Weekend Winners: Sporting Days Farm H.T. IV

Welcome to the final edition of “Weekend Winners” of 2018! With the conclusion of Sporting Days Farm H.T. IV over the weekend, the U.S. eventing competition calendar is officially on hiatus until Stable View Aiken Opener H.T. (Jan. 12) and Majestic Oaks H.T. in Ocala (Jan. 12-13). Both events are opened for entries last Tuesday, so if you need to get one on the books to keep you motivated through the holiday dead zone, go right on ahead send ’em in.

By all accounts the weather was uninspiring in Aiken over the weekend, but competitors soldiered on amid the cold pouring rain. Here are your weekend winners! View complete results here.

Open Preliminary: Ashley Hays & Call It Courage (32.4)
Preliminary Rider: Hannah Wright & Delilah Z (36.0)

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@hpweventing was on 🔥🔥🔥 at her first prelim… her and Delilah Z won!!!

A post shared by Jill Henneberg (@nirvanaequestrian) on Dec 1, 2018 at 4:25pm PST

Open Training: Rachel Miles & Zane (32.3)
Training Rider-A: Elizabeth Welker-Ebling & Santana II (32.7)
Training Rider-B: Elizabeth Welker-Ebling & Catchy Connection (30.7)
Novice Rider-A: Sally Rosen & Mayson (30.2)
Novice Rider-B: Finley Habenicht & Aleta NSF (29.5)

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Great way to end the season! Despite a rainy muddy day, ROR Hopps finished on his dressage score in third place. Fin won her division at her very first recognized novice! Can't wait for next season!! #bigthingscoming #team #goteam #valkyrie #sagmae #dyon #erreplus #equinecomfortproducts #equiinstyle #equineomegacomplete #o3animalhealth #canterlaneinteriors #crequineperformancesolutions #breavery

A post shared by Whitney Weston (@whitneyweston_eventing) on Dec 2, 2018 at 10:05am PST

Open Novice: Morgan Batton & Bananarama (29.1)

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Bananarama was PERFECT today to win his first Novice horse trial at #sportingdaysfarm ! He proved that he is not just a pretty face, working hard for me despite rainy and sloppy conditions 😂💁🏼‍♀️🦄 Thrilled with his honest and genuine performance today, finishing on his dressage score of 29.1. Thanks to the team and volunteers at Sporting Days Farm for putting on a fabulous event!

A post shared by Morgan Batton (@morgan_batton) on Dec 1, 2018 at 3:59pm PST

Beginner Novice Rider-A: Jeanne Hulse & Pathfinder (30.5)
Beginner Novice Rider-B: Helen Chapman & Blackhook Porter (32.5)
Open Beginner Novice: Libby Head & SRF Western Territory (24.5)

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I’d say she knocked her first event ever outta the park 👍🏼🌟 • • • • • • • #eventing #dressage #showjumping #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #crosscountry

A post shared by Libby Head (@libbyheadeventing) on Dec 1, 2018 at 2:34pm PST

Starter: Kari Stenberg & Alberta Sunshine (35.7)

A few more of your Instagram snapshots and videos from the weekend that was:

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It was sloppy. It was cold. I almost scratched 4 separate times. But the red horse was honest, brave, and I had a great support group. We ended on our Dressage score and moved up a place to end in 5th. Oh. And we had the fasted BN XC speed. 😂 oops. That’s what happens when you have an #ottb! 🖤🚀🐎#eventersofinstagram #eventinglife #eventingnation #eventing #jumpallthethings #jump #stadiumjumping #jumpjump #thoroughbredsofinstagram #thoroughbreds #ottbsofinstagram #redcatrye #secretariat #stormcat #goodboy #redhorse #blackcountrysaddles #threedaysthreeways #piperbreeches #smartpak #whitepiper #horsesofinsta #horsenation #greenhorse #horsesofinstagram @kerrylylerains @darrell.rains

A post shared by Sarah (@sjrainswilson) on Dec 1, 2018 at 7:58pm PST

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Fun in the pouring rain at sporting days farm horse trials. @arielmgrald @libbyheadeventing @fleatherman @stubbenna @saddlefitting.us @straffordsaddlery

