Jad Dana Goes the Distance to Win the $70,000 Back on Track Grand Prix CSI 2*

By Jumper News on 2025-10-06

Mill Spring, North Carolina – October 04, 2025 – Besting an ultra-competitive field of athletes in Saturday night’s $70,000 Back on Track Grand Prix CSI 2*, Jad Dana (LBN) saw the top of the podium

once again with teammate Itchcock des Dames (Marius Claudius x Calvaro F.C.). Blazing through the jump off timers in 37.46 seconds, the winning pair produced a double clear effort on the Oscar Soberon (USA) track.

Tackling the Grand Prix jump off track early, winner Jad Dana acknowledged the talent he was up against. “The jump off was very fast,” he explained. “Unlike [Thursday], I went third [in tonight’s jump off]. Behind me was Kristen VanderVeen, who is unbelievably fast – so is Luis Larrazabal.”

**Luis Fernando Larrazabal** (VEN) & **Baroness**

Aboard Leeann Ablin’s Baroness (Balous Bellini x Unknown), Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) and the 2015 Westphalian mare completed the short round just behind Jad Dana, marking a time of 38.07 seconds.

**Kristen VanderVeen** (USA) & **Bull Run’s Jireh**

Kristen VanderVeen (USA) partnered with Bull Run’s Jireh (Uriko x Colman) to take third, recording a 38.78 second jump off time with the Bull Run Jumpers Inc.’s 2014 Holsteiner gelding.

“I knew there were a couple places [on course] where somebody could beat me,” Dana said, noting the challenges of the Oscar Soberon-built track. “Luckily, it was my day, and I’m thrilled!”

Now two-for-two on FEI wins during Tryon Fall 3 with the 2014 Swedish Warmblood owned by The Itchy Group, Dana was sure to praise the gelding’s athleticism and sharpness. “I’m just so happy with him. If you watched the jump off, you’ll know that he did help me out. I love him a lot – I believe in him, and I think he knows it.”

*Podium: 2) **Luis Fernando Larrazabal** (VEN), 1) **Jad Dana** (LBN), 3) **Kristen VanderVeen** (USA)* *podium finishers enjoy the champagne toast presented by La Marca.*

“We have such a good program going for ‘Itchy’ right now,” he continued. “A huge thanks to my coach, Leslie Burr, who got him ready for me to be able to do what I just did. It feels incredible.”

Having enjoyed his fair share of wins and podium placings at Tryon International, Dana will be staying for another week to compete in the Blue Ridge Foothills. “We love Tryon. It’s always on our schedule, whether it be in the spring, summer, or fall,” he shared. “There’s some new, beautiful jumps here, and the atmosphere is amazing. I feel the support of people at Tryon!