Clayton Fredericks on the big-bodied, big moving Walterstown Don take the lead at lunchtime in CIC*** Section A at Barbury Castle on a score of 44.8, from Lucy Jackson on Animator on 46.2. You can keep an eye on all the live scores here.
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Allison Springer and Arthur are best of the US contingent so far, sitting in 3rd place on 48.2. Allison kept riding forward and positively despite a couple of little spooks from Arthur. I spoke to her after her test and would put the video up if the internet was faster, but no dice! Unlike in the US, there is no ring familiarisation here in England, so when she entered the arena this morning that was the first time either of them had been anywhere near it, and as Bettina Hoy, who’d been warming them up agreed, it is one of the spookiest arenas there is. Allison showed Arthur one of the flower pots and then barely got a chance to trot down half the far long side before the bell rang so the odds were against her, and although she didn’t feel like she brought the spectacular work she had outside in the warm-up into the arena, there were some stunning moments.
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I was annoyed to miss Boyd and Sinead’s test although Meg told me Sinead is very disappointed, that Manoir de Carneville worked beautifully outside and then got tense in the arena. Sadly this was also true for Clark Montgomery’s Loughan Glen who looked stunning in the warm-up with Sandy Phillips, but then got very tense as soon as he entered the main arena. Jess told me he did NOT get any Mrs Pasture’s cookies when he got back to the stable today! Luckily Sandy has arranged for Clark to ride the test ride on him tomorrow morning, and he will carry a schooling whip. He didn’t do anything terrible just curled up a little bit short and backed off the leg, or broke into canter whenever Clark tried to ride him forward in the trot more, very frustrating and disappointing.
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Clark, Loughan Glen and Sandy Phillips
Despite the tension which led to some bobbles, mostly in the trot work Clark still scored a respectable 53.4.
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Karen O’Connor suffered from the opposite effect – her smooth ride only garnered a rather disappointing 52.4 on Mr Medicott. I stood and watched her test next to Marilyn Little-Meredith who arrived here in the UK on Monday, and is here to support her good friend, and indeed gave Karen a jump school the other day. I wasn’t at Bromont but Marilyn told me she thought this test was slightly better. Marilyn is stabling her horses at the lovely Lynham Heath Farm in Oxfordshire while she’s here, and will be aiming for the British Festival of Eventing at Gatcombe in a couple of weeks time.
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Boyd goes again this afternoon on Otis, Phillip goes on Mighty Nice and Will Coleman goes on Twizzel so we’ll bring you reports and pictures, as well as photos of the cross country. Go USA (and GB!) and Go Eventing at Barbury!
