Kim Severson and Cooley Corraghy Diamond lead the CCI4*-S at Stable View Oktoberfest. Photo via Stable View press release.
The first day of competition kicked off as the coldest morning so far this season in Aiken, with a brisk wind chill of 49 degrees. Lucienne Bellissimo and Horse Scout Eventing LLC’s Dyri were the first down the center line in the CCI4*-S. They held the early lead, scoring a 31.8. Scores remained on the higher end, with not one score dropping into the 20s this morning. Towards the end of the division, Kim Severson and Ros and Bill Johnson’s Cooley Corraghy Diamond bested Bellissimo’s score by .1 to end dressage on a 31.7. Alyssa Phillips and her own Rockett 19 slid into third place post-dressage on a 33.
This year’s competition marks the 12th year of Oktoberfest at Stable View. Stable View’s Barry Olliff shared, “This event has gone from a gleam in our eye to one of the largest horse trials on the East Coast. We try and make a few improvements every year—it’s great that riders regularly return. This is the first time in five years that Oktoberfest hasn’t been affected by the weather. We all remember Helene—that was the worst—but this year’s weather is going to be ideal.”
As the day continued, it turned into a beautiful autumn afternoon, with highs reaching the mid-seventies. Show jumping kicked off in the Phillip’s Arena at 1:15 p.m. with the CCI4*-S and Advanced Divisions. Less than a rail separated the top ten, and Manny Esparza’s course proved challenging with Mary Bess Davis and her own Imperio Magic being the only duo to go double clear. With the rails flying and the time ticking, there was a bit of a shuffle in the leaderboard.
Alyssa Phillips and Rockett 19. Photo via Stable View press release.
Severson managed to hold the lead, adding just two seconds of time to her dressage score. She and Cooley Corraghy Diamond will be going into cross country with a 32.5. Phillips added a handful of time penalties herself but was able to move up to second on a 34.6. Following stadium, Bellissimo is now tied for third place with Qatar M. She and Dyri added one rail to their dressage score, while Qatar M added 1.6 time penalties. They are both sitting on a 35.8.
When asked about her rides in the four-star today, Phillips shared, “He was a bit wild for the dressage, and I had to be very tactful. There were a few mistakes, but I have him fit for Morven, and the weather is a bit chilly, so the fitness really showed up today. He jumped great. It’s nice to feel him ready to go because down in Florida it’s still a little muggy, so they’re more mellow.”
We asked if she had a chance to check out the cross country yet: “I’ve been around the cross country once, and I’m about to go out again, but it looks nice. There’s a lot to do. I look forward to having a good prep run to set us up well for Morven!”
When asked about her rides, Bellissimo shared, “Really impressed with Qatar M today. It’s his first CCI4*, and he showed serious potential in both the dressage and show jumping, although he’s still green in his flying changes at this time. Dyri had an unlucky rail in show jumping, but I have no doubt the cross country will be influential tomorrow. The ground is superb, and I’m looking forward to it.”
Lucienne Bellissimo and Qatar M. Photo via Stable View press release.
The CCI3*-S is the largest division this weekend, with thirty-seven combinations. Caroline Pamukcu and Luann McElduff and Sherrie Martin’s HSH Conner moved up to first place following show jumping to sit on a 29.3. Canadian Katie Malensek and her own Civento moved up to second after a beautiful double-clear show jumping round. They will head into cross country on a 29.6. Not far behind them, on a 30.2, is Caroline Pamukcu and Mollie Hoff’s Nobless.
In the Advanced Division, Devin Robel and Gillou are sitting in first on a 37.1. In the Intermediate, Christina Henriksen and her own Cisco’s Calor Z are in first on a 32.9.
The CCI2*-S and CCI1*-S divisions finished phase one of their competitions today. In the two-star, Alyssa Phillips is leading on her own Nadal on a 25.9. Elisa Wallace and Donna Bigg’s Belline Foody’s Out of the Blue are in second on a 28.6. Rounding out the top three is Michelle Mercier and her own Shirsheen Fun For All with a 29.
In the CCI1*-S Division, Candace Elizabeth Bell and Nell Wade’s Oscar are sitting in first on a 26.7. Susan Plumb and CDP Stables LLC’s Cooley All In are sitting in second on a 28.5. Rounding out the top three is Alyssa Phillips, who has had a great start to her weekend, and her own Monbeg Dunard Blue. The pair will go into tomorrow on a 29.8.
Helen West, cross country designer for the CCI4*-S, CCI3*-S, Advanced, and Intermediate, shared, “The tracks have a variety of questions which test balance and accuracy. All questions are clear for the horse to read, and I hope will encourage good jumping and provide pleasing pictures.”
[View the cross country maps]
West went on to share, “The tracks are beautifully prepared, and it is always a great experience designing here at Stable View with such a fabulous selection of well-built fences to play with. I have enjoyed introducing more real brush at the higher levels, which enables me to ask greater accuracy questions, with some of the angles in particular. I also think it gives a more natural and authentic cross country experience and helps prepare combinations for the major three-day events. I am looking forward to watching the tracks ride tomorrow and hope everyone enjoys riding them.”
Lucienne Bellissimo and Dyri. Photo by Shelby Allen.
Bellissimo and Dyri won the CCI4*-S at this year’s Stable View Spring FEI. They also took home first place at Oktoberfest in 2024. Will this weekend add a third Stable View Four-Star to their record, or will Qatar M, Severson and Cooley Corraghy Diamond, Phillips and Rockett 19, or another combination take home the title?
Stable View Oktoberfest CCI4*-S (SC): [Website] [Entries & Timing] [Scoring] [CrossCountry App XC Maps] [Live Stream – H&C+] [Sept. 26 VIP Tickets] [Volunteer] [Play Eventing Manager]
