Kelly Pugh and Corazon. Photo by Sally Spickard.
The 50-strong CCI* division has just finished cross country, and it was Kelly Pugh and Corazon who jumped double clear to remain on their dressage score of 41.3 and, subsequently, in the lead heading into show jumping.
This is Kelly’s first FEI event with Corazon, owned by David Garrett, who has proven himself to be a solid citizen after today’s run. This pair doesn’t have much in the way of breathing room in the show jumping tomorrow; less than a rail separates Kelly from second placed Tamie Smith and Under Wraps, who also ran double clear.
Tamie Smith and Under Wraps were one of the last to go, and she was thrilled with how well he ran today. “He’s just such a quality, sweet horse,” Tamie said. “It’s so fun to be on the young ones and see them gain confidence as they keep going out.”
Owned by Beth Lendrum, Under Wraps is under Tamie’s care until he sells and gaining more confidence and experience with every outing. They’ll remain on their dressage score of 43.0 for second place overnight.
Third after cross country is still Auburn Excell Brady and Pinotage, who also easily made the time to add nothing to their dressage score of 45.8. Auburn also has a second ride who is in the top 10 in Royal Lux, who just barely came home over the optimum time for two time penalties. Royal Lux will take eighth place into show jumping on a score of 49.0.
Patience O’Neal and Hollywood Diva ran a fast and clear round and were rewarded with a move up the board, from sixth to fourth, on a score of 47.6. Hollywood Diva is a 14-year-old KWPN mare owned by Barbara Flynn who is a newer ride for Patience. This is their first FEI competition together; they most recently finished fourth in the Intermediate at Whidbey Island.
Anna Collier and The Green Machine round out the top five, moving from seventh to fifth on a score of 48.0. The Green Machine is contesting his second CCI* this weekend and looked like he was thoroughly enjoying himself as he rounded the turn to the last group of fences today.
The CCI* course rode quite well overall, 25 of the 42 finishers completing double clear runs. We did see a few tired horses coming around to the last, but overall it seems the horses were fit and running well through the end.
We’re just wrapping up the press conference for the CCI3* now, so I’ll be updating all of my reports throughout the rest of the day with quotes and more photos. Once again, I can’t thank everyone here who is working so hard to run a smooth and seamless event. Hats off to each one of you!
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