Another weekend of eventing is in the books, with plenty of horse and rider pairs out and about in the southern states. We’re inching closer to warmer weather for the spring season, as well as some upcoming competitions, like the Carolina International CCI4* in just a few weeks!
We caught up with some of the riders aiming for Carolina, and took a look back on this weekend and celebrate our Weekend Winners! Congrats to all on successful outings, with an extra shout out to the winner of our Unofficial Low Score Award, Priscilla Pignatelli and Dittos Gold En Fury, who scored 20.7 in the Starter Rider division at Three Lakes!
Full Gallop Farm Mid February H.T. (Aiken, SC) [Website][Scoring]
Preliminary/Training: Alexandra Knowles and Fernhill Mac an Bata (29.8)
Training: Tracey Bienemann and Silver Bop (29.6)
Training/Novice: Margaret Schneck and Islandwood Border Patrol (31.7)
Novice: Cole William Horn and WillOMoor Pathfinder (24.7)
Beginner Novice A: Christine Hryzak and Sheeran (27.7)
Beginner Novice B: Fylicia Barr and Master Of Illusion (23.8)
Starter: Sophia Perry and Corona With Lime (29.7)
Pre-Starter: Katherine Thornton and Carlingford Finegan (28.0)
Pine Top Advanced (Thomson, GA) [Website][Scoring]
“I’m very pleased with how my horses went at Pine Top this weekend,” says Advanced B winner Ariel Grald, who reflected, “I’m based in Ocala for the winters, and although we have several great venues to choose from, I always make the trip to the Pine Top Advanced HT with my upper level horses… The cross country courses are fantastic and are a good evaluation of where the horses are at at the beginning of the season.”
We’ll see Ariel at Carolina in just a few weeks, with Anne Eldridge’s Leamore Master Plan (Master Imp xx – Ardragh Bash, by Cavalier Royale) in the 4*S, Annie Eldridge’s Diara in the 3*S (Diacontinus – Lady Revens, by Colon xx), and Annie Eldridge’s Adagio’s Nobility (Adagio De Talma – Noble Lady I, by Heraldik xx) in the 2*S.
Andrew McConnon won the Advanced A with Jeanne Shigo’s Ferrie’s Cello (Chello III – Karelza, by Wolfgang). “I’m thankful to have my horses starting off the season looking and feeling well! I had different goals for each horse and I’m pleased with all four of them. We’re really fortunate to have Pine Top Farm on our spring calendar, I’ve been going to Pine Top for nearly 20 years. I’ve had many firsts at Pine Top, including my first Advanced many years ago. It’s always been a special event to me!”
Coming out of the winter, these early spring events have been helpful in bringing Andrew’s horses back from their breaks and in utilizing their training. “I’ve been fortunate to learn from William Fox-Pitt in England the importance of a long winter break and several weeks of long hacking before starting back into work. Most recently with the help of the USEF I’ve had the opportunity to train with Leslie Law, well as my long time coaches at home who have helped me step up my game. While I’m not on the development list this year, the opportunities over the last several years from Nations Cup teams, European tour, and access to training in that program has made a huge impact to myself and my program.”
With a recent move out onto his own, Chris Talley sought out Pine Top as an important stop in his spring for his horses and program: “This year after stepping out on my own and starting my own business I came up from Ocala, Florida and came to the second Pine Top specifically because they have the Advanced division which I wanted to target with the Allison Pratt’s FE Marco Polo (Arko Junior Pms – Elfe II, by Exorbitant XX) and my own Loughtown Cici (Cc Captain Cruise – Castlelawn Diamond Clover, by White Clover) that recently stepped up to [the level].”
“The cross country at Pine Top is why I chose to come here every year. It’s big and bold and really requires positive riding. The courses offer fair questions for this point in the season and also offers a bit of terrain which in Florida you don’t get much of.”
