Classic Eventing Nation

Le Lion Cross Country Day: USA! USA! USA!

By on Oct 20, 2018 4:12 pm -

One for the big tracks: Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Moonshine lead going into the final phase at the six-year-old World Championships. Photo by EquusPix.

US representative Liz Halliday-Sharp remains atop the six-year-old leaderboard at Le Lion with Cooley Moonshine after a jam-packed day of cross country action. They added nothing to their impressive dressage score of 22.4, coming in 13 seconds below the optimum time of 8:56 to edge out the encroaching competition.

“He’s an unbelievable horse — he’s so talented and he finds this all so easy, which is kind of scary,” laughed Liz. “He came out today like a fire-breathing dragon; he was very strong, actually, and he is a strong horse, but he was definitely pulling my arms out, wanting to get on with the job. I had a couple fences where maybe I’d have liked to have been a little bit more attractive, but he wants to do it so much and he’s so brave. He was pulling me through the finish, so for his first long format, that’s exciting for the future — I maybe just need a few more brakes so we can agree on things a bit more!”

The child prodigy in action: Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Moonshine. Photo by EquusPix.

In a top ten that remained virtually unchanged British riders took three of the top five spots, with Millie Dumas and Universal Cooley maintaining their hold on second place.

“I’m delighted with her today; she gave me a fantastic ride,” said a delighted Millie. “She was a little bit green and spooky to start with, but by the time I got halfway round, she was really super, really brave, and finished full of running. To start with she was a bit wobbly, looking at the crowds instead of the fences, so I had to give her a little reminder — after that she was great. She’ll have learned a lot, for sure.”

Millie Dumas and Universal Cooley. Photo by EquusPix.

Kitty King and the stunning grey Selle Français Cristal Fontaine also held onto their post-dressage placing, staying in third overnight.

Kitty King and Cristal Fontaine. Photo by EquusPix.

“He gave me a fantastic ride — we had great fun and the ground was brilliant, and they’re beautiful jumps to jump,” said Kitty. “He was a little bit surprised by all the crowds to start with, so he was sort of cantering along with his ears really pricked and his eyes really wide. He was a bit shocked, but then he settled and got used to everyone and gave me a really nice, grown-up ride and finished really well. I was delighted with the way he jumped off the house with the big drop [near the end of the course], because you never quite know how a baby will cope with that, but he jumped off really bravely. Fingers crossed he can be as good tomorrow!”

Rebecca Howard and Trebor, owned by Canadian eventer Kelly McCarthy-Maine, make their move towards the top ten. Photo by EquusPix.

A fast clear moved Rebecca Howard and Trebor one place up to 12th overnight, while second ride Cooley Convinced moved up two places after her double clear. Mexico’s very first representative at Le Lion, Pedro Gutierrez‘s California Mail looked capable and confident throughout her round, adding nothing to her dressage score and moving up to 32nd place from 39th.

Pedro Gutierrez and California Mail serve up a double-clear and a little bit of Le Lion history, too. Photo by EquusPix.

The second US representatives, Tiana Coudray and Happenstance, were one of two combinations who failed to complete the course — they took a tumble at fence 12 and walked home.

39 out of 41 starters completed the six-year-old CCI1* course, with five of the 39 finishers picking up cross country jumping penalties. Twenty-seven pairs produced double-clears.

The top ten in the six-year-old World Championships after the cross country phase.

Germany’s Ingrid Klimke moved up a place into the lead in the seven-year-old class after delivering a confident clear round with the Brandenburg mare Asha P, coming home ten seconds under the optimum time of 9:14.

“I’m very happy, because Asha did such a wonderful job,” said Ingrid after her round. “She was fast, she was bold — the one hesitation was jumping down the house. She was a little bit frightened at first, but then she did it, and we took the straight line so she showed all her quality.”

Ingrid Klimke’s Asha P steps into the lead after a bold round. Photo by EquusPix.

Ingrid, who considers the exciting young mare one of her future superstars, was delighted to further her education at the French venue: “It was pure fun and she learned so much, because the course is fantastic. You have so many different combinations where you learn so much about them and they can gain a lot of mileage.

“She wasn’t taking any interest of the crowd, but it was nice that you sometimes heard someone calling ‘Ingrid!’ and they were clapping, so you thought, ‘here we are! Nearly at a big championship!’ so it should encourage her to become a star one day. I think she’s my future top horse.”

Ingrid Klimke and Asha P. Photo by EquusPix.

Of course, a clear round within the time on its own was never going to be enough to allow Ingrid and Asha to lead going into the final phase — overnight leaders Michael Jung and Choclat would have to make a mistake in order for that to happen. To everyone’s surprise, they did just that. The maestro of modern eventing and his talented youngster began the course brilliantly, with the gelding easily finding his optimal cruising speed and making economical use of his naturally sweeping stride. But then, at fence eight — an innocuous brush fence named the Burghley Fence — the horse appeared to second-guess his stride and he never quite got out of his own way. He caught a front leg on the fence and the pair were pitched over the top. Both got up immediately and walked away.

They weren’t the only high-profile non-completion: Le Lion resident Tom Carlile and the Selle Français mare Birmane were also victims of the Big E, further blotting Tom’s impressive record of FODs at this venue. Theirs was a rider, rather than horse, fall, and it came at fence 21, just two fences from home. Again, this happened at one of the less obviously challenging fences on course – having jumped the enormous drop and angled hedges at 19 and 20, the corner at 21 must seem rather like a speedbump on the way home. But this is eventing, and predictable it ain’t, so when Birmane twisted in the air and knocked the flag with her knee, Thomas was sent tumbling. Like Michael, he was up immediately and looked no worse for wear, while Birmane made a beeline for her gathered fans and rather charmingly evaded capture for a while. The seemingly straightforward corner went on to be responsible for three falls throughout the day.

Nicola Wilson and JL Dublin. Photo by EquusPix.

Nicola Wilson and JL Dublin moved up into second place overnight, adding nothing to their dressage score and coming in twenty seconds under the optimum time.

“I couldn’t have been prouder of him,” enthused Nicola. “From the first fence to the last fence he just gave me the most superb ride, and I think I was just there to make sure we got the numbers in the right order, to be honest! I was amazed, because this is the biggest occasion that he’s ever seen, and he just stayed focused the whole time. He was just an absolute pleasure to ride — and what a beautiful, beautiful course to ride around, with the crowd cheering you on the whole time. The support out there, even for foreign riders, was much appreciated.”

