Time for another edition of “Who Jumped It Best?” This week we head to Huntington Farm H.T. in South Strafford, Vermont, where 26 horse/rider combinations contested two divisions of Open Training. Joan Davis of Flatlandsfoto was the event photographer and kindly shared these snapshots from the division.
You know what to do, EN! Take a look at the photos and vote in the poll at the bottom of the post for which horse and rider you think present the best overall picture over the jump. View complete results from the event here. Entries for the Huntington Farm August H.T. (August 18) are open through July 30 so get those entries in today!
Shannon Wallman-Hatch and Glidawn Master. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Paige Vezina and Irish Sea. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Jillian Middaugh and Miss Behaved. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Anna Loschiavo and Fernhill Holeshot. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
James Foley and The Black Watch. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Barbara Fitch and Donte. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Madlen Fields and Ballynoe Bruce. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Audrey Bean Bailey and Lycius Lydia. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
“A life so beautifully lived deserves to be beautifully remembered,” the family shared. “Ashley’s passion for riding and for her beloved horse, Grady, drove her young life.”
A number of memorial gestures have been set into motion, each a reflection of the young rider’s own vibrant spirit both in and out of the tack.
Visitation was held on Monday and a funeral service will be held today, Tuesday, July 16, at 11 a.m. at Good Shepherd Catholic Church (867 Grays Woods Boulevard, State College, Pa.). In honor of Ashley, all fellow riders are encouraged to wear formal competition attire, sans helmet, to the service. In the lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial donations be made to the Area 2 Young Riders Program in Ashley’s name. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com. Ashley’s full obituary can be viewed here.
The USEA Area II Young Rider program is promoting the use of the hashtag #ride4Ashley, and thousands of photos have been shared on social media in Ashley’s memory. Riders at the upcoming North American Youth Championships at The Event at Rebecca Farm will be wearing lapel ribbons imprinted with #ride4Ashley, and she will be remembered during the Welcome Ceremony.
On behalf of the eventing community, we continue to hold Ashley’s family, friends and connections in our hearts. #ride4Ashley
To all the people who moved up a division this weekend… All the time, sweat and tears poured into your prep, all the countless conversations with your trainer and with yourself about being the best you can be, and all the thought you put into your partnership with your horse — we hope it paid off! Congratulations to everyone who achieved a “first” around Eventing Nation.
Mules may be officially banned from FEI competition starting next year. While we’re unaware of any mules who have competed Internationally, the Italian national federation is pulling for a tighter definition of “horses” throughout the rules to prevent that would prevent mules from entering an event. [What’s in a name: mules could be out as FEI re-defines ‘horses’]
Nox, baby Leo, and Silva Martin. Photo via Silva Martin on Facebook.
While there’s some pretty serious business to be done at the Pan American Games this year (little things like, you know, Olympic qualification) the team is still taking some time out to train the next generation. Or maybe it’s the next, next, next generation. Pan Ams 2035: watch out for Nox Martin.
Three-year-old Nox is definitely his father’s son and maybe a bit of an adrenaline junkie in the making (it’s a little hard to catch what he’s saying in the video, but your can definitely make out “RUN!”) Take a look at the most adorable Windurra training session ever:
Two summers ago, EN readers followed the story of Andrea Glazer, an eventer among Grand Prix show jumpers at the 2017 Maccabiah Games. She catch rode an unfamiliar horse over 1.20-meter (3’9″) and above show jumping courses to help Team USA earn the silver medal, and is now preparing to represent the team once again at the 2019 European Maccabiah Games later this summer in Budapest, Hungary. Once again, Andrea has agreed take us along for the ride. In the first installation of her blog series, she catches us up on what she’s been up to these past couple years. Read more at her blog, Dre the Zookeeper.
Andrea with her team at the 2017 Maccabiah Games. Photo courtesy of Andrea Glazer.
Andrea (Dre) is back, and instead of continuously changing my URL to align with the new adventure I’m embarking on, I have decided to keep my “Dre the Zookeeper” name as I feel that no matter what life hits me with, if I survived the crocodile park, I can do anything.
So, my next adventure strays away from the Australian wildlife to a more familiar realm as I prepare for the European Maccabi Games that will be held in Budapest, Hungary in less than two months! The preparation started back in May, and now we are just a couple of weeks out from the competition – time really flies when you’re a slave in New Jersey (to be explained below).
(If you’re just now tuning in without understanding the zookeeper part of it, I lived in Australia for 2 years and in order to extend my visa, I had to be a zookeeper at a crocodile park and it was the most absurd/terrifying/wild/amazing experience of my life. Go check out my blogs if you want a good laugh.)
Most people are curious as to how I actually made the team while I was living abroad. It worked out that when I went back to Kentucky for Thanksgiving this past year, I rode my friend Jessena’s horse in my video submissions, not expecting much to come of it. To my surprise, I made the team! I had to change my plans, meaning that I was to cut my time in Oz short so that I could come home to properly train.
This is me holding a bat named Blackie. Photo courtesy of Andrea Glazer.
And yes, there is a princess parrot on my head. Photo courtesy of Andrea Glazer.
Quick anecdote (read if you’re not in a hurry):
Over the past two years while living in Australia, I did whatever I could do to ride. While zookeeping, I would wake up before my shifts and go ride horses at the rodeo grounds. I did dressage in western saddles and jumped in stock saddles -– it was a little different from the Devoucoux I was used to riding in! I usually rode from 5:30 a.m. until 8 a.m. when it would get so hot I couldn’t stand it anymore.
While in Melbourne, I sometimes would wake up at 4:30am and drive an hour away to ride horses before working from 9-5; I taught the Werribee Pony Club (Go Warriors!) on some of the weekends and was adopted into the amazing Radburn family who let me come stay with them one night a week so I could ride after work, sleepover, and ride early in the morning before heading back to work in the city.
Before I left Australia, the Radburn family invited me to ride their horses at an Australian Show Jumping competition on Chanel Radburn’s horses, Harry and Chili. I slept behind the driver and passenger seat of their float, and we had the best time. Chili and I won the show jumping competition on the last day!
I also competed Chili in the Sporting Horse Australia competition which is similar to mounted games. I went into the first heat of the pole bending where, being the only American to ever compete in this show, had a cheering squad yelling, “KENTUCKY! KENTUCKY!”, and I knew I had to make my hometown proud. Chili was rearing to go (literally) and we flew through the poles and won the heat! I was so excited that I won, all my “fans” cheered, and I yelled and fist-bumped before Chili went from a flat gallop to a sudden halt and bucked me so far, I swear I thought I landed back in Kentucky. I jumped back up, pretending to have stuck the landing and everyone cheered. I don’t know how these crazy situations always tend to happen to me when I have the largest audience, but at least I won the heat!!
So anyways, back to the point of this blog, but I just wanted to give some background to the riding I had been doing since the Maccabi Games in Israel to then walk into Hay Fever Farm as their working student.
I’m currently writing this post on my one day off per week after riding 42 times over the last six days under the coaching of two Olympic Show Jumpers, Neal and = Licha Shapiro. I am so sore I can’t walk properly, but I’m still in high spirits because I’ve learned more in the last week than I could have ever imagined.
The foundation of my beautiful farmer’s tan that I earned after walking 23,166 steps in the hot sun in one day at the horse show. Photo courtesy of Andrea Glazer.
During my first week of slavery being a working student at Hay Fever Farm, I tried so hard to follow their instruction and ride like they wanted me to, that I literally rubbed the skin off my leg until it bled through my brand new “show jumper” jods. If that’s not dedication, I don’t know what is.
If you know me, you know I am a very social, extroverted person who loves making plans and doing things after work. This version of Dre is something I don’t believe anyone has seen before. After working 10-12 hour days, I come home to help Neal and Licha with dinner, I look forward to Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune every night (who am I?) and then I fall asleep before 9 p.m., every night. Yes, you read that correctly – even Friday and Saturday nights, I am in bed. Granted, Robbinsville, New Jersey isn’t the most “hip” town in the world, but this whole working student life is absolutely exhausting.
This may all sound a bit grim, but honestly I spend my days riding anywhere from five to nine (amazing) horses, all under the tutelage of two of the best show jumpers of all time. Oh, and don’t forget, I’ve been an eventer since the age of 6 (I’m now old and 24), and I’m at a purely show jumping barn – as soon as I saw Licha’s face as I walked in holding my Charles Owen skullcap, I knew I was in for a wild ride.
