Classic Eventing Nation

108 Horses Through to Show Jumping at Ocala Jockey Club

By on Nov 19, 2017 9:52 am -

Alyssa Phillips and Cooley Caviar. Photo by Jenni Autry.

A total of 108 horses will move on to show jumping at the Ocala Jockey Club International Three-Day Event following this morning’s final inspection for the CCI2* and CCI1* here in Reddick, Florida.

The CCI1* horses presented first to the ground jury of Robert Stevenson (USA) and Jo Young (CAN). Three horses were sent to the holding box: Becky Holder’s mount Kieran, Ryan Wood’s mount Galway Blazer and Emma Vallner’s mount T Other Guy. Kieran and T Other Guy were accepted upon re-presentation. Ryan withdrew Galway Blazer from the holding box.

Two CCI1* horses were not presented for the inspection: Lauren Balcomb’s mount SL Belly and Carter McInnis’s mount Double Nine’s Domino.

All 33 CCI2* horses presented to the ground jury of Jane Hamlin (USA) and Peter Grey (CAN) were accepted. Rain started coming down just as the CCI2* inspection concluded, and conditions are starting to clear now as we count down to the start of show jumping.

CCI1* show jumping runs from 10 a.m.-1:10 p.m. EST, followed by CIC3* cross country at 1:30 p.m. EST. CCI2* show jumping will then wrap up the action at 3:30 p.m. EST.

If you are just tuning in to EN, you’re just in time for the finale of #OJC3DE! Click here to check out a fence-by-fence preview of Mike Etherington-Smith’s CIC3* course. CIC3* cross country and CCI2* show jumping will stream live on EQSportsNet.

#OJC3DE: Website, Schedule, Ride Times, Live Scores, David’s Videos, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

Ocala Jockey Club CIC3* Cross Country Course Preview

By on Nov 19, 2017 8:48 am -

Good morning from the final day of the Ocala Jockey Club International Three-Day Event! We are counting down to the start of CIC3* cross country at 1:30 p.m. EST. While we wait, take a virtual tour of Mike Etherington-Smith’s track courtesy of Lauren DeLalla, who kindly snapped photos for EN.

Overnight leaders Liz Halliday-Sharp and Fernhill By Night have a 6.5-penalty cushion and can afford to be 16 seconds over the optimum time of 6 minutes, 12 seconds and still win. Hannah Sue Burnett is waiting in the wings with Cooley Dream in second and Harbour Pilot, who has already won a CIC3* this season, in third. Click here to catch up on yesterday’s show jumping action.

You can watch live on EQSportsNet with commentary from Ed Holloway and special guests, plus all the statistics and facts on the field’s cross country form courtesy of EquiRatings. Last year only two pairs made the optimum time in the inaugural running of the CIC3*. How many will catch it today?

We have had perfect sunny weather for the entire competition until today, with the skies opening up this morning. We could see slick footing due to the rain, which will hopefully move quickly through the area. CIC3* cross country is NOT running in reverse order. Click here to view ride times. Go Eventing.

#OJC3DE: Website, Schedule, Ride Times, Live Scores, David’s Videos, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

Sunday Links Presented by One K Helmets

By on Nov 19, 2017 12:01 am -

Allie Knowles and Business Class. Photo by Jenni Autry.

It’s officially #eventingsunnyfl season as the snowbirds started the migration south at the Ocala Jockey Club International Three-Day Event. The one- and two-star groups had a great cross country day yesterday, and there’s more to come as the competitive CIC3* division will gallop around this gorgeous facility today. I’ll bring give you moment by moment news in our live updates starting at 1:30 EST. Click here to follow along!

