Buck Davidson, Rebecca Howard Finish in Top 20 at Tattersalls

Buck Davidson and Copper Beach. Photo by Libby Law Photography. Buck Davidson and Copper Beach. Photo by Libby Law Photography.

It was a great day for the North American contingent at the Tattersalls International Horse Trials in Ireland, as all five pairs jumped excellent rounds and represented their home countries well. Buck Davidson and Rebecca Howard (CAN) both finished in the top 20 in their respective divisions.

In the Irish Field CCI3*, Buck and 9-year-old Copper Beach, an Irish Sport Horse owned by Carl and Cassie Segal and Sherrie Martin, jumped a lovely clear show jumping round with just one penalty to add. This moved them up 22nd after cross country to finish 17th. Bearing in mind that Tattersalls is a selection trial for the Rio Olympics, this was a solid performance for “Sean” in his international debut.

The top three celebrate: Kitty King, William Fox-Pitt and Andrew Nicholson. Photo by Libby Law Photography.

The top three celebrate: Kitty King, William Fox-Pitt and Andrew Nicholson. Photo by Libby Law Photography.

The scores were close at the top, and overnight leader Andrew Nicholson (NZL) and Deborah Sellar’s Jet Set could not afford a rail down. Unfortunately, the 8-year-old Spanish stallion nicked fence 8, dropping them down to third place. This moved Brit Kitty King and Ceylor L A N to the top of the podium.

Ceylor L A N is an 8-year-old KWPN owned by Diane Bown, Jacqueline Owen and Samantha Wilson. He has been produced by Kitty and was a consistent winner at the one- and two-star levels. Another victory, earned at his very first CCI3*, is now added to this young horse’s good record.

Second place went to William Fox-Pitt and Luxury F H, capping off an excellent weekend for William, who won the Eventing Ireland CCI2* with Ramdam de Mons and the Cooley Farm CCIYH1* for 6 and 7 year olds with The Soapdodger, as well as placed second in the Land Rover CCI1* with Reinstated.

Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master. Photo by Libby Law Photography.

Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master. Photo by Libby Law Photography.

George Mernagh Memorial CIC3*

The CIC3* completed both jumping phases today; they show jumped while most of the Western Hemisphere was still sleeping and ran cross country before the CCI3* wrapped up the event in the stadium ring. The Tattersalls live stream didn’t miss a minute of action, and the day was organized so that viewers around the world could watch every phase today, which was lovely for the fans at home.

Rebecca Howard (CAN) and Blithe Hill Farm’s Riddle Master pulled a rail at the second fence but kept it together for the remainder of the course, adding one time penalty to lie in 13th after cross country. The 14-year-old Canadian Sport Horse later jumped a very classy cross country round with four time penalties to add, finishing in 11th place in their final prep before the Luhmühlen CCI4*.

The live stream commentators professed their love for “Rupert,” saying that he’s a bit of an “oversized pony” that always looks like he’s having a great time.

Caroline Martin and Quantum Solace. Photo by Libby Law Photography.

Caroline Martin and Quantum Solace. Photo by Libby Law Photography.

Caroline Martin and Quantum Solace had one rail down in the show jumping. Caroline then gave “Nacho” a positive ride around cross country to go clear on their first overseas course. With the Bramham Under 25 CCI3* in mind, she didn’t push for time, and 12 time penalties gave them a final placing of 26th.

“I’m super happy with him and it was a perfect prep run,” Caroline told EN. “I can’t tell you what an amazing horse he is. Thanks for all the support back home!”

Katherine Coleman and her 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare Courage Under Fire lowered one rail in the show jumping and came very close to a double-clear cross country round. They were just three seconds over the optimum time, but they moved up seven places to finish in 21st. Katherine also finished 33rd in the CCI2* with Longwood, her own 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding.

Thanks to Tattersalls for a fabulous live stream and commentary that included compelling facts from @EventingConsult and @EquiRatings. Thanks also to Libby Law Photography for her stunning photographs included in our reports of this event. Go Eventing.

Tattersalls Links: WebsiteFinal Scores, EN’s Coverage, @Tatts2015