Joe Meyer and Clip Clop. Photo by Jenni Autry.
All eyes may be on Carolina, but meanwhile down in Georgia, Poplar Place Farm is running their own CIC3*, alongside an Advanced. While Carolina draws the majority of entries this weekend, Poplar Place has their own set of loyal fans, and is hosting a respectable division of fourteen entries. For this event, I’ll be listing the top four placings, as well highlighting a new partnership that could potentially steal the show.
For the CIC3*, the dressage test will be 2015 FEI 3*-A. Tremaine Cooper has designed this cross country course for many years, and Jan Brodkin is the long-time designer of the show jumping course.
TOP FOUR
1. Joe Meyer and Clip Clop: Joe and Clip Clop have formed a solid partnership in the past year, culminating in a solid showing at Fair Hill CCI3* last fall. With Rolex as their ultimate goal this spring, this pair will be looking for a solid outing this weekend.
Joe and Clip Clop average a 55.1 on this particular test, a little better than their overall average. They have a good record of jumping over Jan’s courses, averaging no rails and one time penalty. Similarly, this pair favors Tremaine Cooper courses, their time penalty average of 4.8 over his designs bettering their overall average. This pair should win comfortably with a score just over sixty.
2. Sara Kozumplik-Murphy and Catchascatchcan: Sara’s less experienced mount only moved up to this level last year but has a very consistent record. They’ve had a couple trouble spots thus far this year, but look for this pair to pull all three phases together this weekend.
Catchascatchcan averages a 56.4 on this test, right in line with his average. A double clear show jumping average over Jan’s courses will strengthen their position after the second phase. This horse does run slightly slower over Tremaine Cooper courses, but an average of 9.2 time penalties will give them a final score in the mid-sixties, good enough for second.
Nilson Moreira da Silva and Muggle (BRA). Photo by Jenni Autry.
3. Nilson Moreira da Silva and Muggle: Muggle is a fairly experienced horse at this point, and after a couple years at the three-star level, their goal this spring is Rolex. Muggle’s strongest phase is on the cross country, so look for him to inch up the ranks throughout the weekend.
Muggle averages a 57.6 on this particular test, which is a couple of points better than his typical score. He also seems to favor Jan Brodkin stadium courses, averaging only one rail and no time. A swift average of only 4.8 time penalties over Tremaine Cooper courses will rocket them up the ranks after cross country. This pair will round out the top three with a score in the mid-to-high sixties.
4. Diana Burnett and Bonner’s Chief II: Bonner’s Chief is a newer horse to this level, having only moved up to the Advanced ranks last August. He’s proven to be capable of solid performances, and should give another this weekend.
This pair averages a 52.4 on this test, which should put them amongst the leaders this weekend after the first phase. A tendency to jump double clear over Jan Brodkin’s courses should solidify their position. However, Diana and Bonner’s Chief tend to be more sedate cross country, averaging 20.4 time penalties. This will drop them to fourth, on a final score in the low seventies.
Julie Richards and Sandhills Brillaire. Photo by Jenni Autry.
THE DARK HORSE
Julie Richards and Sandhills Brillaire: Julie and Sandhills Brillaire are a new partnership this winter, formed after Julie imported the mare in a whirlwind decision last fall. Prior to being imported, Sandhills Brillaire had an extensive three and four-star career with Craig Barrett, culminating in a win at Adelaide CCI4* in 2012, and a third in 2013.
Since coming to the U.S., Julie and this mare have quickly ticked off the boxes together, running two Intermediates before placing fourth at Pine Top CIC2*. Most recently they put three solid phases together at Red Hills in the CIC2*, finishing sixteenth. If the relationship really starts to click this weekend, these two could pull out a surprise win.
Diana Burnett and Manny at Rolex 2011. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
ADVANCED
Number of horses: 3
Pairs to watch:
- Diana Burnett and Manny
