Caitlin Silliman and Remington XXV lead the CCI2* at Jersey Fresh on a 41.
Caitlin Silliman and Remington XXV threw down the gauntlet in the first group of the CCI2* at Jersey Fresh, executing a flawless test to score a 41 — the best score of the weekend thus far. Remi looked brilliant — and I especially loved his blingy ear bonnet — and I can’t wait to see them go the rest of the weekend. I know Caitlin is disappointed she didn’t get to ride Remi at Rolex due to FEI qualification snafus, but we’ll be seeing much more of them in the future, and I’m sure they’ll be extremely competitive in the CCI2* all weekend. Will Faudree and Reisling De Buissy performed a beautiful test to start things off this morning. I really love this horse, and this is the first time I’ve seen him go in person. He is a lovely mover and really draws you into the test. Will and Resling De Buissy are sitting in second place on a 49.8.
Will Faudree and Reisling De Buissy are in second place on a 49.8.
We also saw a lovely test from Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights, Colleen’s homebred gelding who I featured as one of the very first horses on EN’s Got Talent last fall. I haven’t seen CR go in person since the Fair Hill CCI2* last fall, and I thought he looked fantastic today, scoring 51.9 to sit in third place. Aside from a slight bobble when CR stumbled by R in the medium canter, the test was very fluid and smooth. Samantha spoke with Colleen after the test, and Colleen said she thinks CR grabbed his heel, which caused him to stumble, but he is thankfully just fine and no worse for the wear. Sally Cousins and Ideal Contini looked super this morning in their test, scoring a 52.2 to move into fourth place. I think Taz continues to look more and more relaxed every time I see him, and Sally is starting to get some really fantastic work from him away from home.
Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights are in third place on 51.9.
Lauren Kieffer and Lucky Devil looked fantastic today, performing a very workmanlike test for a score of 54.8 to sit in fifth place. We’ll also see Lauren return as the last ride in the CCI2* with Czechmate, who won the CIC2* at The Fork. Savannah Fulton and Ringfort Tinkatoo are making their first appearance here at Jersey Fresh, and looked very good today to score 56.5 to move into sixth place. Allie Blyskal and Sparrow’s Nio put in a very solid test to score 60.5 for seventh place. Aside from a slight bobble in the first simple change and an unfortunate spook at C when they were turning for the final salute, Allie should be very happy with this test. I’ve been looking forward to seeing this little guy so since he won a division of open intermediate at Southern Pines II earlier this season. I’m a total sucker for athletic pony types, and this Connemara cross is a blast to watch.
Allie Blyskal and Sparrow's Nio. I'll be taking him home with me from Jersey.
I really like this test — 2009 FEI 2* Test A — as it places heavy emphasis on the all-important transitions. We’ve seen some really beautiful executions of the simple changes at E, but I expect those movements, as well as the other transitions in the test, will challenge quite a few riders today. It’s an absolutely beautiful day here at Jersey Fresh, with hardly a cloud in the sky and temperatures expected to reach into the high 70s today. We’re on a quick break now in the CCI2* star, and Liz Milliken and Masterpiece 54 start things off with the second and final group in this division at 10:15 a.m. I’ll be walking the cross-country course this afternoon to bring you a full preview, and Samantha is zipping around the grounds tracking down riders for interviews. Stay tuned for much more from Jersey Fresh.
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[Video: Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights]
[Video: Allie Blyskal and Sparrow’s Nio]