Flying Cross Farm H.T. in Goshen, Kentucky, is a beloved fixture on the Area VIII eventing calendar. Taking place this year from Sep. 13-15, the USEA recognized horse trial offers Beginner Novice through Prelim divisions with courses that are educational for all levels and offer a great variety of questions. The feeling of the event is friendly and supportive — and now that ambiance is extending outward.
The acquisition some three years ago of an adjacent 40 acres has birthed a new vision, Flying Cross Horse Park (FCHP). The former Thoroughbred facility added acreage to the horse trial’s cross country courses, and more developments are on the horizon for this beautiful swath of land. The park, a 501c3, will include a dog park and an exhibit on Thoroughbred racing in Oldham County with horses on-site; the horses will educate visitors on retired racehorses and second careers.
Flying Cross Farm H.T. organizer Mary Lowry’s enthusiasm is readily apparent. “We want not just to be a horse show facility for all breeds and disciplines but to also offer public access,” said Lowry. “We talk about how we (the horse community) have access; we want the community to have access as well. We want non-equestrians to come pet a horse, watch a horse show, sit on a bench and enjoy the green space!”
A horse jumping out of the once-iconic barn jump at Flying Cross Farm. Photo courtesy of Mary Lowry.
The idea to create FCHP came five years ago when that 40-acre property was for sale. The land was at risk of development before being purchased by Steve Wilson and Laura Lee Brown, who’ve leased it to FCHP in a 100-year lease. Wilson and Brown, with Lowry and another Oldham County resident, Nina Bonnie, were behind the park’s formation.
“It’s been a dream of mine for 30 years,” said Lowry. “I moved to Oldham County 34 years ago from Maryland and was surprised they didn’t have a horse show facility. Most shows were held on private farms where, in Maryland, they had more public space for horse events.”
FCHP is named for Flying Cross Farm as a nod to farm owner Allen Northcutt and everything he’s done for his community. The names refer to the Distinguished Flying Cross Medal Northcutt earned in Vietnam. Northcutt bought Flying Cross Farm in 1989 and is the facility’s third owner since it was built during the 1800s; it’s now a popular eventing venue, has hosted a mini horse trial since 1996 and currently hosts an annual USEA horse trial, four mini-trials and a jumper derby. The farm was put into a conservation easement with the Bluegrass Land Conservancy two years ago and is permanently protected.
Courtesy of Mary Lowry/FCHP.
Underlying our discussion of FCHP’s plans were Lowry’s beliefs in public land access, land conservancy education and community involvement. “The other big piece of this,” said Lowry, “is that Flying Cross Farm is in a conservation easement and land conservation is crucial to the horse community because, no land, no horses. We want to make the public aware of what a conservation easement is, what it means to preserve green space, how important our land — farmland — is and understand that we can’t take the land we have for granted. It’s important to preserve and leave a legacy for our grandkids’ grandkids.”
Lowry elaborated, saying she believes it’s important for the public to understand land conservation because, “I think until land is threatened, we take our green space for granted. We’re very fortunate in Oldham County to have had a number of families step up and do an outstanding job preserving land and farmland, and I think until a piece of land is threatened, especially if it’s in someone’s backyard, we never really think about what it means to lose that land.
“I think we, as a community, need to be proactive and understand that without green space, which is environmentally important, there’s no access to parks and public land. No land, no horses, no farms, no food. I think oftentimes people drive up and down Route 42 in Oldham County and see the beautiful green space and horse farms and don’t realize how hard the community works to preserve that.”
Runners participating in the “Goshen Gallop.” Courtesy of the Flying Cross Farm Facebook Page.
FCHP’s plan is to provide a venue for the grassroots community. “The Kentucky Horse Park is great,” said Lowry, “but for smaller shows and venues, it’s too expensive.” FCHP currently has two 24-stall barns needing renovation, which is part of this year’s plan, along with putting in new fencing and a new water system. Eventual goals include building an indoor arena and several outdoor arenas. The park has a long way to go to meet their goals; this year’s goal is raising $250,000.
Readers can follow the park’s progress on Flying Cross Farm’s Facebook page (an FCHP page is in the works). Community involvement and public access have been core themes since day one. On June 14, FCHP hosted the Goshen Gallop, a 3K Run/Walk. Other fundraisers will be held throughout the year.
Access info about the 2019 Flying Cross Farm H.T. via its USEA listing here. Entries open July 30 and close August 27. View FCF’s complete 2019 calendar of events here.
