#17C and #17B have been removed from the course
The course at Barbury is riding uncharacteristically difficult this afternoon. We are about one hour behind schedule because of multiple holds on course. Most recently, Tom Crisp’s Coolys Luxury fell on the landing from the big drop into the water at #17C. The horse walked onto the horse ambulance and word is that he studded himself. Multiple horses have fallen on the landing and they have just removed that water jump from the course–the riders now only have to jump #17A. Pippa said that the dye in the water combined with glare from the sun might be causing the horses to misread the landing and it also appears that the horses are jumping really big into the water. Barbury normally rides really well, so quite a few of the riders are nervous in the warm up and the starters are having trouble getting a few of them to get in the box after Tom’s fall. This is not the first time the water complex has been on the Barbury course and everyone seems surprised at how poorly it rode. The keyhole at #9 has also caused a few stops.
However, it was all smiles in the Team Faudree camp as Will galloped across the finish line after a nearly foot perfect round with Andromaque. Will wasn’t happy with his dressage ride and he was kicking himself after a mental mistake in the show jumping, but he put all of that aside by taking the next step forward in Missie’s development as one of the best US horses. I have been raving about Andromaque since I saw her run intermediate last spring, and it’s great to see her continue to develop.
Video of Missie’s ride:
After the ride, Will was elated:
The cross-country rolls on here at Barbury in reverse order of placing. The US has three pairs left to go–Julian with Axel and Elmo and Will with Twizzel. More soon and go eventing.
