Photo of the Galway Downs looming storm clouds, courtesy of Benita Strini.
The final Saturday of three-day cross country action has come and gone, with the usual amount of mixed results and emotions. There’s nothing like cross country day to leave you winded, elated, a little stunned, and always wanting more. There are no doubt some riders with a little bit of wounded pride tonight, and maybe a few bruised bums, but overall it was a safe day of competition, and there will always be redemption in the future. Now the riders settle down for a long night of taking the best care of their horses possible, with icing and walking and massages to come before jogs bright and early tomorrow morning.
Galway Downs International: [Website] [Live Scores]
Virginia CCI1*: [Website] [Live Scores]
Nothing like some good old fashioned pony love! Kristin Carpenter demonstrates the best kind of emotion after a challenging day at the VA CCI*. The cross country course definitely rode in a tough manner, with eleven riders not crossing the finish line. The time was easy, but the combinations were big and technical, and riders who came home safely were thrilled with their horses.
Photo courtesy of Kristin Carpenter’s FB.
Barb Crabo and the very experienced Eveready had a superb day at Galway in the CCI3*, posting the fastest time in the division and adding only 3.6 penalties. This puts them 3.2 points behind the leader Buck Davidson and Copper Beech. Also, this picture is badass.
Barbara Crabo under the tower and over fence 3 pic.twitter.com/M9kUtv5Icb
— PRO Event Riders (@PROEventRiders) November 1, 2014
EN’s Got Talent spotlighted Katy Groesbeck and Roman Palace a few weeks ago, and good thing too, because they pulled out a double clear cross country today at the VA CCI*, and that puts them in 7th place overnight!
Photo courtesy of Karen Fulton.
Marilyn Little held onto her lead in the CCI2* at Galway, as well as taking the lead in the CCI* overnight. RF West Indie jumped a great round for her, coming home with just 12 time penalties.
Photo courtesy of PRO FB.
Caroline Martin had a good day in the CCI2* at Galway Downs, continuing the good juju for Team BDJ. She and Spring Easy popped around the course with just 10.4 time penalties to add, which sits them neatly in 5th place overnight.
Photo courtesy of Ashley Adams’ FB.
Ellen Doughty-Hume had a disappointing fall at the last water in the CCI2* at Galway, but luckily everything is OK with both her and Obie.
From Ellen: “Obie and I are both fine! He unfortunately hung a leg at the last water, 3 fences from home 🙁 I stayed on for a few strides but just couldn’t hang on. My first ever RF 🙁 He was up on the minutes & would have easily made time and would be in 2nd going into SJ. On a positive note: this was the best he’s felt on XC up until jump 22! Onto 2015. 2014 I’m done with you! Here’s a pic of him over 22, you can see his LF leg still on the takeoff… I’m glad he stayed on his feet.”
Photo courtesy of Ellen’s FB.
But really Ellen, we give you extra points for trying this hard to stay on!!
Photo via PRO FB.
The CCIJR* division at Virginia had it’s share of thrills and spills today, but Woodge Fulton and Captain Jack came home clean with time to put them in 11th place overnight. Love those Virginia views from that cross country course!
Photo courtesy of Karen Fulton.
You might have thought that the delay for a little bit of rain was silly, but not after looking at this picture! Galway had some serious muck, and it’s probably because Jenni Autry did NOT pack her rain boots this time. I mean, she obviously jinxed it.
#galwaydowner – 2 hours may not be long enough to dry out this rain! pic.twitter.com/Hyn9Kg9MDj
— samantha clark (@samanthalclark) November 1, 2014
Lizzie Snow and Coal Creek had an absolutely fab ride all throughout the course, which should more than make up for the disappointment they suffered at Fair Hill. They moved up to fourth place overnight with just 7.2 time penalties.
Photo via PRO FB.
Mara DePuy is always the picture of style, even after a tough day in the cold at VA on that blustery hill! She and Congo Brazzaville conquered the CCI* course, coming home double clear to put them in 8th place overnight.
Photo via Mara DePuy Eventing FB.
