Edited Press Release
May 31, 2025 – To cap off an evening of Saturday Night Lights festivities presented by Skyla Credit Union, Kristen VanderVeen (USA) led the victory gallop in Tryon Stadium to celebrate a $120,000 Vogel Grand Prix CSI 3* win. With equine teammate Bull Run’s Jireh (Uriko x Colman), VanderVeen dominated the four-horse jump off, stopping the short track timers in 35.13 seconds. Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) claimed the second place spot on the podium, riding Condara, the 2012 Mecklenburg mare (Conthargos x Catapult 7) owned by Victoria Heurtematte, to a jump off time of 35.26 seconds. Paired with Nintendo (Nintender x Chacco Blue), the 2014 Oldenburg gelding owned by Counter Balance LLC, Megan McDermott (USA) marked a 37.09 second jump off, securing third.
VanderVeen and the 2014 Holsteiner gelding owned by Bull Run Jumpers Inc. were “in sync” to win their second Grand Prix win of the Tryon Spring Series presented by Fields Auto Group, she shared.
“It was great. Honestly, this is probably the best feeling I’ve had on him, and he jumped so good, I thought. I was very happy with his first round. Winning is always really fun, obviously, that tops it off! But in the first round, we just felt so in sync tonight. He listened really well, and jumped great.”
VanderVeen felt like Bull Run’s Jireh wasn’t the only one who came to the arena ready to win, she revealed. “I felt like I was on my A game, so we both showed up on it. He was so proud of himself!”
Facing a four-horse jump off with the intimidating first slot in the order, VanderVeen planned to produce a fast but clear round that would put just enough pressure on her competitors to force mistakes.
“I wanted to go fast, because they were all fast horses in the jump off. But at the same time, I tried to not go overboard…Occasionally I get a little excited! Richard Spooner had my time, so it definitely wasn’t uncatchable, but I think for the number one spot, I did what I wanted to do: put enough pressure on that they had to really try, and maybe make a mistake. It worked out for us tonight.”
VanderVeen and the Bull Run Jumpers team can be seen competing at Tryon International throughout the year, and she’s currently on a winning streak after winning the $32,000 LeMieux Welcome Stake CSI 3* on Thursday.
RESULTS: $120,000 Vogel Grand Prix CSI 3*
Horse Name, Year Breed gender (Sire x Sire of Dam)
Rider (COUNTRY), Owner: Faults/Faults/Time
1) Bull Run’s Jireh, 2014 Holsteiner gelding (Uriko x Colman)
Kristen VanderVeen (USA), Bull Run Jumpers Inc: 0/0/35.13
2) Condara, 2012 Mecklenburg mare (Conthargos x Catapult 7)
Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN), Victoria Heurtematte: 0/0/35.26
3) Nintendo, 2014 Oldenburg gelding (Nintender x Chacco Blue)
Megan McDermott (USA), Counter Balance LLC: 0/0/37.09
4) Lyjanair, 2014 Holsteiner gelding (Lyjanero x Coriano)
Richard Spooner (USA), Show Jumping Syndications International: 0/8/34.73
5) Oakingham Lira, 2013 Anglo European mare (Tornesch 1042 x Del Piero P B)
Alison Robitaille (USA), Alison Firestone LLC: 4/70.08
6) Anton, 2015 Holsteiner gelding (Action-Breaker x Chambertin 3)
Gavin Moylan (CAN), Gavin Moylan Stables: 4/70.85
7) Skelwith Diamond Lady, 2014 Anglo European mare (Kalaska De Semilly x Balou Du Rouet)
Richie Moloney (IRL), Equinimity LLC: 4/71.45
8) Tashita, 2012 Czech Warmblood mare (Deosselklang II x Przedswit XVI)
Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN), Anna Makovska & Perigo A.S.: 4/71.50
9) Kaida CM, 2015 Dutch Warmblood mare (Kennan x Indoctro)
Michael Murphy (USA), South Coast: 4/72
10) Corneska De La Falize Z, 2013 Zangersheide mare (Cornet Obolensky x President)
Katie Eppinger (USA), Katie Eppinger: 4/72.7
11) Chacco Bumpy, 2010 Oldenburg mare (Chacco-blue x Toulon)
Luis Pedro Biraben (ARG), Luis Biraben & Miguel Madero: 4/73.08
12) RF Most Wanted, 2013 Wamblood gelding (Vegas x Madison)
Sabrina Lefebvre (CAN), Sabrina Lefebvre: 4/73.65
For full results from the $120,000 Vogel Grand Prix CSI 3*, click here.
