TurnoutHQ+ Newsroom · Published April 9, 2026 · Updated September 8, 2026
Key Takeaway
Fernando Cardenas and Copine Van De Langvelden Z topped the Grand Prix field at Tryon International, while Wilhelmina Horzepa dominated the jumper stakes throughout the week.
What Happened
The Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, North Carolina, concluded its third week of the "Welcome" spring series on April 4, 2026. The week’s premier event, the $20,000 Tryon International Grand Prix, saw Fernando Cardenas take the victory riding Copine Van De Langvelden Z. The pair delivered a precise performance to edge out Angel Munoz Gil and Penobscot SCF NA, who finished in second, and Ragan Roberts aboard Queen Bee Z in third.
The week was also defined by a dominant performance from Wilhelmina Horzepa. Horzepa captured both the blue and red ribbons in the $5,000 LeMieux Welcome Stake with Dirocco B and BE Monte Darco K, respectively. She continued her winning streak in the $2,000 Vogel 1.25m Open Jumper Stake, taking the win with the mare Grace.
In the hunter rings, the spotlight turned to the junior and amateur ranks on Friday for the Dapplebay USHJA 2’6” Junior/Amateur Hunter Derby. Skye Rix and A Cut Above secured the top spot on the judge's cards, followed by Chelsea Bryant and Alana Pardue in second and third.
Why It Matters
The Tryon Welcome series serves as a critical bridge between the winter circuits in Florida and the heavy summer competition schedule in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. For professional riders like Cardenas and Horzepa, these events are vital for maintaining competitive fitness and developing newer mounts in a world-class environment before the higher-stakes summer season begins.
The inclusion of the 2’6” Hunter Derby specifically highlights a growing industry trend: providing "showcase" opportunities for amateur and junior riders at lower heights. By giving these divisions center stage on a Friday, the series supports the grassroots and amateur-owner populations that form the financial backbone of the American horse show industry.
Discipline Context
This event catered to multiple levels of show jumping and hunter disciplines:
- Show Jumping: Featured classes ranged from 1.25m regional stakes up to the $20,000 Grand Prix level, providing a tiered progression for developing jumpers.
- Hunters: The focus on the USHJA 2’6” Junior/Amateur Derby emphasizes the sport's commitment to the "derby" format across all height specifications, not just the High Performance 4' tracks.
- Breeding: Podium finishers represented several notable European and domestic bloodlines, including Cicero Z, Zirocco Blue VDL, and Diamant De Semilly, underscoring the ongoing influence of top-tier warmblood breeding in U.S. regional competition.
Competitors heading into the season can find show tack and riding equipment ahead of entries.