Nicola Wilson and JL Dublin. Photo by EquusPix.

The British contingent made an impressive impact on the top of the leaderboard: Tom Jackson, who heads to Pau next week with two horses, piloted Capels Hollow Drift to a double-clear and overnight third, while Sarah Bullimore and Corouet, a son of her four-star mare Lily Corinne and graduate of the six-year-old class here last year, moved into fourth. Behind them, French eventing’s answer to Noah Centineo, Astier Nicolas, sits in fifth with Babylon de Gamma. This is probably still enough to make the French cry. We appreciate that.

Liz Halliday-Sharp puts the pedal to the metal on her second ride of the day to sit just outside the top ten. Photo by EquusPix.

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Quicksilver climbed twelve places to sit twelfth overnight after adding nothing to their dressage score, while Doug Payne and Quantum Leap, too, delivered a sterling double-clear to climb from 59th to 31st going into the final phase.

Doug Payne and Quantum Leap make an enormous jump, both down this colossal drop and up the leaderboard. Photo by EquusPix.

Ten of the 69 starters failed to complete, while 18 of the 59 finishers picked up cross country jumping penalties. The most influential part of the course was fence 19AB and 20, the colossal drop to two angled hedges, where we saw twelve faulters, including four 50s for missed flags. Ireland’s Michael Ryan picked up 50s on both of his horses, collecting them at 19B, the first hedge, on Briarhill Marco and 20, the second, on Barnahown Corn Hill.

Laura Collett‘s British Young Horse Reserve Champion Calmaro was another faulter on course, picking up a green runout and 20 penalties at the narrow final element of 10ABC, while Izzy Taylor and 2017 six-year-old World Champion Monkeying Around ran into problems at the end of the course. The horse appeared to gain in strength after jumping through the drop and hedges, flipping his head on the way to the corner at 21, giving him no opportunity to see the fence and resulting in a 20 penalty blot on their record.

“I was a bit disappointed to have 20 penalties, but he’s inexperienced and with everything — the slight undulations in the ground, and the crowds — his brain couldn’t quite keep up with his legs,” said Laura of her ride on Calmaro. “It wasn’t a naughty 20, it was just a green, baby mistake, but he’s a very exciting horse for the future. It’s the first cross country penalty he’s had; obviously now’s not really the best time to have it, but it’s all a learning curve at this age and we have to keep looking ahead to the future.”

Of her problem on course with the obviously talented Monkeying Around, Izzy said: “Of course it’s hugely disappointing — he won here as a six-year-old and I came back hoping to either win again or come very close. But they’re all still young horses here, and he very much remembered the excitement and the atmosphere of the place from last year, and it made him a bit nervous. He was looking about at all the crowds and he just got distracted — now we’ve got to go home and do some homework. He’s still a very good horse and he’ll come out of it a good horse.”

The final horse inspection will take place tomorrow morning at 8.30am local time, with the six-year-olds trotting up first. We’ll be bringing you all the news and some beautiful photos from our friends at EquusPix — stay tuned, and in the meantime, GO LIZ AND BILLY and Go Eventing!

The top ten going into the final phase in the seven-year-old World Championship.

Le Lion d’Angers links: Website, CCIYH* Entries, CCIYH** Entries, CCIYH* Live Scores, CCIYH** Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, Live Stream

Fair Hill CCI3* Live Updates: Frankie and Chatwin Get It Done

By on Oct 20, 2018 1:19 pm -

Frankie Thieriot Stutes and Chatwin. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

We’re back at Dutta Corp Fair Hill International! The CCI3* division will kick off at 1:30 p.m. EST, a 20-minute delay from the originally scheduled 1:10 start. CCI3* cross country will stream live on USEF Network with commentary from Jimmy Wofford and EN’s own Jenni Autry, and correspondingly we will be running live updates here on EN so keep refreshing this page for all the latest!

CCI3* optimum time: 10 minutes, 7 seconds

CCI3* cross country course preview

Cross country start times

#DuttaFHI: Website, XC Start Times, Schedule, YEH Live Scores, CCI Live Scores, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

1:30: Our veteran pathfinders, Lauren Kieffer and Landmark’s Monte Carlo, are on course!  

1:34: Boyd Martin and Long Island T are away from the box now as well. Boyd took the lead in the CCI2* earlier today with On Cue — check out EN’s cross country play-by-play here. 

1:40: Lauren and “Patrick” are clear through the final water, heading for home over the last two.

1:41: Another all-star, Buck Davidson, now on course with Archie Rocks. Lauren is through the finish flags just one second over time. 

1:45: Boyd Martin and Long Island T look super going round in the horse’s first trip around Fair Hill. They come home clear with four time penalties.

1:48: Buck Davidson and Archie Rocks are through the finish and are the first pair inside the time — seven seconds inside the time, in fact.

1:55: Jessie Phoenix and Bogue Sound are clear through the finish with 8.8 time. 

1:57: “Good boy!” Dom Schramm and Bolytair B are home safe and happy with 6.8 time penalties.  

2:01: Caroline Martin and The Apprentice are through the finish with 12.4 time penalties. 

2:02: Lindsay Kelley and Cooley Cruise Control have two glance-offs at #23B then default to the long route and complete the course with 60 jumping and 22.8 time. 

2:04: Meghan O’Donoghue and Palm Crescent part ways at the Frog Pond early on course — she got “pop-tarted” out of the tack, as live stream commentator Jimmy Wofford put it. 

2:09: Clayton Fredericks and FE Ophelia pick up a runout at #25B, the second part of the Springhouse Water near the end of the course. We’ve seen a few horses get here on a funny step or not quite straight and step over this sharply angled brush, but this is the first glance-off we’ve seen. They complete with 20 jumping and 18.4 time.

2:16: Tremendous first-time Fair Hill effort for Kaitlin Clasing and Cartender de Nyze, who have completed the course with 14.4 time penalties.  

2:20: Sydney Conley Elliott is delighted with Cisko A at the finish after a clear round with 2.4 time penalties to add. 

2:26: Ashley Kehoe and Kiltealy Toss Up are home with 20.4 time penalties.

2:29 A scrappy moment for Fair Hill rookies Emily Hamel and Corvett at the final water but they get the job done. “That horse gets to sleep on her pillow tonight!” Jimmy chuckles. No jumping and 10.0 time penalties for this pair. 

2:33: Alexandra Sacksen and Sparrow’s Nio have a runout at the coffin at #13C. They are clear on second attempt and continuing on course.

