Heather’s Fair Hill CCI3* Lunchtime Dressage Update

Heather Gillette and Our Questionnaire are your lunchtime Fair Hill CCI3* dressage leaders.

After an hour-long rain delay, we’re finally halfway through the CCI3* dressage at Fair Hill. Heather Gillette and Our Questionnaire snuck by Jan Byyny and Inmidair to take the lead on a 48.6. We have quite a few heavy hitters coming up after lunch, so there’s a good chance we’ll see a scoreboard shuffle. The skies have cleared and we actually have some sunshine, so the weather is looking up. If you missed my morning update, be sure to check in for my analysis of the first rides in the CCI3* here.

Madeline Blackman and Gordonstown led off after the first break, performing an obedient test with no major bobbles for a 64.6. Leslie Chelstrom and Cecelia were next, showing off a really lovely extended trot. The horse seemed eager and obedient through the first half of the test, but had a stick lead change and was fussy in the canter serpentine for a 59.2. Kelly List and Smarty Pants rode an obedient test, if a bit tense, for a 53.6. The horse kindly saved a spook until after finishing the test. Danielle Dichting continued her impressive showing this weekend with Tops, earning a 50.2 to sit in third provisionally.

Coal Creek looked a little wild-eyed for Lizzie Snow, breaking to the canter during the trot work for a 56. Sara Kozumplik struggled with Tatton Winter, who spooked while circling the ring. The two had a little disagreement in the canter serpentine and then missed badly on the second change. Heather Gillette and Our Questionnaire was next for a 48.6. The horse had a very cute moment when he put his head down to scratch his leg during the salute at the beginning of the test. The two had a very solid, obedient test; the changes in particular were flawless.

Daniel Clasing struggled with Houston, who was tense throughout the test for a 61. The horse threw his head during the first change, but had a lovely second change. Daniel really didn’t go for it in the extended canter, not that I blame him. They’ll feel more at home tomorrow. Julie Wendell and Cavendish were the last to go before the delayed lunch break, scoring 76.4. The two had hairy moments throughout the test, when the horse bolted during the first change and then changed during the canter serpentine.

In the CCI2* dressage, Susan Beebee and Wolf continue to hold the lead and the top seven placings from yesterday remain unchanged. The highest score of the day thus far goes to EN’s Got Talent superstars Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights on a 46.4. There are 12 riders left to go in the CCI2* after the break, including Susan Beebee on her second ride Uptown Higgins, Doug Payne and Crown Talisman, and Clark Montgomery and Garrison Flash.

I’ll be adding a photo gallery and videos to this post during the lunch break. Be sure to keep up with your CCI3* and CCI2* live scores here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsCTLPoVLqA
Danielle Dichting and Tops