Every event on the USEA calendar is special in its own way, and I love learning about their histories and hearing stories from events past. A great resource for this is the USEA’s Events A-Z series, which is 90 events strong and counting. I think they’re up to “R” now with still a good chunk left to go, a testament to how active the eventing scene in our country has become.
We love sharing YOUR stories about what makes your favorite events so special here on EN. For instance: Brant Gamma’s photo essay on South Farm H.T. in Middlefield, Ohio, which we shared on EN yesterday. I’ve never had the pleasure of attending that particular event personally, but I felt like I got to experience the venue vicariously through Brant’s words and vibrant images. (View more images from South Farm at Brant’s website here.)
Joan Davis of Flatlandsfoto is another photographer who has been generous in sharing her photos with EN. She’s always quick to send us winner photos or a selection of photos to use in a “Who Jumped It Best?” feature. She’ll often send a note about the event as well; this weekend she was out and about at Huntington Farm H.T. in South Strafford, Vermont, another event with a long-running legacy — the first horse trials on the property took place in 1969! “So cool to have all that history on the property and still be running today!” Joan says. We thank Joan for sharing photos from the event, which you can view below.
An extra special congratulations to our lowest scoring winners in the country this weekend, both of them from Champagne Run H.T. at the Kentucky Horse Park: Sherry Pound with Gestalt, winners of the Senior Beginner Novice Rider-B division, and Erin Buckner with Picassi, winners of the Junior Beginner Novice Rider-B division. Both finished on an impressive penalty score of 21.8.
It was a long way to come, glad we didn’t balls it up. Thanks to Carsten Meyer and Clark Montgomery👍😁
Huntington Farm H.T. [Final Scores]
OP: Kylie Lyman & Gran Corazon Bf (40.1)
JT: Ayden Schain & Pyxylated Magic (33.1)
OTA: Barbara Fitch & Donte (28.6)
OTB: Paige Vezina & Irish Sea (31.2)
JN: Annabelle Sprague & Meadowlark (29.8)
ONA: Bryn Lauer & Dare to Dream (31.9)
ONB: Katie Murphy & Joshua Tree (26.0)
ONS: Bevin Dugan & North Star (33.7)
JBNA: Benjamin Carlan & Don’s Grey Galvin (32.2)
JBNB: Hannah Williams & Turnup (29.8)
OBNA: Samantha Baer & Aurora Borealis (31.1)
OBNB: Lisa Niccolai & Celtic Kharacter (32.2)
OBNC: Thomas Davis & Boston Bullet (28.6)
Annabelle Sprague and Meadowlark were winners of the Jr. Novice division. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Kylie Lyman and Gran Corazon Bf were winners of the Open Preliminary division and the Read Perkins Award given to the lowest scoring rider in Open Preliminary. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Sarah Lovallo and Watson’s Delightful were the winners of the Steve Read Award given to the youngest rider to complete the horse trials. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Barbara Fitch and Donte were winners of the Open Training A division and the Essie Perkins Award given to the lowest scoring lady rider in Open Training. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Thomas Davis and Boston Bullet were winners of the Open Beginner Novice C division and the BN TIP award. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Coconino Summer II Classic 3DE & H.T. [Final Scores]
Advanced CT: Katherine Rivera & Royal Lufttanzer (35.4)
Open Intermediate: James Atkinson & Fleur de Lis (37.4)
Preliminary CT: Brittany Flynn & Cabarette Z (34.0)
Open Preliminary-Training: Summer Peterson & Lochlann Fiona (51.9)
Training Open: Taylor Timmerman & Snifters Spirit (27.5)
