Hannah Sue Hollberg and Capitol HIM Top USEF CCI3*-L Eventing National Championship at Maryland 5 Star

Hannah Sue Hollberg and Capitol HIM. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

The second day of dressage had lovely fall weather at the MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill presented by Brown Advisory, much different from Thursday’s rainy conditions. Hannah Sue Hollberg and Capitol HIM moved into the lead in the USEF CCI3*-L Eventing National Championship.

Hannah Sue and Capitol HIM excelled in the atmosphere of the main arena to take hold of the top spot in the USEF CCI3*-L Eventing National Championship. The pair earned a score of 26.0 from the ground jury of Peter Gray (CAN) and Valerie Pride (USA). Hollberg took over the ride on “Chito” a few years ago from owner Christa Schmidt due to the 2007 Holsteiner gelding being hot and intimidated by horses heading toward him in the warm-up ring. Capitol HIM came into his own with Hollberg in the irons.

“I knew he was capable of throwing down a really good test. He used to get a bit more nervous in atmosphere like this, but he has actually gotten so much better to the point that I can ride him even stronger with more atmosphere,” said Hollberg. “I’m just learning what makes him kind of shine, whereas before I would get a little tentative and that would make him more nervous. I learned that the stronger I ride him and try to go for really good marks, the better he goes. That definitely showed today. As I went, I was like, ‘Oh, I can keep asking for more,’ which is so nice and rare in this type of atmosphere.”

Hannah Sue has developed a strong partnership with Capitol HIM. She said she feels lucky to ride him and enjoys his kind disposition.

“He’s like a big teddy bear. He is the sweetest horse in the whole world,” she said. “He is actually Harbour Pilot’s best friend; they turn out together. He is the boss, which is so funny because he is scared of other horses when I’m riding him. He has got such a cool confidence. He loves his job, and he’ll do anything for me. He is such a cool horse.”

Saturday’s cross-country day will be influential as combinations tackle a solid track designed by Ian Stark (GBR). Hannah Sue praised Stark and his team for their work at the venue.

“The courses look beautiful. I think Ian [Stark] has done a really good job, and the course builders made such beautiful jumps,” said Hannah. “I really like the flow of the course this year more than last year. I think he has really improved well on it.”

Elisa Wallace and Renkum Corsair had a lovely test to sit close behind the leaders in second place on a score of 26.4. Elisa and Corsair Syndicate, LLC’s 2010 Holsteiner gelding are a new partnership, but have racked up strong placings this year and are off to a good start at Maryland.

Young rider Cassie Sanger and Fernhill Zoro were the final pair down centerline in the CCI3*-L and delivered an impressive test. Sanger and Nina Sanger’s 2008 Irish Sport Horse gelding scored 26.6 while looking right at home in an elite field of competitors.

Cross country for the 3*-L will begin with the first horse (Doug Payne and Quiberon) on course at 9:32 a.m. EST. You can find ride times here.

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