Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen at Luhmühlen. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
The season is in full swing now, and judging by the number of entries at Carolina and The Fork, everyone is gunning for Olympic contention. Carolina and Poplar Place both held CIC3* events since Round 3, rearranging the ranks quite a bit. The rolling scores within one calendar year also continue to have an effect, with the 2015 CIC3* events at Galway Downs, Poplar Place and Carolina all dropping off.
Both Galway Downs and The Fork will host CIC3* competitions before our next rankings, which will be the last time we see the majority of Rolex-bound horses before the big weekend. Rolex entries closed on Tuesday, with 96 entries listed as of this article’s publication. We’ve also now seen Badminton entries, and before long Jersey Fresh should be revealing their entries too.
When creating these rankings, we used the following criteria:
- The horse and rider must have already qualified as a pair at one of the 2015 qualifying events.
- The average penalty score for each phase is added up to determine each horse’s average completion score.
- Rankings are calculated using FEI scores in the previous calendar year only, from the three-star and four-star levels.
- The rankings will be rolling, meaning that scores will be dropped from the averages as they pass the one-year date.
- Only results as a pair are counted.
Currently 70 U.S. combinations have achieved at least one Olympic qualifier, although five of those pairs are no longer competing together. Pairs not yet qualified will have additional opportunities in 2016 to qualify at Rolex, Badminton, Jersey Fresh, Saumur, Tattersalls, Bromont and Bramham. We’ll list a few pairs at the end of the rankings who have yet to qualify but could certainly be up for consideration if they qualify this spring.
Note: To be considered for an Olympic team, a horse must have been submitted as an applicant to the FEI by Feb. 19, 2016. This list does not reflect whether horses have been submitted for Olympic consideration.
Rewind to: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3
Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen at Luhmühlen. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
1. Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen
- Qualifiers: 2015 Luhmühlen CCI4*, 2015 Blenheim CCI3*
- Average completion score: 37.57
- Number of FEI 3*/4*runs in past calendar year: 3
- Last round’s ranking: #1
Clark currently has this horse entered at the Belton CIC3* in the middle of April, which they won last year. That will be the first time Loughan Glen competes this year.
2. Tamie Smith and Mai Baum
- Qualifiers: 2015 Fair Hill CCI3*
- Average completion score: 47.28
- Number of FEI 3*/4* runs in past calendar year: 5
- Last round’s ranking: #2
As mentioned in Round 3, Mai Baum will not be out competing until later this spring and will aim for the CICO3* at Great Meadow in July. Mai Baum sustained a minor injury after Fair Hill last fall and is just starting back to work. This decision has been made so as to not rush his fitness level and work load as he comes back into full competition shape.
3. Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Fugitive
- Qualifiers: 2015 Rolex CCI4*, 2015 Galway Downs CCI3*
- Average completion score: 50.10
- Number of FEI 3*/4* runs in past calendar year: 5
- Last round’s ranking: #3
Fernhill Fugitive got a pass for Carolina after winning the CIC3* at Red Hills last month. We’ll next see him at The Fork in the CIC3*, and he is one of Phillip’s three entries for Rolex. The last time this horse scored over 50 in the dressage phase was at the 2015 Carolina CIC3*.
Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Cubalawn. Photo by Jenni Autry.
4. Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Cubalawn
- Qualifiers: 2015 Rolex CCI4*, 2015 Fair Hill CCI3*
- Average completion score: 50.40
- Number of FEI 3*/4* runs in past calendar year: 5
- Last round’s ranking: #4
Fernhill Cubalawn began his 2016 competition season by placing fourth in the Carolina CIC2*, adding no show jumping penalties and only two cross country time penalties to a dressage score in the 40s. Next, he will go head-to-head with several stablemates in the CIC3* at The Fork before heading to Rolex.
5. Phillip Dutton and Mighty Nice
- Qualifiers: 2015 Fair Hill CCI3*
- Average completion score: 52.90
- Number of FEI 3*/4* runs in past calendar year: 4
- Last round’s ranking: #6
Mighty Nice echoed his stablemate’s performance in the Carolina CIC2*, finishing eighth after taking a slightly slower pace following a double clear show jumping round and high 40s dressage. He’ll be one of Phillip’s six CIC3* entries at The Fork before going to Rolex.
6. Will Coleman and OBOS O’Reilly
- Qualifiers: 2015 Rolex CCI4*, 2015 Blenheim CCI3*
- Average completion score: 53.87
- Number of FEI 3*/4* runs in past calendar year: 3
- Last round’s ranking: #7
OBOS O’Reilly finished fifth in the Carolina Open Intermediate division in his first outing of 2016, tacking a double clear show jumping round onto a dressage score in the low 30s before taking his time across the country. He will next move on to contest the CIC3* at The Fork before heading to Rolex again.
