Edited Press Release
Mill Spring, NC – May 3, 2025 – Saturday Night Lights presented by Skyla Credit Union kicked off at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (Tryon International) in Tryon Stadium with the $75,000 Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Grand Prix. Fresh off an FEI World Cup Finals appearance with Bull Run’s Jireh, Kristen VanderVeen (Wellington, FL) was unbeatable in the jump off to secure the win in a time of 35.979 seconds. Rowan Willis (Ocala, FL) grabbed reserve with a time of 38.441 seconds across the Manuel Esparza course, riding For Dilando PS, the 2016 Hanoverian gelding (For Pleasure x Dilanda Cha Cha) owned by Just a Cheeky One. Completing the podium was Campbell Brown (Fayetteville, AR) and Colina Z, the 2014 Zangersheide mare (C-Ingmar x Calina Z) owned by MMK Equestrian LLC, for their 39.341 second performance in the jump off.
VanderVeen and the 2014 Holsteiner gelding (Uriko x Conella) owned by Bull Run Jumpers Inc. came to “play” in Tryon Stadium in a field of 21 competitors. She shared that her first jumps since Basel, Switzerland with Jireh were both great start to the Tryon Spring Series presented by Fields Auto Group, BMW Asheville, Mercedes Asheville and DEFENDER as well as an opportunity to sharpen their skills.
“This was kind of a fun start to his summer season. I’m building a new team of horses around him. But I was like, let’s go play! It was actually a great jump off for me to practice, because sometimes I can get going a little extra [fast], and that can mess up my turns a bit. Tonight’s [jump off], had quite a lot of turning. It was really good practice for the both of us, for me to stay calm and just do really tight turns.”
The Bull Run team is settling in for another five weeks of continued success and growth, VanderVeen concluded. “We plan to be here for the whole six week series. I’m developing a team of horses around [Bull Run’s Jireh]. I have students here as well.
“Tryon has always been great for us, because I can develop horses and have students that can jump at all levels, and then we get the FEI weeks at the end,” she added. “It hits all the major points, which is great for us. We love the weather in the spring, too – everyone should come to Tryon!”
For full results from the $75,000 IHSA Grand Prix, click here.
JJ Torano and Lyon 50 Zip to $30,000 Yanmar Sunday Jumper Classic Win
Fourteen-year-old JJ Torano topped a field of eight in the $30,000 Yanmar Sunday Jumper Classic, clearing the short course in 35.158 seconds to win aboard Lyon 50, the 2014 Hanoverian stallion (Lord Argentinus x Lexi’s Girl) owned by North Run. David Jennings (Franklin, TN) captured the remaining two podium spots, earning the red rosette aboard Bionce des Monts, the 2012 Selle Francais gelding (Ravage de Mars x Louve du Marais owned by Hillview Farm Sporthorses, in a time of 35.545 seconds. Jennings toured the short course in a time of 38.151 seconds with Presley Degli Assi, the 2013 Italian Sport Horse gelding (Presley Boy x Ulzhane St Winoc) owned by The Presley Partners, for third place honors.
For full results from the $30,000 Yanmar Sunday Jumper Classic, click here.
Tryon Spring 1 Division Highlights
The Amateur 1.0m Jumper Division congratulated Ella Collins (Tega Cay, SC) for her efforts aboard Elizabeth Fernandez’ Swipe Right, earning the champion title for the week. Rachel Machamer (White, GA) claimed reserve with Lady Kingsley, the Giari LLC entry.
Moonlight and Lori Sawyer-Lyons (Southwest Ranches, FL) championed the Adult Amateur Hunter 3’ 50+ Division for Isalou Inc., while reserve honors were named to Dana Mahoney (Raleigh, NC) for her efforts with Great Perhaps for owner Elisa Goebel.
Colin Syqia (Wellington, FL) and Chilmark Farm LLC’s Saloua were champions in the Green Hunter 3 ‘3 Division. Thomas Serio (Aberdeen, NC) piloted Tyler Bunn’s Inshalla to the reserve rosette.
Alexander Alston (Gahanna, OH) rode North Run’s Undercover to the top of the Open 1.30m Jumper Division, while Kristen VanderVeen (Wellington, FL) and Bull Run’s Mary collected reserve for Bull Run Jumpers, Inc.
For full division results from Tryon Spring 1, click here.
The Tryon Spring Series presented by Fields Auto Group, BMW Asheville, Mercedes Asheville and DEFENDER continues with Tryon Spring 2 competition taking place May 7-11, alongside Yanmar America Tryon International Three-Day Event presented by Tow & Collect hosted May 8-11. Learn more at resort.tryon.com/events.
