Here are a few quick thoughts about the 5 additions to the US eventing team’s short list:
1) Phillip Dutton and Connaught—The only surprise here is due to the fact that Phillip already has three horses on the list. Connaught was the only horse that I predicted to make the original May short list who wasn’t on that list. The only question for Phillip is which horse to take to the WEGs? From what I hear, Woodburn is looking super right now, and I think Woodburn is the horse right now. Connaught sat out Rolex after consultation between his rider, owner, and the team and the only possible goal there was to save him for the WEGs.
2) Holly Hudspeth and Last Monarch–This horse deserved to be on the original list. No doubt that “Stewie” needs to improve in the dressage, but he is young and has fresh legs and I expect him to be one of the soundest horses come late September. Stewie finished 17th in his first 4* at Rolex this year.
3) Kim Severson and Tipperary Liadhnan—Again, not a huge surprise. There are definitely still questions about the show jumping after the stop at Rolex and 3 rails at Bromont. “Paddy” and Kim are one of the best XC pairs the US has right now, and there is still time for the show jumping to improve.
4) Allison Springer and Arthur–Allison and Arthur have proven that they can put themselves in prime position after the dressage. Have they proven that will run clean and fast around a WEG cross-country course? I’m not sure, but the potential upside was too much for the selectors to pass up.
5) Stephen Bradley and Brandenburg’s Joshua—Wait, who? Yep, that’s right, Brandenburg’s freakin’ Joshua. This name is probably a complete surprise to anyone who didn’t read our Monday morning post–I was certainly surprised when the name came up in a couple of conversations this weekend. This feels like the equivalent of a hail-Mary pass in football by the selectors–and I like it. Joshua has completed one event in the last 15 months, which was an intermediate at Full Gallop earlier this spring. That said, in three Rolex tries (’06, ’08, and ’09), Joshua places 3rd, 4th, and 10th respectively. Joshua never stops (once since ’01), makes time when it counts, and has 8 show jumping penalties since 2003. Almost everyone who knows what they are talking about likes Stephen and this horse on a sound day. Let the vets work their magic, and if he’s good to go in late September then the US selectors have found a diamond in the rough.
