Allie Knowles and Last Call are the new leaders in Advanced at The Fork.
Allie Knowles and Last Call are your new lunchtime leaders in the Advanced division at The Fork. The pair put in a really stunning, fluid test and should be thrilled with their performance. Allie looked so happy leaving the ring, as she should. She scored a 29.4 — becoming the first in the division to crack the 20s — just edging Buck Davidson and The Apprentice to move into first. I imagine Allie is feeling very confident with that test leading up to her very first run at Rolex. This horse has a killer lengthening and really nailed the trot work, making this pair a true pleasure to watch. Samantha Clark has been following Allie’s training progress this season with her 6-year-old mares, which you can read here.
Hannah Sue Burnett and Danio really pulled together a nice test.
Hannah Sue Burnett and Danio also had a notable test considering how it started out. Danio was super tense in warm up and when circling the arena prior to starting the test. I heard Hannah verbally remind him “it’s just dressage,” not that the message seemed to be getting through at first. But after about 30 seconds into the test, he settled and put in some really beautiful work. As Hannah exited the arena, Buck Davidson, who watched her ride, commented that the test “got much better,” and Hannah replied that she kept patting Danio’s neck throughout the test to help calm him. The way that test turned around — and you’ll notice this in the video below — is a testament to just how talented Hannah is as a rider. Hannah and Danio are tied for 14th on a 40.9.
Buck Davidson and Mar de Amor are in ninth place on a 36.6.
I was especially excited to see Buck Davidson and Mar de Amor, one of the three horses he will be riding at Rolex. You forget how big this horse is until he comes cantering past you. He has an incredible presence and is a real treat to watch. I thought this test was really fantastic — relaxed and obedient throughout. Buck and Mar de Amor finished on 36.6 to sit in ninth. Our own Kate Samuels and Nyls Du Terroir — whose pizzazz Kate compared to Mariah Carey right before her test — performed very nicely with two very exuberant flying changes to sit in 11th on a 38.4. It’s still frigid and raining here at The Fork. I considered titling this post “Jenni’s I-can’t-feel-my-fingers Lunchtime Update.” There are nine more to go in the Advanced division after the lunch break. I’ll be back in a bit with coverage of those rides.
Advanced scores thus far at The Fork