2:34: Matthew Flynn and Wizzerd are home clear with 9.4 time penalties.

2:35: Alexandra Sacksen and Sparrow’s Nio retire after another right-hand runout at #23A. 

2:41: Charlotte Collier and Clifford M complete their first CCI3* and first Fair Hill with 12.8 time. 

2:45: Sara Gumbiner and Polaris are through the finish with 8.8 time penalties. 

2:49: Will Faudree and Pfun are home with 12.0 time penalties in the horse’s return to the level. 

2:51: Karl Slezak and Fernhill Wishes finish with 10.0 time penalties in the horse’s first Fair Hill effort. We’re halfway through the division and still just one combination inside the time, Buck with Archie Rocks.

2:57: A successful Fair Hill debut is a huge achievement for Cornelia Dorr and Sir Patico MH. They add just 4.0 time penalties. 

3:01: Mara DePuy and Congo Brazzaville C come home with 19.6 time penalties — Mara had her work cut out for her to keep Congo in check and all those tugs must have added up. 

3:08: Emilee Libby and Jakobi have a glance-off at #17B in the arena, the first issue we’ve seen at this combination. They complete with 20 jump and 28.0 time penalties.

3:11: Waylon Roberts and Lancaster are home with 8.0 time, likely owing to taking the long route option at the Farmhouse Corners. 

3:14: Autumn Schweiss and Oakport Strauss have a difference of opinion about striding at #23B and fall. Both horse and rider are immediately up and walking off course.

3:17: Caitlin Henderson and Creative Dreamer have a runout at 11C at the coffin. They elect to take the long route at the Farmhouse Corners a few jumps later on course, but their day comes to an early end when Caitlin gets popped out of the tack at #24A when the horse has an awkward twist over the big log. 

3:23: Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan pick up 20 after a runout at the #17 arena combination but collect themselves to complete with 16.0 time.  

3:27: Jenny Caras and Fernhill Fortitude are just one second over the time, which slots them into 3rd place provisionally and they’ll sit no lower than 7th overnight. 

3:31: Ema Klugman and Bendigo are home clear with 18.8 time in their Fair Hill debut. 

3:35: Woodge Fulton and Captain Jack finish with 11.6 time penalties. 

3:41: Fylicia Barr and Galloway Sunrise hang a leg at #24A and recover but have a glance-off at #24B.  

3:45: Colleen Rutledge and Confidence Game retire after two refusals at the triple brush at #22B. 

3:46: Our dressage leaders Frankie Thieriot Stutes and Chatwin are on course with 12 seconds in hand to keep their lead over Buck. Chatwin looks confident and very full of running — Frankie will have her hands full for the next 10 minutes. 

3:49: Frankie and Chatwin are home and we’re all on edge awaiting to see where they stopped the clock. 

3:50: And … they’re six seconds INSIDE the time!

3:54: Boyd Martin and Ray Price pick up a disappointing 20 at the final combination at #25B. Even with the runout, however, they still finish inside the time. 

4:01: Buck Davidson and Erroll Gobey pick up 14.8 time in an educational Fair Hill debut for this up-and-coming horse. 

4:02: We’re on the homestretch of this division, with just three combinations left to find the finish flags.

4:03: Jessica Phoenix and Pavarotti were 2nd after dressage but 16.4 time penalties will slide them a ways down the scoreboard. 

4:07: Caroline Martin and Danger Mouse, 3rd after dressage, pick up 12.0 time penalties which will nudge them down the standings a bit as well. 

4:09: The penultimate placing is Lauren Kieffer’s for the taking with Vermiculus — they can afford three seconds and stay ahead of Buck and Archie Rocks. 

4:13: And the final score is in … Lauren and Vermiculus have 8.4 time, good for 7th place heading into show jumping tomorrow.

4:14: A look at your new scoreboard top 10! View complete results here. Frankie and Chatwin are sitting pretty in the top spot with one show jumping rail in hand. What an exciting day of cross country with the clock wrecking some havoc on placings. We look forward to a nail-biting finale tomorrow!

Jenni will be along later with a full cross country report for the day. Until then … Go Eventing.

CCI1* Leaders Maintain Edge Through Cross Country at Hagyard Midsouth

By on Oct 20, 2018 11:32 am -

Andrew McConnon’s Bossinova was a boss on Midsouth cross country! Photo by Cameron Boggs.

Cross country kicked off yesterday at Hagyard Midsouth Three-day Event & Team Challenge H.T. with the CCI1* and YR/JR CCI1* divisions, whose dressage leaders held fast to their margins.

In the CCI1* Andrew McConnon and Bossinova, his own 8-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Bonifatius x Dawina, by Der Lord), had a cracking round in the horse’s first CCI run.

“He just does everything I ask of him,” Andrew says. “Hugo” came out of the box positive, Andrew says, and demonstrated his get-the-job done work ethic at the first water, which was quite deep. They stepped in conservatively, which put them off their stride to the next element, but Hugo stuck it out. “He was just incredible to hold his line and hunt for the flags.”

After that they got into a good rhythm and he was a professional through, Andrew says. A late combination at #19, a turning question of chevrons complicated by terrain, caught out a couple horses, but Hugo navigated it handily. “It was as if he’d walked the course,” Andrew says.

They came home clear and fast. “I looked down and we were well ahead of time the last couple minutes so we just cruised home,” Andrew says. “He pulled up and wasn’t even breathing, which made me happy for his first CCI.”

EN blogger extraordinaire Amy Nelson took time from her own busy competition weekend to film some clips of CCI1* cross country. Here’s Andrew and Hugo through the second water:

Third-placed Arden Wildasin with Kineo:

Eighth-placed Nicole Parkin and Lander:

A few more cobbled together dispatches from the field … fifth-placed Laura Crowl and Dinner at Malones:

Ninth-placed Hillary Irwin and By A Hundredth:

13th-placed Julia Spatt and 501 Macintosh:

It was a brisk 50 degrees for the final horse inspection this morning. “The horses were feeling fresh,” Andrew says. “It felt a lot like Europe!”

Sixteen-year-old Elizabeth Henry and Charlotte La Bouff, her own 10-year-old warmblood mare, maintained their lead in CCI1* Young Rider/Junior division, adding nothing cross country to their dressage score of 24.9.

“I was over the moon with my dressage test,” Elizabeth says. “She felt amazing — as always there are things to work on and make better but it was one of our best tests.”

