Classic Eventing Nation

79 Horses Move On to Show Jumping at Fair Hill

By on Oct 15, 2017 9:35 am -

CCI3* ground jury member Les Smith gives a thumbs up as overnight leader Covert Rights is accepted. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Seventy-nine horses will move on to show jumping at the Dutta Corp Fair Hill International following this morning’s final horse inspection here in Elkton, Maryland. All 53 horses were accepted in the CCI2*, with no horses sent to the holding box.

In the CCI3*, Tamie Smith’s mount Wembley was sent to the holding box and accepted after re-presenting. Nilson Moreira da Silva’s mount Muggle was not accepted. Clayton Fredericks withdrew FE Ophelia prior to presenting. Twenty-six horses in all will move forward in the CCI3*.

Looking ahead to show jumping, CCI2* leaders Tamie Smith and Sunsprite Syrius have a rail in hand over Cornelia Dorr and Louis M, with 12.2 penalties separating the top 10. In the CCI3*, Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights do not have a rail in hand over Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High, with 9.3 penalties separating the top 10.

Every winner of the Fair Hill CCI3* in the past decade has added no more than one rail to their finishing score, with seven of the 10 winners jumping clear. Six of the last seven CCI3* winners won on rail-free rounds. Click here to read EN’s analysis on which pairs in the CCI3* field are most likely to jump clear rounds today.

CCI2* show jumping starts at 10 a.m. EST. CCI3* show jumping starts at 1:30 p.m. EST. Both divisions will jump in reverse order. Click here for ride times. There is no live stream, but you can follow live scores here. Stay tuned to find out which pairs will be crowned the USEF National CCI3* and CCI2* Champions!

Fair Hill: Website, Schedule, SJ Ride Times, CCI Live Scores, YEH Final Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Sunday Links Presented by One K Helmets

By on Oct 15, 2017 12:01 am -

Cornelia Dorr and Sir Patico MH. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Fair Hill is a busy, buzzing event from start to finish. The excitement builds to a peak on cross country day. For me, it’s a mix of anticipation and nerves, but everyone can breathe a big sigh of relief on days like today when everyone comes home safe and healthy. Even those who might not have had a great day, still have themselves and a horse to take back to the stalls, and that’s what we love to see.

National Holiday: National I Love Lucy Day

Major Events This Week:

Fair Hill: Website, Schedule, SJ Ride Times, CCI Live Scores, YEH Final Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

U.S. Weekend Action:

Hitching Post Farm H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Paradise Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Exmoor Fall H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Fleur de Leap H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Las Cruces H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Sunday Links:

Rutledge and Covert Rights Take Over The Top Spot at Fair Hill CCI***

From Upper Level Eventing to Junior Hunters, Deejay Can Do It All

My Sales Graduates Made Me Indescribably Proud At The RRP Thoroughbred Makeover

#TBT: When Mark Todd Ran Around Badminton with One Stirrup

8 Essentials Ben Hobday Can’t Live Without

Simply The Best: Irish Eventers Again Dominate World Rankings

Pro Tips: Icing The Fidgety Horse

Sunday Video: Here’s third-placed Will Coleman and Off The Record on cross country at Fair Hill. You can watch a lot more on The Horse Pesterer’s YouTube page.

Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights Jump to Fair Hill CCI3* Lead

By on Oct 14, 2017 7:57 pm -

Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights. Photo by Jenni Autry.

After 25 combinations — more than 40% of the field — made the time in the CCI2* at the Dutta Corp Fair Hill International, the question remained whether the clock would prove as catchable when the CCI3* combinations took to the course later in the afternoon here in Elkton, Maryland.

As always, Derek di Grazia’s three-star course shook up the leaderboard, with just four of the 36 starters (11%) making the optimum time of 10 minutes. Colleen Rutledge and her Maryland homebred Covert Rights, an 11-year-old Clydesdale/Thoroughbred (BFF Incognito X Let’s Get It Right, by Covert Operation), flew home clear and 12 seconds inside the time to take the lead on their dressage score of 39.8.

“He’s just the most fun on cross country because you don’t have to tug,” Colleen said. “You don’t have to do anything. You just point him at the fences and he rolls with it. That makes him so incredibly fast because I don’t have to worry about slowing down to the fences. He’ll bring himself back. That is probably one of the most fun cross country runs I’ve had in a long time.”

Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Selena O’Hanlon and John and Judy Rumble’s Foxwood High, a 14-year-old Canadian Sport Horse (Rio Bronco W X Evita II), led after dressage on a personal best score of 39.4 and picked up 1.6 time penalties on cross country to slip to second place on 41.0.

“He was on form full of running right to the end,” Selena said. “The easy galloping fences in between where I should have just been able to gallop out of stride, I ended up wasting too much time at just straight forward galloping fences.”

Will Coleman and Tight Lines, a 10-year-old French Thoroughbred (Urgeon X Merindole, by Tel Quel) owned by the Con Air Syndicate, won the CCI2* here at Fair Hill in 2015 and is poised for a top finish in the CCI3* this year thanks to jumping one of the four clear rounds inside the time to sit third on 46.3.

Will Coleman and Tight Lines. Photo by Jenni Autry.

“He never lacks run or gallop. He’s an animal out there. Most of the trick is getting him to be rideable and settle; I thought he did a pretty good job of that here. It was a hard course. I thought it was a really proper test,” Will said.

“It’s a testament to the cross country riding in this country how well it rode today, because I do think it was a difficult three-star. I have ridden in a lot of three-stars around the world, and I would put Fair Hill at the very top in terms of difficulty. I think we’re building something positive here in this country. I think this event plays a huge part in that, and I hope we can continue it.”

Looking to the rest of the CCI3* leaderboard, Canada is having a fantastic competition so far, taking two of the positions inside the top five. Waylon Roberts and Kelecyn Cognac, a 14-year-old Thoroughbred owned by Anthony Connolly and Skye Levely, made the time to move from 14th to fourth on 46.6.

Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg, a 10-year-old Trakehner (Windfall X Thabana, by Buddenbrock) owned by Christine Turner, jumped clear with 1.2 time penalties to round out the top five on 47.5. Click here to view full scores for the CCI3*.

Erin Sylvester and Frank McEntee’s Paddy the Caddy, winners of the Rebecca Farm CCI3* over the summer, were the only other pair to make the time. The 10-year-old Irish Thoroughbred (Azamore X Slamy) moved up to seventh place on 48.2.

The CCI3* definitely caused its fair share of drama. Five riders fell from their horses, but we thankfully have no major injuries to report. Will Coleman and Boris O’Hara fell at fence 20 and were thankfully up on their feet right away. Click here to relive all the action in EN’s live updates.

The final horse inspection is at 8 a.m. EST tomorrow, with the CCI2* trotting up first, followed by the CCI3*. Show jumping for the CCI3* is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. EST. Stay tuned for much more from Fair Hill. Go Eventing.

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

 

Tamie Smith and Sunsprite Syrius Untouchable in Fair Hill CCI2*

By on Oct 14, 2017 7:09 pm -

Tamie Smith and Sunsprite Syrius. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Tamie Smith and Sunsprite Syrius remain atop the leaderboard in the CCI2* at the Dutta Corp Fair Hill International after delivering a clear round inside the time on Derek di Grazia’s course to stay on their dressage score of 40.9.

“I didn’t know what to expect because he’s never been in an environment like this before. He’s only competed Intermediate level on the West Coast,” Tamie said. “He didn’t question one thing; he was spot on everywhere. I couldn’t have asked for him to be any better.”

Tamie and “Syrius,” a 9-year-old Trakehner (Titulus X Slytely Cinnamon xx, by Silent Fox xx) owned by Sunsprite Warmbloods, have one rail in hand going into show jumping tomorrow.

Cornelia Dorr and Louis M. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Cornelia Dorr and Louis M, her own 12-year-old Rheinlander (Lissabon X Angelique M, by Abanos) and this year’s Young Rider CICO2* silver medalists at Rebecca Farm, also jumped clear and inside the time to remain in second place on their dressage score of 48.1. She also piloted Sir Patico MH, better known as “Hugo,” to a clear round inside the time to move up to fifth place on 50.9.

“Hugo and I have a wonderful relationship and know each other inside and out,” Cornelia said. “I felt really confident with him. He was straight and keen. It was nice to feel that on him and then be able to make tighter lines on Louis. They both felt super fit.”

