Boyd Martin and Trading Aces
Boyd Martin and Trading Aces put in a brilliant performance this afternoon at Richland, scoring a 43.9 to move into second place in the CIC3* division at the conclusion of dressage. Oscar looked very relaxed throughout the test, aside from a comical moment when he bucked a little during the first change, taking Boyd a bit by surprise. I experienced my first ever camera malfunction during the final rides of the day in the CIC3*, and I lost all but one of the videos I took. Unfortunately, Boyd and Oscar’s was one of them, which is a real bummer because I wanted you all to see how well he used his corners to balance into transitions. Boyd consistently rode excellent corners throughout the test, which David O’Connor has been emphasizing in the High Performance training sessions this year. Technology is a cruel mistress — sorry, Boyd!
Becky Holder and Can't Fire Me
Becky Holder and Can’t Fire Me are competing for the first time since Rolex this weekend, and they came back out with a bang, scoring 45.3 to move into third place ahead of Michael Pollard and Mensa. Teddy looks to be in brilliant form, and he really showed off his lovely gaits in this test. I also lost their video during my camera malfunction, which I’m equally devastated about. Michael Pollard and Mensa continued the string of excellent tests we saw in the final group of the afternoon, putting in their typical fluid performance sans a silly error in the trot work to score 46.4 for fourth place. Buck Davidson and No More Rocks kicked us off after the lunch break this afternoon, performing one of the best tests I’ve seen from them to date to score 47.3 to tie for sixth place with Will Faudree and Andromaque. Rocky has successfully completed one other Advanced level event at Rocking Horse this past February, and Buck will be looking to take him around successfully this weekend.
Lauren Kieffer and Veronica
Lauren Kieffer and Veronica were the last to go in the fourth group before the final break, and I had my money on them to challenge Phillip Dutton and Ben for the lead. Unfortunately, Veronica broke during the extended trot, which likely affected some of her scores in the movements that followed. They scored 48.2 to put them in a three-way tie for eighth place with Buck Davidson and Petite Flower and Lynn Symansky and Donner. Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights are sitting just behind those pairs in 11th place on a 48.5 CR really looked impressive today, and aside from some bobbles in his flying changes, he absolutely rose to the occasion. CR moved up to Advanced earlier this year at Jersey, and this is his first CIC3*; Colleen will be looking for an educational trip across the country on Saturday.
Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights
Caitlin Silliman and Remington XXV had a bit of a quiet test with an uncharacteristic bobble in the first change, scoring a 51.9 to tie for 20th place. The video of their test is the only one that survived my camera malfunction. RIP videos. We dodged weather bullets all day at Richland until Lauren and Veronica’s test, when big, fat rain drops began to fall toward the end. Bill Maybee, who wins the unofficial Best Richland Volunteer Ever Award, let Samantha and I hide in his truck to take pictures through the open window of the final riders in the CIC3* group. I also have to give a shoutout to Anna Newhof and Elizabeth Scheltema, the two gate stewards in the CIC3* ring. They wore coordinated outfits and ran the ring beautifully all day. Way to keep it classy, ladies!
Caitlin Silliman and Remington XXV
That wraps up our first day of coverage from Richland. I’m bummed that I couldn’t bring you coverage of some of the other awesome tests across the other upper-level divisions today, as the CIC3*, Advanced and Intermediate all ran simultaneously. Most notably, Sinead Halpin and Manoir De Carneville are leading the Advanced division on a 23.8, with Laine Ashker and Anthony Patch close behind in second place on a 27.5. Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot are third in the Intermediate division on a 28.4, with Will Coleman and OBOS O’Reilly in fifth place on a 30.4 and Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda in seventh place on a 31.6. Samantha and I will be walking the cross-country course first thing tomorrow morning, and the CIC3* show jumping gets underway at 1 p.m. Stay tuned for much more from Richland!
[Richland Website] [Entry List] [2013 Schedule] [Live Scores]
