Classic Eventing Nation

Phillip Dutton and I’m Sew Ready. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Phillip Dutton and I’m Sew Ready, a 14-year-old KWPN (Lupicor X Jarda, Elcaro) owned by John and Kristine Norton powered around cross country, producing one of just three double clear rounds to win Stable View’s inaugural CIC3*. Sitting sixth after the first two phases, they stopped the clock seven seconds under the optimum time.

“Jackson” was the direct reserve horse for Phillip’s World Equestrian Games mount Z, so Phillip had the horse very fit going in to Stable View. He will next head to France for Les Etoiles de Pau CCI4* next month, and Phillip said he wanted to use today’s cross country as a fitness run.

“He was ready to run a couple weeks ago at the WEG, so he was primed and ready,” Phillip said. “It’s good timing for his trip to France. He’s going to have to go fast there, so I thought I’d set out and see how he felt. The horse has turned into a really good cross country horse. I’m really proud of him.”

Phillip was recovering from a broken collarbone during last year’s Oktoberfest Horse Trials at Stable View, but he competed in the inaugural Advanced in 2016 when he won with Z. As for his thoughts on Capt. Mark Phillips’s cross country course, Phillip said, “It flows better than the year before and the footing is getting more improved.”

“Barry and Cyndy arguably have one of the best venues in the country now, so it’s very exciting for the Aiken area.”

Doug Payne and Getaway. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Tamie Smith withdrew Fleeceworks Royal this morning, who was second overnight, leaving the door open for Doug Payne and Getaway, Lisa Wall’s 11-year-old Oldenburg by Contendro, to take home the win, but they went a hair too slow, picking up 6.4 time penalties and settling for second on a score of 35.2. Getaway looked in excellent form ahead of the Boekelo CCIO3* in the Netherlands next month.

“He’s a beast. He’s continuing to get better and better about being efficient and adjustable on cross country,” Doug said. “He will in time be a whole lot faster, but at this point in his career I’m still pretty careful to make sure that he’s completely grounded mentally for every jump that we’re jumping. He’s super genuine and athletic, and he’s getting better and better.”

Tamie Smith and Mai Baum. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Overnight leader Tamie Smith and Mai Baum, 12-year-old German Sport Horse (Loredano X Ramira, by Rike) owned by Alex Ahearn, Ellen Ahearn and Eric Markell, were having a cracking round until the Catawba Corners at 11AB, which caused the most trouble of any complex on course.

“That corner combination rode really hard. He left a stride out at the first corner, but ever since Phillip Dutton made that save with Mighty Nice at the Olympics, I’ve really tried to have that same ‘get-it-done’ mentality. He took the flag with him at the second corner, and his shoulders cleared the flag but his hind end didn’t. When the ground jury reviewed the video footage, they decided to remove the jumping penalties since he made the effort to jump the fence.”

Tamie and “Lexus” added 11.6 time penalties to finish third on 35.3 — a strong result in the horse’s first run back at the level since 2015.

Boyd Martin and Steady Eddie. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Boyd Martin and Steady Eddie, a 15-year-old New Zealand Thoroughbred (Jetball X Tudnela) owned by Pierre Colin, Denise Lahey, and George and Gretchen Wintersteen, had the fastest clear round of the division, crossing the finish in 6:05 to move from ninth up to fourth overall on 36.8.

“Eddie roared around the cross country. We had an expensive rail yesterday, which was disappointing, but he’s fighting fit and felt fantastic today,” Boyd said. “I think this is a wonderful event. You have to take your hat off to Barry and Cyndy Olliff. This is turning into one of the premier CIC3* events of the year. The facility is unbelievable. The course is fantastic. I think Stable View is making a mark as a top destination event.”

Boyd and Christine Turner’s 11-year-old Canadian Warmblood mare Kyra (VDL Ulando H X Wellesley, by Weltstern), fourth overnight, picked up 20 penalties but still made the time — one second faster than her stablemate in fact — to finish eighth. Boyd also picked up a win in the Advanced division, finishing with ten points to spare with Christine Turner’s On Cue.

Elisa Wallace and Simply Priceless. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Fifth place went to Elisa Wallace and the Simply Priceless Syndicate’s 17-year-old Australian Thoroughbred Simply Priceless (Waterford Road X Faux Franc, Twig Moss), who looked stellar in his first international run since Kentucky CCI4* in April. They added 2.4 time penalties to their clear jumping round to finish on 37.5.

