Me watching the Burghley cross country live stream this morning: “They’re live streaming this, but they aren’t live streaming AEC Jr. Beginner Novice 14 & Under?!”
Move over Burghley, it’s time for Jr. Beginner Novice 14 & Under cross country at the American Eventing Championships! This is the division to watch, as the country’s most adorably cutthroat junior riders face off over the toughest yellow numbered jumps in the land.
Our dressage leaders, Ashley Stout and Deo Volente, brought the heat in the sandbox yesterday, posting a 19.8 — the lowest dressage score of the entire event. Second-placed Avery Cascarino and Dudley Do Right are nipping at their heels on a score of 20.0. These kids aren’t even old enough to drive a car and they’re already riding every adult at the AECs under the table.
Clearly, they’re packing ice in those veins. Can they keep it up through cross country? We’re about to find out!
AEC: Website, Schedule, Ride Times & Live Scoring, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram
2:08 p.m.: Our first pair is on course. Let’s do this thing, y’all!
2:10: Hannah Fischer and Monster trailblaze a double-clear round, followed by second-placed Avery Cascarino and Dudley Do Right. What time is it, Avery?
Avery Cascarino and Dudley Do Right. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
That’s right, girl. It’s your time to shine. Double-clear, boom. Keep that red ribbon on lock.
2:31: Drama at fence #5! Cassie Sanger hits the deck when Ultra Violet slams on the brakes, the first of several casualties at fences #5, #6 and #7.
2:18: Emma Drury and Mr. Tuxedo finish clear with 3.2 time faults. Those heels, tho. #GeorgeMorrisApproves
Emma Drury and Mr. Tuxedo. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
2:24: Awwwwwwwwwwww squee.
Maddie Malmstrom and Jitterbug Dancer. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
2:26: Maggie Proffitt and Wallstreet Melody put the pedal to the metal.
Maggie Proffitt and Wallstreet Melody. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Reporter: “Your horse is fast!”
Horse: “Allow me to run over you.”
2:27: Samantha Schultz’s You Stole My Heart has an actual heart on its butt, omg.
Samantha Schultz and You Stole My Heart. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
2:28: Mackenzie Vaneffen and her horse have basically the same facial expression over the last fence.
Mackenzie VanEffen and Mambo to the Rescue. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Don’t worry, Mackenzie, you made the time!
Mackenzie VanEffen and Mambo to the Rescue. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
2:30: Samantha Schultz fell from You Stole My Heart early on the course, but she landed on her feet and mounted back up. Go heart-butt, go!
Samantha Schultz and You Stole My Heart. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
2:32: Samantha is passed by Abigail Brawley and Work of Art, but she’s still in the hunt.
Photo by Leslie Wylie.
2:34: Despite picking up 105.2 time penalties, Samantha and You Stole My Heart steal our hearts when they cross the finish line.
Samantha Schultz and You Stole My Heart. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
2:34: Julianna Pohoski and Keiki O Ka Aina are #stoked about their double clear round.
Julianna Pohoski and Keiki O Ka Aina. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
What’s the story behind that hashtag?
2:48: Meanwhile Vienna Allport is winning the warmup with her pompom helmet and on-point color scheme.
Vienna Allport and Caramel Macchiato. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
2:46: Vienna and her brother Luke have back to back start times. Double clears for them both!
Luke Allport and Mighty Mississippi. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Vienna Allport and Caramel Macchiato. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Who are you wearing, Vienna? Are pom poms making a comeback?
2:50: Ella Robinson and Champagne have their game faces ON.
Ella Robinson and Champagne. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
2:54: Darcy Dean and Skybound Skittles are goin’ for ittttt.
Darcy Dean and Skybound Skittles. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Whoa, Skittles!
Darcy Dean and Skybound Skittles. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
3:04: Another example of matching facial expressions.
Lawsyn Clements and Tanqueray With a Twist. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
3:06: So. Much. Fierce.
Darcy Drury and Amicor. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
3:08: Fence #6, the double brush, was eating horses alive out there. Despite some ferocious riding on her part, Crockett Miller’s horse didn’t like the look of it their first go round …
Crockett Miller and BW Docs War Hawk. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
… but they cleared it on second attempt in style.
Crockett Miller and BW Docs War Hawk. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
3:10: We became Hannah Sullivan fans forever after hearing her whisper to her horse en route to jump #3, “I know this is a little weird, but it will be fine.”
Hannah Sullivan and Nebraska. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
And, true to her word, it was fine.
Hannah Sullivan and Nebraska. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
3:12: Um how adorable is this pony?
Lilah Frank and Flying Diamond Anticipation. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
3:14: And also this one?
Mya Poulos and Merrylegs. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
3:16: Massive congrats to Madeline Mogridge! Unscripted, a Wellington jumper pony turned eventer, is as fancy-pants as they come but apparently can be a little bit of a stinker. Madeline seems have gotten him figured out, though: “I’m not putting up with your garbage, pretty boy!” A well-earned double clear.
Madeline Mogridge and Unscripted. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
3:22: Dressage leaders Ashley Stout and Deo Volente posted a double-clear to keep hold of their place atop the scoreboard. If anyone spots a lost helmet cover out there …
Ashley Stout and Deo Volente. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Job well done to all! Here are your Jr. Beginner Novice 14 & Under top 10 after cross country:
Go Eventing.
AEC: Website, Schedule, Ride Times & Live Scoring, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram
