Selena O'Hanlon and Foxwood High. Photo by Jenni Autry.
The first 12 horses did their dressage this afternoon in the star-studded CIC3* division at Plantation Field International Horse Trials, with Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High leading the way in the early going on 41.3. We’ve seen dressage scores for “Woody,” a 12-year-old Canadian Sport Horse gelding owned by John and Judy Rumble, drop nearly 20 points in the past year, and they delivered yet another personal best score today here in Unionville.
“I’m really excited about how he’s done this year, especially since Bromont onward, as I’ve been trying to get to the 30s to be competitive in Europe. I’ve gotten a personal best every time out. Jacquie Brooks helped me a lot when I broke my collarbone last November, and I’ve continued to work with her a lot. I’m staying across the street at Bruce (Davidson’s), who I’ve been training with since I was 7. He knows me inside and out, and I’ve been working with him since Monday,” Selena said.
“Woody has also been getting more confident, and that really makes a difference. Starting with Bromont, I felt like I got the score that I deserved, and it became more about going in there to win it instead of being timid and worried about how we looked as a pair. He’s also way more rideable now in the ring, so I can bring a little bit of Colombo to Woody.”
The super performance in the little white box is made all the more special by the fact that Woody’s owner, John Rumble, was sitting ringside to cheer him on during the test — as he always is for this horse’s events. John has his own storied history in eventing, having won a team bronze medal in eventing for Canada at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, where he also placed 16th individually. It’s wonderful to have top riders like John go on to be owners in the sport.
“John never misses a beat,” Selena said. “He’s very understanding whether you have a good day or bad one. He says, ‘We’ll drink to commiserate or drink to congratulate, but either way, we’ll have a drink and dinner.’ He’s been very happy with the work Woody has been doing with both Jacquie and Clayton (Fredericks). The fact that John is so supportive as an owner means there’s only the pressure I put on myself.”
Canada is well positioned at the top of the CIC3* leaderboard currently, as Jessica Phoenix and Abbey GS are holding second place on 42.3 after being first into the ring in this 67-horse division. This 14-year-old Trakehner mare owned by Charlotte Schickedanz floats across the ground and really delivered a lovely performance today; she’s also a stellar jumper and one you will absolutely want to watch go on Saturday and Sunday if you’re planning to be here at the Best. Event. Ever.
Phillip Dutton and Mighty Nice are holding third place on 43.8 in the horse’s first FEI competition since Rolex Kentucky CCI4*, where the horse 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Caroline Moran, Annie Jones, Michael Bombar, Kevin Keane and Evie Dutton chipped a stifle on cross country. “Happy” looked in good form today and is on track to compete in the CCI3* at the Dutta Corp Fair Hill International next month.
Doug Payne and Lysander. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Looking to the CIC2*, Doug Payne has a lot to be celebrating tonight after throwing down the best dressage score of his FEI career to handily lead with Lysander on 31.7. EN readers should be very familiar with “Big Leo” by now, as we’ve been following his career for the past three years since he was featured in EN’s Got Talent. The 8-year-old Thoroughbred/Holsteiner gelding owned by Doug and Kristin Michaloski and bred in the U.S. by Elizabeth Callahan, just keeps getting better and better.
“He’s not that great of a mover, but he always seems to pull out these amazing dressage scores. He scored a 13 in a Training level test once. He’s so consistent,” Doug said. But he’s actually giving the credit for the test to his super groom Michelle Novak, who gave him some pointers before the test that ultimately helped seal the deal.
“She told me that I needed to watch when I was coming out of my corners and preparing for the next movement, like a half pass, because she said I was throwing my body to the inside,” Doug said. “Sure enough, I kept my weight in the stirrup in the corners, and there you go.”
While he’s thrilled to be leading the CIC2* at the end of the first day — with 17 horses still to come tomorrow — Doug said the goal this weekend definitely isn’t about winning. “I’m trying to get him as much experience as I can,” he said. “I’ll move out at a good pace on cross country, but I won’t go full out. Show jumping is the greenest of his phases. Marc (Donovan) always creates clever courses that require you to be on the ball. Hopefully we can pull it off.”
Alex O’Neal and Rendezvous With Charly are sitting about five points behind Doug and Big Leo in second place on 36.1, with Peter Barry and Long Island T rounding out the top three on 38.6.
The remainder of CIC3* and CIC2* dressage will start at 8 a.m. EST tomorrow, with the two-star wrapping up around 11 a.m. EST and the three-star continuing all the way through until 4:30 p.m. EST. Stay tuned for a full report on the leaders in the CIC* A division after dressage.
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