Mill Spring, North Carolina, United States – May 29, 2025 – With Tryon Spring 5, The Tryon Spring Series presented by Fields Auto Group, BMW Asheville, Mercedes Asheville and DEFENDER ushers in FEI CSI3* competition and top tier hunter/jumper action. Racing to first place in Tryon Stadium on a time of 38.61 seconds, Kristen VanderVeen (USA) and Bull Run’s Jireh (Uriko x Colman) clocked in a win in Thursday’s $32,000 LeMieux Welcome Stake CSI 3*.

Tying for second, Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) rode Condara (Conthargos x Catapult 7), the 2012 Mecklenburg mare owned by Victoria Heurtematte, to a time of 38.92 seconds.

Marking a matching 38.92 seconds on the clock for second place was Carlie Fairty (CAN), aboard Fairgreen Sod Farms’ Jetplane (Whitesnake x Niagara), the 2014 Dutch Warmblood mare. 

With 24 teams challenging the $32,000 LeMieux Welcome Stake CSI 3*, the jump off saw five double clear performances, with Kristen VanderVeen proving to be the fastest over the Ivan Tagle (ARG)-designed course. “He built a great track out there today,” stated VanderVeen after her win. “It was a great warm up for the big class we have coming on Saturday night.”

“For my jump off, I waited a bit to watch [other competitors]. There were some fast horses – Carlie was very fast, and also Richard Spooner (USA) with Donatello 141. I was interested to see them, and Megan McDermott is very fast on her horse. I was gaging my plan off of [those competitors],” VanderVeen revealed, noting her strategy to save the 2014 Holsteiner gelding’s energy for Saturday’s $120,000 Vogel Grand Prix CSI 3*.

With one 2025 Tryon Spring Series Grand Prix win to the team’s name, VanderVeen acknowledged that her partnership with Bull Run’s Jireh was key to their successful jump off effort. “I know him pretty well, and I know that he can spin around pretty fast. I thought there was a chance I could still have a nice top three placing and not go full tilt with him today.”

Fans can look forward to seeing VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Jireh in Saturday’s Grand Prix, as well as during the rest of the Tryon Spring Series. “It’s been fantastic,” she said, sharing that the Bull Run Jumpers team uses the entirety of the Tryon International facility. “We have the grass field here, and we have the cross country field, so our horses have stayed really fresh and happy to show. It’s amazing for the spring and summer circuit to be able to stay somewhere for six weeks and really build the whole time through, without the horses getting sour. It’s a special place!”

Final Results – $32,000 LeMieux Welcome Stake CSI 3*

1) Kristen VanderVeen (USA) & Bull Run’s Jireh – 0 / 0 – 38.61

2) Carlie Fairty (CAN) & Jetplane – 0 / 0 – 38.92

2) Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) & Condara – 0 / 0 – 38.92

Source: Press Release by Rette Solomon for Tryon International 

Photos: © TIEC / Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography

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