Jon, Buck, and Shannon
The cross-country for the Pan American squad riders and probably all of the riders here at Morven today was more about getting a solid round for their horses rather than making the time or finishing in a top placing. Michael Pollard and Schoensgreen Hanni led wire to wire in the Pan American squad intermediate division at Morven, ultimately finishing just 0.8 points ahead of team mates Shannon Lilley and Ballinowan Pizazz. Honestly, I couldn’t have picked Shannon and “Mango” out from a lineup of chestnut horses before the selection trials at Richland, but this pair from California is the real deal. Absolute Liberty moved up with the fastest round in that division, still picking up 11.2 time penalties. Libby gave the US squad a sweep of the proverbial podium at Morven. Phillip Dutton and Gran Banks took 4th. Jon Holling and Downtown Harrison looked good with 23.2 time penalties. Hannah Burnett and Harbour Pilot finished the weekend in 7th.
The US team’s strategy of running the course ended up working out really well and the team can head to the final training camp in Ocala later this week with a lot of confidence. The going certainly wasn’t the best but everyone got through and now all we can do is keep everyone sound. Buck really wanted to get out there today and as the most experienced rider on the US squad, he rode exactly like a leader should after a tough fall earlier in the morning. This US squad is filled with a great group of tough riders, good team mates, and, as I said after the team was picked, riders who take their job seriously but not themselves too seriously.
The Canadians took a different but equally effective approach today. The experienced pair of Rebecca Howard and Roquefort withdrew before the cross-country as did Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwod High. Jessica Phoenix had the green light from Canadian coach David O’Connor to make the decision to pull up or continue after the first water. Jessie took a very calm round through the water with Pavarotti, pulled up after jump #11, and walked home happy with a great last prep run for the Pan Ams. My guess is that once David is the US coach we will see a more tailored approach to each horse in these situations, such as the one adopted by Canada today.
Caroline Martin and Petite Flower won the intermediate A division by 15 points on a 32.4. 8 riders withdrew from the intermediate B division and only 4 riders finished that division, with Buck Davidson and the EN favorite The Apprentice won intermediate B. Andrea Leatherman and her promising mare Mystic My moved up one spot each phase to win the intermediate C by 18 points on a 46 and putting a fantastic finish on the day for BDJ eventing .
The man, the myth, and the legend Buzzterbrown was out with his video camera today so we can expect his epic videos from Morven soon. I also want to give a shout out to Brian O’Connor who was fantastic this weekend, not just as an announcer but also with his skills keeping all of the communication going on the cross-country. Brian promised us another EN video soon, so stay tuned.
That’s all for now from a great day at Morven Park. Go eventing.
