Dressage Updates from Barbury Horse Trials

Barbury Horse Trials is well underway this lovely weekend in July, and an American is leading one of the incredibly competitive divisions of CIC3*! Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen lead 52 competitors in CIC3* Section B with a 34.2, and after being named to the USEF Eventing High Performance Summer/Fall National Training Lists, he’s having quite a good week! As Jenni mentioned earlier, this is Glen’s first major competition since he underwent a non-invasive “tie forward” surgery earlier this year after a scope showed he had a soft palate issue. Personally one of my favorite horses, I’m excited to see him back in the mix.

Glen completed his dressage test yesterday, and nobody could catch him today, although Piggy French and Tinkas Time were the closest in that effort scoring a 36.4 to sit second going into the show jumping tomorrow. Mary King and Imperial Cavalier follow closely on their heels with a 37.8 to place third, which is super to see her back in action, as she suffered a rotational fall on Rolex winner Kings Temptress just a mere two weeks ago at Salperton Horse Trials, and was hospitalized with heavy bruising and a concussion.

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The CIC3* section A is currently being lead by last year’s winner Andrew Nicholson on Avebury with a 34.4 to place well ahead of the rest of the competitors. Up and coming British rider Laura Collett with her unbelievable horse Rayef are in 2nd place on a 38.8. Tied for third are German rider Franca Luedeke on Parlando, as well as Australian Tim Price with Wesko who both scored a 42.6. They are closely followed by fellow Australian Paul Tapner, who sits just .2 points behind them with Kilronan.

Canadian Rebecca Howard is also placed in the top ten for CIC3* Section B, scoring a 42.8 to sit in 10th place following Dressage. Rebecca has been over in England ever since the Olympics last year, and has really been stepping up her game. She looked fantastic at Fontainbleau earlier this spring, and finished 6th in the CIC3* there.

Tomorrow both divisions of CIC3* show jump, while divisions of CIC2* complete both jumping phases and finish their weekend on a Saturday. Sunday morning the CIC3* does Cross Country, and it looks like a wonderfully challenging course.

Be sure to “Like” Barbury International Horse Trials on Facebook! They have beautiful pictures and updates throughout the weekend. And, as a bonus social media point, if you feel brave and have a burning question for Andrew Nicholson, he’s been spotted answering questions with the #nicholsonontwitter hashtag from fans on Twitter! Do it.