Clayton Fredericks and RF Cool Play. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Richland Park Horse Trials started off on the right foot today with 22 of 22 horses passing the CCI2* jog. Both the CCI2* and CIC1* are new additions for the 2015 event, which also features a CIC2* and CIC3* along with Novice through Prelim and Advanced horse trials divisions.
EN is live on the scene, ready to drop bombs of dazzling insight, astute analysis and riveting commentary you won’t find anywhere else. (Probably because nowhere else would publish it.) Starting with this observation: Clayton Fredericks is the Fred Astaire of eventing.
Seriously, I watched him make two different horses look like Ginger Rogers out on the jog strip today. Their footwork was impeccable, an exquisitely synchronized two-step that made me want to throw roses at their feet.
Behold:
Clayton Fredericks and FE Bowman. Photos by Leslie Wylie.
Clayton Fredericks and RF Cool Play. Photos by Leslie Wylie.
Now let’s see it in action, courtesy of The Horse Pesterer:
Impressive. Several competitors, in fact, showed pas de deux potential. The “also-rans”…
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- Doug Payne and Vandiver. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
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- Rebecca Hoos and Little Cruz. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
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- Samantha Elsenaar and Banbury Sky. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
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- Buck Davidson and Approved Power. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
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- Arden Wildasin and Kineo. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
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- Ryan Wood and Powell. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Other pairs, well, they’ve got some work to do before they win “Dancing with the Equine Stars.” The least synchronized performance of the day belonged to…
Joy Meyer and South Paw. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
The complete performance, courtesy of The Horse Pesterer:
Stallions have prima donna moments sometimes, too. Perhaps he’d prefer a solo dance career?
Dressage for the FEI divisions kicks off tomorrow at 8 a.m. with Advanced dressage in the afternoon.
Keep it locked on EN throughout the week for all the latest news and breaking nonsense from Richland Park. Keep an eye on Instagram as well (@goeventing) as there’s no telling what shenanigans Chinch will be getting into out here in the wilds of Michigan!
Go Eventing.
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