Sydney Conley Elliott and Carol Stephens’ 12-year-old Westphalian Cisko A (Cayetano L X Rhiannon M, Ribot) finished sixth having moved up from 12th after show jumping with a clear round and 9.6 time penalties to finish on 47.7 in their first international run since Great Meadow CIC3* in June.

Shoutout to Autumn Schweiss and her 14-year-old Thoroughbred/Irish Sport Horse by Houmayoun, Oakport Strauss. They posted the third and final double clear round to move from 19th to finish in 10th place in their first international run since the Jersey Fresh CCI3* in May.

Sydney Conley Elliott and Cisko A. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Looking to the CIC2*, Heather Morris and Charlie Tango held their overnight lead to win the division on 32.1. Joe Meyer and Buccaneer added just 2.4 time penalties to move all the way from 11th to finish second. Jonathan Holling and Dalanteretto round out the top three, adding 6.4 time penalties and moving up six places.

In the CIC*, Tamie Smith and Danito double clear on cross country to win on a 24.0. Jenny Caras and Fernhill Full Throttle finished second on their dressage score of 28.4. Clayton Fredericks and FE Smokey Water FBW added 2.8 time penalties across the country to finish third on 29.4.

As a venue, Stable View just keeps getting bigger and better, and we’re looking forward to the future here at this beautiful facility. Thank you to Barry and Cyndi Olliff for their hospitality and dedication to the sport. Go Eventing.

5:45 p.m. EST: This report has been updated following the ground jury’s decision to remove Tamie Smith and Mai Baum’s jumping penalties.

Stable View CIC & HT: Website, Entry Status, Ride Times, Live Scores, Schedule, EQTV Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Phillip Dutton and I’m Sew Ready. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Cross country is underway at Stable View’s 5th Annual Oktoberfest Horse Trials! We’re ready to follow the action as 21 CIC3* horses face off over Capt. Mark Phillips’ course in Aiken, SC. Check out Leslie Threlkeld’s course preview here.

EQTV Network is live streaming all three phases of the inaugural CIC3*, and you can watch right here on EN. CIC3* cross country takes place from 12:15-1:20 p.m. EST. Keep it here for all the latest!

Stable View CIC & HT: Website, Entry Status, Ride Times, Live Scores, Schedule, EQTV Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

12:15 – Joe Meyer and Johnny Royale are first out of the box! There are five corners on this course, making straightness paramount. Our trailblazers glance off the corner at 11B, then pick up another 20 at the water.

12:20 – Nilson Moreira da Silva retires on course with his first ride, Muggle, at the first water.

12:22 – Joe and Johnny Royal cross the finish flags carrying 40 jumping penalties and time.

12:23 – Clayton Fredericks and Luksor, a new partnership, slither over 11A then kick on for the B element.

12:26 – Leslie Law and Voltaire de Tre are in the top 5 after show jumping. Leslie looks to be giving the horse a careful, confident ride.

12:27 – Clayton and Luksor complete with no jump penalties, some 30 seconds over time.

12:29 – Autumn Schweiss and Oakport Strauss are held on course, awaiting word about a possible fence repair; Leslie and Voltaire de Tre are allowed to continue on and are clear through 17.

12:31 – Leslie and Voltaire de Tre are through the finish; it sounds like they have picked up 50 penalties at the Derby Bank for not clearing a flag in addition to 12.8 time penalties.

12:33 – Autumn and Oakport Strauss are back up and running after the hold. Doug Payne and Getaway, 2nd after show jumping, are away from the startbox after being held there for a few moments.

12:38 – Elisa Wallace and Simply Priceless are on course, their first international run since Kentucky. Doug and Getaway are clear through 17 — the horse looks to be hunting the flags and very much on his game, which bodes well for their upcoming trip to Boekelo in October.

12:40 – Seventy percent of this field has never made the time at the three-star level. (Lots of great trivia and stats from the live stream commentator team of John Kyle and Jenni Autry!) Autumn and Oakport Strauss are our first double clear of the day, coming home inside the time by one second.

12:42 – Boyd Martin and Kyra, 3rd after show jumping, skip to the left of the corner at 11 but are successful on second attempt.

12:44 – Doug and Getaway are home clear jumping and with 6.4 time.

12:44 – Elisa and Simply Priceless are home and 31 seconds over time.

12:46 – Overnight leaders Tamie Smith and Mai Baum now have a bit of a cushion, with those in closest pursuit, Doug with Getaway and Boyd with Krya, picking up penalties (time and time + 20, respectively) on course. They can afford 20 seconds over time and still win.

