Lucienne Bellissimo and Dyri. Photo by Dave Shapiro.
The first day of the Stable View Spring International started with 2/3/4* FEI Divisions, with the first riders going down the centerline at 8:20 a.m.
In the CCI4*-S ring, Boyd Martin and Lucienne Bellissimo took turns battling it out for first place with each of their two mounts continuing to outscore the other. For the first half of the day they took up four of the five top spots. However, at the conclusion of the CCI4*-S dressage Lucienne Bellissimo and Dyri were in first on a 27.7. Boyd Martin and Commando 3 were in second on a 28.5. Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Connor were in third on a 29.3 with Katie Lichten and Hickstead Musterd in fourth on a 29.5 and Boyd Martin and Cooley Nutcracker rounding out the top five on a 29.8.
At the conclusion of dressage only a rail separated the top ten before combinations took their turns jumping over Chris Barnard’s show jumping track. Only 34% of horse and riders managed a double clear; 45% of combinations kept all the rails up but were a touch too slow to make the optimum time of 77 seconds. The three leaders after dressage were three of the double clear rounds and managed to keep their placings headed into cross country. There was still plenty of shifting of the leaderboard with Alexandra Knowles and Montpellier Scais moving into fourth on a 29.8 and Elisa Wallace and Lissavorra Quality slipping into fifth on a 31.8.
Boyd Martin and Commando 3. Photo by Dave Shapiro.
When asked about her rides Lucienne Bellissimo shared: “Really happy with both horses today. Dyri was really relaxed in the dressage, his changes felt as good as I’ve had them; so it’s nice when that harmony comes out in the arena. Kitsch Couture HPK was much improved, I believe she’ll start creeping into the 20s later this season. Dyri tried 100% for me in the show jumping. I felt Chris built a slightly more academic track than previous years and I liked it made you choose the ride. Great to be in the lead, tomorrow is another day, and we’ll give it our best shot.”
When asked about his rides Boyd Martin noted, “I had two top horses here, Commando 3 and Cooley Nutcracker, and this is sort of their final event leading into Kentucky.” Regarding Helen West’s cross country track he shared, “It looks good. I think it’s a good, fair test to prepare the horses for Kentucky. It’s got some of the questions that we are going to be faced with, with a pretty serious coffin and plenty of brush. It looks like a nice and guiding course too, which should leave the horses nice and confident for April.”
Helen West, cross country course designer, shared that this event is often used as a stepping stone to Kentucky specifically for the CCI4*-S combinations. Helen explained, “With that in mind, I’ve incorporated elements riders may encounter there. You’ll see more use of brush fences, and the questions are designed to help.”
On the 4*-S, there are a few especially influential questions. Combination 5ABC is an early, influential question featuring a MIM Oxer to a MIM Oxer, followed by an acute left-hand brush corner on a related distance, ridden downhill on a bending line. Helen noted, “It’s an early question that requires accuracy and sets the tone for the rest of the course.”
Another question that should be influential is the GGT Water Complex which consists of a bold brush drop into water, followed by a bending five strides to two offset brush shoulders on a one-stride distance. Helen shared, “The unpredictability of the landing makes this a true test. Riders must react quickly to find the correct line on a fairly acute angle.”
The final combination that Helen spotlighted was the Easter Academy Alp located in front of the Pavilion. This question will be sure to have many spectators tomorrow watching horse and riders navigate this technical question that includes a MIM rail over a mound to a ditch, followed by a direct three strides to a narrow MIM triple bar, and four strides to a left-hand corner. Helen said, “It’s a combination that keeps riders thinking all the way to the finish.”
[Course maps will be made available soon here on CrossCountry App]
Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Connor. Photo by Dave Shapiro.
The CCI2*-S and CCI1*-S divisions wrapped up dressage today. In the CCI2*-S Alexandra Knowles and Tip Top Quality are leading on a 24.0. Asia Vedder and Litmanen Z are in second on a 26.3 and Lucienne Bellissimo and Duke’s Jory are in third on a 27.6. In the CCI1*-S Zoe Crawford and Sportsfield Olympic Bay are leading on a 28.5. Hayley Frielick riding Dunedin LB Muze and Meaghan Marinovich-Burdick riding Excalibur O’Donoghue are tied for second on a 30.4.
For the complete leaderboard standings check out the live scores here.
There is still lots to happen tomorrow including the Training, Modified, and Preliminary divisions kicking off their competitions, cross country for the FEI, Intermediate, and Advanced, the VIP experience, shopping in vendor row, and test drives with Land Rover Defenders over the new Off-roading Experience at Stable View.
For those interested in navigating the Defender Course stop by the Defender tent located beside the covered arena tomorrow. Boyd Martin was the first to test out the course. He shared, “That was wild! I didn’t have any idea how epic the Defender Course was going to be. For any one sitting around at Stable View, jump in a Defender, and take a drive. It’s an unbelievable experience.”
Stable View wishes all competitors the best of luck tomorrow!
Stable View Spring International & HT, CCI4*-S (SC, USA): [Website] [VIP Tickets] [Schedule] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map] [Live Stream]
