Good morning one and all! We are just about ready to get underway here in Kentucky with the cross country phase for the Lexington CCI4*-S riders. We have 47 riders to see this morning, beginning with Sara Kozumplik and her veteran partner, Rubens D’Ysieux out of the box at 9:15 a.m.
I’ll be providing updates from on the ground here, so refresh this page periodically for the latest updates.
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11:40 a.m. Tracey has retired Reg the Ledge after a runout at the B of the Mighty Moguls, ending their day here. And that is a wrap on cross country for the Lexington CCI4*-S! We’ll be back at 1:20 with the start of the CCI5*. Here’s a look at the full leaderboard.
11:38 a.m. So it will be Canada leading the pack ahead of Sunday with Karl Slezak and the aptly-named Hot Bobo in first place on a score of 29.3 ahead of Tamie Smith and Solaguayre California. This is of course still pending confirmation, and remember they may be reviewing Liz’s pin at the MIM Table. If it DOES get removed, she would go back onto a 29.3, tied with Karl. Here’s a look at the top 10 after cross country:
11:37 a.m. Tracey is still giving Reg the Ledge a strong ride as they come through the Rolex Grand Slam at 14. She has the course to herself now with Sara through the finish.
11:36 a.m. Sara is into time now, so she will drop down in the placements a little. But I think the more important part of these two clear rounds will be the education she’s gotten from Jimmy, who I know was riding on her shoulder today. Well done, Sara.
11:35 a.m. Eeek! Sara and Rocky shuffle their way through the Park Question, but they are safely through. Reg the Ledge has stopped at the brush oxer at the DEFENDER Off Road at 10. Clear on the second attempt.
11:35 a.m. Just the two last riders on course now. I’m not sure Sara is going to catch the time, but she’s certainly kicking on.
11:33 a.m. Andrew and Wakita 54 go skiing a bit down the hill at the Mighty Moguls at 19, but they’re looking like they’re going to get home clear with time.
11:32 a.m. Our final pair, Tracey Bienemann and Reg the Ledge are now on course.
11:31 a.m. Our penultimate pair, Sara Kozumplik and Rock Phantom, are out of the box. “Rocky” peeks really hard at the in to the Cosequin Cove, but they’re through the question. Sara is riding with a green ribbon in honor of her longtime friend and mentor, Jimmy Wofford.
11:28 a.m. Joining us out of the box are Andrew McConnon and Wakita 54. Andrew sadly withdrew his 5* horse, Ferrie’s Cello, before the jog earlier this week, so this is his sole ride this weekend. JM Durr is clear through the Park Question with Blue Rodeo.
11:27 a.m. Tamie isn’t going to catch the time despite her best efforts, leaving the door open for Sara Kozumplik and Rock Phantom to try to get it done faster. I would probably have put my money on Tamie to get home clear, but Elliot did require a bit of set-up early on for the fences, which always eats precious seconds. If Sara can get Rock Phantom into a flow, they may get closer.
11:26 a.m. Elliot I think tapped the rail into the Park Question, but it stays in place. A big airy jump over the C gets them out and away for home.
11:25 a.m. Joining us now are John Michael Durr and Blue Rodeo. Sadly, Blue Rodeo’s emotional support mini will not be accompanying him out on cross country today.
11:24 a.m. Sarah Kuhn is having a lovely spin here, and you’d think their next stop this fall will be a 5*.
11:23 a.m. Tamie is going for it with Elliot, who is an incredible galloper. They’re clear through the DEFENDER Off Road at 10. Sarah Kuhn is clear through 16, coming to the coffin.
11:21 a.m. Hannah Sue is really going for it out here with Capitol H I M, who looks a bit tired but they’re home with about 15 seconds’ worth of penalties.
11:21 a.m. It sounds like Liz is going to try to have the MIM pin she had down at 18 reviewed.
11:20 a.m. Tamie and bestie Heather Morris came more prepared to the start box this time with Elliot V, with a lead in to prevent any shenanigans.
11:18 a.m. Now out of the box are Aiken-based Sarah Kuhn and Mr. Cash van de Start.
11:17 a.m. Meg Kep gives Anakin some encouragement early on:
11:16 a.m. Heather and Vincent Chase are home clear with about 45 seconds of time. We’re also joined by Hannah Sue Hollberg and Capitol H I M.
11:14 a.m. Vinnie leaves his right leg at the rails into the Park Question, but I don’t know if the pin went. They’re clear through this tough question. I don’t see a pin penalty on the record, so I think they’re clear.
11:12 a.m. Joining us now are Meg Kepferle and Anakin. Jamie is clear through the Park Question, and Heather is clear through the Root Cellar at 12.
11:11 a.m. Heather and her OTTB, “Vinnie” are clear through the Cosequin Cove. Vinnie had some tie-back-like surgery this off-season, which has helped this pair now be able to go a little quicker across the ground.
11:09 a.m. Jamie and Summer Bay run into trouble at the DEFENDER Off Road. They’re clear on the second attempt. Mia Braundel is clear through the coffin. Heather Gillette and Vincent Chase are our latest starters.
11:07 a.m. Now joining us are another Canadian pair, Jamie Kellock and Summer Bay.
11:05 a.m. Our latest starters are Mia Braundel and Cashmere. They’re clear through the Cosequin Cove. Jessie and Fluorescent Adolescent are clear through the coffin at the Park Question.
11:03 a.m. Fluorescent Adolescent and Jessie Phoenix get to the out of the DEFENDER Off Road on an awkward stride, but they get the job done. Mia Farley adds a little time but what a round for her today — keep an eye on this young lady.
11:02 a.m. Mia Farley is two for two at the Park Question, with a lovely ride now with BGS Firecracker.
11:00 a.m. No! FE Golden Eye looks like he never got his eye on the B at the Mighty Moguls and has a runout here.
10:59 a.m. Now on course is the first of our splashily colored horses, Fluorescent Adolescent, piloted by Jessie Phoenix.
10:57 a.m. Mia and “Cracks” get a little squirrelly through the Cosequin Cove, but they have no issues adjusting.
10:56 a.m. What a ride through the coffin for Bec and Ernie — sticky but straight and Bec just looks thrilled. Love this for them. We’re also joined by Mia Farley and her second ride, the lovely and fiery, as suggested by her name, BGS Firecracker.
10:53 a.m. Anna and Fernhill That Guy Jack demolish the rails at the Park Question — luckily those are pinned. They are clear on their second attempt and are now home. Colleen Loach and FE Golden Eye, with whom she does some pure show jumping with, are on course. Bec should be coming to the Park Question soon.
10:52 a.m. Danny and Cecelia will be over time but I’m not sure she’ll be too sad about that. What a treasure this little mare is. Fun fact: Danny found this mare on Sport Horse Nation!
10:51 a.m. Danny and Cecelia are neatly through the coffin – this mare!! There are no words. Meanwhile out of the box are Australia’s Bec Braitling and Caravaggio II (“Ernie”).
10:49 a.m. Danny makes a good save at the big water at the Rolex Grand Slam, nicely sat! Meanwhile, Cecelia is like, “okay lady, hang on up there”.
10:48 a.m. Now joining us are Anna Loschiavo and Fernhill That Guy Jack, hailing from Area I and Vermont.
10:47 a.m. Cooley Flight rattles the MIM pin with both front and hind legs at the Park Question, but it stays put.
10:46 a.m. Ryan is having a really lovely round on Cooley Flight, looking super smooth and in tandem. Danny Moguel is scrappy through the dachsund question at the Cosequin Cove.
10:44 a.m. #MexICan! Danny Moguel and the 20 years young Cecelia are out of the box.
10:44 a.m. Australia’s Ryan Wood and Cooley Flight are now underway.
10:43 a.m. Liz is going to come into some time, and she’ll not hold her lead now. Apparently I jinxed Will and Pfun as they’re retired at 12B, the drop off the Root Cellar.
10:41 a.m. Liz is clear through the Park Question as well as the MIM Table that fell with Cooley Nutcracker. I personally feel that appeals should be able to be lodged for frangible pins, as this one seemed to be pretty unrelated to a potential problem to my eye.
10:40 a.m. We are also joined by Will Faudree and Pfun (my favorites and picks to win this weekend — but really it’s because I’m hoping Will sees this and decides I deserve to have a little sit on “Ted”. I can dream, right?). These two should really enjoy this track.
10:39 a.m. We haven’t seen a ton of Karl and Hot Bobo, but man I really like this little mare. He’s made the time and has put himself definitively on the selectors’ radar for this fall’s Pan American Games with a double clear round. Nice job!
10:38 a.m. Liz Halliday-Sharp isn’t pushing Cooley Be Cool too hard, as this is a prep for Luhmuhlen (depending on how this weekend goes), but he is also a pretty easy traveler who doesn’t look to need a ton of set-up and management.
10:37 a.m. Leah Lang Gluscic and her 18-years-young OTTB, AP Prime come home in 6 minutes, 42 seconds. Lovely job!
10:35 a.m. Liz Halliday-Sharp is back with Cooley Be Cool to see if she can still keep an overnight lead after the earlier issue with Cooley Nutcracker.
10:34 a.m. Jacob celebrates his ride through the coffin — he’s home now with just some time.
10:33 a.m. We are joined by Leah Lang Gluscic and AP Prime as well as Canada’s Karl Slezak and Hot Bobo (great name).
10:32 a.m. Jacob Fletcher has a lovely textbook ride through the Park Question.
10:31 a.m. Super rats, it looks like Elisa has fallen from Renkum Corsair now at the Mighty Moguls. I believe she’s back on her feet and they both look to be ok, but WHAT a bummer – so close to home.
10:29 a.m. Elisa Wallace and Renkum Corsair once again show off their excellent footwork through the Park Question — he did something similar at the coffin at Carolina earlier this year. What a dude.
10:27 a.m. Jacob Fletcher and Fabian join us now; winners of the 4*-S at TerraNova last fall and tactfully produced to this level.
10:25 a.m. We’re joined now by Elisa Wallace and Renkum Corsair. Sadly, Missy had an issue at the Mighty Moguls at 19B, but she is now home safe.
10:25 a.m. Tamie takes the clubhouse lead on a score of 29.2. (Update: Adjusted to 30.0).
10:24 a.m. Missy Miller and Quinn have a strong ride through the Park Question and have just one more combination between them and the finish. Missy moved to California last year to work with Tamie Smith, and she told us earlier this week that, among other things, they’ve figured out Quinn’s nutrition to help him feel and perform his best. A clear round here will be a big boost for this pair, who are trying to get to their first 5*.
10:22 a.m. Tamie and California will add some time but they are home clear. We’re also joined by Canada’s Hanna Bundy and Lovely Assistant.
10:21 a.m. Solaguayre California is clear through the Park Question and has a slight stutter at the Mighty Moguls, but both she and Tamie are just gritting this out to get home.
10:20 a.m Melanie Smith looks to have run into some trouble at the Park Question but was through on second attempt and is now home. We’re also joined by Missy Miller and Quinn.
10:16 a.m. Tamie Smith very nearly gets out of the box tardy due to some adrenaline from Solaguayre California, but they’re underway! Sydney Elliott and QC Diamantaire have a stellar round and come home just over time.
10:13 a.m. Melanie Smith really has to work to make the Cosequin Cove work. She’ll want to get Shakedown Street on her aids as they get into the bulk of the track.
10:13 a.m. James Alliston is home clear with 4 time faults. Mia Farley (go girl!) is our clubhouse leader at the moment.
10:12 a.m. Melanie Smith and Shakedown Street are joining us now. James Alliston and Karma have a neat trip through the Park Question.
10:09 a.m. Next to see will be Sydney Elliott and QC Diamantaire — one of the 5* pairs contesting this 4* division here.
10:07 a.m. Doug is having to set Camarillo up a little for some of these combinations — this one looked full of it at the beginning and could just need some help getting his attention and balance on the task at hand.
10:06 a.m. We’ll next see James Alliston and Karma on course.
10:05 a.m. Rats! Alex and MHS Fernhill Finale grind to a halt in front of the upright rails at the Park Question. Alex does well to stay on and get herself righted, and now her horse is saying no at the ditch on the re-present. They’ll call it a day here.
10:04 a.m. Jessie is home with about 17 seconds of time. Alex Baugh should soon be at the Park Question.
10:02 a.m. Doug Payne and Camarillo will be our next starters.
10:01 a.m. Alexandra Baugh and MHS Fernhill Finale are the next starters. We hardly saw Mia, unfortunately, but she’s home just three seconds over time. What a day to be on a Thoroughbred!
10:00 a.m. Weeeee — Jessie uses all her experience to keep Watson GS on his line on the C element of the Cosequin Cove.
9:57 a.m. Jessie Phoenix and Watson GS are our latest starters.
9:56 a.m. Colleen Loach has had an issue at the Park Question now with Vermont. Clear on the long option.
9:55 a.m.: We’re joined now by Mia Farley with the first of her two rides, David O’Connor’s OTTB, Phelps.
9:55 a.m. Vermont is careful here at the Le Chameau Double Brush.
9:54 a.m. Vermont is one of the biggest horses in the field this weekend at nearly 18 hands tall. He’s a dream boat, just so smooth as butter. Meanwhile, Phillip Dutton has caught the optimum time with Azure. Mare power!
9:51 a.m. Dani Sussman and Jos Bravio are home now. They’ll be upset about that trouble at the coffin no doubt, but lots of info to take home with them after this ride.
9:50 a.m. Our newest starters are Colleen Loach and Vermont. Dani Sussman and Jos Bravio’s trouble comes to a head at the Park Question. Jos Bravio stopped at the ditch first, then stopped at the C on the second attempt. She’s coming back around for the long option now.
9:49 a.m. About 12 time faults for Arielle Aharoni and Dutch Times.
9:48 a.m. Did you know this is the only mare Phillip has had at this level? Whatcha got against the ladies, Phil? Eh? (Just kidding)
9:47 a.m. Some neat footwork from Dutch Times through the Park Question. Jos Bravio is looking a little impressed, and Dani’s encouraging him to get in front of her leg.
9:46 a.m. Phillip Dutton and Azure are the newest starters.
9:45 a.m. Next out of the box are Dani Sussman and Jos Bravio. I just love this Argentinian gelding and hope this pair has a great ride.
9:44 a.m. Madeline Scott and Crosby’s Gold have had trouble at the Park Question coffin, with a stop at the A and then the B. They’ve called it a day and will take the walk home.
9:41 a.m. Hayley and Dunedin Black Watch stop the clock just two seconds over the time. Nicely done!
9:41 a.m: We haven’t seen much of Hayley, but she looks to be absolutely getting great shots over some of these fences by my view. We’re also now joined by Madeline Scott and Crosby’s Gold as well as Arielle Aharoni and Dutch Times.
9:39 a.m: Here’s a look at what happened with Liz. She will be gutted about that. I wouldn’t say this incident prevented a fall – it’s hard to even see the hit happen.
9:38 a.m. No! Liz has a pin at fence 18, the MIM Table. So that’ll be 11 penalties added and the lead lost.
9:37 a.m. Hayley and “Nelson” don’t hang around through the second water at Cosequin Cove. I just love this little Thoroughbred. Meanwhile, Liz Halliday-Sharp is making her way to the Park Question — Cooley Nutcracker takes just a bitttt of a stumble after the ditch but all good and over the C.
9:36 a.m. Dan is into time penalties now, so he won’t be the double clear of the day. He’s got about 12 seconds of time as his final, but what a round!
9:36 a.m Joining us now are Hayley Frielick and Dunedin Black Watch, hailing from New Zealand.
9:35 a.m. A lovely straight, careful trip through the Park Question for Dan Kreitl and Carmango. Just a few left for them, and they aren’t hanging around.
9:34 a.m. Dan gets some big cheers and has major pats for Carmango after the Cosequin Cove.
9:33 a.m. And here’s out overnight leader, Liz Halliday-Sharp, riding Cooley Nutcracker. She has a couple of seconds of time in hand over herself.
9:32 a.m. Ariel Grald has withdrawn Leamore Master Plan.
9:31 a.m. Dan Kreitl is quick and efficient through the MARS water at 4. Both Shannon Lilley and Lindsay Traisnel are home.
9:30 a.m.: And he’s the fastest man in all the land: Dan Kreitl, the only one to make the time in this tough Lexington 4*-S — ever!
9:29 a.m.: The Park Question claims its first victim, with Ideal HX just not quite reading the very narrow triple chevron at the C element. They’re clear on the second attempt.
9:28 a.m. It looks like Allie has had some trouble and is calling it a day at the first water, MARS Sustainability Bay.
9:27 a.m.: The big brush oxer out of the DEFENDER Off Road is riding quite long now. Riders watching will be taking notes. We also have Allie Knowles and Business Class joining us on course.
9:27 a.m.: Man, what a trip from Lindsay and Bacyrouge. They stutter into the coffin on the way home, but the pin stays put.
9:25 a.m.: Lindsay is really kicking for the flow with Bacyrouge — this is a super pair who had some success at Bromont last year in trying conditions. They’re skipping around this one!
9:24 a.m.: We now have Shannon Lilley and Ideal HX out of the box. Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan were supposed to be second out, so perhaps they had a small delay in warm-up.
9:24 a.m.: Sara is making her way home, she’ll be a little over a minute over the optimum, but she’s done another big one with her old friend.
9:21 a.m.: We have a new starter, slightly out of order, Canada’s Lindsay Traisnel and Bacyrouge.
9:20 a.m. EST: Sara and Rubens are definitely scrapping their way through this, but these are the times when partnership and trust gets you through the tough moments!
9:18 a.m. EST:: Rubens reeeeeaches for the out on the DEFENDER Off-Road at 10 but he shows his scope and is clear through.
9:16 a.m. EST: Rubens is handy with his feet at the first in to the MARS Sustainability Bay at 4.
9:15 a.m. EST:: We’re underway! Sara Kozumplik is underway, currently sitting 22nd on a score of 33.1.
9:10 a.m. EST: The optimum time for this “short” course is 6 minutes, 44 seconds, meaning the riders won’t be tackling the meat of the ground here — but don’t let that fool you. They don’t call this “mini-Kentucky” for no reason!