Jessica and Exploring
Please scroll down for our CIC3* recap
Much like the CIC3*, the advanced rode tough with some tense moments, but the course ultimately rode sensibly and safely. Here’s a quick recap from some of the rides. We’ll be back later with video and more from the CIC1* and 2*.
–The first advanced pair out, Werner Geven and Golden Malt had an incredible moment when they ran into a tree about 20 strides after the last water and fell. Riders had to dodge trees through windy paths all day long, but one tree got the better of Werner. Werner said after the fall that his saddle had started to slip, but it was one of those go-right-no-go-left-no-go-right moments, and they hit the tree so hard that it scraped most of the bark off. Horse and rider got up quickly and seemed dazed but fine. David snagged the horse and, while there were initial thoughts from Werner about continuing, the horses was cut above its eye and they called it a day. Golden Malt was missing his reins as well when David caught him and a lesson for all of us is that David used his belt as a lead rope. I would imagine they will take x-rays to make sure everything else is fine with Golden Malt, but it was yet another strange situation that seems to have worked out for the best.
Horse+rider+tree=no more tree bark
–Looking at the numbers, the advanced course worked out very very well, with over 60% of the horses coming home clear. The division took massive amounts of time penalties, with no one having less than 20 time penalties. Red Hills just doesn’t have any terrain that is flat, straight, and wide open, so making the time is not a realistic goal.
—Jessica Phoenix and Exploring had the 4th fastest ride in the advanced to extend their lead ahead of Will Coleman and Twizzel to a rail going into the show jumping. Like the dressage, Will and Twizzel made the cross-country look easy. Lisa Barry and Kenzo de la Roque rocked around with the fastest time of the day to sit in third, despite a quick pause to find their correct path before the last water complex. Lucia Strini and Julie Wolfert continued their great weekends with clean rides.
1. Jessica Phoenix and Exploring +24.0 49.9
2. Will Coleman and Twizzel +27.6 54.2
3. Lisa Barry and kenzo de la Roque +21.2 54.6
4. Mara DePuy and Fun Maker +23.6 60.8
5. Erin Sylvester and No Boundaries +23.6 61.1
6. Phillip Dutton and William Penn +30.8 61.7
–Danielle Dichting with Tops and Randy Ward with James both had falls at the drop into the water at 15. Riders and horses popped up quickly and very wet with just scratches and inflated Point Twos.
–The advanced course was, as usual, slightly reduced from the CIC3*. For example, the double corners at #18 were reduced to just one corner. The two fences that caused the most issues all day between the CIC3* and the advanced were the water drop at #15 and the corners at #18.
–In the press conference, both Boyd and Michael Pollard said that they thought course designer Hugh Lochore did a great job of finding that really tough balance of making he course not too easy and not too hard. I couldn’t agree more.
—The announcing team of John Kyle and Nigel Casserly was absolutely amazing today. John supplied fantastic facts about the riders all day and educated the crowd, many of whom were non-eventing locals, about everything they needed to know to enjoy the event. The announcer is always my second set of eyes and ears out there and I can’t thank John and Nigel enough for a great job today.
–Thanks to all the volunteers, organizers, spectators, riders, and horses who collectively made the cross-country a great experience for all. The crowd that turned out was fantastic and cheered all day. Between great central spectator locations, a food court, and a beautiful day, I hope that everyone who visited who wasn’t already a fan of eventing became one today.
