Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen at Barbury. Photo by Samantha Clark.
After handling the disappointment of not making the Olympic team with impressive poise and grace, Clark Montgomery is ready to take his glass-half-full mentality overseas to Boekelo. Loughan Glen, Holly Becker and Kathryn Kraft’s 9-year-old Irish Sporthorse gelding, is at the top of his game — coming off a win in the Advanced at Plantation Field — and Clark is looking to make a statement that he’ll be one to watch as U.S. Eventing looks to reclaim its rightful place on the international stage.
“Glen has had a pretty standard preparation for Boekelo,” Clark said. “He started being a little fussy for me in dressage this year, so I’ve been working on getting his flatwork back to where it should be. He’s definitely had good tests throughout the spring, but he just felt a bit tighter than he usually has. The goal was really to get him soft again. I’ve been getting great work from him right now at home. If I can get that exact work in dressage — if not a touch better with the energy from the atmosphere — then I will be very happy with where that puts me.” Winning Plantation showed Clark that Glen is back on track: “He feels like he’s ready to rock and roll at Boekelo.”
Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen in the Advanced at the Fork this spring. Photo by Samantha Clark.
In addition to polishing his dressage, Clark has also focused heavily on Glen’s fitness work in preparation for Boekelo. After a disappointing Rolex this spring, where the pair retired on cross country after a fall, Clark completely overhauled Glen’s fitness program. “He ran all the way to the finish at Plantation, so that was a great indicator that his fitness is where it needs to be,” Clark said. “I’ve been using hills for gallops, which has helped tremendously. I definitely would like him to have enough gas to go double clear on cross country, barring any deep mud that might slow us up.”
While Clark knows Boekelo is a very competitive three-star, he’s confident Glen has the potential for a top-five finish. “He’s a very clean show jumper. If I get the work I’ve been getting at home in dressage and we jump double clear in cross country and show jumping, I think that will put us in about fifth place,” Clark said. “I think I would be disappointed if I’m out of the top 10; I’m really shooting for top five.”
Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen preparing for Barbury this summer. Photo by Samantha Clark.
Boekelo marks the first event in which Clark will represent the U.S. internationally in a team competition, making this a meaningful occasion for him. “You certainly do have pressure to perform well for the team,” Clark said. “It gets your foot in the door and you get to gain that international experience without having to be on the Olympic stage. When you end up in the running for the World Equestrian Games and the Olympics, selectors can see that you’ve already been under that pressure.”
U.S. Eventing hasn’t placed a heavy emphasis on the Nations Cup this year, but Clark believes the series offers an excellent opportunity to expose up-and-coming riders and horses to competing at an international level. “You get the U.S. helmet covers, saddle pads and all the team gear, so in that way it feels like you are truly representing your country. It’s great lower-level experience before you’re called up to the Olympics or the World Equestrian Games.”
Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen jump clear at Barbary. Photo by Samantha Clark.
Clark made it clear he doesn’t see more pressure than normal on the Nations Cup team after the disappointing Olympic showing from Team USA, but he knows “the pressure is on for the years to come,” Clark said. “David (O’Connor) is planning for teams to be going to more than just Boekelo for the Nations Cup in the future. If we can be competitive in this series and get riders going all around Europe, then it’s allowing us to gain experience. That’s going to be invaluable going forward.”
In addition to Clark and Loughan Glen, the Nations Cup team for Boekelo consists of Jennie Brannigan on Nina Gardner’s Cambalda, Phillip Dutton on Tom Tierney’s Atlas and Jon Holling on Constance Ann Holling’s Downtown Harrison. With such a talented team of horses and riders headed to Holland, Clark is optimistic for an impressive showing. “As a team, we have a great group going,” Clark said. “Jon and Jennie have looked fantastic this year, and Phillip goes without saying. Each one of us want to do well and we’re all on very good horses.”
