Photo via USEF High Performance FB.
There’s just something about three day events that leaves us breathless, whether we were competing, spectating, or following from afar, nobody who is a fan of Eventing can help but get swept along in the fascinating roller coaster that is upper level competition. Fair Hill in particular captivates all of us, and continues to be the crowning glory of any year long campaign. Each and every year there are amazing stories of perseverance, love, and determination for the future. There’s nothing like the love you feel for your horse after completing a grueling test together, and Fair Hill definitely cementing some love this weekend.
#FHI: Website, Final Scores, YEH Scores, EN’s Coverage, Videos, EN’s Instagram
Your CCI3* winner, folks! Congrats to Jennie for finally breaking that streak of bad luck, and in what a way! A great ending to the year for this pair.
Photo via Lauren Sumner’s FB.
Victoria Jessop sadly had two rails down today, but she is still thrilled with her wonderful little horse Desert Mystery! They had a great Fair Hill, scoring 41.3 on the flat and only adding 8 penalties in show jumping. They finished up in 7th place, and are seen here with coach and cheerleader Allison Springer.
Photo via AE Wagner’s FB.
Cooley Cross Border enjoyed a nice move up the leaderboard today, finishing his first CCI2* in second place with Kim Severson in the irons. Cross finished on his dressage score of 43.6 and now he gets to go home and eat and sleep and rest for a good long while (his favorite things!). Congrats to Kim on bringing along this amazing young horse.
Photo via Kim Severson Eventing FB.
Tamie Smith came out on top with Twizted Syster, placing fifth and winning the unofficial “Highest Placed West Coast Rider” award. This little feisty mare impressed us all this weekend, finishing on a 48.7 and looking like she could run another cross country course today.
Photo via Heather Morris’s FB.
A few weeks ago, we featured Ashley Kehoe and her exciting young mare D.A. Vittoria as they aimed for Fair Hill, and now we can report that they successfully finished the challenging course, finishing in 53rd place with a clear cross country plus time and a double clear stadium today. Now Princess V has to buckle down on that dressage …
Photo courtesy of Tara Katherine and Kelsey Cole.
Caroline Martin had a great weekend, finishing as the top young rider on Pebbly Maximus in the CCI2* in 32nd place and capping that off with a sixth place in the CCI3* on Quantum Solace. Here she is hanging out with Jenny Caras and Fernhill Fortitude, who finished in 39th place with two rails today.
Photo via USEF High Performance FB.
Libby Head and Sir Rockstar continue to have an awesome time together, and had a really beautiful show jumping round … until the second to last where they had just a little miscommunication. But no worries! Rocky has got it all under control! His little 15.3 hand Thoroughbred self just popped an extra two feet in the air, just to be sure. Check out Jenni’s video below.
Phillip Dutton had a somewhat quiet weekend, running below the radar the whole time. He had three horses in the CCI2*, all of them owned by a very pregnant Kristin Bond. I’m Sew Ready finished in 13th place and Get Ready finished in 18th place.
I’m Sew Ready jumped double clear to finish 13th on 55.4 in the 110 horse #fairhill CCI2* pic.twitter.com/925XNjh1ra
— Phillip Dutton (@DuttonEventing) October 19, 2014
Alex Ahearn and Mai Bum completed their first CCI2* this weekend and won Best Presentation to cap it off! From proud coach Tamie Smith, “So proud of Alex Ahearn & Mai Baum completing their first CCI 2* at Fair Hill International. They received Best Presentation overall and deserved every bit if it!! This pair has a bright future!!!”
Photo via Ellen Ahearn’s FB.
Lynn Symansky took Osborne 9 and turned him into a star, and it showed this weekend! Ozzy completed his first CCI2* in 10th place and now gets some time off. From Lynn, “Good job Ozzy…clearly pleased with yourself today! Black beauty stepped up to the plate all weekend, ending in the top 10 out of 110 starters in the CCI2* at a challenging Fair Hill International. Very excited for this goober’s future. And for his vacation!”
Photo via Lynn Symansky’s FB.
Looks like Chloe’s intense sleeping last night really paid off! Allison Springer celebrated her birthday this weekend and has much more to celebrate now that she and Copycat Chloe can say that they finished in third place in the Fair Hill CCI3*! So thrilled to see that this pair is finally combining their talent and showing off on the FEI scene.
Photo via Allison Springer Eventing FB.
Ellie MacPhail must be thrilled today as well, she and RF Eloquence finished in 11th place at their very first CCI3* together. “Pony Genius” indeed!
Photo via Ellie MacPhail’s FB.
Sally Cousins has that smile on her face because she and Tsunami finished in 12th place in the CCI3*, adding just one time penalty today in the show jumping. Way to go Sally and Sue!
Photo via Fair Hill International FB.
Of course, let’s not forget the $3,000 PRO Bareback Challenge! Waylon Roberts pulled off the win on Fair Fiona, followed closely by Lainey Ashker and Jolly Good Sport.
Photo via Fair Hill International FB.
Until next year, Fair Hill!
Photo via Fair Hill International FB.
