Boyd Martin and Shamwari 4. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Now that’s more like it! Boyd Martin shook off yesterday’s rocky test with Otis Barbotiere to deliver under the pressure of impressing the selectors, scoring 47.8 with Shamwari 4 for seventh place with one group left to go at Luhmühlen. The horse was a bit argumentative in warmup, throwing in some little bucks in the changes a la his stablemate Trading Aces, but Boyd worked him through those sticky moments to rise to the occasion when it counted. As you’ll see in the video, the test was very smooth the whole way through, and Shammie’s lovely gaits just beg for good marks. Remember those elusive 9s from this morning? Gillian Rolton gave them one for the extended trot.
Both Boyd and Silva were all smiles after the test and were kind enough to chat; check out the interview below. This is still a very new ride for Boyd, and the cross country tomorrow will be the biggest test of their partnership to date, but if today is any indicator, this is a very exciting horse for Team USA. I have about a bazillion videos and photos to bring you, including video of our new leader, Ingrid Klimke and Hale Bob 3, who scored 42.0 as the last pair to go before the break to move into first place. The third and final group is starting now, and Phillip Dutton is fourth in with Mighty Nice. Stay tuned for much more from Luhmühlen.
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