Top 3 Stay Steady on Tryon CCI4*-L Cross Country Day

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Nutcracker. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

The CCI4*-L title will be Liz Halliday-Sharp’s to seal tomorrow at Tryon’s spring International, presented by Fairfax & Favor, after securing a clear cross country round onboard Ocala Horse Properties‘ + the Nutcracker Syndicate’s Cooley Nutcracker. Despite the addition of 3.6 time penalties, Liz had enough penalty marks in hand to retain her lead — though Jacob Fletcher and Fabian (previous 4*-S winners at both Tryon and TerraNova last year) are hot on her heels just .2 marks behind. Jacob and the 13-year-old KWPN gelding turned in one of three clear rounds inside the time on Saturday to remain on their dressage score of 31.2.

Jacob Fletcher and Fabian. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Cooley Nutcracker, a 9-year-old Irish gelding by Tolant R previously campaigned through the 3* level by French rider Astier Nicolas, will vie for his first 4* win on Sunday. Historically, he’d be a pretty reliable show jumper; he’s had one rail down at the 4*-S level. Jacob and Fabian would be ones with a chance of lowering a rail, but they’ve jumped clear rounds when it matters most, including most recently after the grueling cross country at the Lexington 4*-S in April.

Boyd Martin and Commando 3. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Remaining in third place after cross country at Boyd Martin with DSN Equestrian Ventures’ Commando 3 (Connor 48 – R-Adelgunde), who added two seconds of time to their starting score but remain just ahead of hard-charging Hot Bobo (VDL Arkansas – Taneys Leader), piloted to a double clear today by Karl Slezak.

Karl Slezak and Hot Bobo. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Both of the aforementioned are some serious top prospects for their respective riders — it’s not difficult to see these two being potentials to hop a plane for this fall’s Pan American Games and, looming even larger, the Olympics in Paris next summer (I know, I know — it’s way too early, but I can’t help it).

Joe Meyer and Harbin. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Quick rounds were rewarded with moves up the board, notably in this division for New Zealand’s Joe Meyer with the Irish Thoroughbred gelding Harbin (Verglas – Rainbow City), moving from 10th to fifth, and Andrew McConnon and Wakita 54 (Plot Blue – Werusa), moving from 16th to seventh.

Andrew McConnon and Wakita 54. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Fence 5AB, an oxer over a ditch set on a forward stride to a right handed corner, caused the most trouble on the 4*-L track: three pairs encountered refusals here, with two ending retirements at this question (Hawley Bennett-Awad and Jollybo, Heather Gillette and Vincent Chase).

Boyd Martin and Fedarman B. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Boyd Martin claimed three of the top four final spots in the CCI4*-S, taking home the blue on the Annie Goodwin Syndicate’s Fedarman B, runner-up with the Turner family’s Tsetserleg, and fourth with the Luke 140 Syndicate’s Luke 140. All three of the Martin horses will now set sight on the next CCI5* on the calendar: Longines Luhmühlen in Germany, June 15-18.

Here’s a look at the leaders of the remaining divisions following Saturday’s action. We’ll conclude competition at Tryon with show jumping for the Long divisions on Sunday.

CCI3*-L: Caroline Martin-Pamukcu and She’s the One (28.7)
CCI3*-S: Buck Davidson and Business Class (38.3)
CCI2*-L: Waylon Roberts and Fernhill Salt Lake (31.6)
CCI2*-S: Liz Halliday-Sharp and Maybach (24.2)
CCI1*-S: Arden Wildasin and Wanama (31.7)

Many thanks to Shannon Brinkman Photography for the shots from Saturday, and keep scrolling for a peek at social media from a jam-packed day.