Waredaca Classic Three-Day Event Concludes Cross Country Day

Carol Koslowski & Main Attraction took a commanding lead in the T3D at Waredaca. Photo by Kate Samuels.

Carol Kozlowski and Main Attraction took a commanding lead in the T3D at Waredaca. Photo by Kate Samuels.

Day two has come and gone here at Waredaca Classic Three-Day Event, with the conclusion of roads and tracks, steeplechase, and cross country courses for the Training and Novice Three-Day divisions. This event is just like any other three-day, where Saturday afternoon is a mix of elation and disappointment.

After our dressage tests yesterday, where most of the horses and riders were competing in standard sized arenas with two judges for the first time ever, the anticipation was mounted high for the cross country day. Carol Kozlowski and Main Attraction were the first riders in the ring for the T3D,and took a commanding lead right out of the box with a 26.2. Their test was truly beautiful, and with two Preliminary competitions under their belt, they were certainly well prepared for the challenge.

Alyssa Peterson is here this weekend competing two of Sharon White’s homebred prodigies and slotted right into second place with Ready or Not, a 5-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare who recently completed the Fair Hill Young Event Horse Championships in fifth place. Alyssa and Spicy have been competing at Training level all year, and have been consistently competitive. It showed in their dressage test, scoring a 30.5.

The Novice division had a very competitive dressage session, with Lakiesha Varney and Kolor Me Gone coming out on top with a 28.3. The flashy paint gelding moved up to Novice this June with Lakiesha, and has completed six events in his preparation for this season culmination. They were closely followed by the stunning Akhal-Teke stallion, Adamek, ridden by Sabine Desper to a 28.4 dressage score. With three Training level competitions under their belt, they have come to Waredaca with plenty of preparation.

Alyssa Peterson & Sharon White's Ready Or Not kept their second place with a double clear. Photo by Charles Larkin.

Alyssa Peterson and Sharon White’s Ready Or Not kept their second place with a double-clear. Photo by Charles Larkin.

As part of the continuing education throughout the competition, all riders were offered the chance to school the steeplechase with Eric Smiley in the afternoon yesterday, which was an incredible opportunity. While the Novice riders may have popped their eyes out over the Training level brush fences, it was great for the horses and riders to get a good gallop and jump the obstacle three times and feel confident going into Phase B for today.

The experience of the traditional format cannot be replicated, and is truly a wonderful education for horses and riders. The eventing community is never stronger than wishing one another “Good luck!” and “Have fun!” while passing one another on Phase A and Phase C of roads and tracks. The steeplechase was an absolute blast and got the horses feeling really confident and forward, which carried over to the cross country.

After all four phases, the top three of the T3D remains unchanged, with double-clears from Carol, Alyssa, and third placed Julie Augustine. “I thought that the course was very technical for the level, but there was a good gallop at the beginning to get them going confidently. The major questions on the course were all very size appropriate, but it was certainly a championship level challenge” said Alyssa, who is currently standing in 2nd and 4th place.

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Novice Three Day Competitors Emma Keahon and Wil’Ya Love Me. Photo by Kate Samuels.

The Novice Three-Day had a little bit of a change-up after cross country, with the leader suffering a run out on Phase D, and second placed Sabine with Adamek cruised to a double-clear. Fifth placed after dressage, Lisa Hannon and Sky’s The Limit moved into reserve position on the power of their double-clear rounds.

The final trot-up is tomorrow, bright and early starting at 7:30 am, beginning with the Novice Three-Day. The T3D begins their showjumping shortly afterwards, at 9 am, in reverse order of standing. As the live scores aren’t working, please enjoy these cell phone photos of the scoreboard!

T3D Results After XC

T3D Results After XC

N3D Results After XC

N3D Results After XC