Vittoria Panizzon and Chequers Play The Game. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Vittoria Panizzon and Chequers Play The Game clinched a record-breaking win this afternoon at Tattersalls International Horse Trials & Country Fair in Ireland, adding just 1 show jumping time penalty to their dressage score to finish on a final score of 35.5.
That gives Vittoria and “Elvis,” a 14-year-old KWPN gelding (Stravinsky X Mirakel, by Lancer II) owned by Amy and Patricia Lambert, a new record for the lowest finishing score in the history of the CCI3* at Tattersalls.
No combinations had ever finished on a final score in the 30s in past runnings of the CCI3*, and this year we ultimately saw two pairs complete on a sub-40 score, including Piggy French and Quarrycrest Echo in the horse’s first CCI3*.
Piggy and “Red,” a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Clover Echo X Royal China, by Cavalier Royale) owned by Jayne McGivern, were one of five combinations in the field to finish on their dressage score, taking second place on 39.3. As EquiRatings pointed out, in any other year that score would have been enough to win the CCI3*.
Willa Newton and Caja 20 finished on their dressage score of 43.6 in the mare’s CCI3* debut to take third place. The 9-year-old Rheinlander mare (Carenzo X Ravenna, by Ragtime) owned by Joey Newton and Sarah McCorquodale won the 2016 Blenheim 8/9-year-old class, which has empirically proven to be a consistent indicator of form at CCI3* and ultimately CCI4* level. Keep your eyes on these two!
Phillip Dutton and Z. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Phillip Dutton finished both of his horses in the top 10, with Z, a 9-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Asca X Bellabouche, by Babouche VH Gehucht Z) owned by Tom Tierney, Simon Roosevelt, Suzanne Lacy, Annie Jones and Caroline Moran, leading the way for the North American contingent in fifth place thanks to a clear round and 1 time penalty to complete on 46.0.
The weather spanned the gamut today in Ratoath, ranging from beautiful sunshine to pouring rain, and Phillip had the good fortune of being the first in the ring to jump during a strong deluge. “Z was spectacular,” Phillip said. “He had the one time penalty, and since I was the first to go I wasn’t quite sure how quick it was going to be, but he jumped well.”
Fernhill Revelation, an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (YOU X Hallo Noble Girl, by Hallo) owned by Tom Tierney, Simon Roosevelt, Suzanne Lacy, Annie Jones and Caroline Moran, sat in third place after cross country and ultimately finished seventh on 48.6 after knocking two poles in the show jumping.
“I blame myself a little bit because I was pushing him for the time and I think it cost us at least one of the rails if not both,” Phillip said. “I think I would have been better off with a time fault or two but you’re in there and trying to win and that’s the risk you take.”
Buck Davidson and Carlevo. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Buck Davidson and Carlevo, a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Caresino X Ramatuelle, by Levernois) owned by Carlevo LLC, jumped one of the six clear show jumping rounds inside the time to finish sixth on 48.2.
“Minus the mishap at the last water yesterday, he was right there,” Buck said. “I think he will come on a lot from this and I’ve got some things to work on, but I’ve got a really exciting young horse that can do all three phases.”
Kathryn Robinson and Let It Bee. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Kathryn Robinson and Gayle Robinson’s Let It Bee, a 16-year-old Westphalian gelding (Lamerto H X Baroness, by Brentano II), finished 11th for Canada, adding one rail to complete on 55.3. They now have 41 international runs together as a combination, making them the most experienced partnership in the field.
“I was really happy with how Bee jumped, though disappointed with the rail as it was totally my fault. I rode him to that fence as if he hadn’t just done a 10-minute cross country. I should have helped him a bit and waited. But bar that mistake by me, I was happy that we made the time as it was very tight. I’m also happy with how he has come out of it, and I can sit down and make a plan for the rest of the season,” Kathryn said.
“I’m thinking I’ll probably do some CICs next, maybe some of the Event Rider Masters legs,” Kathryn said. “I was thinking of potentially going to Pau at the end of the season, so we’ll see how he feels after this. At the moment he’s full of himself!”
Katherine Coleman and Back to Business, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Harlequin Du Carel X Moxella, by Quick Star), jumped clear with 2 time penalties to finish 12th on 59.7 in the mare’s first CCI3* appearance.
“I was so pleased with the little mate,” Kathryn said. “It’s her first season at three-star and her first CCI, and she absolutely took it all on and jumped her socks off. I’m excited about her for the future.”
It’s been a wonderful week in Ireland following along with our North Americans, and it’s exciting to see more members of Team USA competing at this event. Phillip Dutton said it best: “Ireland is a very horse-friendly country, and Tattersalls has a good educational cross country course and atmosphere for dressage and show jumping. The footing was very good. It’s also a fun show, and the Guinness is very nice!”
So if you’re wondering which event to place on your bucket list next, make it Tattersalls. Until then, sláinte! Click here to catch up on all of EN’s coverage from #Tatts2017. Go Eventing.
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