Last Updated on October 31, 2025 by adminahb
Nicholas Dello Joio and Balounita ©Sarah Sturgis for Natalie Suto Photography
October 25, 2025 – Mill Spring, NC – The final Saturday Night Lights of the 2025 Tryon Fall Series concluded with an exciting display of competition during the $70,000 Coca-Cola Grand Prix CSI 2*. Time seems to have repeated itself with Nicholas Dello Joio holding onto the top of the podium, since previously winning the Tryon International $70,000 Coca-Cola Grand Prix CSI 2* on October 26, 2024.
Seven competitors qualified for the fast track, but it was the last three in the order of go to make it onto the podium. The only rider to have two mounts go clear was Nina Mallevaey (FRA), who set the 35.51 pace for the podium, and finished third on her second mount, Destine To Be (Diamant De Semilly x Grandilot), the 2016 Warmblood gelding owned by the Rein Family LLC. Last to go in the jump off, across the Kevin Holowack course, was Bliss Heers (USA) and Petit Gervais V/D Weidekouter (Emerald x VDL Veron), the Bridgeside Farms LLC 2015 Belgian Warmblood gelding, who put in a strong effort and claimed second on a time of 35.3 seconds. The winning time of 34.44 seconds was produced by Balounita (Unknown x Unknown) with rider Nicholas Dello Joio (USA).
Speaking about the Wembley Farms Inc 2016 Westphalian mare: “She’s [Balounita] coming along! Last year, this exact Grand Prix was her first real Grand Prix since I stepped her up as an eight-year-old. She made some mistakes as a green horse, so it’s nice to see that a year later, her comeback graduated!”
Taking a few “pointers” from his dad, Dello Joio was pleased with his first round. “I got to watch a few go, because I went later in the class and I had a good plan!” For the jump off, he explained, “I didn’t want to leave anything on the table if I had the advantage of going after her [Nina Mallevaey], so I’m glad that it paid off tonight.”
Admiring his fellow competitor Nina Mallevaey after her successful efforts in Thursday’s $32,000 LeMieux Welcome Stake CSI 2*, he commented, “I was waiting for Nina to go, honestly, because normally I would have gone ahead, but she’s a fabulous rider and has a fabulous horse.
“Tryon is great! I’ve been coming here since the year it opened, and every October we try to come here, and we love it! We’re lucky to have this [Tryon International] on the tour, on the way south.”
Hallie Grimes Leads an All-Women Podium in $25k Yanmar America Sunday Jumper Classic
October 26, 2025 – On the final day of Tryon Fall 6, it was an all-female podium in the $25,000 Yanmar America Sunday Jumper Classic. Hallie Grimes (Houston, TX), who jumped to first place with Can We Keep It? LLC’s Ashton DVO Z (Aganix Du Seigneur x Ballerina Girl DVO Z), the 2017 Warmblood gelding, stopped the jump off timers at 37.764 seconds. Paired with Chris Stinnett’s Rockstar (E-Star x Ugoldine), the 2013 Dutch Warmblood stallion, Joanna Wolffer (Sag Harbor, NY) claimed second with a 39.036 second jump off. Meghan Kaupp (Wellington, FL) and Balou Baldo (Balou Peggio x Sandra), the 2017 German Sporthorse gelding owned by Newcastle Farm LLC recorded a four-fault, 43.162 second jump off to earn third place.
Allison Swank and Divinetta Girl Win the NAL Junior/Amateur 1.30m Jumper Classic
October 26, 2025 – There were seven double-clear rounds in the NAL Junior/Amateur 1.30m Jumper Classic presented by Schneiders, but Allison Swank (New Kensington, PA), aboard Kensington Farm’s 2013 Selle Français mare, Divinetta Girl (Calvaro x Study Girl), posted the fastest double-clear. Second place was earned by Madison Paparillo (Phoenixville, PA) and Amazing Girl Z (Action Breaker x Irida W), the Glenlin Farm 2017 Zangersheide mare. Eva Paliouras (Wellington, FL) and P Stables LLC’s entry Du Beau Z (Dominator 2000 Z x Viper), the 2016 Zangersheide gelding, secured third place.
NAL/WIHS 1.10m Junior Jumper Classic Championed by Isla McConnell
October 26, 2025 – Producing the fastest double clear with a time of 29.366 seconds, Isla McConnell (Montego Bay, Jamaica) rode Cedane D (Cornado I x Fee), the 2010 Westfalian gelding owned by Ashwood Farm LLC to a win in the NAL/WIHS 1.10m Junior Jumper Classic presented by Vogel. The Gonzalo Busca Roca 2017 Belgian Warmblood Mare Revoila Van De Vijvers (unknown x unknown), ridden by Audrey Frigerio (Villanova, PA), stopped the clocks at 34.23 seconds for second place. Earning third with a four-fault, 30.755 second round was Kaydence Cothran (Bixby, OK), who piloted Wonder Z (Wonderful Van’t Beugelhof x Innocent DW), the Cool Kid Farms 2012 Zangersheide mare.
Learn more at www.Tryon.com.
**For more extensive horse competition coverage, visit HorsesintheSouth.com.