All hail the (CIC*** Dressage) Queen! Becky Holder ruled the Richland Park CIC***, leading from start to finish for an immensely popular win, and underlining her fabulous form by also taking second place for good measure. The tiara was awarded to her in addition to wads of cash and armfuls of goodies because she had the best CIC*** dressage score – the winner does indeed take it all!
Becky on Can’t Fire Me after winning the Richland Park CIC***.
Becky and Can’t Fire Me
Courageous Comet’s rail left him on the same score as last year’s Richland Park CIC*** winners, Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM, but Comet held onto his overnight reserve spot by virtue of being closer to the cross country optimum time.
Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM, 3rd.
Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Eagle, 4th
Jan Byyny and Inmidair, 5th
Phillip Dutton and Mighty Nice, 6th
Holly Payne and her jumping machine Madeline – the mare looked as if she was on springs, and moved up ten places to seventh, finishing on their dressage score.
Boyd Martin and Trading Aces, 8th
Jennie Brannigan is back! 9th on No Objection, and riding beautifully on all her horses in both phases I think she laid to rest any doubts about whether she might be ring rusty, clearly not! Walkabout was 14th in this division, Cambalda was second in the Advanced to Michael Pollard’s Hanni, and Indie came 4th in the Open Intermediate – job well done!
Katie Ruppel and Sir Donovan put in another good performance to finish 10th
Caitlin Silliman and Catch A Star, 11th – these two have such a great partnership after all they’ve been through together, and Caitlin is a quiet, stylish and effective rider, it’s a joy to watch them compete.
Danica Moore and Utah B, 12th
Buck Davidson and The Apprentice III, 13th
Jennie Brannigan and Walkabout, 14th
Megan O’Donoghue and Pirate, 15th
Phillip Dutton and Atlas, 16th
Buck Davidson and Park Trader, 17th
Robert Meyerhoff and Dunlavin’s Token, 18th
Leslie Chelstrom and Cecelia, 19th
Sara Kozumplik and Tatton Winter, 20th
Thanks to Nigel Casserley and his crew for wiring Richland Park for sound, and for wonderful commentary throughout the event. After the prizegiving Roger Haller made a speech thanking owners Bob and Kay Willmarth for the mammoth task they’d undertaken to put on an event of this size each year, and enlisted the help of the top 6 riders assembled, as well as David O’Connor and Ian Roberts to each say a few words in the main arena. All the riders spoke to the importance of Richland Park in the calendar, praised the effort that was made to provide such good going, and Boyd even gave the corn on the cob at the competitors’ party a special mention! Eventing Nation enthusiastically extends the same thanks to everyone at Richland Park who helped turn it into such a great weekend of sport, and we look forward to coming back next year – Go Eventing!
