Allison and Arthur finished their test on a 38.1, tied for the lead after the morning rides
We are going to have to pick a time collectively as a sport to stop thinking of Marilyn Little-Meredith as a show jumper turned eventer and just think of her as an eventer, but I think doing that right now takes away from the impressiveness of what she is doing. Less than two years after her first event, she is tied with Allison Springer and Arthur half way through the dressage in the Red Hills CIC3*. RF Rovano Rex is a fantastic mover and he doesn’t exactly make Marilyn’s life difficult on the flat, but she stays out of his way, that is to say she does everything necessary for a great test. In my opinion there’s no way to score a 38.1 in a CIC3* without quality riding. Allison and Arthur have been so good on the flat for so long that a 38.1 to tie for the lead almost feels like a let down as absurd as that sounds. We have videos of both first tests so you can decide if one was any better than the other.
Correction: This is the right video of Marilyn
Pan American team members Michael Pollard and the “Hanni Badger” scored a 39.9 to move into third after the morning session. A bobble in their second flying change was the only major blemish in their test. This is a pair that has a chance to factor into the Olympic team considerations with a good spring. The big question in my mind about this lovely big mare is her fitness to handle what is going to be a very hilly course in London. What better way to look at her fitness at this stage than the hills of Red…Hills. Hanni Badger don’t care.
The O’Connor Event Team has two riders in the top 4 so far, with Marilyn tied for the lead and Karen in 4th aboard Veronica. I’m hoping that one of the big takeaways from this weekend will be that Karen has two top Olympic prospects in Mr. Medicott and Veronica.
Selena O’Hanlon and Colombo were as steady as always and scored a 48.3. Brittany Kart’s Llewellen is a horse that always catches my eye and although they didn’t score the best with a 54.6 I thought that Brittany rode the test with a lot of precision.
Samantha will be along later with much more and until then be sure to follow her Twitter for live updates.
Eventing Nation sponsors are out in full force at Red Hills. Stop by to see Devoucoux and Dubarry just to name a few. Also, FLAIR is doing a free XC strip application at Red Hills Horse Trials. Stop by the Veterinary check tent near the warm-up area for your free strip application and forget to bring your complimentary strip application coupon, which is in your competitor packet.
Phillip, Michael, Karen, DIana, Marilyn, and Selena all have multiple horses in the CIC3* so we will get to see them again this afternoon. The temperature is rising at Red Hills as the crowd of spectators grows around the dressage arena. Stay tuned Eventing Nation, it’s going to be an exciting afternoon from Tallahassee. Go eventing.
