Mill Spring, United States – July 10, 2025 – The $32,000 LeMieux Welcome Stake CSI 2* saw 33 trips tour the Andy Christiansen course, with seven pairs qualifying for the jump off. Michael Walton (USA) qualified two of his three mounts for the jump off, and emerged victorious with Mia Marano’s 2016 Dutch Warmblood gelding, Lancelot RW (Carrera VDL x Numero Uno).

Posting a clear first round and the fastest jump off time of 40.93 seconds, Walton detailed his rides. “I thought he was quite nice in the first round and handled it fine, and then for the jump off we didn’t know what we had, because we’ve never really jumped him off before, so we kind of just let him go. He was really brilliant today!”

Ciaran Flynn (IRL) had a successful 42.37 second ride aboard Calvin Harris 3 (Calatos x Gloster), the 2015 Oldenburg gelding owned by Apex Equestrian Center, for reserve honors.

Nicolette Hirt (USA) riding Balia Silvia (Balou Du Rouet x Unknown), a 2015 Oldenburg mare owned by Chatwood Farms LLC, earned third place with 42.90 seconds on the clock. 

Of their partnership thus far, Walton shared, “he’s [Lancelot RW] a new horse for us; we’ve only had him six weeks. This was his first 1.45 meter FEI class with us, but he’s pretty straightforward. He’s brave, fast, and careful, so he’s pretty much everything we wanted! We hope he continues on like this.”

Michael Walton plans to compete under the lights in Saturday’s $70,000 The Farm House Grand Prix CSI 2*. Competing for their third week at Tryon International, Walton concluded, “This is our third week here, and we love Tryon!” 

Final Results – $32,000 LeMieux Welcome Stake CSI 2*

1) Michael Walton (USA) & Lancelot RW – 0 / 0 – 30.01

2) Ciaran Flynn (IRL) & Calvin Harris 3 – 0 / 0 – 32.43

3) Nicolette Hirt (USA) & Balia Silvia – 0 / 0 – 33.95

Source: Press Release from Tryon International

Photos: © TIEC / Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography 

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