Classic Eventing Nation

Lauren Kieffer and Veronica won the CCI3* dressage today at Bromont, putting themselves in a very good position to continue the hot streak they’ve been on since winning the Ocala Horse Properties CCI2* in April. Since then, they’ve also won the CIC2* at Jersey Fresh and the CIC3* at CHC International last month. I caught up with Lauren for a quick interview as she was hopping on R.F. Cosima for a jump school this afternoon. As Lauren says in the interview, Bromont is certainly not going to come down to the dressage. Derek Di Grazia’s cross-country course is massive — as you’ll see shortly once I upload my course walk photos — with numerous tough questions and combinations. Watch the interview to hear more about Lauren’s strategy for the cross country, as well as her plans for Veronica after Bromont. Best of luck to Lauren and all the competitors on the cross country tomorrow.

Phillip Dutton and Ben won the dressage in the CIC3* at Bromont on a 46.9.

There are just nine riders contesting the CIC3* at Bromont, but that didn’t make the division any less competitive today in the dressage. Phillip Dutton and Ben hold first place going into the cross country on a 46.9 with a beautiful test. This horse is coming back from an injury and only started competing again in March at Southern Pines. He was most recently third in the CIC3* at CHC International and looks poised for a solid performance this weekend at Bromont. Jessica Phoenix and Pavarotti are just behind Phillip in second place on a 47.7. As you’ll see in the video, the test was very fluid, and this horse is a real showman in the dressage. Team Canada was out in full force today supporting their riders, and Jessica received an appreciative cheer from the spectators when she finished her test.

Jessica Phoenix and Pavarotti are in second place on a 47.7.

Lauren Kieffer continued her good day — she won the CCI3* dressage earlier this afternoon with Veronica — with a lovely test on R.F. Cosima; they are sitting in third place on a 51.5. This mare just turned 8 and is starting to show just how much potential she has on the flat. Lauren said in the press conference following the dressage that she “got a little greedy” in certain parts of the test and pushed a little too hard, but she was really pleased with the mare’s performance overall. Ian Roberts and Faolan are in fourth place on a 52.5. They forgot the halt and rein back and unfortunately picked up an error. The CIC3* rode the same test as the CCI3* — FEI 2009 Three-Star Test A — and Ian was the third rider today to miss the halt and reinback. His second change was flawless, and he also received a lot of love from the crowd at the conclusion of his test.

Lauren Kieffer and R.F. Cosima are in third place on a 51.5.

Nicole Parkin and Lexus are in fifth on a 52.7 and looked super in their test, which was very rhythmic and consistent throughout. Sally Cousins and Ideal Contini were the last to ride today and are in sixth place on a 61.9. EN’s own Abbie Golden and Arundel are in seventh place on a 63.1. The horse struggled a bit with the atmosphere and showed some tension in the test, but he’s a really lovely mover and is a pleasure to watch. His changes were a bit exuberant, but they had some really nice moments in this test, as you’ll see in the video. Caroline Martin and Titanium had what I thought was a super test. She unfortunately cantered right by A at the end of the test instead of turning down the centerline for the final salute, picking up an error. I thought she was scored rather harshly and deserved better than a 64.8 for eighth place. I’m heading out now to walk the cross-country course. Stay tuned for a full preview of the CCI3* course.

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Will Coleman and Obos O'Reilly are in second place on a 50.2.

Will Coleman and Obos O’Reilly couldn’t quite catch leaders Lauren Kieffer and Veronica, but they put in a very fluid test to move into second place on a 50.2 in the CCI3* at Bromont at the conclusion of the dressage. Obos O’Reilly took a couple trot steps in the medium walk, showing a brief moment of tenseness, but overall I thought this was a really solid performance. Will did seem a bit disappointed when he left the ring, but he’s put himself within good striking distance for the cross country tomorrow. Selena O’Hanlon and Bellaney Rock were the final pair to go today, scoring a 57.1 to move into sixth place. The horse looked very responsive and obedient throughout the test, giving Selena the best ride of the three mounts she has in the CCI3*.

Selena O'Hanlon and Bellany Rock are in sixth place on a 57.1.

Lizzie Snow and Coal Creek were the first to ride in the final group of riders to go in the CCI3*, and they scored a 57.9 to move into seventh place. This was a very workmanlike performance, and Lizzie looked very happy she she left the ring. Leslie Chelstrom and Cecelia are sitting just behind Lizzie and Coal Creek in eighth place on a 58.7. I know this wasn’t the test Leslie was hoping for, as this mare can be really fantastic in the dressage. Unfortunately, Cecelia was showing some uncharacteristic tension throughout the test, jigging during the medium walk and not looking super settled. She swapped leads during the last pass at the counter canter; it was a beautiful change, for what it’s worth. Darren Chiacchia and Amendment 15 unfortunately picked up an error when he forgot the halt and rein back; they are sitting in 21st place on a 66.4.

Lizzie Snow and Coal Creek are in seventh place on a 57.9.

The top three at the conclusion of the CCI3* dressage are Lauren Keiffer and Veronica on a 44.6, Will Coleman and Obos O’Reilly on a 50.2, and Emily Beshear and River King on a 53.5. Unfortunately, the internet connection in the press tent has continued to deteriorate throughout the day. I have a video slowly uploading of Will Coleman and Obos O’Reilly’s test, and I also have video to upload of Leslie Chelstrom and Cecelia. Be sure to check back for those later in the day. We’re heading into the start of the CIC3* dressage now, with Sally Cousins and Westerly kicking things off at 2:07 p.m. The rain is starting to fall steadier now, making for truly miserable, cold conditions. Supposedly it was 90 degrees here in Quebec just a few days ago; I’m not sure I believe that at this point. Stay tuned for a full report from the CIC3* dressage. Go Bromont.