A post shared by Juli Sillman (@bluetulipequine) on Dec 1, 2018 at 2:21pm PST

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What? Is it raining? Didn't notice. 🤪🐴🐎

A post shared by Tonia Matheny (@tmatheny) on Dec 1, 2018 at 9:52am PST

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Very wet but exciting weekend in Aiken! We had a slightly tense dressage test but Andy shined in a few of our problem areas, earning a 35.2. We had one unfortunate rail in stadium and one honestly insecure stop on a beefy but fun XC course, every bit of it in the pouring cold rain. Not the best results on paper, but we did manage to finish on a number and not a letter at our first Novice outing, and #ImaInyToo tried his heart out as usual in less than perfect circumstances. So pleased with #GoodBoyAndy and grateful/excited for the rest of the #montclairstablescrew! Big congrats and thank you to @bucksnj and @hmsclark2 for all you do, and congrats to @upelevator @margaret_curran & family @annaroseh23 @annepartlettcrews and lastly 🙌MASSIVE 🙌 thank you to @ellemem for your generosity in providing transport. #nofairweatherridershere #drownedrats #everythingvaluableiowniscoveredinmud #eventersofinstagram #ottb #sportingdaysfarm #3phase3ways #montclairstables

A post shared by Elizabeth (@eclyrides) on Dec 2, 2018 at 7:05am PST

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Henry and I are officially a Training level pair!!!!

A post shared by Allison Chapman (@aceeventing_) on Dec 1, 2018 at 10:59am PST

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Having a blast but getting soaked here at Sporting Days! Results to come…. ☔️

A post shared by Susan Thomas, Owner CSH LLC. (@charbonnetsporthorses) on Dec 1, 2018 at 11:47am PST

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Second Prelim with Wiggins ✔️

A post shared by Colette Leber (@cla_eventing) on Dec 2, 2018 at 1:24pm PST

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Casper aka JACKHAMMER II was incredible today. Was a total champ and finished on his dressage score. What a way to finish up the 2018 season!

A post shared by Jill Henneberg (@nirvanaequestrian) on Dec 1, 2018 at 4:08pm PST

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Everyone on the team had a clean SJ round this weekend! Go @nirvanaequestrian! #2019bestseasonyet #teamcorrectconnect

A post shared by Jill Henneberg (@nirvanaequestrian) on Dec 1, 2018 at 5:12pm PST

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🔊sound on to hear my husband explain why I had to circle to my dad 😂 And watch if you wanna see me get run away with by a very strong, cocky little red thoroughbred. 🐎🚀🖤 #nobrakes #somuchrain #nosteering #halp #circleordie #eventinglife #redcatrye #greenhorseproblems #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #eventersofinstagram #sportingdays #eventingnation #horsenation #horselife #horsesofinstagram

A post shared by Sarah (@sjrainswilson) on Dec 2, 2018 at 6:32pm PST

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I love our new house, but home isn’t always a place. 💗 (I know, so cheesy) We took this photo fresh from coming back from cross country, hence all three of us looking wet and exhausted, but Andy waking up and going right back to his silliness in this progression of photos makes me laugh. #joshdeservessainthood #sodoesandyprobably #butonlysometimes 😈 #ottbsofinstagram

A post shared by Elizabeth (@eclyrides) on Dec 2, 2018 at 7:19am PST

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Super comeback weekend me for and the Bear this past weekend at Sporting Days!! We finished 5th and were highest placed thoroughbred in the PR devision. It was a great way to even the season!! Thank you to @millerchisholm for the helmet cam edit and @sagmae for the best saddles and accessories to keep the bear happy and looking good, my parents for the support, @ellingtoncb for being the best groom, and @aastuckey for the awesome coaching🐻💙❤️🤩🇺🇸 #hardestworkingpad #ottb

A post shared by Madison Chisholm 🇺🇸 (@chisholmeventing) on Dec 2, 2018 at 6:24pm PST

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First prelim ✅ Double clear stadium and jumped clear through cross country! • • • Tysm @jules.eventing for this wonderful edit!

A post shared by •Ella• (@braundel.eventing) on Dec 2, 2018 at 6:42am PST

Congrats to all. Go Eventing!