CIC3* Top Three Tell All After Dressage at Rebecca Farm

Hawley Bennett-Awad and Gin & Juice lead the CIC3* after dressage. Photo by Chesna Klimek. Hawley Bennett-Awad and Gin & Juice lead the CIC3* after dressage. Photo by Chesna Klimek.

During the Friday night press conference at Rebecca Farm, the top three CIC3* riders after dressage — Hawley Bennett-Awad, Matt Brown and Jen McFall — reflected on their tests, the upcoming cross-country cours, and the future plans for their horses.

Hawley Bennett-Awad and Gin & Juice of Canada sit pretty at the top of the leaderboard at the end of CIC3* dressage. Believe it or not, this is the first time the pair has been in the lead after dressage. “I was really happy with her,” Hawley said. “It was very important for me to go in there and have a good test, because the next time out at dressage will be at the World Equestrian Games (knock on wood), where there will be a ton of atmosphere. I had some tools and tricks that I wanted to use in the ring today, and it worked.”

Matthew Brown and Super Socks BCF, 2nd after CIC3* dressage. Photo by Chesna Klimek.

Matthew Brown and Super Socks BCF, second after CIC3* dressage. Photo by Chesna Klimek.

Hawley was complimentary of second-place rider Matthew and his Irish Thoroughbred, Super Socks BCF, saying she’s used to seeing them at the top of the leaderboard. She was also thrilled for her student, Jen. “I was a  bawling mess after her test,” Hawley said, while choking up again. “I was so proud of her. I am just as excited by her ride as I am by mine. She’s worked really hard.”

Matt was equally thrilled with Super Socks BCF: “I couldn’t be more happy with my horse. The last couple of shows in the dressage, he’s had some explosions. At this event, he woke up and really let me ride him through it. He stepped up and did not let me down at all.”

This pair has been together for about a year and a half, and Matt said they are still figuring each other out at this level. “I really think this horse has a lot of potential as long as he lets me in like that when he has nerves. I think he could do whatever it is I want him to do in the future.” He’d like their next trip to be Fair Hill in the fall.

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Jen McFall and High Times, third after dressage in the CIC3*. Photo by Chesna Klimek.

If all goes well, Matt and Jen may be carpooling to Fair Hill in October. Jen said she was delighted that she and the 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding, High Times, achieved their personal best dressage score at this level, breaking into the 40s. “He was so professional,” she said. “He dealt with his nerves and let me ride him anyway.” Jen also expressed gratitude to Hawley and the rest of her support team and looks forward to continuing to develop this horse for the future.

Barbara Crabo and Over Easy, 5th after dressage. Photo by Chesna Klimek.

Barbara Crabo and Over Easy, 5th after dressage. Photo by Chesna Klimek.

On Saturday, the riders will face Ian Stark’s CIC3* cross-country course, and they all agree it will require forward, confident riding, especially in the first half. According to Hawley, the course has “big questions, lots of questions. It’s an Ian Stark course. You’ve got to come out of the box going. If you ride forward, then it will ride great.”

This will be Gin & Juice’s last trip before WEG, and Hawley’s plan is to “get in a good rhythm and whatever time she gets, we’ll get. It’s a big day for her tomorrow; she hasn’t run since Kentucky. We did a jump school yesterday, and she’s ready; she was a firecracker! I might have a little dragon out of the box.” She thinks Saturday’s course will be a solid prep for WEG, predicting the WEG course will include many skinnies and turning questions.

Jen reflected that this year’s CIC3* course “used a lot more turns than last year. I think that’s going to come into play; I think it could be tough to get your horse on point.” Matt seconded that: “I think it will be a big day for a lot of people; there’s challenge after challenge out there.” He plans to focus on creating confidence for Super Socks BCF during the first part of the course and really help him along through every jump in the beginning. All three riders noted the challenges created by Ian Stark’s use of terrain, and all agreed that the second water complex is a must-watch.

Jennifer McFall, Matthew Brown, and Hawley Bennett-Awad during the Rebecca Farm press conference. Photo by Chesna Klimek.

Jen McFall, Matt Brown and Hawley Bennett-Awad during the Rebecca Farm press conference. Photo by Chesna Klimek.

Matt, Jen and Hawley all shared appreciation for The Event at Rebecca Farm. Matt noted that the Broussard family’s passion for three-day eventing has created a one-of-a-kind eventing destination in Montana. Jen elaborated that “Rebecca is so exhibitor-friendly; they offer FEH through three-star. It’s really fun. You can bring all your horses, all your riders, and have a great time. Everybody looks forward to it.”

Hawley has been riding at Rebecca Farm for more than 10 years, coming every year save the Olympic years. “It is my favorite event,” she said. “The Broussards go above and beyond. Becky had that dream years ago. The fact that we’re getting a CCI3* here next year — I’m so excited! I’d love to see some riders from Europe come over here. I brag about this place: perfect footing, beautiful jumps, everything is top notch. Where else would I want to do my final prep for WEG? Nowhere.”

Stay tuned to Eventing Nation for footage from Rebecca Farm after cross-country day!

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Lauren Billys and Ballingowan Ginger are fourth after dressage. Photo by Chesna Klimek.

Lauren Billys and Ballingowan Ginger, 4th after CIC3* dressage. Photo by Chesna Klimek.

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