The pair was foot perfect on cross country this morning. “It was a really fun course with some technical distances and combinations,” Elizabeth says. “Cross country is Lottie and I’s favorite phase! We had an awesome double clear run; Lottie felt ready to go as she usually is. I am so lucky to have such an amazing horse like her for both of our first one-star. We both love what we do and want more than anything to do our absolute best.”

One-star show jumping begins at 1 p.m. Best of luck to all!

CCI1* Top 5 After Cross Country:

CC1* Young Rider/Junior Top 5 After Cross Country:

Classic Format Prelim Three-Day Top 5 After Dressage:

Classic Format Training Three-Day Top 5 After Dressage:

Hagyard Midsouth Three-day Event & Team Challenge H.T. Website, Entry Status, Ride Times, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage

Fair Hill CCI2* Live Updates: Boyd Martin and On Cue Lead

By on Oct 20, 2018 9:14 am -

Boyd Martin and On Cue. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Welcome to cross country day at the Dutta Corp Fair Hill International! The CCI2* division will kick off at 9:15 a.m. EST. There is no live streaming for the CCI2*, but we will be running live updates here on EN. Keep refreshing this page for the latest information.

CCI2* optimum time: 8 minutes, 48 seconds

CCI2* cross country course preview

Cross country start times

CCI3* cross country will stream live on USEF Network starting at 1 p.m. EST. Keep it locked on EN for all the latest and greatest from Fair Hill. Go Eventing.

#DuttaFHI: Website, XC Start Times, Schedule, YEH Live Scores, CCI Live Scores, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

9:15: Allie Knowles and Ms. Poppins are away as our pathfinders!

9:25: Allie is home clear with 6 time penalties.

9:26: Amber Levine has fallen from Cinzano on the flat prior to fence 4.

9:27: Tim Bourke and Cooley Rockmaster are home clear with 0.8 time penalties.

9:28: We have a brief hold on course.

9:29: Phillip Dutton and Sea of Clouds are home clear and 12 seconds inside the time — the first pair to catch the time!

9:33: We are back underway after the hold.

9:40: Cassandra Wallskog and Feine Loesung had a refusal at the corner at 5C.

9:43: Will Faudree and Michel 233 are home clear with 1.2 time penalties.

9:45: Alex Baugh and Ballingowan Pizazz picked up a runout at fence 16 at the foundation.

9:46: Alex Baugh retired Ballingowan Pizazz following the runout at 16.

9:48: Cassandra Wallskog and Feine Loesung have been eliminated after two refusals at the coffin at fence 11.

9:53: Clear with 20 time penalties for Hannah Hawkins and Didgeridoo.

9:55: Clear with 12.4 time penalties for Jill Thomas and OBOS Darko.

9:57: Clear and just 1 second over the time for Bevin Dugan and Kemmerlin.

10: Clear with 7.6 time penalties for Jessica Phoenix and Dr. Sheldon Cooper.

10:03: Bobby Meyerhoff and Almanac picked up a runout at the brush corner in the main arena.

10:04: Bobby and Almanac fell at fence 16 and we will have a hold on course.

10:05: Sally Cousins and Wizard completed clear with 7.6 time penalties.

10:05: Jane Papke and Norman had a runout at 7B and is clear on the second attempt.

10:06: We are under a hold.

10:15: We are back underway.

10:19: Jane Papke and Norman have retired after the Chesapeake Water.

10:20: Caroline Martin and Cristano Z are home clear with 11.6 time penalties.

10:26: Chris Talley and Sandro’s Star are home clear with 11.6 time penalties.

10:27: Rachel Wilks and Great Expectations had a stop at 4A at the Frog Pond.

10:29: Clear with 18.0 time penalties for Alex Tett and Hawk’s Cay.

10:30: Ashley Hays and Call It Courage fell at fence 4 at the Frog Pond.

10:33: Tayler Stewart and Ideal Contini completed clear with 18.0 time penalties.

10:34: Rachel Wilks and Great Expectations completed with 20 jumping and 11.6 time penalties.

10:40: Lisa Marie Fergusson and LandLunar had a runout at the corner at 5B.

10:41: Lisa opted to retire LandLunar.

10:42: Kim Cecere and Landmark’s Monaco are home with 6.6 time penalties.

10:44: Arielle Aharoni and Dutch Times

10:46: A runout at 5B for Cassidy Snyder and Flagmount’s Celtic Rose.

10:47: Hillary Moses and Irish Turn had two runouts at fence 11.

10:50: Cassidy Snyder and Flagmount’s Celtic Rose have been eliminated on refusals at fence 11.

10:55: Holly Payne Caravella and CharmKing have been eliminated at the Frog Pond.

10:57: Clear with 7.2 time penalties for Jan Byyny and Volcan de Caverie.

11: A refusal at 4A for Allie Knowles and Business Class.

11:02: Allie has retired Business Class at fence 5.

11:06: Heather Bush and Skyfall 007 completed with 12.8 time penalties.

11:09: Sydney Conley Elliot and QC Diamantaire completed clear with 6.0 time penalties.

11:10: We had a brief hold on course for a repair at fence 9 and are back underway.

11:14: Heather Morris and Charlie Tango picked up two runouts at the Chesapeake Water at fence 9. She has opted to retire.

11:17: Jenny Caras and Trendy Fernhill are home clear with 13.6 time penalties.

11:20: Caitlin Silliman and Vagabon de Champdoux are home clear and 2 seconds over the time.

11:25: Brooke Massie and Serendipity completed clear and just 2 seconds over the time.

11:28: Tim Bourke is home clear and 7 seconds inside the time with Quality Time — just the second pair to make the time!

11:32: Kate Brown and Victor Z are home clear with 7.6 time penalties.

11:35: Melissa Boutin and EWSZ Jalando picked up a runout at the brush corner in the main arena.

11:38: Clear with 11.2 time penalties for Alex McLeod and Newmarket Jack.

11:41: Clear with 6 time penalties for Emma Lomangino and Master Frisky.

11:45: Clear with 11.2 time penalties for Megan Kepferle and Anakin.

11:50: Lexi Scovil and Chico’s Man VDF Z are home clear and 2 seconds over the time.

11:52: Boyd Martin and On Cue are home clear and 12 seconds inside the time and will hold the overnight lead.

11:54: Holly Jacks-Smither and Candy King are home with 11 frangible penalties and 9.6 time penalties.