National Holiday: National Play Monopoly Day

Major Events This Weekend:

Mitsubishi Motors Australian International Three-Day Event [Website] [Entries] [Live Scores]

Ocala Jockey Club 3-Day International Event [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

U.S. Weekend Preview:

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

Sunday Links: 

Clarke Still Holds Top Spot After MMAus3DE Cross Country

Justine Dutton’s New Priorities: ‘That Fall Scared Me… I Knew Something Had to Change’

Eventer Harry Meade Swaps Saddles to Try His Hand at Racing

Taken A Great Eventing Photo This Year? Win Press Accreditation to Badminton

What Will Happen to Your Horses When You Die?

Freezing Equine Embryos is Getting More Practical

Sunday Video: Yesterday the eventing world lost Gillian Rolton. Watch one of the many examples of why she was such an amazing athlete and competitor:

Kieffer & Knowles Lead CCI Divisions After Cross Country at Ocala Jockey Club

By on Nov 18, 2017 8:57 pm -

Lauren Kieffer and D.A. Duras. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Lauren Kieffer and D.A. Duras jumped clear and 1 second over the time on Clayton Fredericks’ CCI2* cross country course to hold the lead on 37.1 here at the Ocala Jockey Club International Three-Day Event in Reddick, Florida.

The 9-year-old KWPN owned by Debbie Adams and Jacqueline Mars may be back at the two-star level to re-qualify following multiple rider falls this season, but Lauren has the big picture in mind with this horse.

“At Red Hills I got jumped out of the tack. At Bramham he slipped behind on a turn. At Blenheim we were two fences from home and inside the time, and he made a green mistake and clipped a corner. He’s such a big, brave, strong, scopey horse, and I rode him this year to be competitive. There were little blips along the way that showed up. He’s going to be an incredible horse for sure.”

As an experienced horse at three-star level, Duras handled Clayton Fredericks’ CCI2* course with ease. “He’s done a lot of big tracks this year, so it was nice for him to do something so easy for him. It rode well,” Lauren said.

“I think the waters made a bit of the wrong shape jumping in, so you had to jump it as slow as you dared. With the more experienced horses you could trust them to jump off. He was super rideable and felt brave and handled it well.”

Alyssa Phillips and Oskar. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Katherine Coleman and Monte Classico added 0.8 time penalties to slip to third place on 40.2, with Alyssa Phillips and Oskar passing them thanks to a clear round inside the time to move up to second place on 40.0.

Sixteen combinations in the CCI2* jumped clear rounds inside the time on cross country (41%). We saw three rider falls in the division, and we are relieved to report that none of the riders suffered major injuries. Click here to view full scores in the CCI2*.

Ashley Hays took a hard fall from Call It Courage when he hung a leg at 24C in the final water complex, and she was transported by ambulance for further examination. “A few years ago a fall would have seemed like the end of the world,” Ashley said. “Now, I get to load my sound horse up and get back to work.” That’s the spirit, Ashley!

Allie Knowles and Business Class. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Looking to the CCI1*, Allie Knowles and Katherine O’Brien’s Business Class took the lead on their dressage score of 40.2 with a clear round inside the time. Leslie Law, who led after dressage, parted ways with JKF Vogue at the keyhole at fence 18, which caused numerous problems throughout the day.

“I just happened to hear that Leslie fell off as I was going into the start box. I thought, ‘Don’t let that affect your ride knowing that now I have it to lose.’ That was the main thing — don’t get antsy about anything,” Allie said.

“I have a lot of confidence in him. I knew as long as I did my job he would definitely do his job. He was the fastest of my three. He took it all in stride. It all felt very easy for him.”

Business Class, better known as “Oso,” is a 7-year-old Irish Sport Horse that has been with Allie since January. Buck Davidson and JP Sheffield spotted the horse, who Sophie Richards produced to the one-star level and piloted to a seventh place finish at Le Lion d’Angers last year.

Clark Montgomery and Summer Bay. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Clark Montgomery and Leah Massa’s Summer Bay jumped clear and inside the time to move up to second place in the CCI1* on 41.4. Hannah Sue Burnett and Christa Schmidt’s Strattonstown Lewis moved up to third place on their dressage score of 41.8. Click here to view full scores in the CCI1*.