12:50 – Kelsey Briggs and the Gentleman Pirate pick up two refusals at 8 and later elect to retire.

12:52 – Jon Holling’s mount Avoca Druid grinds to a halt at the first of two corners coming off the Derby Bank.

12:53 – Jon and Avoca Druid are two from home and carrying 40 jump penalties plus time in the horse’s three-star debut.

12:57 – Katherine Rivera and Royal Lufttanzer look a bit underpowered and their luck runs out at the 8 combination, where they fall, triggering the MIM clips in the process. Horse and rider are on their feet. A hold on course while the fence is repaired.

1:02 – Elinor MacPhail O’Neal and Zeta are home with 20 jumping penalties — awaiting word on time.

1:05 – Leaders Tamie Smith and Mai Baum held at the box as fence 8 is repaired.

1:06 – Tamie and Mai Baum are off and running.

1:09 – Bugger! Tamie and Mai Baum are questionably between the flags 11A, followed by a  run-out at the second element of Derby Bank. *Update: After reviewing the video footage, the ground jury later decided to remove the jumping penalties since he made the effort to jump the fence.

1:13 – Phillip Dutton and I’m Sew Ready are on course and, being in sixth position with some scoreboard shakeups above them, have an opportunity now to make a big move up and are the only ones with a chance of besting Doug Payne and Getaway, our new leaders.

1:14 – Phillip and I’m Sew Ready jump an extra fence at 8, but it’s not cross flagged, so he carries on without penalty.

1:15 – Nilson Moreira da Silva is on course with his second mount, Cash.

1:17 – Ashley Kehoe and Kiltealy Toss Up are home with no jumping penalties and 16 time.

1:18 – Phillip and I’m Sew Ready look to be wasting no time out there. Next stop on the calendar for this horse is the French four-star, Pau.

1:19 – Nilson has retired with Cash.

1:20 – Jenny Caras and Fernhill Fortitude now on course, our second to last pair to go. Boyd Martin and Steady Eddie head to the box from warmup.

1:22 – Phillip and I’m Sew Ready are provisionally inside the time — which means they overtake Doug and Getaway to be our Stable View CIC3* winners!

1:26 – Jenny and Fernhill Fortitude are through the finish flags. Boyd and Steady Eddie are going for it, looking to capitalize on all the time and jump penalties picked up by the field to move up the scoreboard. Boyd is fresh off an Advanced win here earlier in the day with On Cue.

That’s a wrap for CIC3* cross country. Click here for the complete report from our boots on the ground, Leslie Threlkeld. Go Eventing!

4A – Hammock

By now you’ve heard that the Stable View Oktoberfest CIC and Horse Trials is hosting Aiken, South Carolina’s first CIC3* competition this weekend just two years after hosting the immediate area’s inaugural Advanced level event. It’s hard to believe this eventing mecca hasn’t had an event at this level in town before now. Barry Olliff and his crew have steadily built up this venue to be a beautiful “Gathering Place” for eventers and enthusiasts alike, and the turnout to each event shows the competitors’ appreciation for the effort.

The CIC3* this weekend is acting for many as a final prep before a fall CCI3*. Course designer Captain Mark Phillips has laid out a flowing course that will be a true test of accuracy (there’s five corners out there) as well as a good fitness run and confidence booster for those looking ahead to their season closeout. It follows a similar track to last year’s Advanced course but with a new loop added through the fields where Stable View runs the Eventing Academy, an unrecognized schooling show hosted by Stable View several times a year.

The CIC3* course has 36 jumping efforts and an optimum time of 6:19. After jumping a few warm-up tables woven between a forest of pine trees followed by the first water complex at 6AB, riders will encounter the first major accuracy question at 8ABC, a log oxer to a bank down followed by a massive open corner on a slightly downhill approach. Last year this combination caught out a few pairs who second guessed their confidence to the corner, but those who rode boldly forward to the C element jumped brilliantly (making for impressive pictures!).

At 10AB, CIC3* competitors have the option to jump a cabin at the foot of a mound (AB) or a cabin (A) and down bank (B) before immediately tackling the Catawba Corners at 11AB. Riders have another choice to make at the second water at 14ABC, where they can choose to jump one of two different A elements — rails on a mound or a skinny wedge. From there, the twists and turns are down to one, affording the opportunity to make up some time at the end of the course.

Cross country for the CIC3* begins at 12:15 p.m. Tune in to the EQTV Network live stream here or follow EN’s live updates. Go Eventing.

Stable View CIC & HT: Website, Entry Status, Ride Times, Live Scores, Schedule, EQTV Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram