Mary Hirsch: Saturday Update from Texas Rose Horse Park

Mary Hirsch sent in an excellent report yesterday from the Area V Pro Pony Challenge at the Texas Rose Horse Trials. She’s back today with all the action from the dressage and show jumping in the first Advanced division to be held in the history of the horse park. She also gives a sneak peak of the Easter-themed cross-country course. Take it away, Mary!

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Ellen Doughty and Sir Oberon narrowly lead the field after dressage and show jumping in the first Advanced outing for the long-time partnership. Photo by Mary Hirsch.

Ellen Doughty and Sir Oberon are leading the Advanced division in their debut at this level following Saturday’s dressage and show jumping at the Texas Rose Horse Park. “He’s good in dressage and a good jumper, he’s a good horse,” Ellen said. The pair are well prepared and Ellen is “not surprised we are doing well — just surprised to be in the lead at this point.”

As for Sunday’s cross country, “He’s good, careful and scopey, and I’m not worried about making the time,” Ellen said. She hopes for a qualifying round to help in working toward a 3*, as well as Rebecca Farm, Richland Park and Fair Hill — all on the Ellen and Obie’s agenda for this year.

Although this is the first Advanced course offered in Area V in more than 20 years, the small field of seven have only two first-timers at the level: Ellen and Samantha Garbarino, who is riding Chasing Liberty. Holding second place, Jacob Fletcher and The Prof come off an inspiring winter record of three horse trials and no jumping or time faults, including Jacob’s first Advanced and first 3*. That 3* was won by Phillip Dutton and Mighty Nice, with the likes of Marilyn Little, Buck Davidson and more notables in the field, making Jacob’s top-half finish even more impressive for the first time at the level.

Currently in third and less than three points behind the leader, Mike Huber is showing No Money Down the ropes in the horse’s first Advanced. Rowdie Adams owns and does the training on No Money Down, and she is on the grounds while also caring for her own injuries that are keeping her temporarily out of the saddle.

In four, Angela Grzywinski and Novelle are reasonably pleased with a 39.7 dressage and very happy with a forward, positive double-clear show jumping round. The remainder of the field is all within 10 points of the leader and has substantial preparatory eventing experience behind them, so it is still anyone’s game. Samantha Garbarino and Chasing Liberty are the only other first-time Advanced pair in the field. Julie Norman on Consensus and Emma Kate Fisher on Carlingford’s Forever have both had successful Advanced outings within the past 12 months.

Texas Rose begins upper-level cross-country at 8 a.m CST today with Preliminary. Intermediate will begin at 10:19 a.m. CST, and Advanced at 11:18 a.m. CST. Training will ride cross country all afternoon. Novice and BN completed cross-country yesterday and will jump for the ribbons in the show jumping arenas today. See the course walk photos below for a few early previews. Stay tuned to Eventing Nation for updates and photos!

[Texas Rose Live Scores]