The CCI final horse inspection is at 7:30 a.m. EST tomorrow morning. CCI1* show jumping starts at 10 a.m. EST, followed by CIC3* cross country at 1:30 p.m. EST and CCI2* show jumping at 3:30 p.m. EST. CIC3* cross country and CCI2* show jumping will stream live on EQSportsNet. Go Eventing!

#OJC3DE: Website, Schedule, Ride Times, Live Scores, David’s Videos, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

Liz Halliday-Sharp Defends Her Lead in Ocala Jockey Club CIC3*

By on Nov 18, 2017 8:18 pm -

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Fernhill By Night. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Fernhill By Night delivered under pressure at the Ocala Jockey Club International Three-Day Event, jumping one of the seven clear show jumping rounds inside the time to defend their CIC3* lead and remain on their dressage score of 34.0 here in Reddick, Florida.

“He jumped really super and did everything he needed to do,” Liz said. “I thought I might have been on the cusp of having time faults because I was adding (strides) early on. I had to pick the pace up and get around my corners. I couldn’t have asked him to jump any better. He gave me everything.”

Now that Liz is based back in the States for the winter season, she has reunited with her show jumping coach Richard Picken. Liz and “Blackie,” a 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse owned by Deborah Halliday, had their first lesson since Kentucky CCI4* with Richard on Monday to get tuned up for Ocala.

“He’s had me working hard on keeping my lower leg strong and sitting up a lot more in my position. I think that has helped the horse’s jump,” Liz said. “Richard is great because he doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel. He pinpoints the areas that need work and keeps it simple enough that you can go execute it.”

Hannah Sue Burnett and Cooley Dream. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Hannah Sue Burnett jumped clear rounds on both Cooley Dream and Harbour Pilot to hold second and third places on 40.5 and 41.4, respectively.

Hannah and Cooley Dream, a 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse owned by Jacqueline Mars and Mary Ann Ghadban, have never had a rail down as a combination at international level, and they extended their clear streak to 13 in a row today. In contrast, show jumping tends to be the toughest phase for Harbour Pilot, a 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse owned and bred by Jacqueline Mars.

“I am trying to learn to fight for it a little bit more in the show jumping — especially on (Harbour Pilot) — and not just try to make it smooth, because he needs a little bit more help,” Hannah said. “I grew up doing hunters, so I’m used to trying to be really quiet and smooth. The goal for today was to fight for it, and it paid off.”

We saw seven clear rounds inside the time to give us a 22.6% clear rate, according to EquiRatings. Time penalties and rails proved costly, with 13 combinations accumulating time penalties on Chris Barnard’s course (41.9% of the field).

Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Katie Ruppel and her own Houdini jumped clear with 1 time penalty to maintain their fourth place position after dressage on 44.1. Phillip Dutton rounds out the top five with the Z Partnership’s Z thanks to a clear round inside the time to remain on their dressage score of 45.1. Click here to view full scores.

Looking to other pairs who delivered clear rounds inside the time, Alyssa Phillips and Bliss III moved from 12th to seventh place on 46.7, Joe Meyer and Clip Clop jumped from 16th to 11th place on 50.8, and Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous leapt from 18th to 12th place on 51.3.

CIC3* cross country starts tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. EST and will be live streamed on EQSportsNet. Stay tuned for much more on all of the CCI2* and CCI1* cross country action from today. Go Eventing.

#OJC3DE: Website, Schedule, Ride Times, Live Scores, David’s Videos, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

Clarke Johnstone Maintains Lead Through Australia International 4* Cross Country

By on Nov 18, 2017 1:30 pm -

Clarke Johnstone and Balmoral Sensation. Photo courtesy of the Australian International 3DE.

Clarke Johnstone and Balmoral Sensation are still sitting atop the CCI4* leaderboard at the conclusion of Australia International’s cross country day. The pair added 8.8 time faults to their winning dressage score and will head into show jumping on a 54.7.

“It was right up there,” Clarke remarked. “It was hard.”

