Jennie’s Fair Hill CCI2* Cross Country Report

Jennie Brannigan and Indie now lead the CCI2* after a double clear cross-country round.

We’ve just wrapped up the CCI2* cross country at Fair Hill. We had a definite leaderboard shuffle, with Jennie Brannigan and Indie taking an early lead with a double clear and hanging on to sit in first place going into tomorrow. Connor Husain and Piece of Hope had a chance to catch and tie Jennie late in the day, but .8 time penalties put them into second place. Doug Payne and Crown Talisman also had a chance to catch Jennie late in the day, but 7.2 time penalties moved them into fifth. Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Fugitive picked up two time penalties to sit in third and Clayton Fredericks and Pigrela Des Cabanes hold fourth after picking up 2.8 time penalties.

Elkton was pounded with more rain storms last night, leaving very soggy conditions this morning while I walked the course. I spoke to Will Coleman — who sits in 10th with Zipp after coming home with 6.4 time — about the conditions on course. He said he wouldn’t call the course “sloppy,” but said the course definitely favors a lighter horse. That said, Will was seventh in the order of go and the course has been churned up quite a bit since then. The Fair Hill course officials are doing a great job of stomping down the divots and maintaining the footing around the fences, so we have good conditions on course as we head into the start of the CCI3* at 1:10 p.m.

Connor Husain and Piece of Hope moved up to second place.

Thankfully, there were no major accidents on course. Sally Cousins and Ideal Contini withdrew before the start. Jessica Phoenix and Erodium gave spectators a scare early on when Erodium caught his shoulder at the Spring House Water Complex. Brian O’Connor called it a “soft fall,” and both horse and rider were OK. Jan Byyny and Why Not pulled up and retired on course after the Dansko Village. Lara Borson-Knight and Shooby Doo retired on course after her third stop at the corner at 17b. Ashley MacVaugh and Fernhill Can Do retired at the Upper Chesapeake Water.

Susan Beebee and Wolf, our overnight leaders, couldn’t make the time, picking up 9.6 penalties to drop down to 8th. Danielle Dichting and The Graduate, who sat in second overnight, picked up 9.2 time penalties to sit in ninth. There were only four double clear rides: Jennie Brannigan and Indie, Marilyn Little and RF Azarah, Hannah Sue Burnett and Danio, and Clark Montgomery and Garrison Flash. If the CCI2* results are any indicator, time will definitely play a factoras we get started in the CCI3*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAUZRCQD5s0
Will Coleman talks course conditions and walks through his ride on Zipp 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEt6wjIai90
Fair Hill CCI2* Cross Country Recap with Jennifer Simmons and Lestaire,
Boyd Martin and Crackerjack, Liz Riley and It’s the Truth, Molly Rosin and Sabrina,
Jessica Phoenix and Patras VR (X2), and Susan Beebee and Uptown Higgins.