Fair Hill CCI3*/2* Final Dressage Report

Marilyn Little and RF Smoke on the Water couldn't catch Hannah Sue Burnett and Cold Harbour, but they put in the best test of the final group in the CCI3*.

Marilyn Little and RF Smoke on the Water put in a spectacular test, but couldn’t catch mid-afternoon leaders Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot in the CCI3* dressage at Fair Hill. Hannah Sue leads with a 43, while Marilyn is hot on her heels with a 44.8. Heather Gillette and Our Questionnaire, our mid-morning leaders, continue to hold third on a 48.6. I’ll run you through the final rides in the CCI3* today and will be back later with interviews and analysis from the top three riders in the CCI3* and CCI2*.

Mara DePuy and Fun Maker were first in the ring for the fourth and final set of riders in the CCI3*. Fun Maker was a bit exuberant in the changes, but was very solid otherwise for a score of 49.6. The two provisionally sit in fourth. Will Faudree and Pawlow were next, putting in a very solid test for a 49.8, which ties them with Jan Byyny and Inmidair for fifth place. Buck Davidson and Mar de Amor had some bobbles, breaking to the canter during trot work, but it was otherwise a lovely test for a 49.8.

Utah B was a little fussy in the canter work for Danica Moore, tossing his head. The horse also bucked in the first change, finishing on a score of 59.8. Emily Renfroe and Walk the Line also broke to the canter during trot work, in addition to missing on both changes. She gave the horse a big pat after the test; the two are on a 62. Lindsey Solorzano and Enchantez were next. The horse spooked before going into the ring, but settled nicely. There was a slight bobble on the first change, and the horse missed behind on the second change, for a score of 61.8.

Marilyn and Smoke on the Water were nearly flawless. She indicated while speaking to me after the test that this is Smoke’s strongest phase and her weakest phase, so together they form a great partnership. Marilyn and Smoke scored 44.8 to move into second. Last to go in the CCI3* were Robert Meyerhoff and Dunlavin’s Token. The canter was four-beaty throughout the test; the two also picked up the wrong canter lead after the halt and reinback. Stay tuned for much more from the CCI3*, including videos of the top tests and a video interview with Marilyn Little.

While I wasn’t able to keep up with the CCI2* tests — as the rings were running concurrently and I was chained to the CCI3* — I did catch up with Susan Beebee for a video interview and have plenty of analysis to bring you from the press conference. At the conclusion of CCI2* dressage, Susan Beebee and Wolf held their lead from yesterday on a 40.8. Danielle Dichting and The Graduate remain in second on a 41.4. Doug Payne and Crown Talisman moved into third place on a 41.7. Again, stay tuned for videos of the tests and photo galleries. Current scores are here.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1ouTgM5ih8
Marilyn Little and RF Smoke on the Water 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyS4pYMo8As
Will Faudree and Pawlow