Competition concluded at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) with a win for Samuel Parot (CHI) and Couscous Van Orti in the $25,000 Tryon Sunday Classic during the final week of the Tryon Fall Series presented by Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport. Second place was captured by Margie Engle (USA) piloting Bockmanns Lazio, a 2000 Westphalian stallion (Lancer II x Cesseria) owned by Gladewinds Partners, LLC, stopping jump-off timers in 36.612 seconds. Third place was awarded to Emanuel Andrade (VEN) and his own Ricore Courcelle, a 2005 Selle Francais stallion (Quaprice Bois Margot x Dancing Bride), after completing their fast track round in 36.672 seconds. The 2017 Tryon Fall Series presented by Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) served as one of the most highly anticipated circuit opportunities in North America during the fall season. The season featured four weeks of internationally-sanctioned FEI competition and distributed more than $1.9 million in prize money across the hunter, jumper, and equitation disciplines throughout the total six weeks at TIEC. Parot and the 2002 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Nabab De Reve x Vroni Van Orti), who he has guided in the ring for several years, have competed successfully around the world, including an appearance at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto.

The duo raced around the day’s course designed by Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA), and completed the jump-off in 36.023 seconds. Nine of the original 36 entries moved forward to contest the short course. Parot commented on his go around the track today, saying, “I didn’t have that great of a week because with all of my horses I kept having one down. Today, I stayed very concentrated and I had two horses clear for the jump-off. My first horse, VDL Aberlino, had two down in the jump-off. But this horse, Couscous Van Orti, is very fast.”Parot watched intently as Andrade and Engle navigated their way through the short course, tailoring his plan for the jump-off. “I saw Emanuel and Margie go very quick, so I tried to make my turns much tighter than theirs. I wasn’t so worried about the time because this horse is so fast. Obviously, I had a good final result with him today.” As the season ends, Parot’s horses will go on vacation and head to Wellington, FL, to prepare for their winter circuit. “It’s vacation now for the horses. The three horses I have here will go and I have horses arriving from Europe that I will begin showing in national shows to prepare for the start of the Winter Equestrian Festival.”