Will Coleman and Off the Record. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Will Coleman and Off the Record, an 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse (VDL Arkansas X Drumagoland Bay, by Ard Ohio) owned by the Off the Record Syndicate, also made the optimum time of 8 minutes, 57 seconds to move from fifth up to third place on 49.8.

“He was feeling the 9 minutes by the time we got to the finish, but that’s part of why we bring them here — to progress them and build up their level of fitness,” Will said. “He’s been consistent, and that’s what we’re going for with all of the horses this year — trying to build consistent performances across all three phases.”

Cornelia Dorr has two horses inside the top 10 of the CCI2* after cross country, as does Tamie Smith, who also jumped clear and inside the time with Glock Pullman to move from 10th up to seventh place on 51.2.

Matt Flynn has two horses inside the top 20 after cross country. He jumped clear and just 1 second over the optimum time with Get Lucky, a 9-year-old KWPN (Van Gogh X Ranna, by Wagenaar) to move up to fourth place on 50.4.

Matt Flynn and Get Lucky. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Looking to the rest of the CCI2* leaderboard, 25 of the 59 starters (42% of the field) made the optimum time. We had perfect going this year for cross country day at Fair Hill, but was the time too easy to make?

Will Coleman weighed in: “I think there was a lot of galloping out there, and I think for developing the horses that was fine. I don’t think we need to take their heart out at this level. It was a 9-minute track. You still had to go out there and get it done.

“I thought it was more technical than the two-star last year. I thought it was a proper test, and I don’t think the results are misleading or imply it was easy. I think it was a pretty good group of two-star horses, too.”

With that in mind, please join us in congratulating all of the combinations that made the optimum time in the CCI2* today:

Tamie Smith and Sunsprite Syrius – 1st, 40.9
Cornelia Dorr and Louis M – 2nd, 48.1
Will Coleman and Off the Record – 3rd, 49.8
Cornelia Dorr and Sir Patico MH – 5th, 50.9
Jenny Caras and Fernhill Full Throttle – 6th, 51.1
Tamie Smith and Glock Pullman – 7th, 51.2
Lindsay Beer and Kennystown Frankie – 8th, 52.0
Woodge Fulton and Brave New World – 9th, 53.0
Colleen Rutledge and UNO – 10th, 53.1
Jennie Brannigan and FE Lifestyle – 12th, 53.9
Brandon McMechan and Oscar’s Wild – 13T, 54.1
Kevin Keane and Sportsfiel Candy – 13T, 54.1
Sophie Click and Fernhill Rising – 16th, 54.4
Erika Nesler and Right Above It – 17th, 54.7
Tayler Stewart and Ideal Contini – 18th, 55.8
Matt Flynn and Wizzerd – 19th, 55.9
Nita Sanfillippo and Alarmabull – 20th, 56.3
Will Faudree and Michel 233 – 23rd, 58.3
Alyssa Peterson and Stormin’ Truth – 27th, 59.4
Kaelen Speck and Sweet Rebellion – 29th, 60.0
Fylicia Barr and Galloway Sunrise – 31st, 61.6
Buck Davidson and Erroll Gobey – 32nd, 61.9
Sarah Finkel and Deep Sea – 33rd, 63.1
Sydney Solomon and Early Review C – 35T, 64.1
Grace Fulton and Wild Orange – 39th, 66.7

Click here to relive all the action from the CCI2* cross country in EN’s live updates, and be sure to cast your vote in the poll for Who Jumped It Best. The final horse inspection is tomorrow at 8 a.m. EST, followed by CCI2* show jumping starting at 10 a.m. EST. Go Eventing.

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

Fair Hill CCI3* Live Cross Country Updates

By on Oct 14, 2017 12:46 pm -

Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Hello from Fair Hill International! The misty rain that drizzled down throughout the morning here in Elkton, Maryland has fizzled now to give us perfect conditions for cross country. The CCI3* starts at 1:15 p.m. EST. There is no live stream, but we will be running live updates here on EN. Keep refreshing this page.

Click here for a fence-by-fence preview of Derek di Grazia’s CCI3* cross country course. The CCI2* rode extremely well, with 25 of 59 starters (42%) making the optimum time. The optimum time on the CCI3* course is 10 minutes. Click here to follow live scoring.

