Advanced at Millbrook Horse Trials today was a sight to see, with spectators filling every seat in the place and an abundance of people lining the fence line and grass. The stadium ring was decked out in full colorful jumps and the sky held blue all day.
Advanced cross country leaders Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville had a stellar show jumping round. “Tate” was on his game today to help her bring home the blue with a speedy and careful round, and they finished the weekend on their dressage score of 27.1. Sinead surprised us all by taking the less popular option that a few riders had hit earlier. It payed off, though, shaving off time as she jumped it with ease.
The top three were incredibly close, and even a fraction of a time penalty would have changed the game. Buck Davidson and Doug Payne were separated by only .20 of a difference.
Buck Davidson and Petite Flower laid down a double clean round; Flower was above the standards jumping her socks off clearly ready to keep her second place. Watching Buck hop from horse to horse in warm up was a sight to see as he had three mounts in the Advanced. He finished 13th with a clear round on Park Trader and was 17th with the Apprentice after some time and a few rails bumped them down from their previous place of 6th.
Doug Payne came in the ring ready to roll, presenting a clean round with his usual style and ease to keep him and Vandiver in their third place spot and finish on their dressage score of 28.3.
Kim Severson and Cooley Cross Border sadly lost their dressage lead after accumulating 7.6 time penalties on cross country but delivered a spectacular double clean round to finish fourth with a 33.3.
Kim had two horses in the top 10, as Fernhill Fearless finished ninth on a 38.0 with a double clear show jumping round.
Kurt Martin and Delux Z were on their game today, jumping clean and within the time to finish in fifth on a 36.0, moving up from ninth after dressage.
Caroline Martin and Spring Easy had a lovely round with just one time penalty to finish on a 37.1, good for sixth place.
Lainey Ashker and Anthony Patch sadly dropped the second rail to lose their fourth place spot but still finished in the top 10 in seventh on a 37.1.
Holly Payne Caravella was on fire today. She delivered two double clean rounds, finishing both her horses in the top 10. Never Outfoxed finished on a 38.8 in 10th and Santino finished on a 37.8 in eighth.
In the Intermediate ENs own Kate Samuels finished on her dressage score of a 29.0 to bring home the blue. A stellar cross country run yesterday with just 1.2 time gave them the top spot. A beautiful stadium round today secured their first place finish.
There was a heartfelt win in the Preliminary as team #LAE’s own Lauren Sherrill and The Alchemyst delivered a great double clear round. This will be one pair to watch as they are AECs bound now, baby!
Many thanks to Marion Latta de Vogel for sharing this Millbrook Sunday highlight video!
Millbrook Advanced Final Top 10:
Many thanks to Miranda Akins of Photography In Stride for sharing this report and her beautiful photos!
Millbrook Horse Trials: Website, Ride Times, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage