Phillip and Mystery Whisper, via Samantha
One of the big questions that US eventing high performance is going to answer this year is whether or not a horse and rider can form a strong enough partnership in less than a year to succeed at the Olympics. Three big name horses competing in the Red Hills CIC3*–Mystery Whisper, Mr. Medicott, and Demeter–were all purchased for their riders at the end of 2011 with the clear mission of competing at the Olympics. Mystery Whisper and Phillip Dutton jumped out to a huge 10.2 point lead in CIC3* with a beautiful test–see the video posted earlier on EN. Phillip and Mystery Whisper have not been getting very impressive scores on the flat so far this spring, but today was clearly a turning point. Mr. Medicott is 8th after the dressage and Demeter is 13th.
The top three pairs from the morning session held on to 2nd through 4th position and Michael Pollard followed up his 4th placed morning ride by moving into 5th on Icarus with a 41.1. Phillip sits in 6th with Ben and Karen occupies the next two spots with Veronica and Mr. Medicott respectively.
Red Hills CIC3* Dressage Results:
1. Phillip Dutton and Mystery Whisper 27.9
2. Marilyn Little-Meredith and RF Rovano Rex 38.1
3. Allison Springer and Arthur 38.1
4. Michael Pollard and Schoensgreen Hanni 39.9
5. Michael Pollard and Icarus 41.1
6. Phillip Dutton and Ben 42.6
7. Karen O’Connor and Veronica 43.8
8. Karen O’Connor and Mr. Medicott 44.4
9. Selena O’Hanlon and Colombo 48.3
10. Phillip Dutton and William Penn 50.4
–The USA is defending our home turf well in CIC3* with US riders occupying the top 8 spots. Selena O’Hanlon is the highest placed Canadian in 9th, with a test that might have deserved a better score.
—Phillip is riding no less that 8 horses at Red Hills this weekend which would be amazing if he didn’t do that all the time. His most impressive ride of the day was surely his 27.9 with Mystery Whisper, a score that was only one point higher than the best horse trials score of the day. Phillip is also catch riding The Apprentice for Buck Davidson, who is still wearing a sling from his broken collar bone.
–In the press conference following the dressage Phillip emphasized similarities between the terrain at Greenwich park and Red Hills. This weekend is going to be a great test for Olympic hopefuls. Phillip explained that Mystery Whisper was purchased by the Wildasins for their daughter Arden and Phillip is fortunate enough to get the ride for the Olympics. Phillip said that Mystery Whisper is more skilled on the flat than he is.
–Second placed Allison Springer noted how great the community support is here at Red Hills. This event does a fantastic job of getting the local community involved in the event as volunteers and spectators, and all of us love the resulting atmosphere.
–Marilyn Little-Meredith echoed that sentiment and said that although she has only been eventing for a year and a half this is her second Red Hills. She said that Red Hills is probably the best event she has been to so far when considering the organization and atmosphere.
–Kevin Keane and Fernhill Flutter are competing in their first 3* this weekend and their test had some nice moments but also some bobbles. It was great to see Diana and Diamon Cut out and about this weekend. This is the pair that i think got completely robbed by the vets at Bromont by eliminating them for sarcoids.
–I know Michael is going to be really excited that I am posting video of Wonderful Will rather than his 4th and 5th placed horses, but I love the spunk of this ex racehorse (and ex track pony).
–Karen and Mr. Medicott’s best performances are yet to come. The super athletic Mr. Medicott spooked at a baby stroller incident in the crowd before his test and had a major spook at clapping in the middle of the test. Karen repeated the movement and it was much better the second time. Fun fact–Mr. Medicott came from Europe with a barn name of “Cave” although he is called much friendlier things around OCET.
–Canada’s Jessica Phoenix and Exponential raised some eyebrows by taking control of the advanced division on a 29.7. If this pair starts winning in the dressage they are going to be pretty unstoppable and I give a lot of credit to Jessica for continuing to steadily improve Tucker’s flatwork. Doug Payne and Running Order looked super to move into second.
Buck Davidson watching his girlfriend, Andrea Leatherman, riding the lovely Mystic My. This photograph was designed with the help of a world class photographic genius.
–Jimmie Schramm and Bellamy are leading the CIC* on a 46.0 with veteran Danny Warrington and Will Smith on a 48.9. Nicole Parkin is third with Shotgun Express.
Cross-country starts at 9am ET on Saturday. The early word on the cross-country course is that it’s a bit more mild than previous years but the going is never easy around the Red Hills terrain. I’m off to walk the course! Go eventing.