11:55: Mallory Hogan has fallen from Clarissa Purisma at fence 14.

11:57: Annie Goodwin and Fedarman B had a runout at fence 11.

12:01: Chris Talley and Faramund are home clear with 13.2 time penalties.

12:02: A refusal at the ducks for Cassandra Wallskog and Cooley Castle.

12:05: Clear with 2.0 time penalties for Mia Farley and BGS Firecracker.

12:08: Clear with 3.2 time penalties for Missy Miller and Quinn.

12:15: Ryan Keefe and Flintstar are home clear and inside the time!

12:20: Clear with 1.2 time penalties for Matt Brown and Big Berry.

12:25: Hannah Leahey and Cassinova are home with 20 jumping penalties and 21.2 time penalties.

12:28: Clear with 23.6 time penalties for Michelle Koppin and King Bust.

12:31: A runout at 11C for Courtney Sendak and DGE TheManInTheGlass.

12:34: Clear with 2.8 time  penalties for McKenzie Dey-Cumbea and Regiment.

12:39: Clear and inside the time for Emily Beshear and Olney Uncle Sam to move into second place.

12:45: Will Faudree has retired FRH Ramona on course.

12:50: Clear and just 1 second over the time for Allie Knowles and Morswood.

Saturday Links from Tipperary

By on Oct 20, 2018 12:01 am -

After a summer of sickness and misdiagnoses, Massachusetts eventer Jessica Halliday was hit with the news that she has stage 4 colon cancer shortly after returning from coaching at the Area 1 Championships this August. Jess is eventer-tough and is continuing to push forward – teaching, training, and coaching as much as she possibly can – while undergoing treatment, but she has a long road of fighting and healing ahead and will need some help to see that the business she has built continues to thrive while she #BucksOffCancer. That’s where we, the extended eventing family, comes in.

Several fundraisers on behalf of Jess have been organized: a shop sporting her #BuckOffCancer logo and a raffle with fantastic prizes (for both horse and non-horse people and folks near and far). Purchasing raffle tickets or merchandise will help lighten the stress associated with running the business and continuing Jess’ dream and vision during this difficult time – plus it’ll give you a chance to win some awesome items!

National Holiday: National Youth Confidence Day

Major Events This Weekend:

Fair Hill: Website, Dressage Times, Schedule, YEH Live Scores, CCI Live Scores, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Hagyard Midsouth Three-day Event & Team Challenge H.T.: Website, Entry Status, Ride Times, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage

Le Lion d’Angers: Website, 6-year-old Entries, 7-year-old Entries, Results, EN’s Coverage, Live Stream

U.S. Weekend Action:

Tryon Riding & Hunt Club H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Pine Hill Fall H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Fresno County Horse Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Your Saturday Links:

La Biosthetique-Sam FBW retires: eventing hero to stay with Michael Jung

One To Watch: Barr Is Headed To Fair Hill CCI*** On A $500 Craigslist Mare

PODCAST: Update on the Fair Hill Five-Star

Racetrack Injuries: Which Ones Pose Problems In An OTTB’s Second Career?

Horse Garments Help Teach Equine Anatomy

Hot on Horse Nation: The 10 Stages of Horse Shopping

Saturday Video:

California Dreaming: West Coast Dominates Dressage at Fair Hill

By on Oct 19, 2018 8:33 pm -

Frankie Thieriot Stutes and Chatwin. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Frankie Thieriot Stutes last competed in the CCI3* at Fair Hill International in 2009 when she made the long journey from California to Elkton, Maryland with her legendary partner Fric Frac Berence. She returned with a bang today aboard The Chatwin Group’s Chatwin to take a resounding lead in the CCI3* on a dressage score of 27.3.

Frankie and Chatwin, a 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Contendro I X Oktav, by Oldtimer), didn’t quite catch their personal best of 26.9 from when they won the Rebecca Farm CCI3* this summer. But considering Chatwin took a distinct disliking to the cameraman standing by the letter B during the extended walk, Frankie said she was relieved they held it together at all.

“I was so proud of him for that,” Frankie said. “A couple of years ago he would have come completely undone. For me it was a special thing in seeing how far our partnership has come and how much he trusts me now. For him to come back to me and be so good in the canter was a big deal because it could have gone the other way.”

Chatwin made the trip from California thanks to receiving a Jacqueline B. Mars Competition Grant to offset the cost of travel to Fair Hill, which this year is celebrating its 30th anniversary. (Coincidentally, title sponsor The Dutta Corporation is also celebrating 30 years of flying horses around the world.)

Frankie said she is delighted to be leading the dressage, but as Caroline Martin so aptly put it — no one comes to Fair Hill to do the dressage. Her focus is now firmly on tackling Derek di Grazia’s cross country course tomorrow.

“I’m not going to view it like I’m leading anything tomorrow,” Frankie said. “It’s a different day, and it’s an entirely different thing to do. I always want to do right by Chatwin … I feel grateful to ride him, and for the rest of the weekend I hope we can do our personal best. Whatever we can do amongst these Olympians and world-class riders, I’ll be really thrilled.”

The final CCI3* group to go in dressage today definitely didn’t disappoint, with the entire top three changing following the lunch break. Jessica Phoenix and Pavarotti, a 15-year-old Westphalian gelding (Pavarotti Van De Helle X Fidelia), scored 28.7 to sit in second place. “Rotti” finished 15th at Fair Hill last year, and Jessica said she hopes to improve on that result.

“Pavarotti is the horse of a lifetime,” Jessica said. “To be able to bring him here and have that much fun in the dressage ring is really exciting.”

As for the cross country: “The footing looks almost ideal. We have never had better Fair Hill footing ever. I think it’s a fair test and there’s a lot to do out there, and when you cross the finish you will feel like you’ve really accomplished something.”

Caroline Martin and Danger Mouse, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Sherrie Martin, also went in the final group of the day and scored 29.0 for third place. “Mouse” also cracked the 20s in the Bramham CCI3*-Under 25 this year when he delivered a personal best of 26.0.

“This is Mouse’s second year at the Advanced level, so he’s getting more confirmed,” Caroline said. “He’s such a good mover that I can make a mistake and his movement makes up for it.”

Caroline said she didn’t expect to be sitting in the top three overnight and gave credit to Felix Vogg for giving her a few pointers on the flat in the lead-up to Fair Hill. But, like the other riders, Caroline emphasized all of her focus will now be on tomorrow’s challenging track. (Click here for a fence-by-fence preview.)

