Ryan Wood and Woodstock Wallaby at Bromont. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
A big season-end destination for many East coast eventers, Virginia Horse Trials ran dressage today, with the CIC2* also show jumping. In the CIC2*, Ryan Wood and Woodstock Wallaby brought home one of just three double clear rounds to take over first place after lying second after dressage.
Taking the lead after dressage with a score of 51.1, Whitney Mahloch and Military Mind had 20 penalties during show jumping to drop them down into 12th place going into cross country. This is Whitney and “Milo’s” third two-star run, and they’ll be looking to improve upon a 59th place finish at Plantation Field in September.
Tiffani Loudon-Meetze and Hap will take second place in the two-star into cross country day after a clear round today in show jumping. This is Hap’s second start at this level, having moved up to Intermediate this year.
In third place overnight will be Daniel Clasing and Crimson, who moved up from 14th with the third double clear of the division. 20 horses in all will move forward to cross country tomorrow.
In the CCI*, Allie Knowles and On the Rocks take the lead after scoring a 38.4 in the dressage, the only pair to break into the 30s in the 46-horse division. This is the Dutch Warmblood mare’s first full season at Preliminary, and this event is her FEI debut, so Allie will be over the moon with such a great first day showing.
Ryan Wood and Powell scored a 43.1 for second place overnight. P0well, an Oldenburg gelding, is making his CCI debut this weekend in the one-star, coming off of a second place finish in the Prelim at Morven Park earlier this month.
Marc Grandia and Indio BMW are in third place going into tomorrow, scoring a 45.9 in what is another FEI debut. This is an exciting field full of young and promising talent, so we’ll be keeping an eye on Virginia as the weekend progresses.
There is also a Junior/Young Rider CCI* running, Paige Crotty with Cooley Dawn Raid will take the lead after dressage on a score of 51.9. This pair has accumulated several wins at the Preliminary level this year, including a win in the CIC* at Plantation Field last month.
Kaelen Speck and Sweet Rebellion are in second on a 53.4. This pair finished seventh in the CCI* at Bromont this summer and will be looking for an even better finish this weekend as they look ahead to the jumping phases.
In third overnight is Paige Crotty’s second ride, Bantry Bays Winston. This horse was first in his last run at ESDCTA New Jersey in the Prelim, and they’ve chipped away at their score from their last FEI start at Plantation Field, scoring a 56.3.
Virginia CIC2*/CCI1* and H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Times] [Live Scores]
