Classic Eventing Nation

Sally Cousins and Ideal Contini before their fall. Photo by Jenni Autry.

I could give you a play-by-play of the press conference with the top three riders in the CCI3* and CCI2* at Fair Hill International, but I decided it would be much more interesting to bring you the highlights in a quickfire format. But first, I’m relieved to report that Sally Cousins has been released from Christiana Hospital with a concussion. She had a scary fall from Ideal Contini at fence 16 in the CCI3*, and it thankfully seems like she’s going to be just fine. Without further ado, a brief summary of the press conference:

1. Ryan Wood, who’s currently tied for third place in the CCI2* with Fernhill Classic, hasn’t competed at Fair Hill in five years. When Ryan hesitated to give an explanation as to why it’s been so long, reporter extraordinaire Nancy Jaffer asked him if he’d been in jail all this time.

2. Allie Blyskal-Sacksen, who’s in second place in the CCI2* with Sparrow’s Nio, her powerhouse porse — a pony-horse hybrid, if you will — said she came back to Fair Hill in part this year to prove to Eventing Nation that she could, in fact, do dressage. Touche, Allie. We think you’re awesome.

3. This is Colleen Loach’s first-ever trip to Fair Hill, and she capitalized on it with her catty mare Freespirit; they’re currently tied for third in the CCI2* with Ryan and Fernhill Classic. Clayton Fredericks issued a mandatory team trot-up for all the Canadian horses at the end of cross country, and Colleen kept him waiting to speak at the press conference. Sorry about that, Clayton.

4. Everyone agreed in the press conference that Brian O’Connor was a bit too hard on Sharon’s past bad luck here. Yes — she broke her hip here a few years ago. But that injury is long in the past, and she’s enjoying the overnight lead in the CCI2* with Under Suspection. For what it’s worth, I know Brian is a huge Team Orange fan, so we won’t hold it against him.

5. Jan Byyny had two stops with Inmidair here last year; what a difference 365 days make, and she’s sitting atop the leader board in the CCI3* tonight. She said she tends to ride much better when she doesn’t count and worry about the striding and instead allow herself to just follow her plan. It certainly worked for her today.

6. Will Coleman, on the other hand, admitted he didn’t have much of a plan at all this morning, mere hours before he set out on course with Conair. He watched some of the riders in the two-star and eventually hashed out a strategy that definitely worked, as he’s sitting in second place overnight in the CCI3*.

7. Doug Payne said he thought a lot of the problems at Fair Hill happen because riders discount the fact that many of the landing spots to the fences are lower than the take-off points, which catches horses off guard. As Doug put it, that accentuates mistakes made on the take-off side. That’s great insight from the rider who’s sitting in third place in the CCI3* overnight with Crown Talisman.

And last but not least, check out this footage from the influential Dutta Farm Yard in the CCI3*, where so many riders had trouble at the B and C corners. Watch each of the riders and horses navigate 13ABC and vote for who jumped it best. The final horse inspection starts at 8 a.m. tomorrow morning, and show jumping begins at 10 a.m. Go Fair Hill. [Live Scores]

Photo courtesy of Fair Hill

We’ve just wrapped up the CCI2* cross country at Fair Hill — click here for the full report — and now we’re kicking off the CCI3* cross country. I’ll be bringing you live updates on all the action as I’m out on the course all day. Fair Hill uploaded an excellent interactive course map, so be sure to check that out here. Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda are the overnight leaders on 42.6, followed by Doug Payne and Crown Talisman on 43.6, and Katy Groesbeck and Oz the Tin Man on 44. Tune in to the PRO Tour Radio coverage hosted by Brian O’Conner and Michael Tucker by clicking here. Go Fair Hill!

Fair Hill Links: [Website] [Live Scores] [XC Times] [Interactive Course Map] [PRO Radio Stream]

1:20: Werner Geven had stops at fences 7 and 25. Live scores are showing that they were eliminated.

1:24: Phillip Dutton has withdrawn Fernhill Fugitive.

1:25: Jon Holling retires after a stop at fence 21 with Proper Timing. They picked up another stop earlier in the course too.

1:28: Susan Beebee and Wolf had a stop at the C element in the Dutta Farm Yard, which is a big corner.

1:34: Julie Norman and Consensus had a runout at fence 18 at the Chesapeake Water.

1:39: Katie Ruppel and Houdini had a runout at the first corner in the Dutta Farm Yard and then another stop at the second corner before retiring.

1:42: Doug Payne and Crown Talisman came home clear with 6.8 time and are the pair to beat.

1:45: I just walked through the trade fair and there are very large crowds out today enjoying the weather.

1:51: Sharon White and Wundermaske came home clear and four seconds over the time.

1:52: Libby Head and Sir Rockstar came super close to being our first double clear.

1:54: Dana Widstrand and Relentless Pursuit picked up a stop at fence 20.