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Lauren Kieffer and Veronica sailed into the lead on a 44.6.

Lauren Kieffer and Veronica put in a flawless test to take a decisive lead in the CCI3* at Bromont, scoring a 44.6 to give them an 8.9-point margin over Emily Beshear and River King. Veronica is on a three event winning streak after claiming victories in the Ocala CCI2*, Jersey Fresh CIC2* and CHC International CIC3*, and the mare looks poised for another fantastic finish here this weekend. Lauren received a lot of love from the crowd after completing her test, and Veronica also seemed particularly pleased with herself. Emily and River King were the first to ride in the second group, scoring a 53.5 for second place. River King seemed affected by the atmosphere and was a bit tense throughout, tossing his head during the canter work and swapping his lead down the center line before the final salute. But Emily was in good spirits after the test and seemed happy with the performance.

Emily Beshear and River King are in second place on a 53.5.

Allison Springer and Copycat Chloe had a really lovely test to sit in sixth place on a 59. The mare seemed keen but rideable, and I know Allison has been working very hard to forge a partnership with the mare since she bought her from Kelly Pugh over the winter. The beginning of the test looked more fluid than the end, when Chloe seemed to become more tense and refused to come to a full halt during the final salute. But I thought this was a super performance for this pair, and Allison should be really pleased. Phillip Dutton and William Penn are sitting just behind Allison in seventh place on a 60. This horse is a huge mover and gets really impressive airtime in his trot work. The test was rolling along smoothly until Phillip unfortunately lost the counter canter just before the first flying change. This horse is coming back after sustaining an injury last year; he was third here in the Bromont CCI3* in 2011.

Allison Springer and Copycat Chloe are in sixth place on a 59.

Katie Willis and Polar Storm are tied for eighth place with Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High on a 60.8. The horse was visibly a bit nervous about the atmosphere, but Katie did a great job of holding him together. Jon Holling and Zatopek B are sitting in 10th place on a 62.3. The horse looks incredibly fit, and Jon struggled a bit to keep him focused. I’m a huge fan of this horse, and he’s really a lot of fun to watch. He was really exuberant during certain points in the test, especially in his changes. Jon couldn’t quite coax him to halt at the final salute, but I still thought the test had some nice moments. Selena O’Hanlon and A First Romance also had a bit of a tense test and are sitting in 12th place on a 63.5. The temperature has dropped to a brisk 54 degrees with rain falling intermittently, and the weather conditions seem to be visibly affecting the horses.

Phillip Dutton and William Penn are in seventh place on a 60.

Susan Beebee didn’t have the best day on Wolf. The horse looked fantastic circling the ring before beginning the test, but never quite settled. Susan picked up three errors in the test, and Wolf bucked during the first flying change, showing us exactly what he thinks of this chilly weather. Rick Wallace and Ultimate Victory are in 15th place on a 65.4. I know Rick adores this horse, and he gave him a big hug and pat after the test. Jeff Kibbie and Loki are in 16th place on a 66.3, another victim of the weather and atmosphere. Loki was very eager to canter during the trot work at the beginning of the test but did seem to settle more toward the end of the test. We’re on the lunch break now until 1:07 p.m. when Lizzie Snow and Coal Creek lead off in the final group of five riders to go in the CCI3*. I have video of Allison Springer and Copycat Chloe’s test uploading, so be sure to check back shortly. Go Bromont.

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Kyle Carter and Madison Park lead the Bromont CCI3* on a 54.

Kyle Carter and Madison Park took the early lead in the Bromont CCI3* this morning, putting in a beautiful test for a 54. It’s just special to watch Parker back in competition after knowing everything Kyle went through to rehabilitate this horse after a devastating tendon injury at Blenheim in 2011. Kyle and Parker most recently finished sixth in the CIC3* at CHC International last month and are in top form for a good showing here this weekend. You have to watch the video below to see the rather exuberant first change Parker threw in during the test. He’s back, folks; get excited! Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Fugutive are in second place on a 55 and also had a nice test. Aside from missing on the first change, this was very consistent, and the horse looked very relaxed. Phillip seemed happy with the performance after exiting the ring.

Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Fugitive are in second place on a 55.

Alexandra Green and Fernhill Cubalawn are in third place on a 58.8. They had a slight miscommunication in the transition to the second extended trot, and the horse briefly broke to the canter. That hampered their rhythm a bit, and the horse looked very reluctant in the reinback. But overall I thought this was a really nice effort from this pair. Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High were the first to go this morning in the CCI3* and put in a solid test to start the morning, scoring 60.8 to sit in fourth place. I thought the changes in particularly were really nice for this pair. Kate Chadderton and Collection Pass are in fifth place on a 63.1. Cole seemed a bit tense throughout the test, which unfortunately hurt their marks. But I thought he relaxed well during the medium walk, and they had a really lovely strike off to the canter following their work at the walk.

Alexandra Green and Fernhill Cubalawn are in third place on a 58.8.

Sally Cousins and Tsunami are holding sixth place on a 64. I thought Sally and Sue had the nicest strike off to the trot from the reinback we’ve seen so far today. Sue was a bit tense throughout and a bit argumentative in the changes, unfortunately  She looked like she wanted to continue on straight to the cross country during the collected canter down the center line to the final salute. Kudos to Sally for holding a very keen Sue together. Bunnie Sexton and Rise Against were the final pair to go before the morning break; they scored a 67.1 to sit in seventh place. After retiring on course in the CCI3* at Jersey Fresh, Bunnie and Rise Against re-routed to Bromont, and she was all smiles coming in to the ring to start her test. Go go West Coast eventing! Emily Beshear and River King will kick off the second group to go in the CCI3* at 10:47 a.m. Stay tuned for much more from Bromont.

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