Peter Barry Takes One for the Home Team in 1* Bromont Dressage

Peter Barry and Long Island Ice Tea lead after day 1 of the CCI1* dressage. Photo by Leslie Wylie. Peter Barry and Long Island Ice Tea lead after day 1 of the CCI1* dressage. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Bromont is in Peter Barry’s backyard — he’s based about a half-hour away in Dunham, Quebec. So it’s got to feel nice to be sitting on top of the leaderboard at his hometown event at the conclusion of the first day of 1* dressage.

Peter’s ride is Long Island Tea, an Oldenburg gelding who seems like something of a departure from the horse we’ve grown accustomed to seeing Peter on, his veteran four-star partner Kilrodan Abbott. Where Kilrodan Abbott is a rangy Irish Sport Horse, Long Island Tea has more of a compact, sportscar look about him that lends itself to the dressage ring. They got the job done and then some today, laying down a score of 41 to best the field. Peter has been developing this horse for some time and they’ve had a workmanlike spring, finishing 11th in the CIC1* at Carolina International. The horse also jumped clear, both cross-country and show jumping, around his first two Intermediate starts with fellow Quebec eventer Colleen Loach in the tack. This horse’s jumping record is about as squeaky clean as they come so if their score holds up against tomorrow’s competition, I expect a top finish from this pair in their first CCI1* attempt. 

Rounding out the top three are Buck Davison/Cartier and Erin Sylvester/Sweet Rebellion, who are tied for second on a 43.8. This is both horses’ first go at an FEI event but with Buck and Erin showing them the way around I’m sure they’ll find their way to the finish flags in fine form.

My personal favorite performance of the day came from Adrian Jones and Ganymede. They’re sitting in 13th place but if I was the judge, they would definitely be winning. The 14.2-hand Connemara mare is owned by Nicolette Merle-Smith, who campaigned her through the Intermediate level before conceding that perhaps she would be better suited to a more petite rider. Adrian is a perfect fit and I can’t wait to see them storming around the stiff 1* cross-country course on Saturday. Here are a couple photos for you to ooh-and-ahh over:

Adrian Jones and Ganymede. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Adrian Jones and Ganymede. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Adrian Jones and Ganymede. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Adrian Jones and Ganymede. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

The second half of the CCI1* dressage resumes tomorrow at 10 o’clock, along with the CCI3* and CIC3* rides. Much more to come — stay tuned. Alléz Concours Complet!

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