Training Rider: Angelika Beutel & Alwin (24.1)
Training 3-Day: Jennifer Miller & Bon Bon (30.0)
Novice Junior: Natalie Nabor & Lonely Soldier (27.9)
Novice Rider: Tatiana Larson & Eloquent (25.0)
Open Novice: Angelika Beutel & O’Sullivan (25.0)
Novice 3-Day: Leslie Villela & Diesel (27.4)
Beginner Novice Rider: Heather McWilliams & Southern Soiree (26.3)
Open Beginner Novice: Angela Carmitchel & Dubai Kalei (30.5)
Beginner Novice 3-Day: Eileen Morgenthaler & Chicago GS (23.6)
Open Intro: Max O’Krepki & Hazlewood (31.9)
Maryland Summer II H.T. [Final Scores]
Open Intermediate-A: Sara Kozumplik Murphy & Devil Munchkin (25.9)
Open Intermediate-B: Sharon White & Claus 63 (35.4)
Junior Young Riders Open Preliminary: Sloane Pierpont & Indie (32.2)
Open Preliminary-A: Charlotte Collier & Fidelius 35 (31.3)
Open Preliminary-B: Kurt Martin & D.A. Lifetime (24.5)
Preliminary Rider: Zehra Gundogan & Captivate (28.9)
Junior Open Training: Stephanie Cordell & Codename Toby (29.5)
Modified-A: Julia Luce & A Proper Gentleman (34.5)
Modified-B: Kimmy Cecere & Carrowgar Crannagh Hugo (27.4)
Open Training-A: Stephanie Sills & Mille Neuf Cent (25.7)
Open Training-B: Mia Farley & Northern Victory (27.4)
Open Training-C: Ryan Wood & Ben Nevis (28.3)
Training Rider-A: Julie Miller & Chalie (32.6)
Training Rider-B: Cindi Moravec & Holloway (32.8)
Junior Open Novice-A: Olivia Dutton & Iniesta (33.6)
Junior Open Novice-B: Kate Thresher & Silver Bop (31.2)
Novice Rider-A: Lucia Scarpinato & West Wind Z (31.1)
Novice Rider-B: Sadie Phifer & Gusty Day (26.2)
Open Novice-A: Elizabeth Olmstead & Waterline (26.2)
Open Novice-B: Francesca Broggini & Esuberanza (29.8)
Open Novice-C: Courtney Olmstead & Douce (26.2)
Open Novice-D: Mogie Bearden-Muller & Quebracho Z (24.3)
Beginner Novice Rider-A: Allison Schroeder & Third Time’s A Charm (32.8)
Beginner Novice Rider-B: Sheri Birmingham & Sterling’s Bailero (29.2)
Junior Open Beginner Novice-A: Kelsey Ann Quinn & Sir Winsome (28.3)
Junior Open Beginner Novice-B: Berkley Gardner & Chillie (32.2)
Open Beginner Novice-A: Michele Kuchta & Cadillac Boy (26.4)
Open Beginner Novice-B: Autumn Rae & Che Bella (28.3)
Future Event Horse – Two Year Old: Emeraude Sharer & Ciel d’Emeraude
Future Event Horse – Three Year Old: Caitlin Kuczynski & VH St. Kohltrane
Future Event Horse – Yearling: Ivan Espada & Arden Nike
New Event Horse: Sabrina Morris & Be Audacious
Young Event Horse – Four Year Old: Michael Pendleton & Mystic Fair
Young Event Horse – Five Year Old: Cornelia Dorr & Brush Dance
Genesee Valley Hunt H.T. [Final Scores]
Open Modified: Lucien Rouse & Stravinsky (42.7)
Open Training: Daisy Trayford & Milo Diamond (38.1)
Open Novice A: Farley Wagner & In The Groove (32.4)
Open Novice B: Sarah Kirk & Bogart (36.2)
Open Novice C: Lilly Johnsen & Wilson (34.7)
Open BNovice A: Corrinne Lauze & Anam Cara (30.8)
Open BNovice B: Lilli Smith & Wild For Summer (27.0)
Open BNovice C: Bonnie Alves & Escujour RGS (30.3)
Open BNovice D: Anne Eilinger & Bruichladdich (28.8)
Open Intro A: Carol Kozlowski & Kieran (34.8)
Life is good when you’re the #1 eventing dog in the world. Photo via Team Price on Facebook.
Don’t pretend you’ve never taken a look at the beautiful, fluffy and clean shavings in your horse’s stall and legitimately gotten jealous of the absolute luxury you treat your horse to. Though you’ve immaculately banked, picked and fluffed your equine buddy’s stall to perfection, there’s a good chance your own bed at home, with it’s five-year-old low tread count sheets, remains unmade and with a nice pile of dirty and/ or clean laundry at the foot of it. Ah, the things we do for our horses.
National Holiday: I LOVE HORSES DAY (Yes, for real!)
