It was a stiff day of competition in the CCI3* at Tattersalls in Ireland today. North American riders are represented in nearly every division this weekend, and Buck Davidson with Carl and Cassie Segal and Sherrie Martin’s Copper Beach represents the U.S. in the CCI3*.
Sam Griffiths and Favorit Z will take the lead in the CCI3* after the dressage, scoring a 36.1. Favorit Z is a 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding owned by Sam as well as Sue Brendish. Favorit Z achieved his personal best FEI dressage score today and was one of just two horses to crack into the 30s.
The next few positions on the board belong to British riders, with Flora Harris and Bayano scoring a 37.4 for second and Nick Gauntlett and Crown Talisman in third on a 41.3.
Crown Talisman, as you may recall, was sold to Nick Gauntlett after campaigning to the three-star level with U.S. rider Doug Payne. This is the first CCI3* competition for Nick and “Tali”, who most recently completed the CIC3* at Belton.
Buck Davidson and Copper Beach had a nice, consistent test. A bobble in one of the flying changes cost them some marks, but this was a very nice debut for this horse in his first overseas start. Buck and Sean scored a 50.1 to sit just outside of the top 20 going into cross country.
This is Buck’s first time competing in Ireland, and it’s also the first trip to an Irish event for the Segals. Sherrie Martin is also supporting her daughter, Caroline, who is prepping for Bramham in the CIC3* with Quantum Solace.
The remainder of the North American riders will compete tomorrow in the dressage. You can read more background information on the North Americans at Tattersalls this weekend here.
As always, we’d like to thank Niamh Flynn of the Tattersalls press team, Libby Law Photography and the Eventing Consultant himself Diarm Byrne of EquiRatings for giving us behind the scenes access this weekend at #Tatts2015. Stay tuned from much more from Ireland.
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