Hannah Sue Burnett Delivers One-Two Punch in Rebecca Farm CCI3* Dressage

Hannah Sue Burnett and Cooley Dream. Photo by Leslie Threldkeld for the official event photographer Shannon Brinkman photography, courtesy of Rebecca Farm.

Hannah Sue Burnett and Cooley Dream. Photo by Leslie Threldkeld for the official event photographer Shannon Brinkman photography, courtesy of Rebecca Farm.

Hannah Sue Burnett staked out the top of the CCI3* dressage leaderboard today at the Event at Rebecca Farm. She and Cooley Dream were the first pair in the division and they came out swinging, laying down a 43.7 that proved unbeatable in the 12-horse division.

The closest anyone got to catching them, in fact, was Hannah Sue herself on her second horse, Under Suspection, who scored a 45.6.

Hannah Sue Burnett and Under Suspection. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Hannah Sue Burnett and Under Suspection. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Rebecca Farm is Cooley Dream’s CCI3* debut. The 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse owned by Jacqueline Mars cut a striking figure in the ring and we can’t wait to watch them tackle tomorrow’s testing cross country course.

“Cooley is a young horse, he’s only eight this year. He’s still sort of a work in progress but he’s lovely, he’s such a fantastic horse,” Hannah Sue said.

Under Suspection is a newer ride for Hannah Sue, who began competing her this spring. The 12-year-old Holsteiner mare owned by Mary Ann Ghadban was formerly ridden by Dirk Schrade in Germany before being imported to the States by Sharon White, who competed her at the three-star level.

“Under Suspection was fantastic too,” Hannah Sue said. “I thought actually ‘Pippi’ might beat Cooley Dream because she was doing so well in warm up but with the wind, she got a little excited and changes were a little more exciting than what I was hoping. But both tests were really good and I was very happy with them.”

Buck Davidson and Copper Beach, perhaps the most traveled combination in the field, rounded out the top three on a 45.7. The pair got a big cheer after their test from spectators acknowledging Buck’s support of the event and willingness go out of his way to be here this week.

Buck Davidson and Copper Beach. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Buck Davidson and Copper Beach. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Rebecca Farm marks the much-anticipated first FEI outing for one of the most exciting new combinations in the sport, Hawley Bennett and Jollybo. Hawley acquired the 12-year-old British Sport Horse mare, campaigned through the three-star level by Justine Dutton, in June and they already seem to fit one another like a glove. Jollybo was a bit impetuous in today’s test but Hawley, who knows a thing or two about spicy mares, coaxed her through the tension to score a 53.9, good for fourth place.

Earlier in the day the Adequan Gold Cup CIC3* division dressage was won by West Coaster Mackenna Shea and Landioso. MacKenna bested her trainer Tamie Smith‘s score of 44.5 by a tenth of a point to become the overnight leader.

MacKenna Shea and Landioso. Photo by Alleyn Evans for for official event photographer Shannon Brinkman Photography, courtesy of Rebecca Farm.

Mackenna Shea and Landioso. Photo by Alleyn Evans for for official event photographer Shannon Brinkman Photography, courtesy of Rebecca Farm.

The Next Level event team of Tamie and Heather Morris had a monopoly on the top five placings, with Tamie in second, third and fifth on Lagos Star, Dempsey and Twizted Sister respectively. Heather sits third on her 2015 Rebecca Farm CCI2* winner Charlie Tango.

There were things going on everywhere you looked on Friday at Rebecca. Check out this highlight video from our friends at Ride On Video:

Rebecca Farm CCI3* dressage results: 

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Rebecca Farm CIC3* dressage top 10:

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FEI cross country takes place tomorrow with CCI2* from 8 to 9 a.m. MT, CIC3* from 9:20 to 10:35 MT, CCI3* from 11 to 11:40 a.m. MT, and CCI1* from 12 to 1:40 p.m. MT. Saturday also sees the conclusion of Novice and Training Three-Day show jumping as well as the continuation of the horse trials divisions.

Much more to come. Go Eventing!

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