Liz Halliday and Miks Master C. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
We saw the leaderboard shake up a bit at the conclusion of dressage for the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S at the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. A competitive field was expected, with the Olympic selection committee present here this weekend, and the riders on the second day certainly did not disappoint.
After leading the first day, we saw Boyd Martin and Commando 3 slide into fourth going into cross country tomorrow. We now see a fully female top three: a tie for first between Liz Halliday with Ocala Horse Properties’ and Deborah Palmer’s Miks Master C (Mighty Magic – Qui Lumba CBF, by Quite Easy) and Lucienne Bellissimo with Horse Scout Eventing’s Dyri (Diarado – La Calera, by King Milford xx) on a 26.0, and Caroline Pamukcu and Mollie Hoff, Sherrie Martin, Deniz Pamukcu, and her own HSH Blake (Tolan R – Doughiska Lass, by Kannan) in third on a 27.3.
Liz Halliday and Miks Master C. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Liz and Miks Master C are entering their third season together. While Liz and “Mikki” have only been together since 2022, this partnership has plenty of experience together already, with three previous 4*S wins, a third place finish in the 5* at Kentucky last year (the horse’s debut at the level), and a top ten Pan Ams individual placing.
“I was pleased with Mikki, he definitely knows where he is this week… he remembers the five-star, he’s been very keen and ready to go… I toyed with the idea of doing the five-star, but I felt he proved himself here last year, and the smart thing for his health and longevity was to do the four-star. He’s a horse with so much power, and was very excitable today so I just tried to keep him calm in the warm up. Our last change was a little expensive, but the rest I was really pleased with him,” Liz reflected.
Lucienne Bellissimo and Dyri. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Despite their expensive last change, their score of 26.0 was enough to put them in the lead, tied for first with Lucienne Bellissimo Dyri. Dyri had previously been campaigned through the 3* level with Dirk Schrade before Lucienne took the ride in 2021.
“I’m thrilled with Dyri,” Lucienne commented on their dressage test, which earned them their new personal best at the level. “He’s one of those geldings who’s a little bit introverted. Every time he goes up the centerline, he loses a little bit of confidence, but today was the first time he really started to let me in to all of his work. [We have been] taking time and gaining trust.”
“I did the opposite of what everyone else,” Lucienne laughed. “I did no arena familiarization with him. Which was a risk, but it did pay off… I think if I’d have brought him in last night, he would have come in thinking a little bit backwards. Instead, I was able to put my leg on and actually ride him.”
Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Pan Ams individual gold medalist Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake sit only 1.3 penalty points behind Liz and Lucienne.
“I’m not going to lie, I tried not to cry at the end. I’m so proud of my horse, and he’s only 9 this year,” Caroline said. “This weekend is his fourth advanced ever.”
Despite having limited 4* experience together, Caroline and Blake have continuously shown their competitiveness at the level, finishing in the top three in the three 4* previously contested, as well as winning the individual gold at the Pan Ams in 2023.
Outside of the top three, we see Boyd Martin and Commando 3 in fourth, Elisabeth Halliday and Cooley Quicksilver in fifth, and William Coleman with Diabolo and Off The Record in sixth and seventh, after having to withdraw Chin Tonic HS earlier this week.
Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
As the competition moves to cross country tomorrow, it will be an exciting day to follow. Only 5.3 penalty points separate the top ten, leaving no room for error. This year as an Olympic year is more intense than ever, and the event expects at least 30,000 people in attendance on Saturday. The CCI4*-S will be the first division of the day, starting out at 9 a.m. You can find ride times here.
Hannah Sue Hollberg and Carsonstown. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
“I absolutely love the course, the ground feels amazing. I think it’s tough, fence 4 at the water, and fence 6 with the coffin early on… it’s unforgiving, but it’s well built,” Lucienne stated.
There were a handful of withdrawals ahead of cross country: Tamie Smith withdrew Danito (we have reached out to her for information and will update if we receive any, but Danito hasn’t had many runs in the last bit so it was perhaps always her plans to just do dressage), Buck Davidson withdrew Cooley Candyman, which was his original plan as he is aiming for Tryon’s 4*-L in May and was using this as practice, Katie Malensek withdrew STX Mex, and John Michael Durr withdrew Blue Rodeo.
“We do this not just because we love to compete, but because we love the horses with whom we compete,” JM shared on social regarding “Stanley”. “That partnership is what drives us and brings out our best self every weekend. Sometimes that means listening to what our teammate has to say—even when it is hard to hear. For us, that means addressing the fact that while Nugget the wonder pony has been amazing, the pressure of performing in the dressage arena is overwhelming for Blue Rodeo, therefore, our team has decided to follow his lead and pursue a career in show jumping. I want to share my sincerest thanks to Drs. Anne Baskett and Bill Hay, who not only bred Stanley (Blue Rodeo), but have always put him first. They are incredible veterinarians and horse owners, and have been like family to me. I am incredibly excited for this new adventure and hope it will give Stanley an opportunity to truly blossom. Thank you all for your support. We look forward to this next chapter.”
Tomorrow’s weather forecast looks to be sunny and warm, with temperatures rising into the upper 70s in the afternoon. We’ll be covering the action at the #BestWeekendAllYear, so make sure to stay connected!
EN’s coverage of the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event is presented by Kentucky Performance Products, your one-stop shop for science-backed nutritional support for all types of horses. Click here to learn more about Kentucky Performance Products.
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