Shandiss McDonald and Rockfield Grant Jaun are tied for first on a 47.3 in the CIC3* at the lunch break.
I’m pleased to announce that the sun is now peaking through the clouds here at The Fork. Despite early morning forecasts calling for rain, we haven’t seen a drop all day, and temperatures are slowly starting to climb into the 50s. The nicer weather drew a much larger crowd this morning, with people actually venturing into the spectators’ tent and quite a few owners and supporters lining the fence by the CIC3* to watch the dressage tests.
Shandiss McDonald and Rockfield Grant Jaun and Susan Beebee and Wolf are sharing honors as the new leaders of the CIC3* at the lunch break, both tied for first on a score of 47.3. Shandiss’s test was the first of the mid-morning tests I watched and drew a large group of Canadian supporters to watch her go. The test was excellent, and Clayton Fredericks looked thrilled at Shandiss’ final halt, giving a loud whistle and cheer as she left the ring. Team Canada should be very happy with that performance.
Susan Beebee and Wolf are tied for first on a 47.3.
Susan Beebee and Wolf consistently put in really lovely performances in their dressage tests, and today was no different. The test was very good, with only a slight bobble when Wolf broke to the canter during the trot work at the beginning of the test. The changes were also a tad late, but overall the test was very good. Susan and Wolf also led the CCI2* at Fair Hill last fall after dressage. I’m rooting for a great performance from them for the rest of the weekend.
Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda are sitting in fourth on a 48.2.
Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda would likely be leading the dressage right now had she not forgotten her test and made a wrong turn early on. She circled back around and kept going, finishing very well to sit in fourth place on a 48.2. Nina Gardner, Cambalda’s owner, was on hand to watch the test and was very gracious to Jennie, who was understandably very disappointed. But Nina wisely pointed out that it’s good to get the kinks worked out now in preparation for Kentucky, where Jennie and Ping will be making their Rolex debut in just a few short weeks.
It’s a lot of fun to watch a dressage test standing next to Michael Barrisone, which I had the pleasure of doing during Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Fugitive’s test. Michael gave Phillip a pep talk from the rail as he was about to begin his test, saying how important it is to be confident going into the ring. “The riders who do well in cross country are the ones who really tackle the cross-country course,” Michael said. “You need to go into dressage expecting to win.” Phillip’s test was really nice, particularly the trot work.
Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Fugitive are in ninth place on a 50.2.
Ronald Zabala-Goetschel was standing at the rail for the late afternoon rides hoping to learn his test, which he will ride just after the lunch break on Master Rose. After both Jennie Brannigan and Meghan O’Donoghue forgot their tests, I told him I hoped he was studying extra hard. Ronald and Master Rose will be competing at Rolex later this month. Other notable mid-morning rides include Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot, who broke to the canter during the trot work, but had a really lovely test overall to sit in 16th on a 53.1.
Buck Davidson and D.A. Adirmo, who won the Advanced at Rocking Horse earlier this season, had a fluid, consistent test to sit in 13th on a 52.5. The horse gave a proud neigh at the end of the test like he knew he did a good job. I also thought Daniel Clasing and Houston put in a lovely test, aside from one break to the canter. Daniel and Houston will be competing at Rolex for the first time this month. We have 25 more horses to go in dressage in the CIC3*, including many more horses that will be competing at Rolex. Stay tuned for much more from The Fork.
The top 20 scores thus far in the CIC3* at The Fork.
