Seven-time Olympian and three-time team gold medalist Andrew Hoy (AUS) is maximizing on a non-Olympic weekend by tearing it up in the Event Rider Masters Division at Gatcombe today. He and Cheeky Calimbo scored a 36.6 at the storied event to lead the 38-horse pack going into show jumping Sunday morning.
Storming into 1st place @GatcombeHorse Leg 4 of #ERMeventing is @HoyEventing and Cheeky Calimbo with a score of 36.6 pic.twitter.com/caMeXNjace
— Event Rider Masters (@EventRiderMstrs) August 6, 2016
His nearest competitor is Oliver Townend and Cillnabradden Evo, who sit on a 39.1. Oliver had a strong test aboard the ten-year-old Irish Sport Horse whom he acquired from Andrew Nicholson at the end of last year. The two have had a strong season together, winning the CIC2* at Alnwick – Burgham just last week.
Izzy Taylor and KBIS Briarlands Matildo round out the top three with another strong score of 42.9, less than a point in front of Paul Tapner and Yogi Bear VIII. With many riders across the pond in Rio for the weekend, this top four is no surprise; it was more of a question as to which order they’d come in and who can give themselves the best head start going into the jumping phases tomorrow.
Up in 4th place @GatcombeHorse Leg 4 #ERMeventing with a score of 43.8 is @TapnerEventing and Yogi Bear #WillHeWin pic.twitter.com/2TOJL6fERG
— Event Rider Masters (@EventRiderMstrs) August 6, 2016
Katherine Coleman and Longwood are the lone American contingent in this division, and they currently sit in 32nd place with a dressage score of 55.3. Katherine and Longwood have been on fire in the cross country phase and solid over the poles all year — especially since crossing the big drink this spring to compete in Europe — so we predict to see a strong move up the rankings tomorrow from these two.
We’ll also expect to see strong jumping phases from Blyth Tait (NZL) and Bear Necessity V who sit in 13th, Maxime Livio (FRA) and Pica D’or who are in 14th, and Nicola Wilson and Bulana, currently in 19th.
Show jumping will start Sunday morning at 6:15 a.m. EST (11:15 a.m. GMT), and cross-country will begin at 9:30 EST (14:30 GMT). You can live stream both events at EventRiderMasters.TV.
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ERM Division Top Ten: