Becky Holder & Can't Fire Me from Richland 2012 (photo by Samantha Clark)
Well folks, the fall season of upper level competitions is officially upon us, as we recently completed Millbrook as the first Advanced of the second half of the year, and Richland is coming up this weekend. Richland Park Horse Trials boasts Novice through Advanced, as well as a CIC2* and a CIC3* this year, with a nice big entry of 46 horse and rider pairs in the CIC3*. Most of our top pairs have made the trek to Michigan to compete against one another in the prestigious competition, and many riders are using this as a preparatory run for a fall CCI3* or CCI4*. Without further ado, let’s have a look at the entry list!
[Richland Website] [Entry List] [2013 Schedule]
Peter Barry & Kilrodan Abbott: Always a crowd favorite, Peter and Eddie will be contesting this event in fine form. Peter was most recently 7th at Millbrook in the Advanced, and of course cruised around Rolex like no big deal this spring, and not for the first time. I expect that these two will put in a nice performance, and clean jumping rounds to sit in the top 15 riders at the end of the weekend.
Timothy Bourke & Luckaun Quality: Tim just moved this horse up the Advanced for the first time at Millbrook 2 weeks ago, and he’ll be looking for a nice qualifying result here. I expect he will encounter some more technical questions on the cross country than he did in New York, and although he had some trouble on course at Millbrook, I have faith in Tim’s riding. This horse dreads the Dressage, but like a nice Irish horse should, lives for the running and jumping.
Hannah Sue Burnett & Danio: Hannah Sue is partnering with this little pistol of a horse this year instead of her regular top mount, Harbour Pilot, who will be competing in the Intermediate instead. Danio sure can jump, but the question is, can he listen to Hannah enough? He’s had a little bit of an up and down season, competing at Intermediate except for one Advanced at The Fork, where he had a spot of trouble with the cross country course. However, I don’t doubt that Hannah will be able to masterfully pull the best out of this horse this weekend.
Diana Burnett & Diamond Cut III: I don’t know this horse super well, but he has had a little bit of a light preparation for this event, competing in only two events in 2013, and retiring on cross country for both. I saw him last year and he looked superb and very athletic, so let’s hope that Diana has just been plagued by some bad luck with this English Thoroughbred gelding, and that they can get a nice safe round here at Richland.
Diana Burnett & Shigatzi: Shigatzi, another tall bay Throughbred gelding ridden by Diana, was 3rd after dressage at Millbrook two weeks ago, but ran into some trouble at the water complex and retired on course. Prior to that, he was fourth at Rocking Horse in February, but has not competed since that time. Similar to his stable mate, he seems to be in a bad rut of cross country mishaps, so I’m sure Diana will be glad to see those finish flags.
Kate Chadderton & Collection Pass: Kate thinks the world of this little horse, and he’s even got his own fan club: The Cole Club! Cole moved up to Advanced this spring and took on the Bromont CCI3*, placing 11th overall. Kate has given him a nice warm up after his post-Bromont break, running him Preliminary and Intermediate in preparation for this CIC3*. He’s a super little jumper and Kate can ride the heck out of some cross country, so I expect these two to finish with clean jumping efforts.
Buck Davidson & The Apprentice: Buck has only four entries in this division this weekend, so that might even qualify as an easy few days for him. While The Apprentice, or Dirk, was unsuccessful at his attempt at Saumur CCI3* earlier this spring, he’s got plenty of experience at the Advanced level, finishing 7th last year at Bromont CCI3*. He’s a super jumper, and should be nicely competitive.
Kate Chadderton and Collection Pass (photo by Jenni Autry)
Buck & No More Rocks: Rocky is Buck’s second entry, and a little more inexperienced at this level. Rocky has been very consistent at the Intermediate level, topping the CIC2* at Chattahoochee Hills earlier this spring, but has only successfully completed one Advanced competition, at Rocking Horse in February. Buck will be looking to get this horse around in a clean, confident manner.
Buck & Cool N Cavalier: Cavi is anther one of Buck’s entries that is new to the Advanced level, having only recently moved up in June at the NJ Horse Park. He’s another super jumping Irish horse, who has been quite successful at the Intermediate level. He placed 9th at the CCI2* at Jersey Fresh this spring, and will be looking for some more education at the Advanced level here at Richland.
Buck & Petite Flower: Buck recently took over the ride on this little mare (bred by his father, Bruce) from his student Caroline Martin, after Bromont this year. Though she may be a tiny little Thoroughbred, she is mighty and can jump anything. She successfully moved up to Advanced at Millbrook two weeks ago, and will be contesting her first CIC3* this weekend.
Ellen Doughty & Sir Oberon: Ellen has come all the way from Texas, and has been having a super spring with Sir Oberon. She was 2nd at the CIC3* at Chattahoochee, and most recently 7th at the CIC3* in Montana at Rebecca Farms. She’s clearly really into long road trips, as she makes her way to Michigan to tackle her third CIC3* of the year, and I expect these two to finish in fine form. Although they are fairly new to the Advanced level, they have an almost impeccable eventing record, and seem to be getting the hang of things just fine.
Phillip Dutton & Ben: Phillip has three entries this weekend in the CIC3*, and Ben is the first. After traveling to Rebecca Farms a few weeks ago and leading the dressage, Ben and Phillip were thwarted in their efforts to add to their Bromont CIC3* win after a fall at a table later in the course. These two will be looking for some redemption for that disappointment, and I don’t doubt that they will be in the top 10, bare minimum.
Phillip & Mr. Medicott: Phillip is still testing out his new partnership with Cave, and while their debut at Millbrook in the Advanced was decent, I feel like they still have some style points to work out. We all know that each part of this combination is brilliant, but I get the feeling that they are still getting to know one another.
Phillip & Fernhill Fugitive: This horse had an unfortunate fall at Jersey Fresh CCI3* this spring, but bounced right back to win the CIC2* at Virginia and place 7th at the Bromont CCI3* a few weeks later. He’s a lovely Dutch Warmblood gelding, and I’m sure he’ll do quite well on the heels of his 2nd place in the Intermediate at Millbrook two weeks ago.
Eliza Farren & Bantry Bays Dublin: Eliza and her little Connemara gelding, Dublin, have had quite a bit of experience at the Advanced level now, and will be looking to complete their first CIC3*. I saw her earlier this spring when she attempted the Red Hills CIC3*, and she had an unfortunate fall in the water, and in true pony form, Dublin took off into the back forty, leaving his rider soaked and trotting after him with a grim smile on her face. If you ever doubted that pony power exists, check out this pair as they rocket around cross country.
Will Faudree and Andromaque at Jersey Fresh (photo by Jenni Autry)
Will Faudree & Andromaque: Will won the CIC3* this spring at Jersey Fresh with this lovely mare, and then went across the pond to be the highest placed American pair at Saumur, finishing a brilliant 5th in the CCI3*. I watched him show jump her at Millbrook in the Intermediate and it was nothing less than masterful. The way that he knows Missy inside and out, and rides her just so is a treat to watch and I expect them to do nothing less than blow your socks off this weekend.
Corinna Garcia & Runabout Riley: Unfortunately, I don’t know much about this pair other than they hail from Indiana, and they are fairly new to the Advanced level. They completed an Advanced at Plantation last fall, and another one at MCTA this spring, and are looking to complete their first CIC3* together. They’ve had a pretty light spring preparatory course, with only three competitions under their belt for 2013.
Lillian Heard & Share Option: Lillian has had Whitey for 7 years now, and their partnership is a lovely sight to see. After an injury put him out of commission for a few years, Whitey returned to the upper levels this spring, and had a great comeback at the Jersey Fresh CCI3* placing 4th, as well as a 3rd place at Fair Hill CIC3* before that. He’s a lovely mover and jumper, and Lillian is a super rider, and they get along very well. I expect this pair to be quite competitive this weekend, and they will make it all look easy while out on course.
Becky Holder & Can’t Fire Me: Richland will be Teddy’s return the the Advanced level after another unfortunate run at Rolex earlier this spring, when Becky just popped off at the last element of the final water complex. It seems as if these two just can’t quite catch a break at the 4* level, despite their obvious talents. The two quietly came back to competition at Chatt Hills in the Intermediate, placing 2nd, and I predict they will be one of the top pairs to finish this weekend. Becky is always competitive after the dressage, and I heard her saying that Teddy was “like a fire breathing dragon” at Southern Pines on the XC earlier this year, so I hope he’s feeling that good again.
Jon Holling & Zatopek B: Jon has two entries this weekend, and both are new to the Advanced level as of this spring. Zak is a super athletic horse that Jon really believes in, and while he ran into some trouble at his first CCI3* at Jersey Fresh, he bounced back to finish well at the Bromont CCI3* (although he unfortunately didn’t win so we didn’t get to see Jon streak again…). He’s had his break after that, and returned to competition with an Intermediate at River Glen where he placed 4th. Jon is incredibly competitive, so I expect him to be pulling out some nice moves this weekend on this horse.
Jon & Proper Timing: Jon’s second ride, PT, also moved up the the Advanced level this spring, but is much less experienced than his stable mate. Jon has only had the ride on this horse for about a year, as he came from Stuart Black in Texas last fall. He completed the Advanced at Pine Top, and the CIC3* at Red Hills, but then did not compete until River Glen a few weeks ago in the Intermediate. He’ll be looking for a little more education at this level and a good clean round.
Lauren Kieffer & Veronica: At this point, we all know to watch out for this pair at any level. They won the CIC2* at Jersey Fresh and the CIC3* at Chatt Hills, as well as placing 9th in their first CCI3* together at Bromont this spring. This lovely mare can really pull out the moves in the dressage, and once you let her get into first place, she’s loathe to give it up. They are preparing for Boekelo CCIO3* this October, thanks to the Land Rover Competition Grants. Watch out for these two this weekend.
Boyd Martin & Trading Aces: Boyd’s first event back at the upper levels after his ankle surgery following Rolex was Millbrook, and he took Oscar in the Advanced, leading the division after dressage. I’m not sure what happened, as the scores originally reported a clear round, but then later reported a stop on course, but I seriously doubt it was anything other than a technicality. Oscar is a great XC horse and Boyd is a brilliant rider, even if he still reports that his ankle feels about 70% useful. These two have been benefitting from Silva’s work on the flat, and I expect Oscar to pull out another great test to put him near the top early in the competition. Boyd & Oscar are also heading for Boekelo CCIO3* this October.
Boyd Martin & Trading Aces at Millbrook (photo by Susan Drover)
Julie Norman & Consensus: Julie is another one of those travel loving competitors this weekend, as her spring has included Florida, Texas, Colorado, Illinois, Georgia and Montana. Now, off to Michigan, she brings with her some top placings from the Advanced at Texas Rose, Chatt Hills CIC2* and most recently was placed 7th at the CCI2* at Rebecca Farms. This pair is new to the Advanced level, having only completed two but placing 1st and 2nd in both of them. They might very well be the dark horse in the crowd.
Meghan O’Donoghue & Pirate: Meghan has managed to capture the heart of the nation on her scrappy little Thoroughbred Pirate with their story of coming up through the ranks together, culminating in a beautiful XC round at Rolex this spring to vault them into 12th place in their first effort at that level. Although Meghan made the silly mistake of jumping the wrong final XC jump at Millbrook, she was able to do the Show Jumping anyway, and they both looked very polished and ready for the next challenge. Pirate is a jumping machine, and I know Meghan has been working hard on her dressage. She’s heading off to Blenheim CCI3* soon thanks to the Jacqueline Mars Competition and Training Grant she was awarded earlier this summer, and will be using Richland as a tune-up for that effort.
Selena O’Hanlon & A First Romance: Selena’s first ride of the division has had a very light preparation for the event, but she must believe in him enough to take the leap. After retiring at both The Fork CIC3* and MCTA Advanced, this gelding jumped around Bromont CCI3* just fine to finish in 12th place. Selena is one of the most efficient XC riders I’ve seen in a long time, as her horses are perfectly trained to barely require a tug before the fences and they set themselves up beautifully. Sometimes, you think you’re watching a hunter course in fast forward!
Selena & Bellaney Rock: Her second ride has had a bit more to do this spring, placing 10th at Red Hill CIC3* thanks to a quick clear XC round, and finishing in 4th place at the Bromont CCI3*. He’s a lovely big Irish chestnut gelding with lots of chrome, and a beauty to watch as he lopes around these big courses with ease. Watch for him on cross country day as he makes it look easy.
Holly Payne & Madeline: Holly had one of those freak accidents we all hope to avoid early this spring while schooling a young horse in Aiken, and has just recently been able to return to competing her two amazing red headed Advanced horses. Her long time partner in crime, Madeline (aka Baby), was recently 8th at Millbrook in the Advanced after having most of the spring away from competing. Baby is a pocket rocket with a chestnut mare attitude, but Holly knows her beautifully and they should be a blast to watch on the cross country.
Holly & Santino: I had the pleasure of getting to know Sunny last year at Jersey Fresh when he was contesting the CCI2* and again this spring when he and Holly participated in the Aiken Training Sessions with Coach DOC. Sunny is an exceptionally talented horse; he’s a great mover and a super jumper and he’s a seriously cool horse for the future with Holly. She has taken her time and brought him along right, and he just moved up to Advanced at Pine Top prior to Holly’s injury, and then again at Millbrook a few weeks ago, where he finished 10th.
Doug Payne & Crown Talisman: Newly engaged Doug will be contesting his second Advanced with his partner Tali, after another freak accident caused him to be sidelined for the second half of the spring (perhaps it’s been a cursed spring for the Paynes?). Tali is very new to this level, as he just moved up at Millbrook, but he is a very capable mount. He can do a stunning dressage test if he keeps his tension to a minimum, and he’s a careful yet brave horse over the jumps. I think he could be competitive, but will probably be very happy with a solid effort for his first CIC3*.
Michael Pollard & Ballingowan Pizazz: This might be the pair that I’m most excited to see go this weekend, as individually both Mango and Michael are a force to be reckoned with. We haven’t seen this pair compete at the Advanced level yet but their record at Intermediate only includes blue ribbons. In fact, Mango hasn’t done anything big since placing 5th individually at the Pan American Games in the fall of 2011, and Michael acquired him in 2012 and hasn’t lost a single competition since then. I’d be very surprised if these two don’t pop up in the top five.
Michael & Mensa: These two blew the competition away this spring in the dressage at Jersey Fresh CCI3*, taking the early lead. They suffered a blip on XC that dropped them down the leaderboard to finish in 6th place, but I wouldn’t take it to heart. Mensa is a brilliant jumper, and he has a great cross country record. Michael has been able to produce some stunning results on him, and I’m glad to see him on the list for Richland, as I think he’ll be there to give everyone a run for their money.
Michael Pollard and Mensa at Jersey Fresh (photo by Jenni Autry)
Colleen Rutledge & Covert Rights: We all got to know Colleen & CR through Jenni’s “EN’s Got Talent” series last year, and since then the pair has been progressing nicely. CR has gotten to be quite big, but as only a 7 year old he just recently moved up to the Advanced level at The Horse Park of NJ, winning his debut following a 3rd place at Jersey Fresh CCI2*. I saw him two weeks ago at Millbrook and he looked like he was still getting to know the level. She suffered a blip on XC there, so I’m sure she will be going for a nice confidence building round for her young talented horse here at Richland.
Jimmie Shramm & Bellamy: I had the great pleasure of meeting Jimmie at Millbrook (our horses were stabled across from one another and spent the weekend bonding) and you couldn’t wish for a nicer person. ‘Hells Bells’ as she fondly calls him, is her first Advanced horse and they are getting to know the level together. He’s an incredibly talented jumper and he wants to do everything right for his rider. Jimmie will be thrilled to get a good clean round at her first attempt at this level, leading up to a fall CCI3*.
Kim Severson & Fernhill Fearless: Millbrook marked Kim’s return to the Advanced level for the first time since the spring of 2011, and she started it off with a bang by placing 5th in the huge competitive class. Kim really couldn’t ask for a better partner than Sparky to get back to the blue numbers, and Sparky is pleased as all get out to be jumping something big again! He’s a funny little horse, but with his ferocious jumping aptitude and Kim’s dressage mastery, you better watch out in the future when she can whup you on the flat with this little horse with a white streak in his tail.
Caitlin Silliman & Remington XXV: Caitlin is one of the most genuinely nice people around, and she works her tail off as Boyd’s assistant trainer. She’s thrilled to have the ride on Remi, and thinks the world of him. “He’s like a little cat, he’s so clever” she told me recently, complimenting his ability to jump around easily over any obstacle. Caitlin was a victim of the new FEI qualification rules this spring, so she’s had to go back and re-qualify for everything with Remi. They won the Jersey Fresh CCI2*, leading from start to finish, and have done two Advanced together.
Caitlin & Catch A Star: Caitlin’s second ride, Hoku, has a serious fan club after her stellar performance at Rolex this spring, following her fairy tale return to competition after Boyd’s barn fire in 2011. This pair has benefitted greatly from Silva’s help on the flat, and they can turn and burn on cross country together. Hoku had a nice long break after Rolex and just came back and ran the Advanced at Millbrook at a relaxed pace. They should be nicely competitive here at Richland.
Allison Springer & Copycat Chloe: Allison has been working hard to get to know her relatively new mount, Chloe, and has been diligent about improving her dressage performances and making her a bit more rideable in the jumping phases. I saw her very early this spring in the Training Sessions in Aiken, and they look much more suited to one another these days, but I think there is still a lot to come from this pair. We know they both have the talent, and Allison definitely has the patience to wait for it. They were 5th earlier this spring at the Bromont CCI3*, and the tougher the questions, the higher Chloe jumps. I think their time to wear a blue ribbon is soon, but maybe not this weekend.
Kaitlin Spurlock & Expedience: Another lovely young lady riding a quirky little mare, Kaitlin and her chestnut Thoroughbred mare will be sure to crush the cross country. They are relatively new to the Advanced level, but they were 11th this spring at the Jersey Fresh CCI3* and they both have more than enough talent and grit to get the job done. If Kaitlin can get her mare to play the game in the little sand box is another matter, but you’ll be certain to see them having fun over the jumps.
Erin Sylvester & No Boundaries: Erin and Bucky burst onto the international scene last year with a double clean trip around their first CCI4* at Rolex and then completing the tough Burghley in the fall in fine form. These two also completed Rolex this spring, but they didn’t have as much luck as the first time, and Bucky decided that he would let out his wild side in Dressage. He is perfectly capable of a good test, he just doesn’t always keep a lid on it. Erin is using Richland and Plantation CIC3* to prepare for Fair Hill CCI3* this fall, and you can bet she’ll jump around clean.
Lynn Symansky and Donner at Rolex (photo by Jenni Autry)
Lynn Symansky & Donner: We all know the story of Lynn & Donner quite well by now, as they shone in the Pan American Games in 2011, and then were missing for most of 2012 only to burst back out this spring with a superior grasp on the flatwork and crushing it in the jumping phases. Lynn & ‘The Flying Deer’ won The Fork CIC3* this spring, despite a spiral fracture in her pinky finger, and proceeded to completely dominate at Rolex for Donner’s first CCI4*, finishing on her dressage score. I expect that Lynn might take it a little slow on the XC, as she’s got her sights set on something bigger this fall: Pau CCI4*, and she won’t want to get her Thoroughbred too fit too quick! However, look for a polished performance from both of these athletes.
Laura Vello & Winning Facts: Laura and Wynn have a few Advanced under their belts from 2012 and 2011 but this spring has been a light one for them, competing in Training through their most recent event, Advanced at Millbrook. I believe she’ll be looking for a good round here to get a good qualifying result and more solidified at the level before attempting something bigger this fall.
Jolie Wentworth & Goodknight: Jolie and Ari have been on a worldwide tour this year. After starting their spring in their native California, they travelled to Germany to compete in Luhmulen CCI4*, finishing 30th with two stops on course over an incredibly tough cross country. They recently travelled to Rebecca Farms in Montana to the CIC3*, where they also had a stop on course, but finished 12th. Ari is an incredible jumper, despite his size, and Jolie has a lot of talent. They’ll need a good clean round and some better dressage here to be competitive in this crowd.
Katie Wherley & Mr. Indiscretion: Katie has had Trip since she found him at the track many years ago, and their relationship is strong. She knows him inside and out, and even though he can be a bit dramatic sometimes, he’s a good solid citizen. These two are fairly new to the Advanced level, having only recently moved up this spring at Fair Hill HT, and completing two overall. Katie will be thrilled with a solid clear round here, and a good qualifying result for the fall.
Sharon White & Wundermaske: I’ve been seeing Sharon and Patch everywhere this spring, even at recognized dressage shows. Patch just moved up to Advanced early this spring, but he’s had a good solid education. He placed 7th at Jersey Fresh CCI3* and is heading to Blenheim CCI3* this fall. They had an uncharacteristic blip and stumble over a fence at Millbrook in the Advanced, but they were both uninjured and Sharon quickly rerouted him to Fair Hill to run an Intermediate and I think she’s here at Richland to make sure everything is A-OK before heading across the pond. I’m sure she can be competitive this weekend.
Amanda Wilson & Cool Decision: I’m not terribly familiar with this pair, but they hail from Pennsylvania and they are fairly new to the Advanced level. They’ve completed two Advanced horse trials, at Fair Hill and MCTA, and I’m sure they’ll be looking for a good educational round here as their first effort at a CIC3*.