7. Lauren Kieffer and Meadowbrook’s Scarlett
- Qualifiers: 2015 Jersey Fresh CCI3*, 2015 Galway Downs CCI3*
- Average Completion Score: 54.33
- Number of FEI 3*/4* Runs in past calendar year: 3
- Last round’s ranking: #9
Meadowbrook’s Scarlett bypassed Carolina in favor of running the CIC3* at The Fork. She will not be tested at the four-star level this spring. Lauren confirmed to EN that Scarlett will instead return to the Jersey Fresh CCI3*, where she finished second last year.
8. Lauren Kieffer and Veronica
- Qualifiers: 2015 Bramham CCI3*, 2015 Blenheim CCI3*
- Average completion score: 54.77
- Number of FEI 3*/4* runs in past calendar year: 4
- Last round’s ranking: #10
Lauren opted to only run one of her Advanced horses at Carolina. Veronica got the weekend off and will now contest the CIC3* at The Fork before having another go at Rolex.
Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM. Photo by Jenni Autry.
9. Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM
- Qualifiers: 2015 Jersey Fresh CCI3*
- Average completion score: 54.84
- Number of FEI 3*/4* runs in past calendar year: 7
- Last round’s ranking: #8
In his first CIC3* of 2016, Ballynoe Castle RM was well positioned to take as high as second place at Carolina, following a 40s dressage score and double clear show jumping round. Unfortunately, a fall on cross country early in the division forced Buck to withdraw Reggie before the cross country. This horse will be next up to bat at The Fork CIC3* and is listed as one of six potential entries for Buck at Rolex.
10. Jennie Brannigan and Catalina
- Qualifiers: 2015 Fair Hill CCI3*
- Average completion score: 57.93
- Number of FEI 3*/4* runs in past calendar year: 3
- Last round’s ranking: #13
Catalina skipped Carolina International in favor of getting some extra time in the show jumping ring. She is currently entered in the CIC3* division at The Fork and will contest her first CCI4* at Rolex.
11. Boyd Martin and Master Frisky
- Qualifiers: 2015 Rolex CCI4*
- Average completion score: 58.67
- Number of FEI 3*/4* runs in past calendar year: 3
- Last round’s ranking: #5
Master Frisky has fallen in the rankings a bit due to a slightly higher dressage average at Carolina, followed by a slower pace across the country. A beautiful clear show jumping round in what has previously been his weakest phase is a great sign, however, and he’ll be back with a vengeance in The Fork CIC3*. Boyd and “Mikey” received a USEF Land Rover Competition Grant to Badminton, and Boyd confirmed to EN that will be the horse’s spring plan.
Matt Brown and Super Socks BCF. Photo by Jenni Autry.
12. Matt Brown and Super Socks BCF
- Qualifiers: 2015 Bromont CCI3*, 2015 Boekelo CCIO3*
- Average completion score: 59.50
- Number of FEI 3*/4* runs in past calendar year: 7
- Last round’s ranking: #15
Matt has now jumped four of five FEI show jumping rounds clear in the past calendar year, showing this horse has some major show jumping chops. After finishing in 15th place at Carolina CIC3*, this pair will next be at the CIC3* at The Fork before making their Rolex debut.
13. Marilyn Little and RF Demeter
- Qualifiers: 2015 Bromont CCI3*
- Average completion score: 59.92
- Number of FEI 3*/4* runs in past calendar year: 6
- Last round’s ranking: #17
After a run in the Wellington Eventing Showcase, Marilyn Little spent some time in the jumper world before entering RF Demeter in the Intermediate at Rocking Horse Spring this weekend. They’ll also have another Intermediate run at Ocala before making their fifth appearance at Rolex later this spring. Marilyn gave EN more insight into her spring strategy here.
14. Emily Beshear and Shame on the Moon
- Qualifiers: 2015 Bromont CCI3*, 2015 Blenheim CCI3*
- Average completion score: 60.04
- Number of FEI 3*/4* runs in past calendar year: 5
- Last round’s ranking: #12
Shame on the Moon proved she was a force to be reckoned with at Carolina, tying for first after dressage and posting a clear round with only one time fault in the show jumping. Unfortunately, a drive-by on cross country dropped this pair a bit in the rankings. They’ll make sure all systems are go in the Advanced at The Fork next weekend before heading to this mare’s first Rolex.
15. Jon Holling and Downtown Harrison
- Qualifiers: 2015 Boekelo CCIO3*
- Average completion score: 60.15
- Number of FEI 3*/4* runs in past calendar year: 2
- Last round’s ranking: #18
Jon opted to forego Carolina with this experienced horse and will now contest the CIC3* at The Fork.
Buck Davidson and Copper Beach. Photo courtesy of Rare Air Photography.
