Area IV coach Jon Holling with Lexi Scovil and chef Brewster Walker
It was a quick day of eventing dressage at the Kentucky Horse Park with only 20 two-star young rider competitors this year. The good news is that the competition wrapped up before the worst of the afternoon heat. The high temperatures for today and tomorrow in Lexington are predicted to be in the 90’s with a heat index pushing 100 degrees. The riders will be working hard to stay hydrated and making sure their horses do as well. It has been a sweltering summer in Lexington, and this week sounds like more of the same, although rain is predicted to cool things off on Saturday.
Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, and half of Louisiana, and no I didn’t have to look that up. Area III took the lead today in the 2* team competition by finishing all of their riders in the top 11 places. Area III is closely followed by the Area V & IX team, which is just over a rail out of the lead. Canadian riders always step up at the Kentucky Horse Park and the fighting maple leafs are in third going into the cross-country.
Team 2* Dressage Results:
1. Area III 162.0
2. Area V & IX 166.2
3. Team Canada 170.7
4. Area I & II 180.0
5. Area IV, VI, & VII 187.6
In the individual competition, Area III’s Devon Brown and Dynamic Image took a 1.9 point lead. Canada’s Joelle Bakersville is second with Malibu and Sarah Kamensky and Urlanmore Beauty are in 3rd for Area III.
NAYRC 2* Individual Dressage Results:
1. Devon Brown and Dynamic Image 50.5
2. Joelle Baskerville and Malibu 52.4
3. Sarah Kamensky and Urlanmore Beauty 53.6
4. Lizzie Snow and Coal Creek 54.1
5T. Rowdie Jo Adams and No Money Down 54.5
5T. Kendyl Tracy and Ever So Lucky 54.5
7. Christian Bennett and Rolex 56.6
As much as I would like to shamelessly cheer on my beloved Area VIII, we don’t have any pairs competing at young riders this year. Every other area is represented except for *Area X.
In other Young Rider news, there was apparently a crack-down on “bling” in the pure dressage competition when the technical delegate for the competition ruled that one rider could not enter the competition arena wearing a helmet with pink sparkles. The rider ended up riding in a top hat. [dressage-news via BC]
Area IV’s Jon Holling is having a great week. Yesterday he was named to the Pan American short list with Downtown Harrison and this weekend he is in Kentucky coaching Area IV. Jon will also be getting his guest blog on and sending us updates from Lexington. He texted me earlier today joking that he should go back to his home in Ocala to escape the heat. I’m sure we’ll have a few other friends check in as well throughout the weekend and of course we’ll be following the competition closely from right here in the the Eventing Nation command center so stay tuned.
Update: [USEA Photos]
The one-star dressage starts Friday morning at 8:00am with Shannon Quigley and Tucker XIV. Go Yong Riders.