The Mike Etherington-Smith designed cross country track wound its way from the main arena down through the trees, creeks and lakes of the beautiful Adelaide Parklands. Check out a Cross Country App preview of the CCI4* course with audio from Mike and Sam Griffiths here.

Clarke and the 13-year-old NZ Warmblood gelding owned by the Johnstone family have a well-established partnership; Balmoral Sensation was his 2016 Rio Olympic mount, where they finished 6th. They finished 3rd at their first four-star together, the 2015 Australian 3DE, and 6th at their most recent outing at the level at Badminton last year.

“He is always pretty wild before the cross country,” Clarke said. “He is always pretty wild before the cross country. I could hardly control him this morning at the first warmup, but once he gets out of the start box he is completely focused, 100%. He doesn’t notice anything at all except what is in front of him. I am really lucky to ride that horse.”

Sonja Johnson and her young but talented Misty Isle Valentino rose from 14th position after dressage into 2nd on the wings of a clear round with two time faults. Sadly, the horse she left the box in 2nd place on, her longtime partner Parkiarrup Illicit Liaison (“Ben”), sustained an injury during the gallop from the penultimate to the final fence on course after which they retired. Sonja later reported on her Facebook page that it was a rupture of the medial retinaculum, a hock ligament, and that the outlook was favorable. “The vets have been great,” she wrote. “I have been told horses have recovered and gone four-star again.”

Sonja rode the latter first and Misty Isle Valentino second, and commented on her day of mixed fortunes: “I think it was a pretty exciting run for a young horse and I wanted to do him justice and stayed focused, but I must admit that my first question when I crossed the finish line with Valentino was ‘How’s Ben?’ even though I knew there was nothing else I could do. He was in good hands with the Australian team vet Nathan Anthony and his owner (Nikki Harwood).”

The 3rd and 4th positioned pairs had big leaps up the scoreboard as well. Stuart Tinney and War Hawk moved from 15th to 3rd having just two time faults, while Andrew Cooper and Tasman Park Ovation moved from 16th to 4th with one of only two fault-free rounds of the day.

Fourteen of 20 cross country starters completed the course, with a small scattered handful of problems throughout. The biggest troublemaker was the ABC combination at fence #8, the Horse Deals Hayracks and Double Corners, which course designer Mike Etherington-Smith called “a real rider fence” and “one of the more difficult combinations on course.” It was the site of four refusals and one rider fall. View the cross country fence analysis here.

It was a bittersweet day for Adelaide International, as the event’s director of 10 years and two-time Olympic gold medalist Gillian Rolton passed away in the mid-afternoon after a two-year battle with cancer. As a rider, official, organizer, selector and coach, Gillian was an incredible figure in both the Australian and global eventing community. We thank Gillian for all of her contributions to the sport, and the entire EN team sends its most sincere condolences to the Rolton family today.

The Australian International 3DE continues with show jumping tomorrow. Best of luck to all competitors!

Australian International 4* Top 10 After Cross Country:

 

Australian International 3DE Links: Website, Cross Country Results, Show Jumping Order of Go, Schedule, FEI TV

 

 

 

Australian Eventing Olympic Gold Medalist Gillian Rolton Passes Away at 61

By on Nov 18, 2017 10:30 am -

Michael Jung accepts his ribbon from Gillian Rolton at Luhmühlen 2014. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Join us in honoring the life of Gillian Rolton, who passed away today at the age of 61 following a battle with cancer. Her passing came at 3 p.m. during cross country day at the Australian International Three-Day Event in Adelaide, of which Gillian has been event director for the past 10 years.

Gillian competed in two Olympic Games, at Barcelona in 1992 and Atlanta in 1996. She helped Australia to team gold at both Games riding Peppermint Grove. Her first gold at Barcelona was a milestone in Australian eventing as she became the first Aussie female to medal at any Olympic Games or World Championships. Memorably, in the 1996 Games, she broke her collarbone and ribs when Peppermint Grove fell cross country but remounted and completed the course.

