Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Everybody knows that anything can happen on Sunday morning at a three-day event and Bromont is no exception, although I’m predicting that today’s leaders will be hanging on for dear life. A few thoughts as we head into the final phase of this week’s competition:
CCI1*: Buck Davidson has a pretty high opinion of the horse he’ll be vying for a win on in the CCI1* show jumping today. Its name is Be Mine, but around the barn he’s earned the affectionate nickname of “Little Reggie,” a nod to Buck’s veteran four-star partner Ballynoe Castle. The nickname is about as high a compliment as Buck could possibly bestow upon an equine, but the horse is living up to it so far.
“He’s got a great jump, he’s a beautiful mover, he’s got a great brain… he just turned into a super little horse,” Buck says. “He’s green but every time you ask him to do something he seems to do it, and as long as you give him hay at the end of it he’s happy.” There’s a bit of atmosphere in the show jumping ring here at Bromont, but with Buck whispering in his ear, my money is on this pair to take the win — especially since they have a rail in hand going in.
CCI2*: If Lauren could manage in the pressure-cooker that was her show jumping round at Rolex, today should be a piece of cake. She has two horses in the top three, Meadowbrook’s Scarlett and Landmark’s Monte Carlo, and I expect her to keep them there.
Buck just got the ride on his second place horse Captain Jack two weeks ago and since then he’s been focusing on the flat and jumping skinnies in preparation for the cross-country — a strategy that has obviously paid off thus far. Show jumping is their wild card, but if anyone can get the job done, it’s Buck.
CCI3*: Division leaders Erin Sylvester and No Boundaries are two-tenths of a point away from having a rail in hand going into show jumping, so the pressure is on. They jumped a double clear around the CIC3* at Jersey Fresh a few weeks ago, though, and they’ll be looking for a repeat performance today.
Jessica Phoenix on A Little Romance and Mackenna Shea are close on Erin’s heels in 2nd and 3rd. I haven’t seen A Little Romance go and am looking forward to it — Jessica thinks a lot of the horse and they’ve been laying it on thick so far this weekend.
Mackenna Shea’s Landioso has all the jump in the world and Mackenna is riding like the most poised 21 year old on earth this weekend. They’re on a roll, and I’m rooting for them to put it all together for a top three finish.
I’m heading out to watch the CCI1*, which is already underway. I’ll be back soon to announce the CCI1*’s big winner… here’s some ’80s hair metal to get you pumped up:
Allez Concours Complet!
[Website] [Entry List] [Timetable] [Live Scoring]
