The double-corners toward the end of the course were one of the most influential jumps today
Will Faudree and Andromaque were one of the last rides at The Fork on Saturday but they were also one of the best. Only Andromaque and Kendal Lehari’s Daily Edition made the time in the advanced, and Will’s mare moved up from 8th to 1st as a result. Boyd and Remington moved into second with 4.4 time penalties, and Arthur moved into 3rd with 5.6 time penalties. Kim Severson and Tipperary Liadhnan withdrew from the advanced because Kim had two falls on her intermediate rides this morning. Overnight leaders Heather Morris and Slate River had a strong ride with just 7.6 time penalties, and they are still within a rail of the lead.
Advanced HT Placings:
1. Will Faudree and Andromaque +0 32.7
2. Boyd Martin and Remington +4.4 33.7
3. Allison Springer and Arthur +5.6 34.9
4. Heather Morris and Slate River +7.6 35.9
5. Hannah Burnett and St. Barths +2.0 36.7
–28 of 38 starters in the advanced jumped around with a clean round, and there were 2 double-clears. Kendal Lehari moved up 22 places with her double-clear. There were 10 double-clears in the CIC3*, and 41 of 51 starters came home clear. Of the double-clear rides in the CIC3*, Colleen Rutledge and Shiraz moved up 14 places, Olivia Loiacono moved up 20 places, Susan Beebee and Prowler moved up 18, and Sally Cousins moved up 18 places as well.
–In a repeat from last year, Buck rode in an orange and blue helmet cover in honor of his grandmother. The colors looked great (I love the UVa colors) and, like last year at The Fork, Buck had a good day of jumping. Buck Davidson and Titanium had a good ride and look to be in good shape as one of the last entrants to Rolex.
–In an interesting moment towards the end of the advanced, the footing started to deteriorate at the trakehner at #9. Two horses had sticky jumps and officials wisely decided to pause for fence repair. After the course builders and designer Mark found that the footing was beyond repair, they decided to remove the advanced trakehner and the last few horses jumped the intermediate one next to it.
Switching Trakehners
–In another welcome move, the organizers decided to run the advanced horses at 2 minute intervals. As a result the horses finished around 4pm and we missed all of the rain that is predicted for this evening. The weather today was cloudy and blustery but, mercifully, it was dry.
–In the advanced, Lainey Ashker and Anthony Patch picked up a stop at the second corner by the water, Tiana Coudray had a run-out early on the course, Hollywood has the only run-out of the day at the narrow after the table following the first water, Colin Fraser fell at the last fence, and a number of other riders elected to retire after tough moments. There were just a few falls throughout the advanced divisions and none of them looked severe.
Caption contest anyone?
–Missy Ransehousen and Critical Decision had a steady but strong round. EN’s Coren Morgan and Ebb Tide had a great clear ride. Gryffindor looked to be on top form, and so did Bonner Carpenter’s Impecccable. It’s impossible to mention all of the great rides today and I’m not sure that I have ever seen so many quality rides in one day.
–Brian pointed out over the loud speakers that there were around 100 advanced horses that started the weekend at The Fork. I hadn’t counted, but I believe it. The footing, facilities, and course are all nearly perfect here so it’s no surprise that most of the advanced horses in the US use this event to set up their three-day.
–In the CIC3*, Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master were originally assessed a TE because of a start time confusion. The event was running behind for most of the division but apparently there was a confusion about the new start time and she went out of order. After a protest, the technical elimination was removed and Riddle Master is in 12th place going into the show jumping.
–The one update from the provisional results from the CIC3* are that Karen and Mandiba were assessed 1.2 time penalties, dropping them out of a tie with Sinead but still within a rail of the lead.
Results from the CCI3*:
1. Jennifer Brannigan and Cambalda +0 45.9
2. Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen +5.2 47.3
3. Sinead Halpin and Manoir De Carneville +0 47.9
4. Karen O’Connor and Mandiba +1.2 49.1
5. Jessica Phoenix and Exploring +0.8 49.8
6. Steph Rhodes-Bosch and Port Authority +0 49.9
[Link to full results above]
Both the advanced and CIC3* are very competitive going into the show jumping with 5 riders within a rail of the CIC3* lead and 4 riders within a rail in the advanced. We’ll be back with more later and of course a report from the jog in the morning. Until then, stay classy Eventing Nation.
