Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Even when it comes to horse inspections, Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH are leading the way at the Defender Kentucky Three Day Event — the current leader of the CCI5* was the first to present, and successfully so, in this morning’s second horse inspection. Our top five remain unchanged heading into the final phase.
We do find ourselves moving forward to the show jumping phase with a slightly smaller field than we ended with yesterday afternoon. Ema Klugman’s Bronte Beach (eighteenth after cross-country) and Tim Price’s Jarillo (sixth after cross-country) were withdrawn from competition overnight and did not present at this morning’s horse inspection. During the course of proceedings, two horses were asked to re-present: Calvin Bockmann and The Phantom of the Opera, who sit thirteenth after yesterday’s influential phase, and Tim Price and Falco, who were 15th despite a frustrating late 20. Tim chose to retire Falco from the competition while in the hold box and did not present the experienced 16-year-old Hanoverian gelding again.
Calvin, on the other hand, trotted down the strip for a second time and was accepted to a round of cheers from the crowd. “Phanty” and Calvin had a dramatic save on cross country yesterday, after a long leap in Pete’s Hollow that caused the horse to lose his footing upon landing. Calvin stayed in the saddle, Phanty regained his balance, and the pair galloped forward to finish the course. After being inspected by veterinarians and the Ground Jury, the 14-year-old gelding has been found to be sound and healthy and will continue on to show jumping today.
While it was a bit of a tough jog for the Europeans, the US-based contingent of the CCI5* field sailed through with nary a problem. Show jumping kicks off at 10:30 this morning with the Taren Hoffos and Regalla trailblazing in the CCI4*-S, which remains in the hands of Will Coleman and Off The Record overnight. The five-star riders will begin the final phase of competition at 2:30 this afternoon.
Will Coleman and Off the Record, leaders of the CCI4*-S, work the crowd at the second horse inspection.
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