Fair Hill: Website, Schedule, XC Ride Times, CCI Live Scores, YEH Final Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

1:12: Jessica Phoenix and Bogue Sound will be our first to leave the start box at 1:15 p.m. EST. Here we go!

1:27: Jessica Phoenix completes clear with 14.4 time penalties on Bogue Sound.

1:30: Buck Davidson finishes clear with 4.8 time penalties on Park Trader.

1:34: Tamie Smith and Fleeceworks Royal are home clear with 12.8 time penalties.

1:35: Will Coleman has fallen with Boris O’Hara at fence 20. They are both OK. No hold on course.

1:40: Jenny Caras and Fernhill Fortitude have parted ways at fence 22. They are both up and OK and walking off the course.

1:46: Colleen Loach and Qorry Blue d’Argouges are home clear with 7.6 time penalties.

1:47: Heather Morris and Charlie Tango have been eliminated on refusals at 9A, the first of the corners.

1:49: Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights are home clear and 12 seconds inside the time! They will sit no lower then 2nd overnight.

1:58: Clear with 5.2 time penalties for Jordan Linstedt and Revitavet Capato!

2: Ryan Wood and Powell complete clear with 8.8 time penalties.

2:05: Chris Talley and Unmarked Bills are home clear with 4.8 time penalties.

2:09: Erin Sylvester and Paddy the Caddy are home clear and five seconds inside the time, our second pair to make the time in the CCI3*!

2:15: Ashley Johnson and Tactical Maneuver complete clear with 26.0 time penalties.

2:17: Clear with 1.2 time penalties for Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg.

2:21: Daniela Mougel and Cecelia are home clear with 22 time penalties.

2:26: Caroline Martin and Danger Mouse complete clear with 12 time penalties to add.

2:27: Emily Beshear and Silver Night Lady had a runout at fence 16B. Clear on second attempt. They completed with 20 jumping and 20.4 time penalties.

2:33: Jessica Phoenix is home clear on Dr. Sheldon Cooper, her second of three rides in the CCI3*, with 10.4 time penalties.

2:37: Waylon Roberts and Kelecyn Cognac stormed around clear and inside the time by 18 seconds! The fastest of the day and our third pair clear and inside the time.

2:41: Just one second over the time for Buck Davidson and Jak My Style!

2:45: Michael Walton has parted ways from Woodstock Wallaby at fence 7. He is up and OK.

2:46: Kurt Martin and DeLux Z completed clear with 4 time penalties!

2:50: Sara Moore and Polaris complete clear with 13.6 time penalties.

2:52: Jennie Jarnstrom has fallen from Penelope at fence 1. They are both OK.

2:54: Tim Bourke and Luckaun Quality have picked up 20 jumping penalties at the Farm Yard Corners at fence 9.

3:01: Tim Bourke and Luckaun Quality complete with 20 jumping penalties and 3.2 time penalties.

3:02: Whitney Mahloch has fallen from Military Mind at fence 16. They are both ok.

3:04: Alexis Helffrich has fallen from London Town between fences 4 and 5. No injuries!

3:10: Mara DePuy and Congo Brazzaville C complete clear with 16.8 time penalties.

3:14: Ronald Zabala-Goetschel has retired Wundermaske at fence 6.

3:18: Clayton Fredericks and FE Ophelia are home clear with 12.4 time penalties.

3:25: Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High are home clear with 1.6 time penalties to slip to second place behind Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights, who will lead overnight.

3:30: Nilson Moreira da Silva and Muggle complete clear with 11.6 time penalties.

3:34: Tamie Smith and Wembley are home clear with 13.6 time penalties

3:37: Will Coleman and Tight Lines complete clear and inside the time! 6 seconds under and our fourth pair to make the time.

3:41: Jessica Phoenix and Pavarotti are home clear with 12.4 time penalties.

3:46: Buck Davidson and Carlevo complete clear with 7.2 time penalties. That’s a wrap on cross country! Stay tuned for the full report.

 

 

Who Jumped It Best? Fair Hill CCI2* Edition

By on Oct 14, 2017 10:53 am -

Good morning, EN! The CCI2* cross country is well underway here at The Dutta Corp. Fair Hill International. We’ve seen about half of the two-star pairs, and the course is fairing well with five combinations coming home inside the time so far.

Overnight leaders Tamie Smith and Sunsprite Syrius have already blazed around Derek di Grazia’s track clear and quick, so they will stay atop the CCI2* standings. We’ve still got a lot to come today from Elkton, Md., but first we want to know: Who Jumped It Best? Check out the first riders of the day below and vote for for who you think presents the best overall picture.

Keep up with all the competition by following along with our CCI2* live updates at this link and stay tuned for much more from #DuttaFHI.

Fair Hill: Website, Schedule, XC Ride Times, CCI Live Scores, YEH Final Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Cornelia Dorr and Sir Patico MH. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Kristen Bond and Enough Already. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Tamie Smith and Sunsprite Syrius. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Sally Cousins and Wizard. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Arden Wildasin and IL Vici. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Woodge Fulton and Esstoga Tune. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Matt Flynn and Get Lucky. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Fair Hill CCI2* Live Cross Country Updates

By on Oct 14, 2017 9:21 am -

Tamie Smith and Sunsprite Syrius jumped clear and inside the time to hold the CCI2* lead. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Good morning from cross country day at the Dutta Corp Fair Hill International! More rain fell overnight in the Elkton, Maryland area to give us perfect going today. The CCI2* will set out first on Derek di Grazia’s course starting at 9:30 a.m. EST and scheduled to run through 12:40 p.m. EST. The optimum time on the CCI2* is 8 minutes, 57 seconds.

There is no live stream of cross country at Fair Hill, but EN will be running live updates for both the CCI2* and CCI3*, which starts at 1:15 p.m. EST. Keep refreshing this page for the latest news. Follow live scoring at this link. We are wishing safe trips for all! Go Eventing.

Fair Hill: Website, Schedule, XC Ride Times, CCI Live Scores, YEH Final Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

9:30: Waylon Roberts and Mindful are away as our first on course!

9:39: Our pathfinder is home clear and 7 seconds over the optimum time to add 2.8 time penalties.

9:41: Allison Springer and Fernhill Casano had a refusal at Fence 4, the Duck Pond, and then Allison fell from the horse on their second attempt. They are both OK.

9:47: Sally Cousins and Wizard are home clear with 17.6 time penalties.

9:48: Overnight leaders Tamie Smith and Sunsprite Syrius are home clear and inside the time! 6 seconds inside to hold the lead.

9:50: Cassandra Wallskog has had refusals at Fence 4, 7 and 8 to result in elimination with Feine Loesung.

9:52: Arden Wildasin is home clear with 5.6 time penalties on Il Vici.

9:53: Rebecca Brown and Dassett Courage had a refusal at Fence 4 at the Duck Pond. She also picked up two refusals at 6B to result in elimination.

9:54: Cornelia Dorr and Sir Patico MH are clear and inside the time by 27 seconds!

10: Woodge Fulton is on course now, going out of order due to Esstoga Tune throwing a shoe in warm up.

10:04: Kristen Bond and Enough Already are home clear with 20 time penalties.

10:07: Matt Flynn and Get Lucky finish just 1 second over the optimum time!

10:09: Woodge Fulton and Esstoga Tune are home clear with 4.4 time penalties.

10:13: Elena Hengel and Roll of Thunder are home clear with 25.2 time penalties.

10:16: Daniel Clasing and MW Gangster’s Game complete clear with 8.8 time penalties.

10:18: Colleen Rutledge and UNO are 7 seconds inside the time! That is our third clear round inside the time so far in the CCI2*.

10:24: Jennie Brannigan and FE Lifestyle complete clear and 16 seconds inside the time — our fourth clear inside the time so far!

10:27: Annick Niemuller and FE Black Jack picked up a runout at the water at fence 11. Clear on second attempt.

10:28: Clear with 1.6 time penalties for Molly Kinnamon and The Diesel Boy!

10:30: Alex O’Neal and RF Eloquence are home clear with 2.4 time penalties.

10:34: Annick Niemuller and FE Black Jack completed with 20 jumping penalties and 10.4 time penalties.

10:37: Clear with 19.2 time penalties for Ashley MacVaugh and Latino H.

10:40: Megan Traynham and Lord Lombardi are home clear with 31.6 time penalties..

10:43: Will Faudree and Michel 233 are our fifth pair home clear and inside the time!

10:44: Waylon Roberts and Born Ready have had a runout at fence 13.

10:45: Fylicia Barr and Galloway Sunrise are home clear and inside the time — our sixth clear and inside the time!

10:49: Waylon Roberts and Born Ready complete with 20 jumping and 8 time penalties.

10:51: Emily Hamel and Corvett are home clear with just 2.0 time penalties!

11: Jenny Caras and Fernhill Full Throttle stormed around clear and inside the time, the seventh pair to make the time.

11:01: Lindsay Beer and Kennystown Frankie are home clear and inside the time — our eighth pair to make the time so far.

11:07: Sally Cousins and Christopher complete clear with 19.6 time penalties.

11:09: Buck Davidson and Erroll Gobey complete 1 second inside the time to become our ninth pair clear and inside the time.

11:14: Sarah Finkel and Deep Sea are home clear and inside the time — our 10th!

11:15: Erika Nesler and Right Above It stormed around clear and inside the time — the 11th pair to make the time!

11:19: Jordan Thompson and Femme Fatale complete clear with 10.0 time penalties.

11:24: Nita Sanfillippo and Alarmable completed clear and 33 seconds inside the time, the 12th pair inside the time and the fastest of the day by far.

11:25: Emily Beshear and Olney Uncle Sam picked up a refusal at the Duck Pond at fence 4. Clear on second attempt.

11:26: Sydney Solomon and Early Review C complete clear and inside the time — lucky number 13 clear and inside the time!

11:28: Kendal Lehari and Dunhallow Cool Ceilidh picked up 20 penalties at the Duck Pond at fence 4. That first water complex is causing its fair share of trouble on the two-star course.

11:30: Kendal Lehari and Dunhallow Cool Ceilidh picked up a second runout on course at fence 8.

11:34: Holly Payne Caravella and Bruisyard Hall also picked up 20 jumping penalties at fence 8.

11:35: Kendal Lehari picked up a third refusal on course at fence 24, which sadly results in elimination.

11:37: Jorgen Olijslager and Northern Quest Lady’s Man picked up 20 jumping penalties at fence 13.

11:39: Jorgen Olijslager picked up another runout on course in the Main Arena and has elected to retire.

11:41: Two pairs have withdrawn before cross country: Anna Loschiavo and Prince Renan and Sarah Shearin and Volturno’s Evening Star.

11:45: Brandon McMechan and Oscar’s Wild are home clear and inside the time for Canada — our 14th clear and inside the time!

11:48: Will Coleman and Off the Record are clear and inside the time, the 15th to beat the clock. They will sit no lower than third place overnight.

11:55: Sophie Click and Fernhill Rising are clear and inside the time, the 16th pair to make the optimum time.

11:58: Tayler Stewart and Ideal Contini completed 9 seconds inside the time, our 17th!

12: Grace Fulton and Wild Orange complete clear and inside the time — #18!

12:10: Kevin Keane and Sportsfield Candy just stormed around clear and inside the time, our 19th to beat the clock today.

12:14: Kaelen Speck and Sweet Rebellion also made the optimum time to become our 20th pair inside the time.

12:18: Tamie Smith and Glock Pullman are home clear and inside the time — #21! She also went inside the time with Sunsprite Syrius, who currently leads.

12:21: Clear and 17 seconds over the time for Arden Wildasin and Kineo.

12:25: Alyssa Peterson and Stormin’ Truth are also home clear and inside the time, our 22nd to make the time!

12:27: Woodge Fulton and Brave New World are the 23rd pair to make the time.

12:30: Matt Flynn and Wizzerd are three seconds inside the time — the 24th pair to beat the clock.

12:33: Cornelia Dorr and Louis M are home two seconds inside the time, the 25th pair to make the time! They will sit in second place overnight.

12:36: Allison Springer and Business Ben completed clear with 5.6 time penalties. The CCI3* will start at 1:15 p.m. EST. Stay tuned!

By the Numbers: Fair Hill CCI3* Cross Country Day

By on Oct 14, 2017 8:09 am -

Fair Hill isn’t known as a three-and-a-half star for nothing, and every year pairs come to test their mettle over the toughest three-star track in the country before trying for a four-star. Riders without funds to go overseas keep their four-star partners sharp by running this course and time penalties can quickly make the different between a top finish and one that merely qualifies.

Although the 2014 and 2015 runnings featured cross country times on average around 30 seconds over optimum, 2016 broke from the trend with a field average of only 1.94 seconds over optimum. A whopping 31.1% of cross-country starters finished inside the time last year, a sign of unusual dry conditions and firmer ground. Ground conditions firmly dictate how difficult it is to make the time over this course.

The CCI3* completion rate at Fair Hill has hovered around 71.68% over the past three years, with a large percentage of competitors retiring after having trouble. Last year every single pair who completed did so without jump penalties, but the completion rate itself dropped to 68.9%.

DAY TWO CONTENDERS

Waylon Roberts and Kelecyn Cognac. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Kelecyn Cognac and Waylon Roberts are not generally the fastest pair on the circuit but there’s evidence to suggest this pair will be one of the fastest across the finish line this weekend. In their two previous CCI3* runs, both at Bromont, they finished an average of four seconds under optimum time. Additionally, they’ve finished inside the time in two of their last three runs, including Great Meadow CICO3* when they represented Canada on the Nations Cup team. When Waylon wants to go fast, these two go fast.

Jenny Caras and Fernhill Fortitude. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Fernhill Fortitude and Jenny Caras are a very experienced pair who save their fastest runs for the CCI levels. Despite averaging 10.4 time penalties overall when running clear over the last two years at the 3* and Advanced levels, these two have averaged only five seconds over optimum at their four career CCI3* runs. They’re also two-for-two on clear rounds inside the time at Fair Hill CCI3*, adding nothing to their dressage score after phase two for two consecutive years.

Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights. Photo by Valerie Durbon Photography.

You can’t mention speed without mentioning Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights. This pair has been speeding through every CIC3* they’ve run over the past two years, averaging only three seconds over optimum when you discount Morven, where they ran slow over the hard ground. Despite a long career at this level, Covert Rights hasn’t properly been able to showcase his speed at a CCI yet, having only tackled his first CCI3*, first CCI4*, and first Burghley. This will be his first time as an experienced horse at the CCI3/4* level, so don’t look for him to be hanging around. Colleen will be keen to stay on her dressage score heading into stadium day.

Tim Bourke and Luckaun Quality. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Timothy Bourke and Luckaun Quality have often used the horse’s massive stride to climb the leaderboard on cross country day. Their CCI3/4* average pace is two seconds under optimum time, discarding the Burghley where they lost a stirrup leather and incurred about a minute’s worth of time penalties fixing it. Having said that, these two have only actually made the optimum at two of their seven CCI3/4* attempts and average eight seconds over the time at the A/3* levels over the past 24 months.

Whitney Mahloch and Military Mind. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Another that should be mentioned as a possible speedy round are Whitney Mahloch with Military Mind. This pair is attempting their first CCI3* for both horse and rider. They’ve had some cross country trouble in their short Advanced/CIC3* career, but when they jump clear, they jump fast. Whitney and Military Mind have accumulated only 1.6 total time penalties in four clear Advanced and CIC3* rounds, with all four seconds over optimum coming at Red Hills, a notoriously difficult venue at which to make the time.This pair has capacity to have a quick, clear run in their rookie attempt, as long as they jump through all the flags clear.

Fair Hill: Website, Schedule, XC Ride Times, CCI Live Scores, YEH Final Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Saturday Links from Tipperary

By on Oct 14, 2017 12:01 am -

Volunteers ROCK! Photo by Suzanne Adams.

Lemme give a real quick shoutout to all you volunteers out there today and throughout the season. You, yes, you. Sitting in your camp chair with your clipboard and radio; getting sunburned or soaked or maybe, if the stars are aligned, you’re enjoying a rare mid-seventies with a gentle breeze perfect day. You’ve givin up your time and energy all so that the riders galloping past can enjoy this crazy sport. EN salutes you, volunteers. You ROCK!

