James Alliston and Mojo flew into 2nd in the CIC3* after cross-country. Photo by Miles Barrett.
Ian’s Stark’s cross-country course did an excellent job mixing up the scoreboard in the CIC3* at Rebecca Farm Saturday afternoon. With limited clear jump rounds and time penalties for all, extra seconds determined the top spots. Matt Brown and Super Socks BCF looked the part on the CIC3* track to take the lead, with James Alliston and Mojo in second and Hawley Bennett-Awad and Gin & Juice in third.
Matt Brown and Super Socks BCF are 1st in the CIC3* after cross-country. Photo by Miles Barrett.
Trouble early in the course made it all the more exciting when CIC3* horses and riders made it as far as fences 18AB and 19, a rail to corner to skinny through the water that was ringed with cheering spectators:
During the evening press conference, Matt, James and Hawley reflected on the course and weighed in on their upcoming show jumping rounds:
The riders also talked briefly about successes they’ve had with other horses this week at Rebecca Farm. Yesterday, Hawley won a Novice Three Day class aboard Jan Hawthorne’s 5-year-old gelding, Hi Duty. Matt Brown is sitting in first in the CIC2* with Happenstance, and James had a solid cross-country performance on his second ride in the CIC3*, Ben, putting them in fifth place overnight.
With more than 500 horses and riders competing this week at Rebecca, there is constant action from top to bottom. A much-loved staple of the event is the Novice and Training Three Day classes. These divisions provided invaluable opportunities for riders to learn about the long format, and they took full advantage of Rebecca’s picturesque facilities. Tamie Smith won both the Training Three Day classes, finishing on 29.3 with Under Wraps and 36.9 on Irish Blend.
Marc Grandia and Fernhill Eagle. Photo by Miles Barrett.
In the CIC2*, Marc Grandia put in a solid cross-country performance with Fernhill Eagle to take first place on 58.1. Today he’ll try to defend his lead against seven other riders, including his sister, Anni Grandia riding Chaos.
Jordan Linstedt and Revitavet Capato are 4th after cross-country in the CIC3*. Photo by Miles Barrett.
Riders, spectators and organizers alike celebrated the best in the west last night with a dinner party and Halt Cancer at X fundraising event. The final day of competition at Rebecca Farm will begin at 8 a.m. local time with horse inspections.
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