Inside the Stable with the Aiken Showcase Stars: Phillip Dutton & Z

In our last edition of “Inside the Stable with the Aiken Showcase Stars” we caught up with Liz Halliday-Sharp, who has won the event for the past two years running. This week we take a trip to the farm of Phillip Dutton, who was nipping at Liz’s heels at the 2020 Showcase, finishing 2nd and 3rd at the with Z and Fernhill Singapore respectively. Can he take the win in this year’s Showcase, which is fast-approaching on March 5-6?

Annie DeWitt takes us behind the scenes. Get inspired by supergroom Emma Ford’s immaculate tack room, watch Phillip and Z practicing their scales, and meet the Z Partnership’s 13-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Asca X Bellabouche, by Babouche VH Gehucht Z) up close and personal.

Phillip Dutton and Z at the 2020 LiftMaster Grand-Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field. Photo by Shelby Allen.

It’s been a great honor and pleasure to spend six weeks in training with Dutton eventing at their winter hideaway in Wellington, Florida. Close to the Wellington Environmental Preserve with an abundance of hacking opportunities (and alligators — oh my!), the horses all enjoyed a rigorous — and sunny! — month of cross training in the Turf Tour hosted by The Ridge at Wellington. I’d like to extend a personal thank you to Phillip, Olivia and Evie, as well as Emma Ford and the entire team at Dutton Eventing for taking me under their wing. And to the incomparable Scott Hassler for teaching Hendrix and I how to “slalom and dance.” Having just turned 40, as an ad

ult amteur in the sport, it was the opportunity of a lifetime to learn under all of your care, belief and guidance. Click below for a behind the scenes look at the Duttons’ winter training camp and, of course, for a chat with the unforgettable equine star of this series, Z.

Phillip Dutton – Z from Annie DeWitt on Vimeo.

Best of luck to this pair in Aiken!

Phillip Dutton and Z at the 2020 Liftmaster Grand-Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Now in its third year, Liftmaster Grand-Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field is dedicated to putting on a world-class event. EN will be bringing you all the latest. Learn more about the event here.

Annie Dewitt is a writer, eventer and literary agent at The Shipman Agency. Her debut novel WHITE NIGHTS IN SPLIT TOWN CITY now appears in several languages. Annie trains at True Prospect Farm in Cochranville, PA, with Phillip Dutton and Ryan Wood. She is a passionate Retired Racehorse advocate who has volunteered at The Rosemary Horse Farm Sanctuary in the Catskills. Annie is the happy horse mother to her 5-year old OTTB Confidence Level and her current eventing partner-in-crime, Offshore Cooley. Contact: [email protected]