United States Eventing Association

The final day of competition during The Fork at Tryon International presented by Yanmar America saw show jumping and cross-country, with winners crowned across all divisions. Champions emerged after the three-day event concluded following the excitement on the White Oak cross-country course and in Tryon Stadium.

Canada claimed a win for the weekend, secured by Lindsay Traisnel and Bacyrouge (Mylord Carthago X Lelia), her own 14-year-old Selle Francais gelding. Traisnel and Bacyrouge added 6.8 penalties on the final phase on cross-country, resulting in a final score of 40.4 and a CCI4*-S victory. The leading team through the dressage and show jumping phases, Boyd Martin and Luke 140, the 14-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Landos X Omega VI), owned by the Luke 140 Syndicate, kept a tight grip on the podium through all three phases to finish in reserve with an overall score of 43.3 after 15.6 cross-country time penalties. Moving up from fifth, Martin took third in the with Shanroe Cooley (Dallas X Shanroe Sapphire), the 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Ocala Horse Properties, on a score of 44.9.

Traisnel and her longtime partner made quite the jump from sixth place to first place overall after their cross-country performance. She shared, “Dreamy felt amazing out on course; bold and brave, yet rideable!"

With her sights set on the upcoming MARS Maryland 5 Star, Traisnel noted “We chose Tryon as our final prep run because the team here always does an outstanding job with the cross-country footing.” She was “thrilled” with their weekend at Tryon International. “Dreamy is such an incredible partner. He truly gives me his all in every phase,” she concluded.

Waylon Roberts Pilots Chevalier to CCI3*-S Win

In the largest division of the weekend, Waylon Roberts (CAN) and Chevalier (Cabardino X Play For Keeps) came out on top in the CCI3*-S, climbing to the top of the rankings from an initial 18th place after the dressage phase. Incurring only 1.2 time penalties on cross-country, the 13-year-old Holsteiner/Hanoverian gelding is owned by Carol Wiley. With 4.8 penalties in the final phase, Zachary Brandt and the 8-year-old mare Kassiopea Preziosa (Lohengrin DI Villa Emilia X Kassia), owned by The Kassiopea Partnership, finished on 37.2 to earn reserve honors overall. Madison Temkin rose from seventh place after her cross-country trip to finish in third overall with a score of 39.9. Temkin was paired with Fernhill Bertus (Balou Peggio X Celine), Beth Brown’s 7-year-old Hanoverian gelding.

“Since Chevy is still quite new to me I haven’t been timing my rounds, so I was super surprised to see the results!” said Roberts.

Adding to the sweetness of their win, Roberts explained “Even better, is that his [Chevy’s] owner, Carol Wiley came down from Canada, making it a special weekend for the whole team!”

Tim Bourke and Quality TNT are Champions in CCI2*-L presented by Ken Feagin Truck & Trailer

The CCI2*-L presented by Ken Feagin Truck & Trailer saw several changes in the leaderboard throughout the weekend, with Tim Bourke (IRL) and Quality TNT (Tyson X Ballinteeauns Pride) ending as winners of the competitive field. With a single rail down in the show jumping phase, the winning team wrapped Sunday with 38.5 points. Bourke and the 7-year-old Irish Sport Horse/Dutch Warmblood gelding maintained their overall lead from Saturday’s cross-country phase to find the top of the CCI2*-L podium. Will Faudree and Reloaded (Magna Graduate X Curious Cat), the 12-year-old Thoroughbred gelding owned by Michelle Chisholm, claimed reserve honors on a total three-day score of 41.2. Just behind Faudree to round out the podium, Hannah Hawkins and DHI Kickodieza (Nabab de Reve X Vodieza), her own 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, finished on 41.4 to gallop away with third place.

“Quality TNT, owned by Barbara Cassani, is a super nice 7-year-old I have been producing since he was a 4-year-old,” Bourke shared following his win.

Taking the opportunity at Tryon International to further develop Quality TNT’s readiness for the higher levels, Bourke acknowledged his positive experience at the venue. “I thought taking him to Tryon to run around the CCI2*-L would be a very educational experience for him,” Bourke explained. “When you go to Tryon, you are guaranteed good facilities, good footing, and a big atmosphere which is perfect for preparing him for moving up to the next level."

Lucienne Bellissimo Dominates CCI2*-S & CCI1*-S Divisions from from Day 1 to Done

Defending her no. 1 ranking in the CCI2*-S and CCI1*-S divisions from outset, Lucienne Bellissimo (GBR) was one of the most prolific riders over the weekend. Aboard Horse Scout Eventing, LLC’s Dyri (Diarado X La Calera), the 13-year-old Holsteiner/Trakehner gelding, Bellissimo saw a fault-free performance in the cross-country phase to secure 27.7 and the division win. Mya Poulos moved up one spot in the standings on the final day to finish in second. Poulos and her own 14-year-old German Sport Horse gelding, Bob Chaplin (Cashell X Maypool Silver Seal), ended the event with 28.3. Sherry Pound (AUS), owner and rider of Carnaby (Cabachon X Clingolda), took the third place position with the 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding on 32.5.

Pleased with Dyri’s effort throughout the weekend, Bellissimo explained her upcoming plans for the CCI2*-S winner. “[It was] great for Dyri to have another good cross-country run and finish the win on his dressage score. He had a tricky spring at [the 5* level,] and it shook his confidence, so I'm now planning to aim him for the US Open CCI4*-L this October off the back of today's feeling.”

Partnered with Hermine (Hermes De Lux X India H) to win the CCI1*-S division, Bellissimo and the 8-year-old Holsteiner mare galloped through the cross-country track during the final phase, ending with 2.4 penalties on the clock. Bellissimo and the Horse Scout Eventing, LLC entry concluded the event with 32.6. Just behind them, ​​Madeleine Richards and her own 9-year-old Westphalian gelding The Turning Point (Rocky Lee X Osterblume) took second place with a total of 32.8, going fault-free on cross-country. Rising from fourth place to claim third, Katie Malensek (CAN) rode her own Civento (Caretino X Faletta), the 7-year-old Holsteiner gelding, seeing a clean cross-country effort to end with 33.3.

“So impressed with the energy at Tryon this weekend!” Bellissimo noted. “There seemed to be a lot of entries, and all courses rode really well. [I’m] thrilled for Hermine to have her first FEI win in the one-star today. The cross-country wasn't a given—[there was] plenty to do, but very educational at the level.”

“I have been very patient with this mare, and have a suspicion she's going to be the dark horse of our barn,” Bellissimo said of her winning CCI1*-S mount.

For full results and live scores from The Fork at Tryon International presented by Yanmar America, click here.