Kim Severson and Cooley Cross Border. Photo by Jenni Autry.
At long last we have arrived at the final CIC3* weekend of the year. While Woodside holds down the fort out west, Morven hosts quite a contingent on the East Coast. With a field of 30 entries in the three-star, Morven’s field for this division is significantly larger than last year.
Many of these horses are bound for Fair Hill, with a few others scheduled to head overseas to Pau or across the country to Galway Downs. It’s very likely that we will see quite a few withdrawals after dressage or stadium, with riders opting only for the combined test prior to Fair Hill. With the weather predicted to be cold and wet — and the rain already saturating the ground in Virginia — we may end up with a skeleton division for the final cross country phase.
The dressage test will be 2015 FEI 3*-B, which will also be what runs at Fair Hill in two weeks. The cross country course designer is Tremaine Cooper, who we last saw at Poplar Place and Millbrook. Tremaine Cooper also designs the show jumping course at Morven, the only East Coast venue for which he does both jumping phases.
TOP SEVEN
1. Kim Severson and Cooley Cross Border: Kim is fantastic when the pressure is on, and the pressure is on this weekend. Cooley Cross Border needs a CIC3* under his belt in order to compete at Fair Hill, and after retiring on course at Plantation Field, this is his last chance.
Cooley Cross Border hasn’t yet played all his cards on the flat at this level, but if he equals his score of 41.3 on this test, he should be right at the top after dressage. This horse is a careful jumper who averages clear stadium rounds with a single time fault. He hasn’t seen a Tremaine Cooper course yet, but a swift average of 4.4 time penalties across the country in his two complete runs should set this pair up for first. Look for them to finish on a score in the mid-40s.
Marilyn Little and RF Demeter at The Fork. Photo by Jenni Autry.
2. Marilyn Little and RF Demeter: Marilyn is always in the mix with her longtime partner, and this weekend will be no exception. While these two probably can’t catch Cooley Cross Border at his best, they will be waiting in the wings to take advantage of any stumbles.
RF Demeter is extremely consistent, and this dressage test is no exception with an average of 49.0 almost equaling their overall average. This mare hasn’t recently jumped a Tremaine stadium course, and while their overall stadium average for the level is one rail, it wouldn’t surprise anyone if they jumped double clear. Look for these two to post the swiftest round of the day over Tremaine’s cross country course, coming home inside the time. They should finish on a score in the low 50s.
3. Ronald Zabala and Mr. Wiseguy: Another extremely experienced campaigner, Mr. Wiseguy has made a strong return to this level recently. A successful run at Poplar Place will set these two up well for continued success this weekend.
Mr. Wiseguy has executed this test twice this year, averaging only 49.7 penalties on it. A very careful jumper, this horse is likely to jump clear in the stadium, but does average 2 time penalties. Over Tremaine’s Poplar course, these two racked up 7.6 time penalties. A similar pace here will put them in third, with a score in the high 50s.
Phillip Dutton and Mr. Candyman. Photo by Jenni Autry.
4. Phillip Dutton and Mr. Candyman: Phillip and his newest partner were cruising along to a fantastic fall until they hit a blip at Plantation. Phillip will look to make sure all systems are go this weekend before taking this horse out to Galway for the CCI3*, for which they received a USEF Land Rover Competition Grant.
Mr. Candyman scored a 48.8 on this test at Plantation, his first attempt at the three-star test. A fairly careful jumper, he averages clear with 2 time penalties in the stadium phase. Mr. Candyman incurred 8.8 time penalties over Tremaine’s course at Millbrook. Look for this pair in fourth on a score just under 60.
5. Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Fugitive: Last seen winning a team gold medal at the Pan American Games in Toronto, Fernhill Fugitive is back out to play after enjoying a well-deserved break. Phillip will likely take this horse around all three phases in preparation for Fair Hill CCI3*.
Fernhill Fugitive averages a 50.4 on this test, which will keep him out of the top 10 after dressage in all likelihood. This horse did jump double clear over his only Tremaine Cooper stadium course at this venue in 2013. He averages 9.2 penalties on Tremaine cross country courses, which will move him up. This horse could potentially tie his stablemate, with a slightly slower cross country dropping him into fifth.
Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High. Photo by Jenni Autry.
6. Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High: Selena and Foxwood High just keep getting better and better. Their dressage average has plummeted over the past several months, which will help them finish competitively this weekend.
This horse averages a 46.4 on this test, which is almost 10 points better than his overall average for the level. An average of one rail and 1 time penalty in show jumping will keep these two in good company. Selena and Foxwood High do average 8.4 time penalties over Tremaine’s cross country courses, which is a touch slower than their typical pace. Look for them to finish just outside the top five on a score only a tenth of a point behind Phillip’s mounts.
7. Sydney Conley-Elliott and Cisko A: This talented duo makes their return to the level for the first time since finishing fourth at Rebecca Farms in their first CCI3*. They’ve come east for a crack at Fair Hill and are using Morven as a prep.
Cisko A has only done this test once, scoring a 57.1 at Rebecca, but does have the potential to drop his score down into the high 40s. He is currently on the verge of averaging a clear round but does have a propensity for 1 time penalty in the stadium phase. Sydney is quick across the country with him, coming home with only 2.8 time penalties over Tremaine’s course at The Fork in 2014. Look for this pair in seventh with a score just over 60.
Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Cubalawn. Photo by Jenni Autry.
THE DARK HORSE
Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Cubalawn or Mighty Nice: Phillip has all four of his active Advanced horses out to play this weekend. It’s likely he’ll compete in all three phases with Mr. Candyman, who had a blip across the country at his first CIC3* at Plantation, and Fernhill Fugitive, who hasn’t run since the Pan American Games.
However, don’t be surprised to see a W next to Fernhill Cubalawn and Mighty Nice after dressage or stadium. These two experienced horses both could easily crack the top seven, but only if they compete in all three phases.
Doug Payne and Vandiver. Photo by Jenni Autry.
THE SLEEPER
Doug Payne and Vandiver: Both experienced separately, this pair is making their first CIC3* start together after an Advanced run at Five Points early last month. In that start, they scored in the mid-40s (FEI equivalent), jumped double clear in the stadium, and had a clear but steady run across the country. If they simply replicate that effort, they’ll pop into the top seven this weekend. Regardless, this pair will likely be formidable by next spring.
Marilyn Little and RF Overdressed. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
THE SPOILER
Marilyn Little and RF Overdressed or RF West Indie: Marilyn has a pair of horses who could spoil the weekend, both who have only one result at the level so far. These two horses finished second and third to their more experienced stablemate RF Demeter at their first CIC3* at Poplar Place last month, showing huge promise for the future.
Both of these horses scored in the low 40s, jumped clear in the stadium and were fairly quick across a course notoriously difficult for making time. Additionally, they both have the experience of running over a Tremaine Cooper cross country course at that show, which will be valuable this weekend. Don’t be surprised if either horse pulls an upset at Morven.
