Last Updated on July 21, 2026 by adminahb
Will Coleman and Very Dignified ©Rette Solomon for Tryon International
Long before the first horse canters down the centerline in Aachen, Germany, preparation begins.
Last week, Tryon International welcomed several members of the U.S. Eventing Team for a specially designed preparatory outing ahead of this summer’s FEI World Championships in Aachen. While attendance was optional and not every team member participated, four riders took advantage of the unique opportunity: Will Coleman, Boyd Martin, Sydney Conley Elliott, and Emily Hamel.
The two-day event, held July 15-16, was carefully crafted to replicate the atmosphere, footing, and competitive environment riders can expect in Germany while giving them valuable opportunities to fine-tune every phase of competition alongside coaches and officials.
“Our goal was to support the U.S. team in any way we could,” said Jimmie Schramm, Director of Marketing, Communications and Business Development for Tryon International. “To be able to provide these riders with a place to prepare for one of the most important competitions in the world is something we’re incredibly proud of.”
Bringing Aachen to North Carolina
The event began Wednesday morning, where Tryon’s expansive Derby Field was transformed into a dressage setting designed to closely resemble the iconic grass arena the riders will encounter in Aachen.
Two grass arenas, one dedicated to warm-up and one for competition, were set up specifically for the outing. Riders performed their championship tests before FEI five-star judge Jane Hamlin, who judged each test exactly as she would in international competition.
“It was a privilege to judge some of our world class event riders heaving to Aachen World Championships at the beautiful Tryon Equestrian Center, ” Hamlin said, “Tryon made every effort to provide a great competition setting for this practice event and I’m very excited to see what great results our strong American team can produce.”
Rather than simply receiving scores, each rider was given the opportunity to return immediately to the arena to work through specific movements with Hamlin’s guidance. The fine-tuning continued after the horses returned to the barns, where Hamlin sat down with each rider for individual video review sessions, discussing strengths, opportunities for improvement, and details that could make the difference on championship day.
Atmosphere Matters
Following the morning’s dressage, the focus shifted to show jumping as the six horse and rider combinations entered Tryon Stadium to contest a 1.30-meter show jumping class during Tryon International’s Week 6 Summer Series.
Designed by Catsy Cruz, the course provided exactly what the riders were looking for, an opportunity to compete in a true horse show environment. With spectators, sponsor signage surrounding the ring, and the energy of an active international venue, the class offered valuable experience under the type of atmosphere riders can expect on the world stage. Rather than building a private course, integrating the riders into an active competition added another layer of realism to the week’s preparation.
Five of the six combinations delivered fault-free performances over the course. Emily Hamel incurred an uncharacteristic single rail in an otherwise polished effort.
A Championship Simulation
Thursday morning concluded the prep event with the cross-country phase over a course designed by professional course designer Clayton Fredericks.
Every detail of the outing was intended to mirror an FEI championship as closely as possible. Riders left the start box individually, allowing U.S. Eventing Team Coach Leslie Law to follow each horse and rider combination around the course, observing every question without distraction while also giving each athlete the space and focus they would experience in international competition.
The track featured 36 jumping efforts across 3,749 meters, with a speed of 570 meters per minute, producing an optimum time of 6 minutes, 35 seconds and a time limit of 13 minutes, 10 seconds. While official times were not recorded, riders chose their own pace depending on what was needed for each horse for their individual preparation, but they started and finished through the same procedures they would encounter at a recognized FEI event.
“The course was absolutely perfect,” said Will Coleman. “Clayton laid a beautiful track that offered some nice questions to prepare the horses for Aachen and its technicality, all while giving us the opportunity to keep them confident and on the job.”
The course itself looked every bit the part. Fully flagged and decorated, with volunteer jump judges stationed throughout the track and an official starter in place, the outing recreated the atmosphere of championship competition while maintaining the flexibility of a training environment.
Just as important as the course itself was the footing beneath it. Following meticulous preparation by the Tryon International grounds crew and aided by timely rainfall in the days leading up to the outing, the footing was in exceptional condition throughout the morning, allowing riders to gallop with confidence around the track while ensuring the horses finished feeling fresh.
When asked about the footing, Coleman said, “It was probably the best footing I’ve run on anywhere this year, so all the credit goes to Clayton, his team, and obviously Tryon for doing an outstanding job preparing the facility for us. We are so grateful.”
All six horse and rider combinations completed the course without jumping penalties, capping off two days of preparation designed to build confidence before the team heads overseas.
Supporting the Road to Aachen
Hosting the U.S. Eventing Team reflects Tryon International’s continued commitment to supporting elite equestrian sport while providing world-class facilities for athletes preparing for international competition.
When asked about the event, Boyd Martin stated, “The prep event at Tryon was the best I have ever experienced coming into a championship. Dressage and jumping were world class. Unbelievable footing around an ideal cross-country track.”
Although the outing was not mandatory, the opportunity allowed participating riders to sharpen their performances in all three phases while receiving invaluable feedback from coaches and officials in an environment designed specifically for championship preparation.
“The experience could not have been any better,” said Sydney Conley Elliott. “It was absolutely phenomenal at recreating what we are probably going to get in Aachen. From start to finish, it was above and beyond, honestly.”
As Team USA now turns its attention toward Aachen, the work completed at Tryon represents another important step on the road to one of the sport’s biggest stages.
Participating Horse and Rider Combinations
Will Coleman: Off The Record (VDL Arkansas x Drumagoland Bay) – Owned by the Off The Record Syndicate, Diabolo (Diarado x Roulett M) – Owned by the Diabolo Group, Very Dignified (Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet x Kateys Gem) – Owned by Jerome Broussard, Gloria Callen, and Elizabeth Lendrum
Boyd Martin: Cooley Nutcracker (Tolan R x Ballyshan Cleopatra) – Owned by Renee Lane, Deborah Halliday, Rob Desino, and Chris Desino
Sydney Conley Elliott: QC Diamantaire (Diarado x Lantana) – Owned by Carol Stephens
Emily Hamel: Corvett (Corrido x Tina XII) – Owned by the Black Flag Option
For more information, visit www.tryon.com.