United States Eventing Association

The 2016 USEA East Coast Young Event Horse Championships wrapped up today at the Dutta Corp. Fair Hill International Horse Trials as the young horses moved onto the jumping and galloping portion of the competition under the watchful eyes of our esteemed judges Ian Stark, Bea di Grazia and Cathy Tucker-Slaterbeck.

The USEA's YEH Series judges 4- and 5-year-old horses on their abilities on the flat and over fences with the goal of identifying horses that possess the talent and disposition that, with proper training, can excel to the upper levels of eventing. The competition is based on three scores: conformation (15%), dressage (35%) and jumping (50%).

Unlike the 5-year-old division where the overnight leader maintained the top placing, the 4-year-old leaderboard saw a shakeup. Placed eleventh after the dressage and conformation phases, 2 A.M., earned a nearly perfect score over fences to finish the weekend as the 4-year-old East Coast Champion.

2 A.M. and Matt Flynn. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.

Owned by the Flynn Sport Horses, 2 A.M. is a Dutch Warmblood by Sheraton and out of Regina K. “He came to us in April. He had done some show jumping in Europe, and now he’s done two Novices in the states,” rider Matt Flynn said. The gelding earned 11.97 points in conformation (out of 15 points), 27.65 points in dressage (out of 35 points) and 47.25 points in jumping (out of 50 points) to earn a total score of 86.87 (out of 100 points).

“We’re all really excited about him. He shows great character and ability. He’s really mature for his age, and he has a super disposition. I couldn’t be happier with him today,” he added.

Jennie Brannigan piloted Nina Gardner’s Hopscotch to the reserve champion position in this 4-year-old division. “Feisty” is a Thoroughbred by Special Memories and out of Vidalia. Bred by Gardner, the mare also earned the Made in America Award for being the highest scoring American-bred young event horse. This award is made possible by Robert Drysdale, Didi Callahan, Laurie Cameron, Coast Vet Services, Shauna Spurlock and Denis Glaccum.

“She’s always wanted to have horses in America that are as nice as the ones people are buying in Europe, and I think to have two in the top for her is really exciting. I’ve been really lucky to see the improvement in her breeding program over the years,” Brannigan said of Gardner’s breeding program.

Owner and breeder Nina Gardner gives Hopscotch a pat. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.

Feisty is the also first foal out of Nina Gardner’s mare Vidalia, who Brannigan has competed here at Fair Hill in the CCI2*, so that makes this top finish even more special. “It was always Nina’s favorite horse. That mare got injured and had to retire, so for Nina it’s really excited. We’re over the moon. She’s come on so much in the last month. She has a lot of her mom’s talent,” Brannigan said.

The leader after dressage, Vicki Appleby-Gillian’s Bradley Cooper, finished the weekend in third. “Bradley” is a Hanoverian by Grey Top. He added 40.05 points over fences for a final score of 83.96 with Rebecca Lee in the tack.

“I had to ride him a little bit to get going and step on the gas in the gallop, and he was like, ‘really?’ But he’s lovely and he’s got a great brain. He’s a horse for the future,” said Lee. “This is first away from home show, so being here in all the atmosphere, being able to go in the big ring, being around all the experiences horses has been invaluable. Vicki purchased him for us to do the upper levels, so I feel like this was a great experience to get that under our belt.”

In addition to the top eight horses receiving ribbons, there were also special awards given at the final ceremony. Both the American Thoroughbred Award and the Thoroughbred Incentive Program (TIP) Award were presented to Kara Andrew's 4-year-old Bad Moon Rising. The TIP Award is given to the highest scoring Thoroughbred across all ages, and the American Thoroughbred Award, which is sponsored by Denis Glaccum, is gifted to the highest scoring American-bred Thoroughbred.

The Safe Harbor Award, which is presented to the young horse who consistently exhibits the most graceful and rider friendly performance throughout the competition, was given to Marley Stone Bourke’s Quality Pop (Diarado x Warrenstown Susie), a 4-year-old Irish Sport Horse ridden by Tim Bourke.

Click here for scores.

The USEA would like to thank all of the generous YEH Sponsors, who make the Series and the Championships possible: Fleeceworks, Priefert, Standlee Hay, Merck Animal Health, SmartPak, and Professional’s Choice. The USEA would also like to thank Tim Holekamp and Christine Turner for their donations and support for the Holekamp/Turner YEH Lion d’Angers Grant.