Buck Davidson and Park Trader, overnight leaders in the CCI4*-S. Photo by Liz Crawley Photography.
It’s a wild weekend for U.S. eventing, with the entry rosters at The Fork at TIEC and Chattahoochee Hills stacked to the rafters with Kentucky-bound horses greasing the wheels with one last prep run. Thirty horses are contesting the CCI4*-S at The Fork at TIEC, and another 30 are contesting the CCI4*-S at Chatt Hills, so we’re paying the events equal mind this weekend. (Catch up on our coverage of The Fork here).
Here’s a report from Friday, with beautiful photos from Liz Crawley Photography and video from The Horse Pester David Frechette.
Buck Davidson and Park Trader Jump Ahead of Dressage Leader Jessica Phoenix in CCI4*-S
Jessica Phoenix handily snatched the CCI4*-S dressage lead with Pavarotti, her own 17-year-old Westphalian gelding (Pavarotti Van De Helle x Fidelia, by Foxiland xx), on a score of 28.2. The pair hasn’t collected more than 4 show jumping penalties at an international event since 2016, but their one-or-none record got varnished today when they had three uncharacteristic rails, dropping them from 1st to 20th position.
The top three following CCI4*-S dressage:
Dressage leaders Jessica Phoenix and Pavarotti, who scored a 28.2. Photo by Liz Crawley Photography.
Buck Davidson and Park Trader were 2nd in the dressage on a 28.3. Photo by Liz Crawley Photography.
Maya Black and FE Black Ice scored a 30.3 for 3rd place. Photo by Liz Crawley Photography.
That left the door open for 2nd placed Buck Davidson and Park Trader to sweep into the top spot on a dressage score of 32.2 and a clear, fast show jumping round. Park Trader, a 17-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Master Imp x Ballyhast Polly, by Highland King) owed by Carl and Cassie Segal, will be our overnight leader heading into cross country on Sunday.
Always one of the busiest riders at Kentucky, Buck has four horses entered in the CCI5*-L later this month: Carlevo, Copper Beach, Jak My Style and Park Trader, all four of whom are enjoying a final run at Chatt Hills. Along with Park Trader, Copper Beach is contesting the CCI4*-S and sits in 19th place after show jumping. Carlevo and Jak My Style are in the Advanced division and sit 5th and 3rd respectively.
Fun fact: Buck was 1-2 in the CCI4*-S (former FEI CIC3*) in 2017 with Copper Beach and Carlevo, and finished 2nd in 2018 with Copper Beach. Maybe it’s Park Trader’s year to take a turn at the plate!
Rounding out the top three in the CCI4*-S are two more Kentucky-bound pairs. Allie Knowles and Sound Prospect, a 17-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (Eastern Echo x Miners Girl, by Miner’s Mark) owned by Sound Prospect LLC, are 2nd on their dressage score of 32.2.
Allie Knowles and Sound Prospect. Photo by Liz Crawley Photography.
Clayton Fredericks and FE Ophelia, a 12-year-old Zweibrucker gelding (Ocordo x Argentina) owned by Diana Crawford and Hugh Wrigley, are 3rd on their dressage score of 32.2.
Clayton Fredericks and FE Ophelia. Photo by Liz Crawley Photography.
Dressage Leaders Sit Pretty Through Show Jumping in CCI3*-S and CCI2*S
Justine Dutton and MGH Heartbeat, her own 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare (Womanizer x Douglas Darco, by Ard VDL Douglas), took the CCI3*-S dressage lead on a 28.1 and held fast to it through show jumping.
CCI3*-S leaders Justine Dutton and MGH Heartbeat. Photo by Liz Crawley Photography.
Ivie Cullen-Dean and Fernhill Full Throttle are 2nd on a 28.9; Allie Knowles and Business Class round out the top 3 on a 29.5.
CCI2*-S leaders Clara Cargile and BT Jump the Gun. Photo by Liz Crawley Photography.
Clara Cargile and BT Jump the Gun, her own 7-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Copper Field x Fida Kahlo, by Cricket Ball), were tied for 1st after CCI2*-S dressage and sealed the deal a clear, quick show jumping round. Jacob Fletcher moved from 4th after dressage to 2nd after show jumping with 5o1 Wyly Girl, on a score of 31.9. In 3rd is Sara Kozumplik Murphy and Devil Munchkin, on their dressage score of 33.5.
Chattahoochee Hills CCI-S & H.T.: Website, Entry Status, Ride Times, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage
CCI4*-S Top 10 After Show Jumping:
CCI3*-S Top 10 After Show Jumping:
CCI2*-S Top 10 After Show Jumping:
Advanced Top 10 After Show Jumping:
