qualified for the jump-off. Wilkinson and the 2009 Hanoverian gelding (Stakkato x Ria Granada) owned by Horse Show Leases LLC found their stride from the first line of the jump-off, she shared. 

Alicia Wilkinson and Salut Ca-Va
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography

“I planned on getting the six down the first line because I almost got six [strides] in the first round. My horse has a huge stride even though he’s little and doesn’t look like it. When Doug [Payne] went to get the six and ended up getting the seven, I second-guessed myself, but went for it and actually had to ‘whoa’ to get the six,” she reported. 

Doug Payne and Damokles
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography

Aside from saving time in the first line, Wilkinson assessed that “everything just worked out so well. I didn’t really have a set number plan for the bending line. I wanted to go off my eye instead of counting because counting can kind of mess me up. It all just worked out so well. My horse was awesome.”

Heather Hooker Boggio and Charles 82
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography

Wilkinson and her team are frequent competitors at TIEC from spring through the fall, and she hopes to keep working towards her goal of competing in a night class, she noted. “He is an amazing horse. He’s the kind of horse that always has my back no matter what. He tries so hard and he’s kind, careful and fast. I’m really grateful to have a horse like him. My goal would be to a night class. I know my horse can do it, but I’m still working my way up there!”

Alicia Wilkinson and Salut Ca-Va in her presentation ceremony.
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography

“It’s amazing here! I love how it’s laid out,” she concluded. “It’s nice, too, to live only an hour and a half away. It’s such a great horse show and it’s run so well. The in-gate people are so great, the footing is good, and the courses are always good. We absolutely love Tryon.”

For full results from the $20,000 Sunday Grand Prix, click here.

Taylor Matalon and Semi-Automatic C are Top in $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby presented by The Farm House

April 14, 2023 – Taylor Matalon (Roswell, GA) rode Semi-Automatic C to a win in the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby presented by The Farm House, scoring 179 over both phases of the Hunt-and-Go format. Victoria Free (Fayetteville, GA) rode Step Up, Andrea Block’s 2016 Hanoverian gelding (Cabana x Speak Up) to a score of 173 to claim reserve, while Sarah Rabb (Fort Mill, SC) and Alpine’s 3.14, her own 2015 Rheinlander gelding (Alpine x Let’s See), earned a score of 172 for third place. 

Taylor Matalon and Semi-Automatic C
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography

Matalon and the 2009 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Cicero van Paemel Z x Ulise Uit Noorden) owned by Peyton Addington toured the Keith Bollotte (Hendersonville, NC) course design easily, earning a 89 over the first phase of the course and receiving a mark of 90 for the handy portion of their round. 

For full results from the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby presented by The Farm House, click here. 

Doug Payne Sweeps the Podium for $5,000 Welcome Stake

April 14, 2023 – Doug Payne (Rougemont, NC) had only himself to beat by the end of Friday’s $5,000 Welcome Stake in Tryon Stadium, claiming all three podium spots for himself in a class of 22 entries. Payne took the win aboard Emeraldo, the Payne Equestrian owned 2013 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Emerald van’t Ruytershof x Inca’s Twinkling), with a jump off time of 29.799 seconds. Chaccolate, the Payne Equestrian owned 2013 Warmblood gelding (Chacco Blue x Unknown), cleared the short course in a time of 30.109 seconds for reserve honors. Riding Damokles, the 2008 Dutch Warmblood stallion (Ukato x Orindy) owned by the Windwood Group, Payne claimed third in a time of 30.611 over the course designed by Brody Robertson (Ocala, FL).

Doug Payne and Emeraldo
©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography

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

Click here to view all results from Tryon Welcome 4.

The Tryon Spring Series presented by Main Street Insurance Group kicks off . To learn more about the 2023 competition season at TIEC, visit www.Tryon.com/compete. To view the full calendar of equestrian and entertainment events, including dining, live music and holiday celebrations, visit www.Tryon.com/allevents. 

Photos ©Natalie Suto Photography (Bailey Beck and Sarah Sturgis as noted). These photos may only be used once, in relation to this press release. Competitors may view and purchase competition photos at www.nataliesutophotography.shootproof.com. With questions regarding photography at TIEC, contact media@tryon.com.