More Sights and Sounds from Wellington Cross Country

Lauren Kieffer and Czechmate. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Three things stand out to me when looking at the photos from yesterday’s cross country finale at the $50,000 Wellington Eventing Showcase: (1) all the smiles on the riders’ faces, (2) pricked ears on horses that were having a blast and (3) the beautiful course with perfect going.

Even with Capt. Mark Phillips’ course just being 3 minutes and 45 seconds, it still felt like a genuine track, with several good galloping stretches and enough technicality to cause trouble for a few combinations. As Lainey Ashker pointed out, it had all of the key questions we see on longer courses: water, ditch, corners, skinnies.

Built on a big derby field, you could see half of the course from one side and the other half by crossing a pedestrian path. It made for great spectator viewing, with the crowd swarming from one side of the course to the other following each horse and rider as they made their way around.

I’ve seen some calling this showcase “arena eventing,” but a more appropriate term might be something like “compact eventing,” with the riders comparing it to the thrill of feeling like they were on a roller coaster, or as Will Coleman put it: “riding a hurricane.”

Another thing to consider when looking at the optimum time is that’s not that far off the mark for what we’re seeing from recognized courses this early in the season. Rocking Horse’s Intermediate course was just one minute longer a couple weeks ago.

Here’s a gallery of some of my favorite photos from cross country yesterday, and if you missed my blog on my final impressions from the Wellington Eventing Showcase, click here to check it out; share your own thoughts in the comments. Go #WellyEventing.

Wellington Eventing Showcase: Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram, #WellyEventing