“It’s been a very good start to the season and all the horses finished Pine Top full of confidence so I’m excited for some big spring plans… Since establishing my own business I’ve been really happy with how the horses are going. I have an amazing group of horses and wonderful owners who have been incredibly supportive. This year I really wanted to find the fun in it again. I wanted to enjoy my personal life as much as I enjoy the horses and I’ve found the perfect work/life balance which I think the horses and their performance and reaping the rewards of,” Chris commented.
Having just moved her business back to the states from her time in England, Kimmy Cecere enjoyed her first time at Pine Top. “What a fantastic event to start the season! Both the cross country and show jumping courses were strong and rewarding.”
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“Jacqueline Mars’ Landmark’s Monaco (Formula One – Glamour) had a fun and easy canter around the Intermediate. [Her own] OS Hermintage (Indoctro – Elvira), who has just stepped up to the level, gained confidence throughout all three phases. The rolling hills and variety of questions set both horses up to continue on to Carolina in a few weeks,” Kimmy reflected.
Kimmy’s horses seem to be making the transition to their new base in Southern Pines well. “The horses traveled super well and they love our new base in Southern Pines,” Kimmy commented. “I have developed some great new relationships, and I’m looking forward to expanding my business!”
Advanced – 2022 USEF Advanced Test A: Andrew McConnon and Ferrie’s Cello (36.5)
Advanced – 2022 USEF Advanced Test B: Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan (29.5)
Intermediate Rider: Sara Beth Anton and Legionnaire (37.2)
Open Intermediate A: Allison Springer and No May Moon (27.0)
Open Intermediate B: Colleen Loach and FE Golden Eye (27.2)
Open Preliminary A: Ariel Grald and Adagio’s Nobility (26.1)
Open Preliminary B: Boyd Martin and Kolbeinn (27.2)
Preliminary Rider: Carlin Keefe and Point Nemo (26.6)
Modified – Open A: Fylicia Barr and Quantum Cooley (26.5)
Modified – Open B: Chris Talley and Fast Forward (25.8)
Modified – Rider A: Heidi Grimm Powell and Finntastic! (28.0)
Modified – Rider B: Molly McLaughlin and Top L’Amour WV (34.0)
Open Training A: Kim Severson and Cooley Consort (26.9)
Open Training B: Andrew McConnon and Connery Cooper Z (22.8)
Open Training C: Jane Jennings and SF Vancouver 2 (25.3)
Training Rider: Harrison Chang and JVK Fionn MacCumhaill (34.3)
Junior Novice Rider: Samantha Sibley and RHS Casallco Star (35.4)
Open Novice: Erin Kanara and Captain’s Lady (24.4)
Senior Novice Rider: Alexis Shrum and Anchorman (29.7)
Beginner Novice Rider: Nina Celeste Braun and Lagoon Macaroon (33.5)
Open Beginner Novice: Maddie Lichten and RF Luminati (28.8)
Three Lakes Winter II H.T. at Caudle Ranch (Groveland, FL) [Website][Scoring]
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Open Preliminary: Elisabeth Halliday and Newmarket Cooley (29.7)
Preliminary Rider: Victoria Sudkamp and Woodstock Rio (32.6)
Open Modified: Jordan Crabo and Cooley Pot of Gold (27.9)
Open Training: Stephanie Goodman and HSH Clever Z (25.5)
Training Rider: Hannah Fatehdin and Things To Ponder (26.9)
Novice Rider A: Kirsty McLeod and Celtic Sapphire (27.5)
Novice Rider B: Coco Fiorita and Oskar (22.5)
Open Novice A: Arielle Aharoni and Veni Vidi Vici (30.6)
Open Novice B: Lauren Nicholson and Sir Prize (22.9)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Sarah Alexander and Lambrusco W (21.6)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Jean McNamara and Pavoratti’s Soul (35.0)
Open Beginner Novice A: Lauren Nicholson and Tennyson (25.3)
Open Beginner Novice B: Macy Clark and Bailando (21.9)
Open Starter: Kristen Ayers and Counting Stars (26.7)
Starter Rider: Priscilla Pignatelli and Dittos Gold En Fury (20.7)
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