Buck Davidson and D.A. Adirmo take the lead in the CCI3* at Jersey Fresh.
Buck Davidson and D.A. Adirmo took the lead in the CCI3* at Jersey Fresh thanks to a double clear cross-country trip on a course that caused numerous problems for riders today. There were only two double clear trips, with Jessica Phoenix and Exponential having the other, which moves them up to second place. Overnight leaders Mackenna Shea and Landioso took the option at 9AB at the water complex, which gave them 14 time penalties to drop down to third place. But it was a wise decision at the combination that caused the most problems on course, with four riders having runouts there. Courtney Cooper and Who’s A Star move up from ninth place to fourth with a clear trip and six time penalties, and Katie Ruppel and Houdini move from 10th to fifth with 10 time penalties.
Jessica Phoenix and Exponential move into second in the CCI3*.
As I noted in my course preview from yesterday, the line to 9B was very tricky, and horses were glancing off to the right — or having very sticky trips if they managed to scramble over. Caitlin Calder and Jolliyat, Zach Brandt and Cavallino Cocktail, and Jon Holling and Zapotek B all picked up the runouts at 9B. Sharon White and Wundermaske actually circled before 9B, unfortunately crossing her tracks and picking up 20 jumping penalties. She was the only other rider aside from Jessica and Buck to come home without any time penalties. Zach rode into 9A so confidently on Cavallino Cocktail I thought for sure he was going to make it over 9B, but the horse just glanced off the side. Katie Ruppel and Houdini had one of the best trips through 9AB I saw all day, and I was lucky enough to catch it on video for you below.
Mackenna Shea and Landioso drop to third in the CCI3*.
Fence 22ABC, a big drop down a steep hill to two angled tables, also caught out quite a few riders. Bunnie Sexton parted ways there with Rise Against — although Samantha chatted a bit with Bunnie after and said she was thrilled with the horse — Leslie Law retired there with Zenith ISF, and Michael Pollard and Mensa and Werner Geven and Vandiver both picked up stops at this combination. Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Fugitive had the only other fall on course when Jack caught a leg at fence 7, the Cordwood, and rolled on top of Phillip. It was a very scary moment for all those watching, but Phillip and Jack were up right away and OK. The CCI3* course definitely shook up the leaderboard, and Buck Davidson and Jessica Phoenix are now separated by just 1.2 penalties going into the show jumping tomorrow. CIC3* cross country kicks off at 1:25 p.m. with Marilyn Little and RF Black Pearl.
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