The weather today was very accommodating for the lunchtime wet t-shirt contest. Well I should say that we had some wet t-shirts here around lunchtime, whether there was a contest or not. The day started off hot and humid, but mid-afternoon, right as the first Advanced horses were starting, the skies opened and we got poured on. For as much as it rained, I was surprised they didn’t put a hold on the rings.
The riding was really quality Thursday, and it showed all throughout the levels. The scores were pretty low, but since I was competing I like to think it was because of good riding, not that the judges we’re in an extra good mood. The younger riders really shined in the large Advanced A section that rode on Thursday. Nate Chambers and Rolling Stone II are leading Advanced A with 32.2, and Lauren Kieffer and Ultra Tim are second with a 35. That is pretty impressive considering they were competing against some of the horses and riders that are shortlisted to go to the WEG’s this September.
Speaking of Short-listed horses, Neville Bardos is in 4th in Advanced A with a 37.2, My Boy Bobby is in a tie for 8th with a 39.7, and Last Monarch is in 13th with a 42.5. Will Faudree and Pawlow are leading OI-A with a 30.8 and Boyd Martin and Remington XXV are a close second in that division with a 32.4.
I think the general consensus is that all the cross country courses look fair and ask the right questions. And the footing will have gotten much needed help from the rain we had today.
Stay tuned and go eventing.
