I have been stressing all week that the Olympic hopefuls in the CIC3* division are focused on Olympic selection and preparation, not on getting a ribbon. I have also mentioned that several US pairs received permission to not run cross-country at Bromont in consultation with the US selectors and coach Mark Phillips. As of 6:00pm Friday night the following US pairs are not planning on running cross-country tomorrow, and therefore are withdrawing from the competition:
Marilyn Little-Meredith and RF Rovano Rex
Boyd Martin and Otis, Remington, and Neville
Phillip Dutton with Might Nice and Fernhill Eagle
Allison Springer and Arthur
Will Coleman with Twizzle and Vancouver
Buck Davidson and Ballynoecastle RM
Notable US pairs still planning to run as of 6pm:
Marilyn Little-Meredith and RF Demeter
Will Faudree with Pawlow and Andromaque
Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen
Karen O’Connor and Mr. Medicott
Becky Holder and Can’t Fire Me
–The horses that have withdrawn will show jump for the selectors on Sunday, I believe after the competition has concluded.
–Most of the pairs that have withdrawn from the cross-country performed really well at Rolex (Arthur 2nd, Otis 3rd, Twizzel 5th, Remington 8th, Mighty Nice 10th, Eagle 12th). Reggie jumped really well at Jersey. Vancouver was never in the Olympic hunt and withdrew due to a hematoma. Boyd told us in our interview this afternoon that his choice whether or not to run Neville would be made in consultation with the vets regarding Neville felling a bit ill after his trailer ride to Bromont. Rovano Rex put in a great XC ride at Rolex before withdrawing and he is still returning from that bone bruise.
–Of the notable US pairs that have not withdrawn, two of them had very successful finishes at Rolex (Cave 4th, Demeter 9th). Can’t Fire Me had a great XC ride at Rolex but didn’t get to show jump, so I can understand the selectors wanting to see how he show jumps after a strenuous cross-country ride. I can also understand why the selectors would want to see cross-country rides from Loughan Glen, Pawlow, and Andromaque.
–Remember that withdrawing from the competition was presented to some of the riders as an option. Both sides of the argument are understandable. On one hand, why risk your horse’s health and take a chance of showing the selectors something bad with a stupid mistake? On the other hand, I can see Karen’s point that she made in our interview this afternoon–XC runs are important to prepare the horses for three-days. As always, it comes down to each rider knowing and doing what is best for their horse; no second guessing that.
–As of right now it’s full speed ahead for Team Canada and as far as I have heard all of the Canadian CIC3* Olympic hopefuls plan to run cross-country tomorrow. I have heard that Diana Burnett and Shigatzi have withdrawn from the CCI3*, although I have not heard a reason.
The CIC3* XC course is pretty light, in my opinion, and the footing is great. I’ll just take this moment to editorialize that the CCI2* course is freaking tough and by far the toughest of the courses at Bromont. The officials have mercifully expanded the options, but that course is not messing around. I have ridden quite a few 2* courses and I don’t think I have ever seen one as tough as this. Go eventing.
