First place ribbons are red in Canada
Eventing is the ultimate roller coaster and Karen O’Connor and Mandiba have certainly been through their fair share of highs and lows. From a the high of a top 10 finish at Rolex 2010, to the low of their infamous WEG 2010 show jumping round, to the fall at Badminton 2011 that threatened to end Mandiba’s career, Karen and Mandiba have found their stride together again with a double-clear show jumping round and the win at the Bromont CCI2*. The 12 year old Mandiba jumped with ears pricked all weekend and it’s great to see him out and seemingly enjoying his job again. Will Coleman and Zipp won the Bromont CCI* last year, but a rail late on the course prevented the repeat and dropped them from the overnight lead to third. Danielle Dichting and The Graduate moved up one spot with a double clear.
–Marilyn Little-Meredith and the 7 year old RF Smoke On The Water were the only CCI2* pair to finish on their dressage score and they finished in 4th place. Karen finished in 5th with the late Dick Thompson’s RF Amber Eyes.
–Diana Burnett and Diamond Cut found redemption this weekend at Bromont. They were eliminated at the Bromont first horse inspection last year for sarcoids on Diamond Cut, effectively ending their chances to represent Canada at the Pan Ams. This weekend they finished in 6th with just two seconds of time on the cross-country and one rail in the show jumping.
—9 of 29 CCI2* show jumpers produced double clears.
Other CCI2* SJ Videos: [Danielle Dichting and The Graduate, MLM and RF Smoke On The Water]
The CCI3* and CIC3* competitors are getting ready to walk their course (it’s the same course for both divisions). Stay tuned as the day and competition heat up at Bromont. Go eventing.