Gillian was a member of the Equestrian Australia Hall of Fame, in 2000 was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, and was one of eight flag bearers at the opening ceremony of the 20000 Sydney Olympics. After retiring from competition, her dedication to the sport continued as a coach and official, serving on the ground jury at the 2012 London Olympics and heading the jury at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy. She has also been active as the EFA National Young Eventing Rider Squad coach as well as an Australian eventing team selector.

Gillian had been battling endometrial cancer for the past two years. When the cancer was discovered to be terminal in September, she was admitted to the hospital in Adelaide, where she continued her work on the organization of this year’s Australian International 3DE from her hospital bed. We are glad she lived to see this year’s event successfully and happily underway.

We thank Gillian for all of her contributions to the sport, and the entire EN team sends its most sincere condolences to the Rolton family today.

William Micklem: Pau 4*, Part 3A – Love and Luck

By on Nov 18, 2017 9:00 am -

In this three-part series William Micklem shares reflections and observations from attending the 2017 Pau CCI4.* If you missed them: Part 1 “The Calm Before the Storm,” Part 2 “Triumph and Tragedy.”

Sarah Bullimore gets the job done with Reve Du Rouet. Photo by Libby Law.

1) It takes an eventing coach ….

It is noticeable that after their team success in the European Championships the British riders have not only a refined competence but also a heightened confidence, especially now that they have eight riders in the top 20 of the world rankings. (Germany, New Zealand and the United States each have three.)

Much of the credit must go to Chris Bartle, their team coach. At his wish he is not chef d’equipe but is very much in control and leading the coaching all three phases. Some thought this was impossible in modern eventing, but it is working for the British team who love what is happening, finding it easier for both horses and riders who have a more joined up and complementary training programme.

2) It takes humility ….

It is always a fascinating exercise to watch and listen to the different coaching relationships at a competition like Pau. What is certain is that every rider is an individual and has individual needs, and the same applies to the horses. This means that coaches in equestrian sport have to be flexible enough to cope with all these variables and avoid being too prescriptive. This requires humility.

Humility is also needed because the coach is not riding the horse and should not act as though they were. In addition they are not going to make big changes, as to a large extent a competition is won not on the days of the competition but on the many previous days and months of progressive training and competition. So instead at a high level competition a coach is primarily in a supportive and motivational role rather than a directing role. But they can still make a crucial difference by being a constant positive influence, and by being a sounding board, giving constructive feedback and making small practical interventions.

And of course they need to know when to stay quiet! Quiet as as their student gets into their performance ‘bubble’, quiet if their student chooses to discuss the challenges ahead with one or two of the world-class riders and coaches at the competition, and quiet as they listen to their student before jumping straight into advice.

Then after a competition coaches needs to be humble about their own performance, including weaknesses. It is a powerful part of progression.

3) It takes a little spirit and a half naked man ….

This is nothing to do with alcohol but everything to do with attitude. The sheer spirit and joie de vivre of so many event riders reflects well on the sport as a whole. A good example of this is Louise Harwood. Her web site tagline ‘Live to Ride – Ride to Live’ sums up her attitude. Her wide smile and enthusiasm bear out her complete love of eventing, matched by her Mum Jackie, who is a constant cheering (and sometimes gently swearing) voice on the sidelines.

Louise is very slightly built and rides at this level despite a thin pair of part functioning legs that are held together by pins as the result of a car crash. She also largely rides very big homebred horses, that would favour strength over speed and like to hunt and feel their way round the cross country. At Pau she and Mr Potts completed their 12th 4*, leaving her very happy and her many supporters emotionally exhausted!

But what is interesting is that when given a class horse she produces the goods. In 1914 riding Whitson she finished a close up 13th at Pau and the best British bred horse for their results during the whole year. What is very appropriate is that on Whitson’s dam side is a stallion called Cruise Missile, who was bred and owned by the supremely spirited British amateur jockey John Thorne.

