Up close and personal with the Caber Farm cross country course. Photo via the Caber Farm Facebook page.
Now that we’re tailing towards the end of summer, I’ve got one extra reason to get excited about the weekends: football! You may have figured this out last year, but football is one of my favorite weekend pastimes, especially during the eventing off-season. It’s definitely a good way to pass the time while waiting for the next event coming up.
Fortunately, though, the eventing season is far from over! So football will stay on my back burner while the season is in full swing, and I’m not complaining about that! We’ve got Richland Park updates coming to you later on as the three-star and Advanced divisions take on cross country, and don’t forget about Liz Halliday leading the CCI3* at Blair Castle after dressage. USA for the win!
Richland Links: [Website] [Entry List] [Live Scores] [CIC3* By The Numbers] [CIC3* Competitor Preview] [Advanced By the Numbers] [CIC3* Cross Country Preview]
Blair Castle Links: [Website] [Live Scores] [@BCIHT] [Blair Facebook]
Colorado Horse Park has a busy weekend: they’re running divisions from Beginner Novice through CCI2*, with a Novice and Training Three-Day thrown in the mix as well. Phew! Hats off to everyone who has worked hard to make this staple mid-country event.
Competition got underway on Friday, and Tiffany Cooke with Patent Pending currently lead the CCI2* after scoring a 52.8 in the dressage. Cynthia Wiseman’s Vote Yes scored a 63.8 for second place.
In the CCI*, Olivia Cliver and My Mitch lead on a 45.9, followed by Stuart Black and Tru de Kernat on a 49.1. This is Tru de Kernat’s first CCI*, and Stuart has had a solid year with the Selle Francais gelding so these two should be well prepared to have a competitive weekend. Erin Kober and Tommy Two round out the top three on a 50.3.
Colorado Horse Park CCI1*/2*, T3D, & H.T. [Website] [Live Scores]
Shepherd Ranch, in Santa Ynez, Ca., also has a busy weekend, running Introductory through Preliminary divisions as well as a team challenge. Tristen Hooks and Learning to Fly scored a 26.5 in the dressage to lead going into cross country in the Open Preliminary. Tristen has been campaigning this horse at the Preliminary level for a couple of years now, and the Holsteiner gelding has proven to be quite the solid citizen at the level. The pair have finished no worse than second in every event since 2012 – quite impressive!
Kimmy Steinbuch and Pikture This aren’t giving Tristen much breathing room, however, earning a 27.8 to take second place into cross country. Frankie Thieriot and Chatwin are also well within striking distance in third on a 28.3.
Shepherd Ranch SYVPC H.T. II [Website] [Live Scores]
In the Pacific Northwest, Caber Farm is hosting its annual horse trial, which also includes Championship divisions. Mary Burke and Prince William currently lead the Open Intermediate on a 35.6. This Thoroughbred gelding has had success at this level after moving up late in the 2013 season, so expect this pair to be tenacious with the lead as the weekend progresses.
Ashley Loucks and Dominic Q are lying in equal second with Anna Collier and Gleaming Road after scoring a 35.9. Both Dominic Q and Gleaming Road bring loads of experience to the table, so this division will be exciting to watch unfold.
Rebecca Buehler and Brighton lead the Intermediate Championship division on a 28.2 after dressage. This is another experienced pair who bring a lot of experience to the table. They’re pursued in second place by Anni Grandia and Chaos, followed by Allison Sparks and Mystic Mojo.
Caber Farm H.T. [Website] [Live Scores]