Boyd Martin and Long Island T. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Boyd Martin and Long Island T led the CCI3* at the lunch break and now sit fourth on 29.4. “Ludwig,” a 12-year-old Oldenburg/Thoroughbred gelding owned by The Long Island T Syndicate was another horse who had a good spook at the cameraman standing near B. (You can watch the dressage replay on USEF Network to see how influential that proved to be today.)

Caroline Martin and The Apprentice. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Caroline Martin also has a second ride in the CCI3* top five in Sherrie Martin’s The Apprentice, a 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Casado X Funny Girl, by Fernblick), who scored 30.6 for fifth place. Click here to view full scores in the CCI3* following dressage.

Only 15 seconds separate the top 10 in the CCI3*, so we can expect time penalties to prove influential tomorrow on cross country. While Mother Nature has kindly blessed us with perfect going, Derek di Grazia has crafted a demanding track that will require a fit horse and accurate riding. You can watch CCI3* cross country live on USEF Network starting at 1 p.m. EST.

Heather Morris and Charlie Tango. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Looking to the second day of dressage in the CCI2*, the California crowd continued their domination. Heather Morris and Charlie Tango, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Shannondale Sarco X Our Queen Bee, by Ricardo Z) owned by the Team Express Group, took the lead on 22.9 as the first pair out today and never relinquished it.

“He’s pretty good in the atmosphere, and he was quite good today,” Heather said. “We had a couple bobbles, but Tamie (Smith) was really happy, so I was happy. He really excels in the canter work. We had a little bobble in the trot work, so I made sure the canter work was perfect.”

Considering Tamie Smith, who just returned from Boekelo CCIO3* with a top-10 finish aboard Judy McSwain’s Fleeceworks Royal, warmed up both Frankie and Heather today, we can officially call her a secret weapon on the flat.

(Tamie also holds the Fair Hill CCI3* dressage record of 25.7, which she delivered aboard Mai Baum in 2015 when they won the Dutta Corp/USEF National CCI3* Championship. Tamie and Mai Baum performed the CCI3* test ride this morning, and he looks in flying form in the lead-up to his highly anticipated return to the CCI3* level at the Ocala Jockey Club next month.)

Boyd Martin sits in second place in the CCI2* on 23.7 with Christine Turner’s On Cue, a 12-year-old Anglo-European mare (Cabri d’Elle X On High, by Primitive Rising) who won her CCI2* debut at Jersey Fresh in May.

Anna Loschiavo and Melanie Loschiavo’s Spartacus Q, a 9-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Soleil Q X Laura Q, by Loerke), sit third on 25.8. This horse finished sixth in his CCI2* debut at Bromont, and Anna said she is extremely excited about his future.

“I think he has a lot of potential for dressage, and he’s gotten a lot stronger over the last year especially,” Anna said. “As he gets stronger, he gets more consistent in all of the movements. We’re really looking forward to developing that consistency even more and seeing where he can go from there.”

Bobby Meyerhoff and Gail Dady’s Almanac, a 9-year-old Hanoverian gelding (As Di Volare X Fuerst Aphrodites R, by Fuerst Gothard), led the CCI2* after the first day of dressage and now sit in fourth place on 26.3.

Caroline Martin and her own Cristano Z, a 9-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Chippendale Z X Nalan VH Schoterhof, by Omar), round out the top five in the CCI2* on 26.4. Click here to see full scores in the CCI2* following dressage.

Holy hind end! Tamie Smith and MB MaiStein. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Speaking of California domination, Tamie Smith and MB MaiStein won the USEA Young Event Horse 5-Year-Old East Coast Championships today. Courtney Cooper and R River Star were crowned the 4-Year-Old Champions. Follow full coverage on the USEA website.

Cross country day starts at 9:15 a.m. EST tomorrow with the CCI2*. Click here for cross country start times for both the CCI2* and CCI3*. Keep it locked on EN for much more from Fair Hill. Go Eventing.

#DuttaFHI: Website, XC Start Times, Schedule, YEH Live Scores, CCI Live Scores, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Friday Video from World Equestrian Brands: THAT Le Lion Test!

By on Oct 19, 2018 4:36 pm -

 

We’re halfway through the World Championships for Small and Reckless Ones (um, six- and seven-year-olds) at Le Lion d’Angers, and we’re almost embarrassingly gleeful to see our very own Liz Halliday-Sharp atop the six-year-old leaderboard with the divine Cooley Moonshine. They posted a serious personal best of 22.4 to take the lead yesterday, and not only has no one passed them today, they’ve even managed to reign supreme with the best dressage score of the whole competition. Yes, that’s right, it was 2.6 whole marks better than the God of Germany and All Nations.

So what made the test so special (besides a 10 for the cession á la jambe gauche, obviously)? Check it out for yourself, and let me just gently remind you once again that this is a six-year-old. Six! Every six-year-old I’ve ever sat on has been as into eating mud as I was at the same age. We can’t all be child prodigies.

Le Lion: One Step Closer to an American World Champion, Plus Course Preview

By on Oct 19, 2018 4:21 pm -

Michael Jung and the wunderkind Choclat storm into the lead at Le Lion. Photo by EquusPix.

Welcome to episode two of (Equine) Toddlers and Tiaras, the smash hit show in which the eventing world’s most precociously talented youngsters endure long hours with the Glam Squad, some serious dance routines, and snack-based bribery on their quest to become the Ultimate Supreme Best Prancing Toddler. Or something like that, anyway.

You want the fun facts? We got the fun facts.

Need an episode one recap? When we last saw you, we were halfway through the dressage, and found ourselves in a very fortuitous position indeed — US representative Liz Halliday-Sharp lead the six-year-old class with Cooley Moonshine on a remarkable score of 22.4, while Ingrid Klimke and Asha P held the seven-year-old lead on 25.3. With some seriously exciting entrants in the ring today, we were left on one heck of a cliffhanger.

Nah, who are we kidding? Nobody was ever going to usurp Liz and Billy, who stay firmly atop the six-year-old leaderboard as we look ahead to tomorrow’s cross country. We had a little look at their test sheet, and were delighted to spot that they also earned themselves a coveted 10 for their, um, cession á la jambe gauche, which sounds delicious.

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Moonshine deliver their best. Photo by EquusPix.