John’s daughter Diana finished second at Badminton and Burghley in the ’70s on The Kingmaker, while his son, Nigel, was also an amateur jockey who rode the dam of Cruise Missile to win several races. Then tragically Nigel was killed in a car crash and John came out of retirement, despite having broken his back before, to ride a half brother of Cruise Missile called Spartan Missile. John was 54 years old when they came a magnificent second in the four and a half mile Aintree Grand National won by Aldaniti and Bob Champion in 1981. A film was made about the race based on the story of Aldaniti, who came back to win having previously broken down, and Bob Champion coming back after cancer. But the story of John Thorne and his horse Spartan Missile was probably more worthy of a film.

A year later John Thorne himself lost his life riding in a point-to- point. A few months earlier he had showed me the almost 100m trench he had dug to flood and then swim Spartan Missile to fitness. The only horse to do seven lengths he said. It was a cold spring day but he then took off his shirt, jumped on a young horse bareback and swam a length in the trench! A very spirited man.

4) It takes a man in uniform….

Without doubt Astier Nicholas is a heartthrob! A clutch of girls follow his every move and both his triumphs and disasters are greeted with the same reaction … tears! But at Pau he had a rival. A Cardre Noir uniform on an elegant body takes some beating and Arnaud Boiteau has it all. On top of this he is one of the world’s most elegant riders.

His show jumping round on Quoriano was the round of the day. Perfect form and function from both horse and rider, a round that most can only dream of achieving. They have has five top five finishes in 3* events and and were 3rd at Pau in 2014 and must be dark horses for the French Team next year at WEG if Quoriano remains sound, especially as in all their competitions together over eight years they have only ever hit three fences in the show jumping!

5) It takes control of the maggot in the mind…

Sarah Bullimore had to jump first in the show jumping on Valentino, despite being in the top 10 with all three of her horses after the cross country. This is normal as there has to be time to warm up each horse without delaying the class. But Valentino hit two fences, and then 20 minutes later she came in on Lily Corinne and hit three, one of the worst rounds of the day. With scores being close in the class both of these horses inevitably dropped out of the top 10. Suddenly her hold on 3rd place looked less secure, especially as Reve de Rouet had lowered three fences at Badminton this year and seven at Burghley last year.

It must have been incredibly difficult to remain positive as she brought him into the arena. But she came through with a solid and calm clear round, in the process putting the top two riders under real pressure as they would both have to jump clear to stay ahead of Sarah.

I asked her afterwards how she coped with the pressure and the negative ‘maggot in the mind’ that often harms the performance of many performers? “I was so delighted with how they went across country yesterday that anything reasonable today was a bonus,” she replied. “So I was not concerned by my first two rounds or what happened at Badminton.” This is definitely a good way for a rider to ‘stay in the moment’ and avoid the tension that is produced by thinking of winning. Of course as a result they are more likely to win.

When hitting a fence this strategy also helps to avoid the tension and wrong focus of cursing a mistake or bad luck as you approach the next fence. As far as Sarah was concerned she was riding her own race and the event was already a PB for her, therefore she was a winner.

Next Time: Pau 4* – The concluding article — Part 3B, Love and Luck

Read more: Part 1 “The Calm Before the Storm,” Part 2 “Triumph and Tragedy,” Part 3A “Love and Luck.” 

Saturday Links from Tipperary

By on Nov 18, 2017 12:01 am -

Photo via Booli Selmayr – Fox Valley Sport Horses on Facebook.

We’re sending heaps of healing vibes and well wishes to Booli Selmayr, who has been in the ICU since Sunday with a myriad of internal injuries after a freak accident on one of her horses. It’s been a very tough year for Booli, but she continues to maintain a positive outlook as she soldiers forward in her healing. Get well soon, Booli! EN is looking forward to seeing you back on course!

