Who Jumped It Best? Fair Hill International CCI3*-L Edition

With the dawning of cross country day at the 2019 Dutta Corp./ Fair Hill International Three-Day Event in Elkton, Maryland, came the usual pre-cross country excitement and tension. Riders warmed up and found their zen while officials, volunteers, and media shuffled about the course on the sunny morning staking their spots and waiting with bated breath for the first rider on course. I’m sure all said a silent prayer that it would be a safe and beautiful day of sport — I know I did.

As a photographer, the light was a bit difficult to work with during the early parts of Saturday (though there were no complaints given the previous few days weather!) casting shadows in the wrong direction of some of the more desirable fences to shoot. Despite being primarily back lit, I couldn’t help parking myself on the downhill side of Fence 7AB, the Duane Morris Open Oxer and Corner, for a few early riders on course because it lent itself to capturing the horses’ impressive leaps over the A element, the big open oxer set with MIM clip technology. Frankly, it just looked bad@$$!

This combination did, however, cause a few problems for some riders: mostly glance-offs at the B element, a right-handed brush corner a sloping six strides away, but also a few falls (all horses and riders are fine!) The riders below were able to tackle it with total finesse.

While we invite you to vote for who you think presents the best overall picture over the jump, all of these horses and riders deserve massive credit for a job well done and a jump well-ridden!

Alyssa Peterson and R-Perfect Storm. Photo by Abby Powell.

Ashley MacVaugh and Latino H. Photo by Abby Powell.

Babette Lenna Gonyea and Marketscan. Photo by Abby Powell.

Booli Selmayr and Millfield Lancado. Photo by Abby Powell.

Cosby Green and Highly Suspicious. Photo by Abby Powell.