Mill Spring, North Carolina, USA – April 6, 2025 – Fernando Cardenas (COL) claimed his first victory of the Tryon Welcome Series presented by Rug & Home in the $20,000 Tryon International Grand Prix, fending off eight horse-and-rider teams to make the jump off. Cardenas blazed through the short track aboard Copine van de Langvelden Z (Cicero Z x Coranda Van Herkenrode Z), recording a time of 39.30 seconds to take top honors.

With her young career off to a strong start, Grand Prix winner Copine van de Langvelden Z, the 2018 Zangersheide mare, had been competing in the seven-year-old jumpers prior to her Welcome 3 victory. “We decided after Florida that she was ready to step up,” owner and rider Fernando Cardenas elaborated. “My plan was to jump her in the amateurs, but she jumped really well and I said, ‘let’s give it a try!”

Andrew Ross (USA) rode his own Cornet’s Cobalt (Cornet’s Prinz x India D), the 2013 Belgian Warmblood gelding, to a jump off time of 39.33 seconds for reserve.

Riding for Stephanie Angus, John Angus (USA) finished out the top three with W. Tonix Hero (Ogano Sitte x Taquine De Roll), the 2003 Dutch Warmblood gelding, completing the jump off with 40.41 seconds on the clock

Cardenas also piloted his more experienced mount, Balou’s Honora Car, to a seventh place Grand Prix finish, and was impressed with how similar Copine Van De Langvelden Z’s winning jump off time was. “I have never practiced any jump offs with her, as a seven-year-old,” Cardenas explained. “When she shows, it’s always been nice and easy. [Today,] she was looking for the next jump, and moving up to it.”

“We’re very grateful for the course designer. It was a very well built course, and it’s always nice to jump with good course designers,” Cardenas added, praising the talents of Archer “Skip” Bailey (West Palm Beach, FL). 

A familiar face at Tryon International, Cardenas and the 3H Sport Horses LLC team have enjoyed numerous wins during Tryon Welcome Series presented by Rug & Home. “We love coming here!” Cardenas shared. “The weather is fantastic. This and Florida are the only places we go to.”

Final Results – $20,000 Tryon International Grand Prix

1) Fernando Cardenas (COL) & Copine van de Langvelden Z – 0 / 0 – 39.30

2) Andrew Ross (USA) & Cornet’s Cobalt – 0 / 0 –39.33

3) John Angus (USA) & W. Tonix Hero – 0 / 0 – 40.41

Source: Press Release from Tryon International

Photos: © Tryon International / Natalie Suto Photography / Sarah Sturgis

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