Phillip Dutton and Denim. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
Seven-time Olympian Phillip Dutton has prioritized the heavily contested Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S with his two top horses and it’s already paying off with Ann Jones, Ann Lapides, Caroline Moran and Neill Sites’ Denim taking the Thursday dressage lead.
Anyone who had a keen eye on this class shouldn’t be surprised to see this 10-year-old Holsteiner (Dinken – Celia II,by Ibisco) earn a 25.6 from judges Bea di Grazia (USA) and Andrew Bennie (NZL). It’s a personal best for Denim’s entire FEI career, but it’s only a breath away from their 25.9 earned at Blenheim CCI4*-S last autumn.
Both Bea at C and Andrew at E were synchronized in their impressions from the test, giving Phillip nearly identical scores of 74.33% and 74.5%, respectively.
Denim celebrates his dressage lead. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
“Let’s not get too carried away—it’s only day one. There’s a long way to go and strong competition ahead,” Phillip said. “I couldn’t be more proud of Denim. He’s 10 now, relatively experienced, and has been to Boekelo, Blenheim and le Lion, but we still call him ‘the baby’ of the family, but he’s a great competitor.”
This is Demin’s fourth season under Phillip’s tutelage. He was produced through the two-star level by The Netherland’s Merel Blom. “He’s an athlete, but not naturally the strongest horse. He really has to try hard in all three phases, especially the dressage. He doesn’t have the natural strength to carry himself easily, so I have to manage the warm up carefully to keep him supple without overworking him.”
The Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S is one of 19 qualifying events on the US Equestrian Open series, of which Phillip is currently the highest-ranked rider by a 30-point margin. In addition to chasing that leaderboard, Phillip wants to use this four-star as a preparation on a major stage for “possibly Luhmühlen or Aachen” over the summer.
Molly Duda and Disco Traveler. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
Representing the west coast, 21-year-old Molly Duda staked her claim on second place with her own Disco Traveler. She and the 15-year-old Oldenburg (Donatelli – Cadence) busted into sub-30 territory for the first time at this 4* level with their new personal best of 27.7.
“I’m just so incredibly proud of ‘Disco.’ Flatwork hasn’t always been his strongest phase, but today he really tried his heart out,” Molly said. “He doesn’t have the flashiest talent, but he has the biggest heart, and I’ve always felt safe and confident on him.”
Molly Duda and Disco Traveler. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
Molly and “Disco” moved up to Advanced only last season, but the past year has given them a wealth of information between training with Tamie Smith and being chosen for the USEF European Development Tour. This is their second appearance in the four-star here in Kentucky, and though last year saw an early end after Molly fell on cross country, she’s feeling wholly optimistic this time around.
“Last year was ambitious. I had only done one four-star before I came here and, honestly, I was a bit overconfident. I ended up in the ditch at the coffin. It was humbling. But Disco bounced back immediately, like nothing ever happened. We went to Europe, had great runs, including a strong finish at Millstreet and a win in our first CCI4*-L. He just keeps getting better, and I’ve learned so much. I feel ready now and I’m excited to have another crack at it,” she said.
Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
Paris Olympians Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake made an early bid for the “Little Kentucky” division before being usurped by Thursday’s leaders. “Blake,” who is owned by Mollie Hoff, Sherrie Martin, and Caroline and Deniz Pamukcu, and Caroline were right on the money of what we’d expect from this seasoned pair, posting a 27.9. This is just the second time we’ve seen the 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Tolan R – Doughiska Lass, by Kannan) this season since they completed the Olympic Games last summer.
“Blake was fabulous today—I couldn’t be prouder. He’s been a bit on the back burner this year, taking it easy after a busy 2023. And with me having a baby, we’ve just been easing back into the spring with an eye on Aachen,” she said.
In addition to Blake, Caroline also has two entries contesting their first five-star: HSH Double Sixteen and She’s The One.
Will Coleman and Very Dignified. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
The budding partnership of Will Coleman and the 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare Very Dignified (Dignified van’t Zorgvliet – Kateys Gem, by Ricardo) is fourth in their first International appearance together. Owned by Jerome Broussard, Gloria Callen and Elizabeth Lendrum, “Nora” landed in Will’s string this year from Ireland, where she was produced to the Advanced level by Robbie Kearns. They carry 28 points into the cross country phase.
“She’s a really nice mare. I have high hopes for her, but it’s still early days. We’re just getting to know each other. This whole weekend was about giving her a good experience and building a foundation,” Will said.
So far this season, these two have tackled two Intermediate horse trials together, so this weekend is a big test in an electric atmosphere for the green partnership.
“She’s a quality horse with a really good brain – that makes a big difference. But even with experience, it still takes time for a horse to get to know you, your program – and vice versa. It’s challenging, sure, but I’ve enjoyed it. She’s exciting to have in the barn. We’ll need a bit more time, but today was a great start – something we can build on, “Will said.
Robin Walker was the final rider to earn a sub-30 score from the four-star judges, and he did so for fifth place with Alston Kerr, Roger Schramm and his own SBT Barolo. Their 29.8 is a personal best for the pair at the level.
Lexington local Allie Knowles is sixth with Katherine O’Brien’s Morswood. The 17-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Ricardo – Princess In Arms, by Present Arms) sits on a 30.3. Buck Davidson and Cooley Candyman are 7th on a score of 31.3, and Hannah Sue Hollberg is 8th on a 31.7 with Carsonstown. On a score of 32.8, Allison Springer and Olivia Dutton tied for ninth with No May Moon and Sea of Clouds, respectively.
There’s still more heavy hitters to come in Friday morning’s dressage session, so this leaderboard could take a different shape before we look toward Saturday’s mammoth cross country challenge. Dressage continues at 8:00 a.m.
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