United States Eventing Association

Buck Davidson and Carlevo were the last pair to canter into the show jumping arena in the Advanced division at the Cloud 11~Gavilan North LLC Carolina International and while they had been sitting in second overnight the win was in their grasp – they just needed to keep all the rails up. A few rails were rattled, but none came down so Carlevo, the 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Eurocommerce Caresino x Ramatuelle) owned by Carlevo LLC, won the division.

“I feel really confident with him now in all three phases,” said Davidson. “I have a plan and he is fairly confirmed in that plan. I know exactly what I want to do in the dressage, I know exactly what I want to do in the cross-country, and I know exactly what I want to do for the show jumping and schooling at home. He feels really strong and fit and hoping that we keep him in one piece until we get to the big day.”

Davidson has Carlevo entered in the Kentucky Three-Day Event, where he finished in 20^th place last year, but his owner is also interested in taking him to Europe so Luhmuhlen may be the plan instead.

Matthew Flynn added 1.6 time penalties on the show jumping, but still moved up a spot to second with Wizzerd, the 10-year-old KWPN gelding (Wizzerd x Amai) owned by the rider, Kathleen Flynn, A. Patrick Flynn, and Merry Go Round Farm.

Rounding out the top three was Advanced debutant, Alexa Lapp, riding Tim and Nina Gardner’s experienced campaigner, Cambalda. The 17-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Balda Beau x Cathys Lady) jumped a picture-perfect clear round.

Full results from Carolina International are available here.

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