Jersey Fresh has shaken things up this year with a new course designer in Capt. Mark Phillips and a schedule change for the CIC divisions.
As one of five CCI3* events in North America, Jersey Fresh usually gets a strong contingent of entries in the quest for team qualification. But in a non-championship year and with Jersey Fresh not listed as a 2018 World Equestrian Games qualifier for the U.S. for 2017, many riders have sought to test their mettle overseas instead.
The field here is largely greener than usual, including horses that have yet to attempt a four-star or who have re-routed from the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event.
Jersey Fresh Links: Website, Dressage Ride Times, Schedule, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram
The famous Jersey Shore at Jersey Fresh. Photo by Jenni Autry.
The Field
- The field in the CCI3* this year only has 16 pairs, which makes it the smallest CCI3* field at this show since 2012, when Phillip Dutton won on Mystery Whisper.
- The leader after dressage has won four of the last five runnings of this division. Will the tradition continue?
Frankie Thieriot Stutes and Chatwin. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Dressage Divas
- Chatwin has five CIC3* and Advanced starts under Frankie Theriot-Stutes and their highest score is a 42.1. This will be their first start out east at three-star level.
- Phillip Dutton’s ride Mr. Candyman is no longer the green Advanced horse he was last year. Since 2016, he has averaged 49.7 on the flat.
- Park Trader’s three-star average over the past 18 months is 50.3, but it has slowly been creeping downwards in his last two FEI starts. Buck will be hungry for a strong start with this horse after early trouble at Rolex.
Phillip Dutton and Mr. Candyman. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
Cross Country Machines
- Although Mr. Candyman did struggle at this venue last year, he comes back with five consecutive clear cross country founds at the level, including a clear and inside the time at Fair Hill CCI3* in the fall.
- This will be the first time Chatwin is tested at this level, taking on both his first CCI3* as well as East Coast terrain. In three West Coast CIC3* runs, he averages only nine seconds over the optimum time, but the extra distance will be a different test.
- No Remorse is a greener mount for Buck Davidson, but with five starts at the level, only a single stop in this division last year mars her record. When she goes clear, she comes in within 30 seconds over optimum time.
Lizzy Jahnke and Princeton. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Show Jumping Powerhouses
- Princeton and Lizzy Jahnke have been perfecting their stadium skills, jumping clear in all three of their CIC3* starts together. Those three starts also happen to be their most recent three starts.
- Chatwin shows up here yet again, proving his strength in all three phases. He and Frankie have incurred only one rail in five rounds, although time penalties could be a factor.
- Danger Mouse has proven a promising ride for Caroline Martin, already proving to be a jumping bean. In four rounds at the level, he and Caroline have had only one rail. All four of their rounds were prior to cross country, changing the equation for them this weekend.
PREDICTED WINNER: Phillip Dutton and Candyman
Phillip Dutton and Mr. Candyman. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Keep Your Eye On…
- Buck Davidson and No Remorse
- Daniela Moguel and Cecelia
- Frankie Theriot-Stutes and Chatwin
- Dom Schramm and Bolytair B
- Tamie Smith and Wembley