1:56: Lauren Kieffer and Cosima had a glance off at fence 21b, an angled brush.

2: Katie Willis and Polar Storm had a stop at the B corner in the Dutta Farm Yard before scrambling over the C corner. They picked up another stop at 16c.

2:05: Beth Perkins and Sal Dali had a runout at 16c and might have missed the flags on second pass.

2:06: Jimmie Schramm had a stop at the C corner in the Dutta Farm Yard.

2:07: Beth Perkins and Sal Dali picked up another stop at fence 21 and then a third stop later in the course.

2:11: Jimmie Schramm and Bellamy picked up another stop late in the course. Brian is saying that eliminates them, although I thought they only had two stops.

2:12: Sally Cousins and Ideal Contini fell at Rachel’s Walls at 16. The horse is up and Sally is being seen by the medics. We now have a hold on course.

2:14: Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda had a sticky trip through the B corner at the Dutta Farm Yard and then a stop at C. They cleared on the second pass and Ping caught the flag in his tail and took it all the way out of the arena. They were pulled up soon after due to the hold and the flag was retrieved.

2:18: For inquiring minds, Sinead Halpin and Manoir De Carneville were held before starting on course. No word yet on Sally’s condition.

2:20: Sally will be transported away from the scene by the medics.

2:25: Sally is reportedly talking to the medics. Still no word on her condition. The hold will be lifted soon.

2:30: Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda have been restarted here in the main arena.

2:38: It’s being reported that Jennie and Ping will not receive the penalty points for that stop in the main arena. She came home clear with 12 time penalties.

2:40: Sinead Halpin fell from Manoir De Carneville at fence 21. She’s bring seen by the medics and is OK.

2:41: Kate Chadderton and Collection Pass retired early in the course.

2:44: Amanda Wilson and Cool Decision had a runout at the B corner in the main arena and the took the flag at the C corner and continued on. She should have gone back, and she’s now being eliminated.

2:46: Lillian Heard and Share Option took the flag at the C corner in the main arena but are clear.

2:47: The fence judges are discussing Jennie’s stop in the main arena. I saw her have the stop there, so I’m guessing those 20 penalties will be added back to her score.

2:50: Courtney Cooper and Who’s A Star had a stop at the B corner in the Dutta Farm Yard in the main arena. They had two more stops at Rachel’s Walls at fence 16 and are eliminated.

2:54: Buck Davidson and Park Trader made quick work of the tricky Dutta Farm Yard complex in the main arena.

2:58: Jessica Bortner-Harris and Win the War had a stop at 7b and another at fence 11, where she retired.

3: Buck and Park Trader came home clear with 6.4 time to move into the top three.

3:02: Will Coleman and Conair are the first double clear of the day and take the lead.

3:03: Katy Groesbeck and Oz the Tin Man had a stop at the keyhole in the main arena before the double corners. She then had another stop at fence 16. They picked up another stop at fence 20, leading to elimination.

3:08: Nora Battig and Steppin’ Out both fell at fence 7. No word on their condition yet.

3:09: Nora is reportedly up. No word on the horse.

3:10: Jan Byyny and Inmidair have been stopped since Nora is in the neighboring galloping lane.

3:15: We’re back underway now.

3:18: Jan Byyny and Inmidair come home clear with 2 time penalties to take the lead. Only Buck and Petite Flower can catch them today.

3:20: The ground jury just confirmed that Jennie and Cambalda will be assessed 20 penalties for that stop in the Dutta Farm Yard.

3:25: Kim Severson and Fernhill Fearless came home 15 seconds inside the time to become the second double clear.

3:26: Caitlin Silliman and Remington XXV had a runout at the C corner in the Dutta Farm Yard in the main arena. She then fell at Rachel’s Walls at fence 16 and is reportedly OK.

3:29: Eliza Farren and Bantry Bays Dublin had stops at both the B and C corners in the Dutta Farm Yard.

3:30: Coal Creek and Tsunami have been withdrawn. Lizzie Snow fell from Ringfort Tinkaturk in warmup this morning, while Sally fell from Ideal Contini earlier this afternoon.

3:32: Erin Sylvester and No Boundaries had a stop at fence 5.

3:42: Ellen Doughty and Sir Oberon are the third double clear of the day.

3:43: Timothy Bourke and Luckaun Quality are the fourth double clear. This is Tim’s first three-star. Well done, Tim!

3:48: Buck Davidson and Petite Flower had a glance off at 11b, so Jan and Inmidair will be your overnight leaders.

3:51: Buck and Flower had another stop at 16b at Rachel’s Walls. He retired at the Chesapeake Water.

3:58: Selena O’Hanlon and A First a Romance had a stop at 16b and retired on course.

4:05: I’ve just confirmed that Sally has been taken to Christiana Hospital for further examination.

4:10: Phillip Dutton and William Penn come home clear with 8.4 time penalties. They’re the last pair home. Stay tuned for the full report.