Last Updated on July 22, 2026 by adminahb
David Blake and Conblue ©Chelsey Somohano for Natalie Suto Photography
July 18, 2026 – Mill Spring, NC – Closing out the 2026 Tryon Summer Series presented by The Farm House, it was David Blake (IRL) who stepped up to the winner’s podium position in the $120,000 Advent Health Grand Prix CSI3*. Teaming up with Pine Hollow Farm’s Conblue (Conthargos x Chacco Blue), Blake and the 2014 Oldenburg gelding locked in the only double clear effort of the evening, tackling the Catsy Cruz-designed short track in 45.71 seconds. The jump off pace setter, Richie Moloney (IRL), proved faster on the clock with Equinimity LLC’s Daisycutter (Diktator Van De Boslandhoeve x Quidam De Revel), but one rail down slotted the team into the second-place position. Nicolette Hirt-Slade (USA) and Dalton Van De Lindehoeve Z, owned by Chatwood Farms LLC, were the fastest four-faulters in round one, claiming third place.
“Conblue is a twelve-year-old gelding that we have had for about a year,” winner David Blake explained. “The last time here, Amanda Derbyshire rode him – she’s at home this week, so I said I’d take him back for the week, which paid off!”
With Conblue being shown by both David Blake and Amanda Derbyshire, the Oldenburg gelding has seen consistent podium placings at Tryon International. “We know him very well, and I’m involved in his day-to-day riding,” Blake shared. “I’ve competed with him plenty over the last year. It’s nice that we can swap over and back and both do well on him.”
As the second of two riders to take on the jump off course, Blake detailed his winning short round strategy. “There was obviously a lot more pressure on Richie Moloney, because I was behind him. I knew I just had to go clear after him – there was still a little bit of pressure, but I had the advantage there.”
For full results from the $120,000 Advent Health Grand Prix CSI3*, click here.