Marilyn Little and RF Demeter. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Marilyn Little and RF Demeter laid down a very impressive dressage test this afternoon, scoring a 40.5 for their second best at this level to win the CCI3* at Galway Downs. This pair is known for being a powerhouse in, well, all three phases, and this mare sure has some fancy moves.
To show just how good this score was for Marilyn and “Demi”, their previous best was at Schenfeld in the CIC3* in 2013 — a 37.2. Thanks to our numbers guru, Maggie, for finding that fun fact!
“I was really thrilled with Demi,” Marilyn said. “She did her job out there and she’s such a show girl. She is loving California — the heat really suits her. She’s been very comfortable all week so I was looking forward to the test today hoping she was going to be the best she could be. This was one of her better scores so I was really thrilled that it all came together for today.”
“She’s 13, so she’s reasonably well-educated, so at this point I’m trying to do my best on the day for her and we’ve really been working on bringing her frame up a little bit more. She’s a very powerful horse coming from behind, so balancing all of it takes a little bit.”
Marilyn is looking forward to tomorrow’s test and feels this will be a great course for her experienced horse. “I’m really looking forward to getting out there with Demi tomorrow,” she said. “She’s been a great partner and she’s a wonderful cross country horse. Obviously, there’s a lot to do out there … but I can’t think of a horse I’d rather be heading out of the start box to jump it on.”
Marilyn had plenty of competition, especially in the latter part of the day, with both Phillip Dutton with Fernhill Fugitive and Jacob Fletcher and his AEC winner Atlantic Domino coming up to challenge.
Jacob Fletcher and Atlantic Domino. Photo by Sally Spickard.
I was really impressed with Atlantic Domino today — this is my first time seeing him in person — and I thought perhaps their performance could really challenge Marilyn for the lead. They earned a consistent 71% from all three judges for a penalty score of 42.6 and second place going into cross country. This is a personal best for this pair at the level — their previous best score was a 48.3 at Richland earlier this year.
This was my first opportunity to speak with Jacob, who has been consistently working to improve himself and his horses — and that work really paid off in the sandbox today.
“The main goal (for the two horses) was that they had confident building rounds,” Jacob said. “That they came out better than they started. Domino just keeps better and better. I came this weekend trying to be competitive too and trying to make the bigger guys think about me a little bit.”
Jacob, clearly an astute student of the sport, referenced his start at Blenheim last year with this horse and how he used Phillip Dutton’s performance aboard Fernhill Fugitive as his barometer today.
“I attempted the Blenheim CCI3* on Domino in 2014, and Mr. Phillip smoked me like a cheap cigar on the same horse he brought here,” he said. “So it was a really good reference point to see where I am.”
Jacob also talked about his experience working for Kevin McNab last year and what he has brought back to the States with him. “The biggest thing I came back with was a system that I can follow and use on every single horse I ride,” he explained. “I didn’t have a system when I went there. That would be the biggest difference.”
As far as tomorrow is concerned, Jacob is feeling the pressure being so highly placed following dressage. He feels that Ian Stark’s course will suit his two horses and is looking forward to getting out there and giving it his all.
Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Fugitive. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Phillip and Fernhill Fugitive, who has become a seasoned veteran on Phillip’s string this year, had a really nice test, showing their consistency in the contact and the precise accuracy that the best in the world have to score a 43.4 for third place after dressage. Big Phil received some hearty cheers from the patron’s tent, earning his fans a blown kiss for their support. So charming, Phillip!
“This was (Fernhill Fugitive’s) best test to date,” Phillip said. “As far as the course, it looks challenging but should be a fair test.”
So charming. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Jessica Phoenix had herself a day today. She’s got four horses competing in the CCI3* this weekend, three of which sit inside the top 10: Bentley’s Best (43.7, 4th), Patras VR (44.6, 5th), and Abbey GS (48.6, 9th). Bentley’s Best led the field for much of the day and was the trailblazer — and at his first attempt at the CCI3* level!
Jessica Phoenix and Bentley’s Best. Photo by Sally Spickard.
EN’s pick to win, Lauren Kieffer and Meadowbrook’s Scarlett, also had a solid effort that earned them a 45.0 nod from the judges. While this score is a bit higher than her average of 42.0, but we know this pair is more than competent out on cross country, and the cross country will surely make this anything but a dressage competition.
Most of the riders are likely out doing their final walks on the course as the sun sets — cross country will begin with the CCI2* at 10 a.m. PST followed by the CCI3* at 11:15 a.m. and the CCI* at 2:30 p.m.
Enjoy this great recap of the day’s action courtesy of Anne Haller and Ride On Video!
