While all eyes were on the Preliminary Challenge this weekend, Woodside also hosted a small but mighty Advanced division which was won by James Alliston and his own Parker.
Coming off an unlucky tumble in Kentucky, James and the 15-year-old Thoroughbred started the weekend on a score of 31.9 and had the fastest round of the day across country, picking up 2.8 time penalties to move into the lead.
The duo handily won the division after a faultless show jumping round gave them a three-phase score of 34.7 — six points ahead of second place.
Alexis Helffrich ended the weekend in second place with Pamela Williams’ London Town. They started the weekend on a 30.2, and added 10.8 time penalties on cross country to finish on a result of 41.
James made an second appearance in the top three with Mary McKee’s Happenstance. 33.1 in dressage and 6.8 cross country time penalties had them in second before the final phase, but an unlucky rail dropped them to third.
Helen Bouscaren and her own Ben made the biggest leap on this leaderboard. A dressage mark of 39.1 had them starting in ninth place, but a quick trip around both cross country and show jumping handed them a fourth place result.
Bunnie Sexton and her own Rise Against are the last pair to fill out this Advanced top five. This combination had 34.9 on the flat, 7.2 time penalties on cross country and one rail down for a cumulative score of 46.1.
Dressage leaders Heather Morris and Charlie Tango were unfortunately eliminated on cross country at fence nine, but all others in the division came home without jump penalties. In show jumping, three riders — James, Alexis and Heather — had double clear rounds.
That’s a wrap on another exciting weekend at Woodside!
The Spring Event at Woodside: Website, Entry Status/Ride, Times/Live Scores