Micheal Pollard moved into the lead in Advanced A by virtue of a fast clear on Shoensgreen Hanni, while Will Coleman brought both his horses home with steady clears. Danielle Dichting stormed round on Tops to move into 3rd place behind Kate Samuels and Nyls du Terroir, while Jon Holling and Downtown Harrison shares 4th place with Kelley Williams and Brazen Bomber.
Jon Holling and Downtown Harrison
In the Advanced B division there was an obvious shift to the more experienced combinations – most of the riders chose to do the bigger drop down into the water that was the CIC*** option and were braver this afternoon about taking the direct route at the corner. What a treat to see Neville’s big white mug galloping across the country again, with such disdain for the course, he made it look easy and seemed very happy indeed to be back.
Allison Springer had a wonderful round on Arthur, fast and clear and he looked like a dead cert the whole way, straight and true and focused, what a great prep run for them both before Rolex. Sinead Halpin also had one of the best rounds all day to move up into second behind her, also clear and within the time, and just looked to be doing it for fun, did Taterball walk the course?! – they made it look like pony club!
Sinead and Tate drop into the water
Becky Holder had two good clears but whereas Comet was been there done that, Can’t Fire Me needed a much stronger ride, and looked quite green sometimes, but will be better for the experience today. Phillip Dutton – what can you say? He sits there, rides his lines, is so strong, so accurate and yet so still, and so consistent. The only time I saw him move in the saddle today, over something like 20 miles that Brian O’Connor added up he rode xc today was funnily enough on The Foreman, his last ride of the day, perhaps he relaxed for a second, who knows, but I’m still not convinced P Dutty is all human, I think he has superhero in his bloodlines!
Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen
Things look good for USA. Jon Holling, Clark Montgomery, Sinead Halpin, Will Coleman, Laine Ashker all rode smart but competitive rounds. Marilyn Little Meredith looked best on Rovano Rex, the most comfortable of all her horses and that I saw taking less risks, and let’s be honest, she was by no means the only rider who got away with a long one, or needed a bit of luck at times! Marilyn finishes another tough xc day with a clutch of consistent rides under her belt. I feel for Jennie Brannigan and Jan Byyny who both had falls at the Sunken Road, I didn’t see them and I hear they were both ok.
Marilyn Little-Meredith and Rovano Rex
There’s plenty more to write about, I know I’m forgetting lots, but before I quickly run to the press conference before sitting down to try and do a proper job a HUGE thank you to the volunteers, organisers, course builders and everyone who helped today, a long day but a successful one. Go Eventing!
