Dressage day one at Saumur CCI3* was a smashing success, with Hannah Sue Burnett throwing down a 48.8 to sit in 2nd position, and Marilyn Little scoring a 52.0 to place 5th after the first day. I’m doing my due diligence and keeping up with the happenings on Facebook, which is a great way to keep in touch due to the fabulous photo coverage from USEF High Performance.
Here are Hannah’s comments on her ride today, via USEF press release:
“He was really good. We’ve been a little inconsistent this spring; so I rode him quite a bit this morning because he has been quite exuberant at his last two competitions. But he was all business from the first ride and went right in the ring and was rideable,” said Burnett of the 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding. “In hindsight I could have gone for it a little bit more in the trot but the canter and changes were very good.”
Looking towards Saturday’s cross country, Burnett believes Course Designer Pierre Michelet has built a demanding track.
“The course is good; it’s big and pretty technical. There are six combinations of three-strides,” said the 2011 Pan American Games Team Gold and Individual Silver medalist. “I was impressed the first time I walked it but I’ve walked it a couple more times and it keeps looking better.”
Tomorrow we have Will Faudree & Andromaque competing at 10:45 (4:45 EST), followed by Buck Davidson on The Apprentice at 2:00pm (8:00am EST). Stay tuned for more updates and cross country action, which is supposed to be available online on Saturday, for those of you ambitious enough to wake up that early!
- The US team at Saumur, where two riders (Will Faudree and Marilyn Little) finished inside the top 10!
- The Apprentice getting his beauty sleep before tomorrow! (photo courtesy of PRO Twitter account)
- A very happy trio after Dressage! (photo courtesy of PRO Twitter account)
- Dressage Practice (photo courtesy of Kaitlyn McMorris)
- Dr Johns spends some time with The Apprentice (photo courtesy of USEF HP)
- Hannah Sue nails it in the dressage (photo courtesy of Kaitlyn McMorris)
- Kaitlyn McMorris & Marilyn Little before jogs (photo courtesy of USEF HP)
- Hannah & William watch as DOC coaches (photo courtesy of USEF HP)
- Super groom Sara McKenna strikes a pose with Harbour Pilot prior to his practice session this AM (photo courtesy of USEF HP)
- Lynn Little & RF Smoke on The Water (photo courtesy of USEF HP)
- The US team at Saumur, two of whom finished in the top 10!