Last Updated on August 13, 2025 by adminahb
John Brown and Ballon Bleu ©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
Mill Spring, NC – August 8, 2025 – Rekindling the competitive spirit at Tryon International, John Brown (Mill Spring, NC) piloted Ballon Bleu to victory in the $5,000 LeMieux Welcome Stake. Juan Ortiz (Loxahatchee, FL) entered the ring on his own 2016 Holsteiner gelding Cool More Hero (Casall Ask x Unknown) and earned second place with 37.684 seconds and four jumping faults in the jump off. The 2018 Selle Francais mare, Ines Shanti (Unknown x Quinta De L’othain Z), owned by Agathe Heurteux and piloted by Florian Ferry (Wiliston, SC), received third place with a time of 38.116 seconds and four jumping faults.
Ponce Tidwell Jr.’s 2013 Belgian Warmblood gelding, Ballon Bleu (Amaretto D Arco x Papilon), completed the course with the only clear jump off round.
“I’ve jumped a lot of Skip Bailey’s courses before,” John Brown noted, acknowledging the challenges presented on the Tryon Stadium track. “You’ve got to be wary of the corners and turns, and make sure your horse is paying attention.”
Fans can look forward to seeing Brown and Ballon Bleu compete throughout the upcoming Tryon Fall Series presented by Coca-Cola. “We’ll be doing some 2* [competition] there, and maybe move up to the 3* [level],” the Mill Spring, NC rider shared.
Brown concluded by extending his gratitude to Ballon Bleu’s owner, Ponce Tidwell, Jr., and breeder, Donna Harrington.
For full results from the $5,000 LeMieux Welcome Stake, click here.
Welcome Stake Winners Capture Another Title in $15,000 Sunday Jumper Classic
Marking the end to the 2025 Tryon Summer Finale, Welcome Stake winners John Brown (Mill Spring, NC) and Ballon Bleu (Amaretto D Arco x Papilon) captured the win in the Henri De Rivel $15,000 Sunday Jumper Classic. Brown and Ponce Tidwell Jr.’s 2013 Belgian Warmblood gelding completed the Skip Bailey designed course with 40.259 seconds on the clock. Posting the second-best clear round in the jump-off for reserve honors was Juan Ortiz (Loxahatchee, FL), with his own 2016 Holsteiner gelding, Cool More Hero (Casall Ask x Unknown), stopping the timers at 42.341 seconds. Completing the podium with four faults and a time of 39.646 seconds was Agathe Heurteux’s 2010 Hanoverian mare, Chaccolady (Chacco Blue x Landlady), ridden by Florian Ferry (Wiliston, SC).
For full results from the $15,000 Sunday Jumper Classic presented by Henri De Rivel, click here.
Top Honors Presented to Jessica Thaxton Daenen and Juvenal in the $1,000 Open Hunter Derby
Sunday’s $1,000 Open Hunter Derby presented both top and reserve honors to Jessica Thaxton Daenen (Bogart, GA). Thaxton Daenen received top honors aboard Juvenal (Juventus x Mythical May), the 2007 Zweibrücker gelding owned by Lisa Harper, who earned a total score of 168 points. Thaxton Daenen’s second highest score of 158 points was earned with Sarah Field’s 2016 Zangersheide gelding, Serrano Blue Z (Plot Blue x Gianna Vi). Completing the top three with a total of 156 points was Anna Gresham (Covington, GA) and the 2012 Belgian Warmblood gelding, EEAS Manhattan (Cachas x Cleopatra), owned by Nori Burby.
For full results from the $1,000 Open Hunter Derby, click here.
Leyla Caynak and Rette Solomon for Tryon International
Learn more at www.Tryon.com.