Lauren Billys and Castle Larchfield Purdy. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
The Twin Rivers CCI4*-S division looks much the same after Friday’s show jumping, where only one rail came down, but the standings remain unchanged.
After nearly losing her partner Castle Larchfield Purdy to colic last fall, Lauren Billys feels the pressure this weekend at Twin Rivers to give him the best riding possible. Her 2015 Pan American Games and 2016 Rio Olympic Games partner showed up with a strong dressage performance and then a faultless trip in Friday’s show jumping.
“I was nervous all day because I want to show him how he deserves to be shown. I felt like that was a hard course and it was really fun to watch everyone else ride because everyone is getting really good at riding in California and people were just riding really well today. It was encouraging and trying to be like them was a good way to be. He was in really good company,” Lauren said.
The 17-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Karistos x Hallo Purdy, by Hallo), owned by the rider and Purdy Syndicate LLC, sits on 29.8 as they look forward to James Atkinson’s cross country track.
Derek di Grazia and Ringwood Justice. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Derek di Grazia and his dreamy Ringwood Justice, an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Ringwood Harley Carol x Ringwood Venus) also held second on 32.5.
Following the trend, Leah Breakey and Master Class, her own 10-year-old Canadian Warmblood gelding (Cree x Night Destiny xx), also jumped clear to keep third on 41.9. Liza Horan and Lafite had the one unlucky rail down to complete the division on a two-phase score of 48.8.
Tamie Smith and Mai Baum. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
The CCI3*-L is pending a name change to the “Tamie Smith Division” after she took the top four dressage placings with Alex Ahearn’s Mai Baum (24.9), Ruth Bley’s En Vogue (25.6), Judy McSwain’s Fleecework’s Royal (29.7), and Ruth Bley’s Danito (30.3), respectively.
Tamie Smith and En Vogue. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
The CCI3*-L is the only 2019 Pan American Games Qualifier on the west coast this year. Click here to view a full list of Pan Am Games qualifiers, including 2018 events, and selection info.) Pan Am Games eventing will take place on Aug. 1-4 in Lima, Peru.
Frankie Thieriot Stutes and Chatwin. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
The Advanced CT features a few of our five-star hopefuls including Kentucky-bound Frankie Thieriot Stutes and Chatwin, who won the class with 0.8 show jumping time penalties on 27.5, and Badminton-bound Tamie Smith and Wembley, who were second on 31.4. Sabrina Glaser was third on 44.5.
Madison Temkin and Dr. Hart. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
In the traditional Advanced division, Madison Temkin and her Dr. Hart reign supreme. They lead the division after the first two phases on 39.8.
Marc Grandia and Campari FFF. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Marc Grandia and Team Rebecca’s Campari FFF are second on 43.6, and Gina Economou is third with her own Exclusive (44.4).
Riders look forward to an exciting day of cross country, and you can watch it all from home thanks to Ride on Video. Find the live stream information at this link.
Thank you to Sherry Stewart who provides these gorgeous photos!
Twin Rivers CCI & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage]
[Billys and Castle Larchfield Purdy Maintain the Twin Rivers CCI4*-S Lead]
