Mill Spring, North Carolina, United States – May 24, 2025 – The $70,000 Fields Auto Group Grand Prix CSI 2* took centerstage in Tryon Stadium as part of Saturday Night Lights presented by Skyla Credit Union, with Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) and Belle de Muze (Ponsee V x Lando) collecting the win in a time of 40.1 seconds.
Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) and Driss Ngadi’s Belle de Muze were one of 33 to test the first round track designed by Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA), and one of nine pairs to qualify for the jump off round. Larrazabal acknowledged that his position late in the line-up gave him an advantage:
“This mare is amazing, and always when she goes in the ring, she tries 100%. I was lucky to go at the end of the class, in the first round. I know she has a small step, so I started adding in the first lines, just to keep it together, because she’s feisty!
Kelli Cruciotti Vanderveen (USA) and Mochito V/D Mishagen (Emerald x Lord Z), the 2012 Belgian Warmblood gelding owned by Serenity Farm, toured the short course in a time of 41.67 seconds for reserve honors.
Galloping through the timers in 42.10 seconds, Katie Eppinger (USA) and her own 2013 Zangersheide mare, Corneska de La Falize Z (Cornet Obolensky x President), collected third place to complete the podium.
“Going in the jump off last is an advantage, you know, and knowing how fast she is, and being able to see everybody before me was pretty nice.” Larrazabal observed Kelli Cruciotti Vanderveen’s track and sought to emulate her performance with his quick-footed horse, he revealed. “I think Kelli did an amazing job on her horse, who looks a little more big and slower than mine, so I just actually tried to do the same track as her. So, that was my plan: not to get too greedy, and try to keep it together and keep the jumps up, and bring it home!”
Larrazabal and team are familiar faces within FEI competitions at Tryon International, so much so that he considers the venue a “home show” for his family, he added.
“I’ve been coming here forever. I love this place: the venue, atmosphere, the grounds, the hospitality… everybody. It’s so nice having the restaurants, and the horses love it here as well,” he elaborated. “I bring my family here, so it’s like a home show for us, even though we’re from Florida. I love to come here, and every time I come they’re doing more!”
In addition to thanking his groom, Juan de los Santos, Larrazabal concluded by extending gratitude to Driss Ngadi, Belle De Muze’s owner: “I also want to be thankful to the owner of this mare. If it wasn’t for him, this mare wouldn’t be here winning. I’m very grateful for him to really trust me with this horse!”
Final Results $70,000 Fields Auto Group Grand Prix CSI 2*
1) Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) & Belle de Muze – 0 / 0 – 40.10
2) Kelli Cruciotti Vanderveen (USA) & Mochito V/D Mishagen – 0 / 0 – 41.67
3) Katie Eppinger (USA) & Corneska de La Falize Z – 0 / 0 – 42.10
Source: Press Release Sarah Madden Taylor and Rette Solomon for Tryon International
Photos: © TIEC / Sarah Sturgis & Laci Matthews for Natalie Suto Photography