National Holiday: National Dessert Day

Major Events This Week:

Fair Hill: Website, Schedule, XC Ride Times, CCI Live Scores, YEH Final Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

U.S. Weekend Action:

Hitching Post Farm H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Paradise Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Exmoor Fall H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Fleur de Leap H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Las Cruces H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Saturday Links:

Evacuated Horses Escape Northern California Wildfires

Owner’s devastation as wrong horse put down

Equine Stereotypies: Vice or Coping Mechanism?

PODCAST: Meet the Winners of the First Qualifiers in the 2018 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series

Our understanding of colic has improved, but the cases keep coming

“Grooms Minds”: Spotlight on mental health in the equestrian industry

Saturday Video:

As wildfires continue to spread and devastate regions of Northern California, barns and equestrian facilities. In this interview from WeatherNation, Lauren Mitchell, Head Trainer at Le Cheval Sport Horses near Anaheim, discusses what it was like evacuating a large number of horses in a short amount of time.

No One Can Catch Tamie Smith & Sunsprite Syrius in Fair Hill CCI2*

By on Oct 13, 2017 9:42 pm -

Tamie Smith and Sunsprite Syrius. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

No one could catch Tamie Smith and Sunsprite Syrius, a 9-year-old Trakehner (Titulus X Slytely Cinnamon xx, by Silent Fox xx) owned by Sunsprite Warmbloods, on the second day of CCI2* dressage at the Dutta Corp Fair Hill International, making them our leaders on 40.9 heading into cross country tomorrow.

“He’s an always-come-to-work type of horse, and he did that yesterday,” Tamie said. “I’m thrilled to still be in the lead. I always feel like the two-star here is almost a three-star with the terrain and technicality. It’s serious. I haven’t really seen a two-star harder than Fair Hill. … I think he’s up to it and ready to go.”

Cornelia Dorr and Louis M. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Tamie and “Syrius” will have 18 seconds in hand over Cornelia Dorr and Louis M, who delivered the best test on day two to sit in second place on 48.1. Cornelia and Louis, her own 12-year-old Rheinlander (Lissabon X Angelique M, by Abanos), won silver in the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships CICO2* at Rebecca Farm over the summer.

“He was slightly behind my leg throughout the test, and it was a little bit more difficult than our test at Young Riders,” Cornelia said. “I think I didn’t quite have him up there with me. He was super and as always did his job, so I’m very happy with him.”

Cornelia walked Derek di Grazia’s course with USEF Developing Rider Coach Leslie Law this afternoon and said she feels ready to tackle the challenge with both Louis and Sir Patico MH, who sits seventh in the CCI2*.

“The tougher questions are towards the end, so I think it will be interesting to see how the horses’ minds are still working towards the end and if they get leg-weary or not. It will be a good test for me and my horses. I just have to keep kicking!”

Allison Springer and Lord Willing. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Allison Springer and Lord Willing, who sat in second place yesterday, now sit in third on 48.3. The 9-year-old Holsteiner (Lord Z X Legende IX, by Coriano) owned by the Lord Willing Syndicate won the Bromont CCI2* over the summer in his debut at the level.

“I have three wonderful young horses in the two-star,” Allison said. “I think my most correct test was my last ride of the day on Business Ben. I think all the two-star competitors and spectators are scratching their heads a bit about the judging in that ring. I am scratching my head that the scores were so high. There were a lot of tests in the 50s that should have been in the 40s.”

While “Liam” won Bromont, where Derek also designs, the CCI2* course at Fair Hill is about a minute longer. “Derek is so smart. He’s got us galloping right to the end, and jumping into that last water is always tough,” Allison said.

“There’s nothing out there that’s unfair. It will be interesting to see what sort of horse you have at the end of it. I’m excited about these young horses and really excited to see how they handle the course and how they come out tomorrow.”

Looking to the rest of the CCI2* leaderboard, Kristen Bond and Liz Bond’s Enough Already sit fourth on 49.7, with Will Coleman and the Con Air Syndicate’s Off the Record rounding out the top five on 49.8. Click here to view full scores in the CCI2* after dressage. Many thanks to David Frechette for recording videos today!

The CCI2* will kick off the action tomorrow on cross country day starting at 9:30 a.m. EST. While there is no live streaming at this event, EN will be running live updates. Click here to catch up on all of EN’s coverage so far at Fair Hill. Go Eventing.

Fair Hill: Website, Schedule, XC Ride Times, CCI Live Scores, YEH Final Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram