Intermediate leaders Bonner Carpenter and Basco. Photo by Sally Spickard
It was another action packed day here at the American Eventing Championships. I was able to get on course for a good chunk of the Intermediate and all of the Advanced, both of which rode tough but fairly. My favorite moment of the day goes to Bonner Carpenter and her massive entourage of supporters who were waiting for her at the finish. On a day on which virtually no one made the time in any division, Bonner managed only 1.2 time faults to take the lead going into show jumping. Overnight leaders Michael Pollard and Hanni came home with 3.2 time to lie in second behind Bonner. Julie Wolfert and Buenos Aires, who have had an excellent season, positively skipped around the course to move up to 3rd from 6th.
In the Prelim Horse division, Leslie Law and Tout de Suite are in 1st going into show jumping. Leslie, as only Leslie can do, was one of the few and far between double clear rounds all day today, and he retains his dressage score of 23.7 after today.
Elizabeth New and Uppercrust D held their lead in a very competitive Jr/YR Prelim division, in which a whopping five pairs had double clear cross country rounds.
I spoke briefly with Kim Keeton, the Prelim Senior leader. Hailing from Watkinsville, GA, Kim has had to adjust to the fact that the AECs are no longer in her backyard. She had nothing but good things to say about Texas, though, and has been quite pleased with her Swedish Warmblood-Thoroughbred stallion, Accolade, this weekend. She said that she felt her two years spent riding in England really helped her out on today’s cross country course, what with all of the twists and turns. Kim acknowledged that Accolade is not the most reliable in show jumping, so she feels a bit better having a rail in hand. She will spend the rest of the year doing dressage with Accolade before moving him up to Intermediate next year.
I also got a chance to speak with Madeline Backus, who currently sits atop the Jr/YR Training division. A senior in high school from Colorado, Madeline has two horses competing this weekend. Her first place horse, PS King of Hearts scored a 30 in dressage and went double clear today. Madeline had a great save that I wish I had caught on video at the coffin. She though that her horse didn’t see the ditch properly and dropped his back legs into it, leaving the jump with Madeline hanging on for dear life after losing her balance. She pulled it off though and now is eyeing the blue ribbon tomorrow.
Tamra Smith was also kind enough to talk on the phone with me. Tamra leads the Training Horse division with Sunsprite Syrius, a 5 year old Trakehner. She took over the ride on this horse earlier this year and has been pleased with her results so far. She plans to take him to YEH championships at Galway next with a goal of moving up to Prelim next year.
You can find the rest of the standings after today here. Training through Advanced conclude competition with show jumping tomorrow and Beginner Novice and Novice will set out across country.
Here is a brief interview with Katy Groesbeck and Oz the Tin Man, who definitely knew he was on camera and made sure to pose the entire time.
And last but least, stay tuned for an interview with Elisa Wallace, who demonstrated her progress with her mustang, Rune, who she has only had for 130 days and is already riding without a bridle. What an awesome pair!
Elisa Wallace and Rune showing off their stuff. Photo from Laine Ashker.
