Your Young Rider Cross-Country Notes

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The weather finally relented in Lexington with a cloudy but dry Saturday morning providing a great setting for the Young Riders cross-country.  There were some big movements on the scoreboards and a few falls, but overall it was a great day of cross-country. 

I spoke briefly with David O’Connor, who spent the morning watching the horses gallop across the young rider courses that he designed.   David said that he felt the 2* course in particular was a very tough track with many new questions this year.  He gave credit to a field of quality horses and good riders in the 2* for negotiating the course really well. 

There were a few scattered issues and falls throughout both courses, but the problems did not seem to be focused on any one jump or complex.  For example, overnight 1* leaders Florence Miller and Tuscan Sun had a tough fall at a lone cabin that was not part of a complex, but both are fine.  Coal Creek ran away with Lizzie Snow a bit in the 2*, but again both are fine.

David told me that the 2* horses were finishing a bit hot (around 104 and 105 degrees).  The 2* horses had to gallop all the way up the hill to the quarry for a new question this year.  Although the 1* horses rode after the 2*, they finished cooler.  None of the horses looked like they were struggling home, partially thanks to good fortune with the weather, and partially thanks to smart riding.

On the scoreboard, Area V widened their narrow lead after the dressage to a healthy 25.9 points by adding an incredibly impressive 1.2 XC penalties for the 3 counted team scores.  Area VI moved up from 4th and now holds the silver medal position going into the show jumping, and team Ontario slid one spot to third.

CH-J* Team XC Results:

1. Area V +1.2  163.3
2. Area VI +10.9  189.2
3. Ontario +28.0  191.8

[1* Team Scores]

There were 10 double-clears in the young riders one-star division and the most notable belongs to Sable Giesler and Evil Munchkin.  They moved up from 3rd to take the lead.  There were a few issues in the one-star.  Of the 26 starters, 4 didn’t complete the course, and 5 finished with at least a stop. 

CH-J* Individual XC Results:

1. Sable Giesler and Evil Munchkin +0  52.3
2. Alyssa Phillips and Sundance Bay +1.2  52.7
3. Victoria New and Bally Whatnot +0  53.7
4. Brook Pickering and Abbey Road +0  56.7

[1* Individual Scores]

The CIC2* cross-country rode much more smoothly, with only two riders not completing the course and just 4 others having a stop.  Overnight leaders Dynamic Image and Devon Brown of Area III extended their lead slightly with one of 8 double-clears for the 2* division.  Devon and Dynamic Image will go into the show jumping with a 3.9 point lead ahead of Joelle Bakersville and Malibu.

CH-Y** Individual XC Results:

1. Dynamic Image and Devon Brown +0  50.5
2. Joelle Baskerville and Malibu +2.0 54.4
3. Kendyl Tracy and Ever So Lucky +0  54.5

[2* Individual Scores]

The dressage leading Area III team traded places with the Area V & IX team, and they will go into the show jumping just 0.6 points apart.  Team Canada is well back in 3rd, but the red and white looks to be in strong position to medal in both the 1* and 2*.

CH-Y** Team XC Results:

1. Area V & IX +0  166.2
2. Area III +4.8  166.8
3. Team Canada +37.5  208.2

[2* Team Scores]

The show jumping is shaping up to be a nail biting finish on Sunday.  In the one-star, the top three riders are separated by less than a rail, although the Area V team has a big lead in the team competition.  In the two-star, the top three riders are separated by less than a rail, factoring in cross-country times, and the top two teams are within a point.

Update: USEA Recap, Chronicle Recap

Lastly, and on an unrelated note, I want to extend Eventing Nation’s condolences to the Martin family for the passing of Silva’s father.  I have not spoken with the Martins about the circumstances, but this is yet another challenge that couldn’t come at a harder time for Boyd and Silva.  

Go eventing.   

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