Your Lunchtime Bromont CCI3* Recap and Photo Gallery

Michael Pollard and Schoensgreen Hanni

Michael Pollard and Schoensgreen Hanni are sentimental favorites here at Bromont and they didn’t disappoint in the dressage, taking the CCI3* lead into the lunch break on a 48.2.  Hanni was the first to jump out of the Pollard Eventing trailer following the tragic accident two weeks ago and she is competing for her stable mates who didn’t survive the accident.  The “Hanni Badger’s” Bromont preparations were obviously disrupted, but Michael and Hanni buckled down for a great performance.  Six horses are left to ride in the CCI3* after lunch, starting back up at 1:14pm ET.

[Bromont Live Scores]

Here are a few notes from the morning rides:

–Danielle Dichting and Tops produced the best test I have seen from them to date–it was relaxed and very accurate.  They scored a 51.2 for second at the lunch break.  This pair can really jump well on the cross-country and they have to feel confident with that performance going into Saturday.

–Kristin Schmolze gets our official Eventing Nation toughness award for Thursday (and perhaps the entire competition).  She has cracked ribs that have her walking very gingerly on the ground, but they didn’t stop her from grinding out a good test with Ballylaffin Bracken.  I’m a big fan of this horse and this pair for the future.

–Boyd and Trading Aces are still building their partnership.  This CCI3* will be a big test for them this weekend, but “Oscar” showed considerable promise on the flat today, sitting third at the break.  I expect Boyd will take him around the cross-country with a quiet, educational ride on Saturday.

–I spoke with Sally Cousins following her dressage test with Westerly.  Sally was kind enough to chat about purchasing Westerly from Charlie Plumb, riding in a helmet, and eventing as a family sport.  For more, check out her website.  Thanks for the interview Sally!

–After chatting with us, Sally warmed up her student and competitor in the CCI3*, Julia Wendell.  Julia rode the beautiful Cavendish and even though their score suffered big time from tension in the canter I was super impressed by Cavendish–the 18 hand dark bay gelding makes a wonderful picture in the dressage.

–Buck Davidson and The Apprentice were good, but not great to finish the dressage on a 53.  The Apprentice can jump the moon and I’m very excited to watch him on the cross-country.

–Caitlin Silliman finished on a 61.80.  They looked fantastic and ready to win while circling the arena before their test, but the beautiful grey mare got tense in the arena and their accuracy suffered.  But, no worries for Caitlin: the most important phase for this promising young pair is the most important phase for any young pair–cross-country.

–Your CCI3* morning photo gallery, with photos taken in the most ridiculous manner possible.  Click on each photo for a larger version:

The CCI* is also on lunch break, with Canada’s Shandis Wewioria and Prince Mayo leading on a 46.9.  Lindsay Beer and El Paso of Ontario are the only other pair to have jumped in front of Buck and Santa’s Keeper.

Go eventing.