National Holiday: National Adoption Day

Major Events This Weekend:

Mitsubishi Motors Australian International Three-Day Event [Website] [Entries] [Live Scores]

Ocala Jockey Club 3-Day International Event [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

U.S. Weekend Preview:

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

Saturday Links:

New Vocations Pony Club Challenge Gives Off-The-Track Thoroughbreds And Pony Clubbers A Chance

Linstedt Clinches Wire-to-Wire Win in USEA Classic Series at Galway Downs

10 Things I Learned from Jack Le Goff’s Autobiography

New Zealand’s Clarke Johnstone says Adelaide International critical for World Champs selection

PODCAST EXCERPT: How Does Forage Keep Horses Warm?

Heartbreak as top rider Olivia Wilmot loses four-star eventer to injury

Riding in Fear? You Don’t Have to Anymore

Saturday Video:

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Fernhill By Night are the overnight leaders in the CIC3* and thanks to EQSportsNet, you can watch their lovely test here!

Liz Halliday and Fernhill By Night

Liz Halliday-Sharp – HS Eventing and Fernhill By Night are the leaders after the CIC3* dressage at the Ocala Jockey Club International Three-Day Event! CIC3* competitors will show jump tomorrow afternoon!

Posted by EQSportsNet on Friday, November 17, 2017

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Fernhill By Night Fly to Ocala Jockey Club CIC3* Lead

By on Nov 17, 2017 6:31 pm -

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Fernhill By Night. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Fernhill By Night blew their three-star personal best out of the water today at the $100,000 Ocala Jockey Club International Three-Day Event, scoring 34.0 to top the leaderboard with a 6.5-penalty cushion at the conclusion of the first phase here in Reddick, Florida.

The score of 34.0 is the second best of his career for “Blackie,” a 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse owned by Deborah Halliday, and the third best of Liz’s international career, according to EquiRatings. Liz and Blackie were the only pair to crack the 30s in the CIC3*, with Marilyn Payne and Mark Weissbecker presiding on the ground jury.

“I think it was one of the very best tests he’s ever done,” Liz said. “Especially in the heat, he can get pretty lazy, but he stayed with me and kept trying. I think he really enjoyed himself and had a good time, which meant that I enjoyed myself!”

This is Blackie’s first run back since Blenheim, where he finished sixth in the Event Rider Masters CIC3* section, adding only cross country time penalties to his dressage score. EquiRatings put him up as one to watch at the Ocala Jockey Club, and he looked fantastic today dancing in the brilliant autumn sunshine.

“We changed how we do things with him this year,” Liz said. “We found he ran great at Blenheim without having many runs. We try to keep him feeling as fresh as possible. He was the best he’s ever gone at Blenheim, so we’ve not run since then. I’ve just been (cross country) schooling him. Hopefully he’s going to be in the same fighting spirit he was at Blenheim.”

Looking ahead to tomorrow’s CIC3* show jumping, Liz said she is feeling confident. “He jumped really well at Blenheim. That was a couple months ago of course, but that was probably one of the toughest tracks we’ve jumped. He’s feeling great in his body and good in himself. That’s usually when he jumps a good round. It’s down to me giving him a good ride.”

Liz arrived 10 days ago in Ocala, where she will be based at Horsepower Equestrian for the winter season. She’s already added a new horse since then in 3-year-old Seattle Sangaree, who raced six times and retired from the track in June. Spoiler alert: He’s adorable!

Hannah Sue Burnett and Cooley Dream. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Hannah Sue Burnett has a stronghold on the next two spots on the leaderboard, sitting in second place with Cooley Dream on a three-star personal best score of 40.5 and third place with Harbour Pilot on 41.4.

With her usual coach David O’Connor away on FEI business, Hannah has been training with Karen O’Connor in the lead-up to Ocala. Cooley Dream, a 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse owned by Jacqueline Mars and Mary Ann Ghadban, tends to perform better at venues with atmosphere, and he perked up right away today as he entered the ring.

