Mill Spring, North Carolina, United States – June 26, 2025 – Kristen VanderVeen (USA) and the 2014 Holsteiner gelding Bull Run’s Jireh (Uriko x Colman) were triumphant in the $32,000 LeMieux Welcome Stake CSI 2*. This pair had a recent successful week during Tryon Spring 6 series, winning both the $32,000 LeMieux Welcome Stake CSI 3* and the $120,000 Vogel Grand Prix CSI 3*.
John Brown (GBR) aboard Ponce Tidwell Jr’s 2013 Belgian Warmblood gelding, Ballon Bleu (Amaretto D’Arco x Ariadus) took the reserve honors title.
With a time of 39.11 seconds, Francesca Bolfo (USA) and Jadalco (Nabab De Reve x For Pleasure), the 2009 Belgian Warmblood gelding owned by Duterra, claimed third place.
The class had 22 trips with only nine pairs qualifying for the jump off, and the Bull Run Jumpers‘ entry Bull Run’s Jireh and rider VanderVeen had the fastest second-round time. She shared, “I still did the jump off just to school a little bit, and I really tried to work on my tight turns and not run with him.”
Not many people know that the secret to success is a happy horse, and that can be accomplished with “Lots of cookies!”, according to VanderVeen. “He had a little break from showing, so I thought he was going to be wild today, but he was really relaxed and he loves this ring.”
This pair will have another chance to compete this week under the lights during Saturday’s $70,000 Grand PrixCSI 2* presented by the Silver Spoon Saloon. VanderVeen and her team will be back next week for Summer 4, and then she added, “We’ll see if the team still has a little juice in them for the final week.”
Final Results – $32,000 LeMieux Welcome Stake CSI 2
1) Kristen VanderVeen (USA) & Bull Run’s Jireh – 0 / 0 – 36.21
2) John Brown (GBR) & Ballon Bleu – 0 / 0 – 38.34
3) Francesca Bolfo (USA) & Jadalco – 0 / 0 – 39.11
Source: Press Release by Leyla Caynak for Tryon International
Photos: © TIEC / Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
