Katherine Coleman and Longwood 17th in Tattersalls CCI3* Dressage

After finishing Houghton International CIC3* as the top-placed representatives of Team USA two weeks ago, Katherine Coleman and Longwood refocused their crosshairs on the Tattersalls CCI3* in Ireland. They’ll leave the cross country start box on Saturday in 17th place on a dressage score of 55.5.

The 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding competed in the Tatts CCI2* last year and returning to his homeland seemed to agree with him, as they had no trouble storming around the cross-country for a double clear trip. They’ve picked up plenty of mileage since then, both here in the States and abroad.

Katherine, who is based in Wilshire, England, had her string to the U.S. this spring as she prepared another mount, Courage Under Fire, for Rolex. While here they collected three top 15 CIC3* results: 15th at Red Hills,  seventh at Carolina International, and ninth at The Fork. They finished the latter two events on their dressage score and added just one rail at Houghton to finish 34th in a massive field of 100 horse-and-rider combinations.

“He was an absolute superstar around cross country,” she commented afterward. “We were up on our minute markers that whole way; I actually slowed down quite a bit and was still 10 seconds under [the optimum time].”

Longwood finished Houghton full of running and we’re looking forward to seeing them tackle the rest of the week at Tatts!

Australia’s Samantha Birch and Hunter Valley II lead the CCI3* dressage on a 43.9. The pair’s most recent FEI finish was a 16th place in the Belton CIC3*.

There is one more American competing at Tatts this week, Mimi Falb, who sits 47th after dressage in the large CCI1* division. The Texan native is riding her own Kilpipe Jewel, a 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse formerly campaigned through the two-star level by Irish eventers Michael and Patricia Ryan. Tatts is their second FEI competition together, their first being the Ballindenisk CIC1* in April. Best of luck, Mimi!

And then there’s Laine Ashker, who is attending Tatts in a cheerleader capacity but seems to have gotten herself roped into the competition anyhow!

Libby Law was on hand to capture the American team spirit. We love when eventers lend a helping hand to one of their own!

Trot-up pinch-hitter Laine Ashker with Katherine Coleman. Photo by Libby Law Photography.

Trot-up pinch-hitter Laine Ashker with Katherine Coleman. Photo by Libby Law Photography.

Katherine Coleman. Photo by Libby Law Photography.

Katherine Coleman. Photo by Libby Law Photography.

Laine Ashker. Photo by Libby Law Photography.

Laine Ashker. Photo by Libby Law Photography.

Tattersalls first horse inspection and dressage photo gallery:

Tattersalls CCI3* dressage top 15:

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