(1) The weather at Virginia started the day overcast, progressed to scattered showers, and ended the afternoon in a downpour. The footing held up well everywhere except for a couple of takeoffs and landings, and the riders seemed to be studding up enough to handle the conditions.
(2) P3D Results: In the Prelim long format three-day, Cindy Wood and Unbelievable posted one of two double clears to maintain their dressage score of 33.3 and lead Kevin Smith and Tintin by 5.8 points. It’s impossible not to mention that despite $1,000 in prize money offered in the omnibus, the P3D only has 6 entrants. The long format is still struggling to find a consistent place in our sport despite great reviews and appreciation from all the long format competitors.
Cathy Wieschhoff helping Rachel Dwyer cool out Filou
(3) CCI* Results: Rachel Dwyer and Filou added just 0.4 time penalties to their dressage score and lead the CCI*. Rachel is from California and now rides and works for OCET. Rachel goes in the show jumping just 2.7 ahead of Rebekah Simmons and Free and Clear. Out of 22 CCI* starters there were 16 clean rounds.
(4) CCIJY* Results: Continuing the theme of the day, Kirstie DIllon and Tasmans Devil held onto their dressage lead with a double clear on the XC in the CCIJY*. 12 out of 17 starters in the CCIJY* had clean rounds.
(5) Horse Trials Results: Nate Chambers and Rolling Stone won the Intermediate Horse Trials for the weekend on a 27.2. Rebecca Howard continued her successful return to eventing with a second place finish on Riddle Master.
(6) The intermediate course was relatively small, but a couple of the distances rode long, such as the two tables at fence 8. 7 out of 24 starters had issues on course, and most problems that I saw throughout the day resulted from greener horses not paying a lot of attention to their lines.
(7) Karen O’Connor fell from her new ride Quintus 54 at the angled one stride at 13AB, but popped up quickly and both horse and rider were fine. It takes most people at least half a year to get completely clicking with a new horse, and even for a great rider like Karen it takes a couple of events. Quin has all the skills, and I expect him to be winning with Karen in the near future.
(6) Sara Lieser of the COTH is competing in the novice this weekend on Abacus. Sara had an interesting start to her competition when her truck broke down a mile from the Virginia Horse Center. LisaB, an EN regular, saw Sara by the side of the road and gave Sara and her horse a ride to the event. Good news: Sara’s truck is fixed now after getting a new fuel pump. You gotta love the team spirit of eventing.
Sara and “Charlie”
Go eventing.