U.S. Weekend Results:
Coconino Summer II Classic 3DE & H.T. [Final Scores]
The young Brits were victorious this weekend at the FEI Young Rider European Eventing Championships. After an influential day of cross country, during which the German team who lead after dressage fell out of the competition, team France and Great Britain were left to battle it out for the gold on the final day of competition. [‘It’s a dream come true’ — British young riders win a medal of each colour at eventing Europeans]
Ashley Stout deserves to be remembered for the fearless and kind-hearted young woman that she was. Her family, friends and community are still deeply in mourning for Ashley, who died on Thursday in a riding accident, but are finding some small comfort in sharing their memories of her. Her autopsy, completed of Friday, determined the cause of head was due to a skull fracture. Our very deepest sympathies continue to be with Ashley’s family and friends. [Friends, horse riding community remember ‘fearless’ Port Matilda teen killed in accident]
Stable View in Aiken will be the final training site for the U.S. Eventing Team before they head down to Peru for the Pan American Games. The team will have a few final days of training sessions beginning on July 23rd. Though the training sessions will be closed to the public, there will be a public send-off party on July 24th which tickets can be purchased for through the Stable View office. [U.S. eventing team for Pan American Games will train in Aiken]
Monday Video: The youngest Rutledge daughter, 11-year-old Ciana, moved up to Novice this past weekend at the Maryland Horse Trials at Loch Moy Farm II. She finished on her dressage score for second place in the Junior Open Novice-B division. Way to go, Ciana!
Ciana our youngest (11 years old) moved up to Novice today for the first time and finished in 2nd place finishing on her dressage score !!
Frenchman Gireg le Coz rode Aisprit de la Loge to the ERM Jardy win in just the horse’s second attempt at this level. They were the only combination to finish on their dressage score, which allowed them to climb from 11th place after the first phase into the top spot. Photo courtesy of Event Rider Masters.
It’s a truth universally acknowledged that an Event Rider Masters leg, quietly referred to as a dressage competition, must surely be in want of some serious excitement on the second day – and Leg Four at Haras de Jardy certainly didn’t disappoint.
After a heated battle between the boards yesterday, the scores were at an all-time low — and with the top 20 competitors sitting within two rails of one another, there wasn’t going to be any margin for error as we headed into the showjumping and cross-country phases today.
Just eleven horse-and-rider combinations would produce clear rounds inside the time over the poles, sending some well-placed combinations tumbling down the leaderboard and opening the door for others to begin their ascent. Among those major movers was Germany’s Felix Etzel, who toppled two rails with Bandit 436 and dropped from fourth place to twentieth. New Zealand’s Jonelle Price, hot in pursuit of valuable series points, delivered a clear round just outside the optimum time to move from fourteenth to ninth with Grovine de Reve.
But at the conclusion of the influential showjumping phase, the top of the leaderboard remained untouched: France’s Lt. Col. Thibaut Vallette and his Olympic partner Qing du Briot ENE HN had added just 1.6 time penalties to their dressage score of 23.2, keeping them less than one second ahead of second-placed Gemma Tattersall and Quicklook V.
Thibaut Vallette and Qing du Briot ENE HN.Photo courtesy of Event Rider Masters.
But there’s no such thing as a certainty in eventing, and even less so in the fast-paced, high-tension tracks of the Event Rider Masters. Jardy’s course featured classic French design by Pierre Michelet — a true master of creating tough and technical tracks over flat landscapes, he created a veritable go-kart track with questions that didn’t relent until competitors had crossed the finish line.
Time would prove to be one of the most influential factors on the course, which saw 20 combinations come home clear but just two finish inside the optimum time.
Gireg le Coz and Aisprit de la Loge. Photo courtesy of Event Rider Masters.
One of those double-clear finishers was France’s Gireg le Coz, who rode his nine-year-old Selle Français gelding Aisprit de la Loge in just the horse’s second attempt at this level. They were the only combination to finish on their dressage score, which allowed them to climb from 11th place after the first phase to take the win.
“I can’t believe it,” says Gireg, who debuted the horse at the CCI4*-S level at the Arville leg of the 2019 Event Rider Masters series last month, finishing sixth. “My horse was amazing, from the dressage through to the end of the cross-country — he’s been so good. He’s only a nine-year-old, but he’s so honest.”