16. Buck Davidson and Copper Beach
- Qualifiers: 2015 Tattersalls CCI3*, 2015 Boekelo CCIO3*
- Average completion score: 60.53
- Number of FEI 3*/4* runs in past calendar year: 6
- Last round’s ranking: #14
Copper Beach had a solid run at the Carolina CIC3*, placing inside the top 20 after adding two rails and a handful of time penalties to his 40s dressage score. “Sean” is next entered in The Fork CIC3* and is one of Buck’s six possible entries at Rolex.
17. Boyd Martin and Blackfoot Mystery
- Qualifiers: 2015 Fair Hill CCI3*
- Average completion score: 62.43
- Number of FEI 3*/4* runs in past calendar year: 3
- Last round’s ranking: #11
Blackfoot Mystery delivered his highest dressage score yet at Carolina, and we will likely see it dropping down again at The Fork CIC3*. Show jumping remains a question mark for this horse as he aims for his first four-star at Rolex. Boyd and “Big Red” jumped a clear show jumping round at the Wellington Eventing Showcase and went on to win, but they had three rails down at Carolina.
18. Boyd Martin and Welcome Shadow
- Qualifiers: Fair Hill CCI3*
- Average completion score: 62.60
- Number of FEI 3*/4* runs in past calendar year: 3
- Last round’s ranking: #19
This precocious mare earned her keep again at Carolina in the Advanced, finishing fourth with a dressage score in the low 30s, adding only a rail and a handful of cross country time penalties. Welcome Shadow is bypassing The Fork, and Boyd confirmed to EN that she will compete in the Jersey Fresh CCI3*.
Boyd Martin and Welcome Shadow. Photo by Jenni Autry.
19. Lynn Symansky and Donner
- Qualifiers: 2015 Rolex CCI4*, 2015 Burghley CCI4*
- Average completion score: 63.05
- Number of FEI 3*/4* runs in past calendar year: 6
- Last round’s ranking: Unranked
Donner finished a stellar third in the massive Carolina CIC3*, adding only 4.8 time penalties to his 40s dressage score. Lynn competes him next in The Fork CIC3* and will then go on to Badminton after receiving a USEF Land Rover Competition Grant.
20. Lauren Kieffer and Landmark’s Monte Carlo
- Qualifiers: 2015 Boekelo CCIO3*
- Average completion score: 63.52
- Number of FEI 3*/4* runs in past calendar year: 5
- Last round’s ranking: #20
Landmark’s Monte Carlo placed second in the Advanced at Carolina, adding only cross country time penalties to his dressage score. Lauren has this Jacqueline Mars’ homebred entered for his first Rolex at the end of the month, but first he will contest one last Advanced at The Fork.
Maya Black and Doesn’t Play Fair. Photo by Jenni Autry.
CAROLINA, POPLAR PLACE & BURGHAM RECAP
At Carolina, Maya Black and Doesn’t Play Fair were the top pair already qualified for the Olympics, with Lynn Symansky and Donner right on their heels. Collen Rutledge with Covert Rights and Allie Knowles with Sound Prospect both put in top 10 performances, while Phillip Dutton and Mr. Candyman snuck into 10 place. The winners, Allison Springer and Arthur, along with Phillip Dutton and Indian Mill, Laine Ashker and Anthony Patch, and Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville all put in strong showings, but still have yet to qualify for the Olympics.
Meanwhile in the Advanced, Lauren Kieffer and Landmark’s Monte Carlo finished in second, with Boyd Martin rounding out the top four with Crackerjack and Welcome Shadow. Down in Georgia at Poplar Place, Sara Kozumplik-Murphy and Catchascatchcan were the only U.S. Olympic qualified pair to compete, finishing fifth in the CIC3* division.
Across the pond, Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister returned to the top levels with a splash, finishing second of 30 in the CIC3* at Burgham International. This pair will also need to gain Olympic qualification this spring to remain in contention for Rio.
Allie Knowles and Sound Prospect. Photo by Rare Air Eventing Photography.
Rio Watch List
Combinations currently ranked outside the top 20
(their next competition is listed in parentheses)
- Liz Halliday-Sharp and HHS Cooley (The Fork A-A)
- Allie Knowles and Sound Prospect (The Fork CIC3*)
- Caroline Martin and Quantum Solace (The Fork CIC3*)
- Kurt Martin and Delux Z (The Fork CIC3*)
- Doug Payne and Vandiver (The Fork A-A)
- Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights (The Fork CIC3*)
Allison Springer and Arthur. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Contenders Not Yet Qualified
(their next competition is listed in parentheses)
- Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot (The Fork Advanced-A)
- Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister (Belton CIC3*)
- Will Faudree and Hans Dampf (The Fork CIC3*)
- Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville (The Fork CIC3*)
- Boyd Martin and Shamwari 4 (The Fork CIC3*)
- Julie Richards and Sandhills Brillaire
- Allison Springer and Arthur (The Fork CIC3*)
