An early morning photo of the stakes marking off the aggravated/treated footing
The competition here at the AECs and the complexity of the WEG team selection decisions provide so many exciting story lines on Saturday afternoon that I barely know where to start. Let’s begin at the top of the advanced division.
(1) The word from early this morning was that Becky had every intention to go out and make the time on Comet and we all know a clean, fast round around an advanced horse trials is no sweat for Comet. Becky looked superb the entire way around and certainly makes a good impression to the selectors by taking a big lead in the selection trials.
(2) The dressage leaders, Allison Springer and Arthur had a sticky moment early in their round (see the video) but they got things going and looked very solid throughout the rest of the course. 31 time penalties dropped the pair to 15th place, but I applaud Allison for looking after Arthur.
(3) Hawley Bennet (CAN) with Gin and Juice and Amy Tryon with Leyland skipped the back loop of the course. Amy pulled up after the water and Hawley finished the shortened course that I described yesterday. The fence judges were all notified this morning that riders might be modifying their course and the process went smoothly. Hawley and “Ginny” had a surprising stop at #4B, a skinny after the mound. The sun was playing a factor at #4B and I still think they will make the Canadian team because of Ginny’s 9th at Rolex.
(4) There was a lot of discussion about the XC course footing leading up to Saturday, but David was out with the aggravator again Saturday morning and the teams wisely put markers down to help the riders stay on the treated footing. From what I have heard, the Canadian team was more specific about telling each rider what they wanted them to do, while the US team left the decision more up to the riders. Most of the US and Canadian riders decided to run the full course but took their time doing so.
(5) Karen’s stop with Mandiba at fence #2 was absolutely shocking because we have come to expect perfection from Karen lately. Number two was a pretty simple galloping fence but Karen seemed indecisive about the distance and Mandiba didn’t help her out. Karen always rides at her very best when she is angry and she rode the rest of the course beautifully. Word is that the selector’s were not terribly upset and today by no means takes Mandiba out of contention for the WEGs.
(6) Much to the XC spectators’ amusement, several PRO riders helped Giles the announcer with the announcing for the advanced division. Boyd and Doug worked for about an hour and you can imagine the ridiculousness that ensued. They were relieved by Jon Holling and Leslie Law who brought a more serious tone to the day, and then Nate Chambers wrapped things up. Boyd mentioned that Nate will be doing free autograph signings and dance lessons tonight at the competitors’ party, so I’m sure that’s exciting news for some of our female readers.
(7) Mary Bess Sigman had a tough fall at the log corner at #18B. I saw frame by frame photos of the fall–Guinness X stood off the fence a good distance and put his legs down in the middle of the corner. Fortunately the back rail was frangible and deployed. Guinness rolled over Mary but they both were fine and walked away. The response time of the medical and veterinary personnel was exquisite, but perhaps too good as Jennifer Simmons and JB’s Star had a glance off at #15B as about 7 cars including an ambulance were overtaking them rushing to where Guinness fell.
Link: AEC scores
(8) Amy Tryon’s stirrup fell off a few fences into her ride with Coal Creek. It’s not like we need any more evidence of Amy’s toughness, but she rode about 10 more fences with one stirrup before deciding to pull up.
(9) The selectors are paying attention to more than just WEG selection this weekend. Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Careville had an excellent ride with just 2.8 time penalties to move up from 22nd to 4th. Laine Ashker looked great as well with Anthony Patch. Both Laine and Sinead seem like very strong candidates for grants to go to the Boekelo CCI3* in Holland later this year. The US will help fund 4 riders to go to Boekelo.
(10) The word in the barns all week had been that the advanced XC course looked pretty small and straightforward, but 8 out of 38 starters had problems, including two short listers. Will prophetically told me yesterday that you have to be really careful not to take for granted these courses that riders might label as simple. Will had two beautiful rides today and once again finds himself near the top of the leader board with Pawlow. Whatever happens with the selections, Pawlow has answered every question that has been put in front of him. You can say the same for Last Monarch, who looked in top form today as well.
(11) One of the most influential jumps on the course was #18B, which caused Erika Treis Pterson and Mary Bess Sigman to fall. The drop at #12A had really soft footing in front of the ground line and caused sticky drops down all day. The great Chattahoochee crew did all they could to repair the sand at #12A, but Snooza Alarm was eliminated at that fence. The skinny over the mound at #4B caught Jennifer Wooten – DaFoe with Nabouco De Lessey in addition to Gin and Juice. The turning skinny combination at #15 caused several problems as well. The advanced division started at 8:30am to preserve the horses from the afternoon heat, but several of the early riders told me that there were some real issues with shadows and glare from the rising sun. The second half or riders had fewer jumping issues than the first half.
(12) Several riders who won’t get a lot of attention from the media because they are not team hopefuls rode really well today. Sinead, Nate, and Laine obviously come to mind, and I would add Holly Payne with Madeline and Jennifer Wooten-DaFoe on The Good Witch to that list. Escipion Mendivil and Azteca of Mexico looked better than I have ever seen them in their final run before the WEGs. Robert Costello also had a great ride on Dustin IV.
There are lots of divisions in action today at the AECs, and be sure to check out their scores as well. We will have much more later today, including a report on the horses that galloped this morning. Go Cats.