“He can be a bit quiet and enjoys more of a party atmosphere. I knew that all the flags and people would help me get more out of him in the ring,” she said. “Karen O’Connor helped me fix the test this last week with all three of (my horses). She always makes a really big difference. She’s really good with the details and makes me ride really accurately. That definitely showed up today.”

Hannah stepped Cooley Dream back to the two-star level this season after things did not go to plan at Carolina International CIC3* in the spring, and he is stepping back up to three-star level for the first time at the Ocala Jockey Club this weekend.

“This summer we took him to England and had a little bit of downtime,” Hannah said. “He feels better than ever. Every time I cross country school him he’s really forward. In the show jumping he is jumping through his body really well. I’m excited to see how he wants to run.”

Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Harbour Pilot, a 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse owned and bred by Jacqueline Mars, produced a lovely test to sit just 0.9 penalties behind his stablemate in third place. A break in the extended trot cost them some marks, but “William” settled beautifully after to produce a competitive performance.

“He was more nervous than I anticipated. I went early so I didn’t ride him twice (this morning) and he got a little tense,” Hannah said. “I know him so well and I’ve gotten a lot of confidence in the last couple of years; when things start to get tense I can convince him that he wants to be quiet again, which is exciting.”

Hannah withdrew William from Blenheim after having three rails down in show jumping, and since coming home to the States she has been working with David O’Connor to develop a strategy to keep the colored poles in the cups.

“The show jumping is tough with him because he can be so strong,” Hannah said, “We’ve been working with different bits and different ways to make him softer in the bigger atmosphere.”

Ultimately Hannah said she returned home from England a better competitor after spending the summer there. “My goal was to practice competing and practice putting myself under pressure all the time with the best in the sport — and get comfortable with it. I think it’s hard for Americans. We’re given grants and given expectations to go over to events that we’ve never seen before and do better than we’ve ever done before. I think we as a country have to get used to that pressure all the time.

Phillip Dutton and I’m Sew Ready. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Looking to the rest of the leaderboard, Katie Ruppel and her own Houdini sit fourth on 43.1. Phillip Dutton has three rides in the top 10 in his first competition back since breaking his collarbone in September, with John and Kristine Norton’s I’m Sew Ready sitting fifth on 43.4. Click here to view full scores.

Looking to how the CIC3* compared to the the expected averages for the field, scores trended -1.87 penalties lower than the marks we usually see for these horses and riders. The morning session trended -2.07 penalties lower than the expected averages, with the afternoon sessions trending -1.59 lower. Overall, 20 pairs scored below their expected average, with 11 scoring above. Shout out to EN stats wizard Maggie Deatrick for tracking expected averages throughout the season.

Female riders are dominating the three-star so far, holding the top four spots on the leaderboard, which is fitting considering today was Ladies Day at the event. Karen O’Connor, Jennie Brannigan and Bonnie Mosser all spoke during a special lunch, which focused on the unique challenges women face in equestrian sports.

If you’re just tuning in to EN, the CCI2* competitors went yesterday in dressage. Lauren Kieffer and D.A. Duras, owned by Debbie Adams and Jacqueline Mars, lead on 36.7. Click here to read yesterday’s CCI2* report.

In the CCI1*, Leslie Law and Beatrice Rey-Herme’s JKF Vogue lead on 39.4, with Allie Knowles and Katherine O’Brien’s Business Class in second place on 40.20, and Clark Montgomery and Leah Massa’s Summer Bay in third on 41.4. You can view photos from the CCI1* in the photo gallery above from the one and only Shannon Brinkman.

We have a slight schedule change for tomorrow. The updated times are CCI1* cross country at 8:45 a.m.-12:38 p.m., CCI2* cross country at 1:05 -3:20 p.m. and CIC3* show jumping and 4-5:08 p.m. CCI2* cross country and CIC3* show jumping will be shown live on EQSportsNet.

Be sure to watch videos of all the action across both days of dressage on Thehorsepesterer’s YouTube channel. EQSportsNet is also posting videos on their Facebook page. Stay tuned for much more from #OJC3DE! Go Eventing.

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