The upper levels as well as the FEI divisions completed cross country today at the Virginia Horse Trials, which provides a beautiful backdrop for one of the most highly anticipated end of spring events of the Area II calendar.
In the CCI1* divisions, it will be Skyeler Voss and Argyle who lead the A division, moving up from fourth place into first thanks to a double clear run today for a two day score of 48.8.
Skyeler has just some time in hand over second placed Allison Springer and Fairvoya S, whose double clear round was also rewarded with a bump up the board from fifth place. Third in the A division are Emily Beshear and Knight Hill, moving from sixth with just 1.6 time picked up today.
Just a handful of the A division pairs had trouble on course, with two eliminations and one retirement on course.
Looking to the CCI1*-B division, Katherine Christopher and Frodo of the Shire are your overnight leaders, moving from fourth into first for a two day score of 49.2. Frodo of the Shire was formerly campaigned by Lisa Borgia before Katherine took the reins, and this is the first CCI start for this newer partnership.
In second is Colleen Orta and Pandora’s First Avatar. You may remember Colleen from a talent spot article we did on her former ride, Queen Bee, and now we’re thrilled to see a new partnership thriving in their first one-star together. These two put in a double clear cross country to move up from fifth place on a score of 51.4.
Rounding out the top three in the CCI1*-B division are Claudia Sarnoff and Callan Quinto, who are also contesting their first CCI1* together. This pair will take a two-day score of 51.7 into tomorrow’s show jumping finale.
Jennie Brannigan and Tim and Nina Gardner’s Cambalda are your CIC2* winners following the completion of cross country. Jennie and “Ping” were the only pair to add nothing to their dressage score to complete the weekend, edging out Alyssa Phillips and Oskar, who finished second on a final score of 50.1. Matt Brown and BCF Belicoso complete the top three on a final score of 56.5.
Jennie continued her winning ways with a blue ribbon in the Advanced/Intermediate with Elisbeth Battel’s Cool As Ice on a final score of 41.0. Jennie also finished third in the division with Elisbeth and Jennie’s Stella Artois, and finishing in between the two in second are Emma Klugman and Bendigo.
And of course, one of our favorite stories of the weekend is Libby Head’s Sir Rockstar competing with Erin Jarboe in the Novice divison and the Intercollegiate Championships. This pair added a double clear cross country run to their CV today, though Libby posted that “Rocky” needed a lead into the start box!
Leslie Threlkeld will be along later with an update from the Intercollegiate Championships, so stay tuned for much more from beautiful Lexington, Virginia! You can also see videos uploaded from The Horse Pesterer on his YouTube channel here.
VAHT: Website, Live Scores
Here is a look at some more social media from the day:
