Dear World, Look out for Mystery Whisper. Sincerely, Eventing Nation
Two phases does not a season make, but we can say so far so good in a big way for Phillip Dutton and Mystery Whisper in their 2012 Olympic campaign. Phillip spent last year assembling an armada of horses for this 2012 campaign and his flagship is clearly Mystery Whisper. Their partnership is still forming, but Phillip answered the biggest question mark about Mystery Whisper with a never-in-doubt XC ride that was the third fastest of the CIC3* division. Phillip and Mystery Whisper provisionally extended their lead to 12.5 points and they go into the show jumping sitting on a very respectable horse trials score with the rest of their division sitting on three-day scores. The announcers have been counting up Phillip’s miles ridden all day long and he is going to finish having ridden well over 15 miles.
Marilyn Little-Meredith put together a very smooth and fast round with RF Rovano Rex to remain in second. Michael Pollard and Icarus moved from fifth to provisionally third with 7.2 time penalties–this pair finished 3rd here last year. Phillip moved up to from 6th to 4th provisionally aboard Ben. Last year’s Red Hills CIC3* winners, Allison Springer and Arthur, moved down to 5th with 12.4 time penalties but Arthur looked nice and focused when I saw him on the early part of the course.
Red Hills CIC3* XC Provisional Scores:
1. Phillip Dutton and Mystery Whisper +4.8 32.7
2. Marilyn Little-Meredith and RF Rovano Rex +7.2 45.3
3. Michael Pollard and Icarus +7.2 48.3
4. Phillip Dutton and Ben +6 48.6
5. Allison Springer and Arthur +12.4 50.5
6. Selena O’Hanlon and Colombo +2.8 51.1
7. Peter Atkins and HJ Hampton +0 51.9
Red Hills is a great spectator experience, but it’s impossible to see all (or even a third) of the course at once. Here are a few notes from the three-star cross-country:
—19 of 24 starters completed this Red Hills course without jumping penalties. Two horses–Demeter and Ziggy–picked up 20 jumping penalties. Diamond Cut and Diana Burnett were eliminated early on the course for three refusals. Imogen De Lavis took a tumble at the coffin, but there was no hold on course. There’s no doubt that those statistics point toward a gentler Red Hills course this year as opposed to the epically tough courses of several years ago.
–All of the Henny fans out there will be thrilled to hear that Henny looked to be in top form today. Peter and Henny smoked around the course as the only CIC3* pair to make the time and Henny was locked on through every combination I watched. Peter was wearing a helmet cam so we can look forward to that soon.
—Mr. Medicott is a beast and I mean that in a good way. He gallops and jumps like one of the most athletic horses I have ever seen. Karen and Mr. Medicott are clearly still working to form their partnership and they lost some time half-halting before the fences, but there’s no doubt in my mind that Mr. Medicott can jump anything that any course in the world will put in front of him. Karen’s other CIC3* ride, Veronica, has come a long way over the past 12 months and she looked very comfortable around the course today.
–Full time veterinarian and part time advanced rider Kevin Keane and Fernhill Flutter continued their steady rise through the levels today with a clear round. At times they looked like a pair making their way around their first three-star but they definitely belonged on the course and finished looking much better for the experience.
–The veteran Canadian horse Colombo worked his way around the course with Selena O’Hanlon and finished on the second fastest time of the day. Young Rider Danielle Dichting and the energetic Tops made quick work of the course and moved up a few places. Sir Donovan and Katie Ruppel delivered their traditionally strong round.
–Michael Pollard and Wonderfull Will took a tumble when Will hit some soft footing and slipped out between jumps at the complex at #24. Michael said that he was right on the time and Will was jumping great up to that point. Both horse and rider are fine. Michael’s two other CIC3* rides, the Hanni Badger and Icarus were terrific. Icarus made a strong fitness statement after that tough fall at Burghley last autumn and Hanni also looked strong around this hilly course in her first three-star.
–The advanced division is just wrapping up. Overnight leaders Jessica Phoenix and Exponential withdrew before the cross-country, opening the door for their fellow countrymen Kendal Lehari and Daily Edition to move into the lead. Exponential’s withdraw was planned before the weekend and the first time we will see Tucker out on cross-country will be at The Fork. Phillip had a really good ride with Fernhill Eagle. Kendal is in my mind one of the top developing Canadian riders because she keeps producing good results with horses that she has brought up the levels herself.
Advanced Results:
1. Kendal Lehari and Daily Edition +8 48.3
2. Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Eagle +12 49.2
3. Doug Payne and Running Order +24 54.3
4 Phillip and The Apprentice +20 55.3
Saturday at Red Hills concludes with the CIC2* and then intermediate horse trials division. Let’s hope this smooth, safe, and fast day of cross-country stays that way. Go eventing.