That honesty, and the horse’s careful production, allowed the pair to make light work of what could have been a sticky moment at the water: “I didn’t have the stride that I wanted, but he was very honest. He feels much more experienced now in jumping between the flags.”
Gireg takes home a cheque for €18,000 and collects valuable series points too – he now sits fourth in the 2019 rankings on 51 points. But will we see him at any more legs this year?
“Yes, I think so now,” he laughs.
Gemma Tattersall and Quicklook V.Photo courtesy of Event Rider Masters.
Just a tenth of a penalty precluded a win for 2017 ERM champion Gemma Tattersall and Quicklook V, who added 3.2 time penalties in a bold and determined trip across Michelet’s track.
“That [tenth of a penalty] will be my badly-ridden flying change,” laughs Gemma, who lost out on valuable marks in yesterday’s otherwise remarkable test when she earned fours for one of the changes. “She’s put in a great performance this weekend, and I’m so proud of her. There was a lot of determination [on course], to be honest. She gave me a bit of a heart attack near the end of the course – I lost my steering for some reason, but we managed to stay inside the flags!”
Felix Vogg and Colero. Photo courtesy of Event Rider Masters.
Event Rider Masters debutante Felix Vogg showed off his considerable experience, partnering his World Equestrian Games mount Colero to third place after a classy, quick round saw them add just four time penalties to their 25.8 dressage.
“I think I have a pretty good horse — it was his first outing again after a big event,” explains the Swiss rider, who has recently relocated back to Europe after a stint in the US. He and Colero finished sixth at this spring’s Land Rover Kentucky CCI5*, marking a successful end to their time abroad.
Nevertheless, says Felix, “I didn’t expect [this result] when I came here — there are so many good riders and good horses, so I’m very happy.”
Last year’s winner Alex Bragg delivered one of the two double-clears of the day to finish fourth, this time riding the exciting young up-and-comer Alcatraz.
“You need a good horse, a nippy horse, and they need to be really genuine,” he says of Michelet’s testing track, which saw experienced competitors, including Tim Priceand Sarah ‘Cutty’ Cohen, falter. “The strides get so big when the horses are going fast, but you’ve still got to be able to adjust when you come around the corner. I’m thrilled with Alcatraz; to very nearly finish on his dressage score, bar that single second in the showjumping, is a real personal best for him, and I’m thrilled to be back on the podium.”
The shock withdrawal of series leader Chris Burton left the door wide open for a new face at the top spot, and consummate competitor Jonelle Price duly stepped up to the plate. She finished sixth with Grovine de Reve, adding 0.8 time penalties in the showjumping and a further 2 across the country, but putting her in the lead for the series title by 7 points.
“I’m really pleased with the horse,” she says of the young star. “Obviously in a field as competitive as the one we’ve got today, every second counts. He had a little look at the first water and needed a little reminder, but he’s a very genuine horse and I’m really excited to see where our relationship will go.”
Chris Burton drops to third in the 2019 leaderboard, while fellow Aussie Bill Levettslips into second place after a ninth-place finish today with his ERM specialist Shannondale Titan.
Click here to view final results, and click here to view the rankings following Leg 4.
What comes next?
The fifth leg of the 2019 Event Rider Masters Series heads to Ireland for the first time, as we make our debut at Co. Cork’s stunning Millstreet International Horse Trials. Expect fierce competition and one of the toughest cross-country challenges of the season as a first-class field takes to the fairytale grounds of Drishane Castle in hot pursuit of a place on the podium.
With two legs left to go, it isn’t over ’til it’s over. We’ll be bringing you all the action as it happens on eventridermasters.tv. Don’t miss it.
Photo courtesy of Event Rider Masters.
Get involved!
Want to take a deeper dive into the world of ERM? Make sure you download EquiRatings Stacks, the high-stakes prediction game that can win you an iPad. Want to get ahead of the competition? Head over to the Prediction Centre to see how your favourites stack up against the competition. Then, jump into the SAP Spectator Judging app to see how you fare against our experienced panel of judges. Nail the predictions, win points, and earn fantastic prizes in our brand-new Fan League. Plus, don’t forget to check out — and donate to! — ERM’s 2019 charity, Hannah’s Willberry Wonder Pony.
Summer brings it’s own share of sweat drenched #EventerProblems… From sunburns to sweet itch, more hours in the day means more opportunities for #EventerProblems to rear their head. Hang in there, friends.
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