British rider Millie Dumas remains in second place aboard Universal Cooley, giving the Cooley brand a jolly good show thus far, while Kitty King moved into third place aboard Cristal Fontaine (Chef Rouge x Nous Avons Gagne, by Griot de Mara), who relied on more than just his passing resemblance to Kitty’s superstar Vendredi Biats to earn his score of 25.4. Behind him sits Piggy French‘s Emerald Jonny and Chris Burton‘s Coup de Coeur Dudevin (Top Gun Sexily x Tiebreak Combehory, by Leprince des Bois) in equal fourth on 25.8.

Cooley Convinced sits just outside the top twenty with rider Rebecca Howard. Photo by EquusPix.

Canada’s Rebecca Howard performed her second test of the class today, posting a 31.4 with Cooley Convinced (Diarado x BLM Clover Diamond, by Clover Echo) to sit in 21st place going into tomorrow’s cross country. ‘Dora’ joins stablemate Trebor, who scored a 28.3 to kick yesterday’s competition off, and lies 13th overnight.

Tiana Coudray and Happenstance. Photo by EquusPix.

Tiana Coudray and Happenstance (Quality Time x unknown by Germus R) also performed this morning, delivering a 35.6 to sit 34th at this early stage. The first combination to represent Mexico at Le Lion also made their way into the main arena – Pedro Gutierrez and California Mail (Quite Easy x Varnalisa Mail, by Kalaska de Semilly) scored 39.4 and hold 39th place.

The top ten in the six-year-olds’ championship after dressage.

The new leader of the seven-year-old class shunted yesterday’s leaders Ingrid Klimke and Asha P into second by just 0.3 of a penalty, and really, it was always going to happen, wasn’t it? After all, new leader  — and last in the ring — Choclat (Contendro I x Etienne, by Espri), ridden by Michael Jung, gave us one of the lowest-ever finishing scores in an international event last season, when he won Strzegom’s CCI1* on a final score of 15.2.

Every time I have to type that I die a little inside, so have this restorative GIF and let’s keep one another close, my fellow 30s-scoring peasantfolk.

He’s never quite reached those dizzying heights since, though he hasn’t really had to in order to be a very reliable first-phase performer and, nearly ten points over that Strzegom score with today’s 25, he proved that. (Though, we hasten to add, he didn’t get any 10s, with jambe or otherwise.) The secret? Total consistency through the test, which is just what got Michael’s recently retired legend La Biosthetique Sam FBW his great scores throughout the years, too. Interestingly, none of the three judges — Gerd Kuest, Eric Lieby, and Robert Stevenson — had the talented Hanoverian in first place. Instead, Gerd Kuest scored Ingrid and Asha P the highest, Eric Lieby’s pick was Nicola Wilson‘s JL Dublin, in third, and Robert Stevenson favoured Jesse Campbell and the Jonty Evans-produced Gambesie, who lie 6th on 27.6.

Michael Jung and the wunderkind Choclat storm into the lead at Le Lion. Photo by EquusPix.

Last year’s six-year-old World Champion Monkeying Around (Bertoli W x Donnee, by Donnerhall) has all the right breeding to excel in this phase, and he didn’t disappoint today. He scored a 26.1 with rider Izzy Taylor, moving him into equal fourth place overnight to tie with Laura Collett and Calmaro.

Britain’s Tom Jackson piloted the Irish Sport Horse mare Capels Hollow Drift (Shannondale Sarco St Ghyvan x Lucky Crest, by Lucky Gift) to a score of 27.8 and 7th place, while Le Lion resident Tom Carlile proved that Selle Français Birmane, third in last year’s six-year-old championship, is the real deal, posting a 28.1 and taking 8th overnight.

Cooley Quicksilver makes a return trip to Le Lion. Photo by EquusPix.

Liz Halliday-Sharp returned to the arena today, this time riding Cooley Quicksilver (Womanizer x Kylemore Crystal, by Creggan Diamond), with whom she completed last year’s six-year-old championship. The rangy, extravagant-moving gelding didn’t quite live up to the standards set by his stablemate the day prior, but posted a nevertheless respectable score of 31.1, which sees them occupy 24th place ahead of tomorrow’s cross country.

Doug Payne and Quantum Leap make strides on their quest to improve the young horse’s education. Photo by EquusPix.

Fellow countryman Doug Payne dipped lower in the incredibly tightly-bunched standings, delivering a 36.5 with Quantum Leap (Quite Capitol x Report to Sloopy, by Corporate Report) to sit in 59th place overnight.

The top ten seven-year-olds after dressage.

So what’s next?

The action-packed cross country phase kicks off tomorrow morning at 10.00am local time/4.00am EST, with the six-year-old CCI1* first and the seven-year-old CCI2* commenced at 12.45pm local time/6.45am EST. You’ll be able to watch all of the action unfold via the free livestream.

Le Lion’s cross country is always breathtaking viewing, not just because of the sheer quality of the young horses in the classes — above and beyond that, it’s one of the most stunningly built courses the sport has to offer, with jumps including an enormous violin in the woods, dragons, giant snails, a sprawling chessboard, and so, so much more, all nestled within the glorious grounds of a quintessentially French manor house. To get a sneak of what’s to come, check out this teaser video:

French eventing fans are some of the best in the world, too — despite the fact that the competition is ‘only’ a CCI1* and CCI2*, they flock to every available inch of roping around the course, absolutely breathless with delight to be able to enjoy a day of world-class equestrianism in the autumn sunshine. That’s one of the most educational parts of the whole competition — can these talented youngsters cope with the unflinching adoration and celebratory whoops of a buzzing, vibrant crowd?

Our North American contingent (and CCI2* leader Michael Jung) will ride at the following times:

  • Rebecca Howard and Trebor: 10.00am local time/4.00am EST
  • Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Moonshine: 10.45am local time/4.45am EST
  • Pedro Gutierrez and California Mail: 11.06am local time/5.06am EST
  • Tiana Coudray and Happenstance: 11.15am local time/5.15am EST
  • Rebecca Howard and Cooley Convinced: 12.00pm local time/6.00am EST
  • Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Quicksilver: 3.19pm local time/9.19am EST
  • Doug Payne and Quantum Leap: 3.33pm local time/9.33am EST
  • Michael Jung and Choclat: 4.43pm local time/10.43am EST

Crack on, small but talented ones.

We’ll be back in action tomorrow with all the news from cross-country day — in the meantime, Go Eventing! (And go pageant babies, we guess.)

Le Lion d’Angers links: Website, CCIYH* Entries, CCIYH** Entries, CCIYH* Live Scores, CCIYH** Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, Cross Country Live Stream

This Year at Fair Hill: A Glimpse Behind the Scenes

By on Oct 19, 2018 12:30 pm -

Photo courtesy of Holly Covey.

I have a friend who entered a dressage show on the same day as cross country day at Fair Hill, and I was shocked. Who would do that? Then I realized; there is a whole ‘nother world out there that does not think Fair Hill International is the most important event on the planet. Geez. Who knew?

It is said that the road to Kentucky goes down Gallaher Road. That’s for the competitors. I think for volunteers, our best time of the year also goes down Gallaher Road, too.

My oldest volunteer pin is from 2002. That for sure puts me in at 16 straight years of living and dying on that piece of gorgeous land at the corner of Gallaher Road and Elk Chapel Road in northern Maryland, but I also go back a few years before that. We think that I have been helping with the cross country course about 20 years. Wow, that is hard to type.

This year’s Fair Hill International renewal is now in its 30th year. While those of us who have come to know this event as our “home” international CCI feel like we have accomplished something, really, it’s not ours. It’s everyone’s.

There are people I’ve never met at Fair Hill who have worked hard every year doing something you and I don’t know about, but they are there. Every year I volunteer, I meet someone for the first time and we swap war stories about how many years we’ve been doing it and the Monsoon Year and other fun memories.

Not every job has been glamorous and gotten a photo on EN. Lots of jobs that go completely unheralded in putting on a great CCI and sporting event in the country are terribly difficult.

There are trash people and parking people. There are people who cook food for the volunteers long before a horse arrives to feed us while we work desperately on setting up. There are people who just run around on gaters and golf carts doing whatever. I am very envious of those people!

There are people who unhook their trucks from their horse trailers and go get cornstalks and mums and equipment and tables and chairs and set it all up. And have the time while doing their job to help others with questions, answer emails, make phone calls, straighten out problems and direct sponsors to their booth space.

There are people who spend hours on the phone months in advance getting sponsors, collecting checks, doing bookwork, accounting, advertising, and other minute detailed paperwork involved in an international sporting event.

These folks of course are all volunteers (most of them anyway) and love what they do. But they all have lives and kids and houses and jobs, too. And some have horses that still need feeding and stall cleaning and riding. At home. That other place you go to sleep and find clean clothes.

While we as volunteers are delighted to return year after year, we also know the importance of bringing in others to help and learn the essential jobs. Creating a family and experience goes that way. We have fun, too, in the midst of all that work. We’ve learned that if we didn’t, it made it hard to justify the time and attention. We all look at each other on Tuesday and compare the energy levels — pretty darn low.

Then … trailers with big logos come rumbling down Gallaher Road, horses start arriving, and riders start walking in, and trainers, and all the luminaries of the sport, and and we’re energized. They’re here! It’s starting!

While we don’t know how things will work in the new location, scheduled for 2020, right now and for next year we will continue at the Gallaher Road location for the CCI2* and CCI3*. As the FEI changes and moves its rules and proposals forward, we as volunteers are at the lowest end of the food chain. We follow as ordered.

But we are darn sure going to have a good time doing it! And our world, the third weekend in October, will always go down Gallaher Road and stop at a place we love to enjoy together. See you there!

 

Andrew McConnon and Bossinova Lead Midsouth CCI1* Dressage + YR/JR 1* and P3D Update

By on Oct 19, 2018 10:00 am -

We’ll let Fair Hill have the two- and three-stars, but the Kentucky Horse Park is where it’s at for single-star action this week. The Hagyard Midsouth Three-day Event & Team Challenge H.T. features a CCI1*, YR/JR CCI1* and classic format three-days at the Prelim and Training levels in addition to Beginner Novice through Prelim horse trial divisions and a team challenge.<

Lots going on. Let’s check in at the sandbox!

Andrew McConnon and Bossinova at the horse’s first one-star outing at Stable View last month. Photo courtesy of Andrew McConnon.

Andrew McConnon and Bossinova, his own 8-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Bonifatius x Dawina, by Der Lord), lead the CCI1* on a dressage score of 27.3. The horse is a class act in all three phases — he’s won seven horse trials this year — and his performance yesterday was no exception.

“He’s beautifully behaved,” Andrew says. “Dressage is subjective, isn’t it, but every judge has really appreciated him. He’s so consistent for me.”

We’ve been keeping tabs on this exciting “EN’s Got Talent” coupling — check out our profile of them from August here. Andrew, who is based in Ocala, imported “Hugo” from England last December following a couple years spent working for William Fox-Pitt. Since then they’ve been steadily stepping up the levels from Training to Prelim, Prelim to one-star.

Andrew says, “I’m a rider who likes to take it slow with the horses at the lower levels to make sure they really know what’s going on,” but Hugo has proven himself a precocious pupil. Andrew had planned on doing a full four Training level events with him, but after winning their first three outings, Andrew felt like the horse was ready for more. They went on another winning streak at Prelim, including the Area III Prelim Championships at Chattahoochee Hills in July, then placed 5th in the CIC1* at Stable View last month.

Andrew McConnon and Bossinova at the Midsouth first horse inspection. Photo courtesy of Andrew McConnon.

Rather than waiting around for the Ocala Jockey Club CCI1* next month, Andrew figured that they might as well get on with it at Midsouth to get a jump start on winter break. “Then we can start really slow and get him strong for next year. And I also thought the cooler weather in Kentucky would be nice for him — he’s really enjoying it.”

One-star cross country takes place this afternoon. ‘The course looks really nice and galloping and inviting,” Andrew says of the rolling bluegrass track. “I think they ask some good questions … it’s all there to be jumped, so if we as riders do our job we should have happy horses at the end of the day.”

Sixteen-year-old Elizabeth Henry and Charlotte La Bouff, her own 10-year-old warmblood mare, lead the CCI1* Young Rider/Junior division on a dressage score of 24.9. Arden Wildasin and Hellohello, an 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Rock Hopper x Ballinglen Dream, by Clover Return) owned by Sarah Wildasin, are out front in the Classic Format Prelim Three-Day on a score of 31.3. Dressage for the two divisions of Open Prelim is currently underway.

CCI1* Top 5 After Dressage:

CC1* Young Rider/Junior Top 5 After Dressage:

Classic Format Prelim Three-Day Top 5 After Dressage: 

Hagyard Midsouth Three-day Event & Team Challenge H.T. Website, Entry Status, Ride Times, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage