United States Eventing Association

A New Leader Emerges in CCI3*-S at Aspen Farms Following Show Jumping

Sophie Click and her 9-year-old Oldenburg gelding Tarantino 54 (Quattro B x Los Argentina) delivered a double clear show jump round in the Tack Room Too Arena at Aspen Farms Horse Trials in Yelm, Washington to move from second to first in the CCI3*-S.

"He's green, so every outing I think I learn a little more," said Click, who transitioned Tarantino to his eventing debut in 2020. "He was outstanding today. I'm very happy with him."

Looking ahead to cross-country, Click's primary focus is on producing a confident run.

"Ultimately, he is green," she said. "I would rather him jump all the jumps and feel really good about it than be super quick. I want it to be a confident run for him, and I will do my best to do that."

In the CCI3*-S, Marc Grandia and the 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding Campari FFF (Camiros x Tanner), owned by Team Rebecca LLC, moved up to second and Kayleen Crowley and Patricia Crowley's 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding Whiskey Up (Worthy Opponent x Travita) moved up to third, both thanks to double clear show jump rounds.

In the CCI2*-S, Karen O'Neal and Annika Asling's 8-year-old Westphalian gelding Clooney 14 (Captain Jack x Zauberfee) delivered a clear round to hold on to the overnight lead on a score of 26.4.

"He was very good out there," said O'Neal. "He was listening and was super rideable. All the distances came up easily. I had to go out a little on the strides as his stride is so big. He was brave; he was confident; he jumped with power."

In Open Intermediate, Stephanie Cooper and her 13-year-old Thoroughbred gelding Sketchy Past (Cahill Road x Anazeha) had one rail but held their overnight lead on a score of 36.2. "Show jumping is not my best phase," said Cooper. "But it was a good ride today. I had good help. It's an awesome show."

Cooper feels confident going into cross-country despite the wet conditions. "The course looks fantastic," she said. "They made the footing so good--no concerns. It's going to be a great day!"

Tommy Greengard and the 6-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Leonardo Diterma (Gullet HBC x Gracie Terma), owned by Andrea Pfeiffer, jumped clear with just one time fault to hold their lead in Open Preliminary.

In Preliminary Rider, Amy Haugen and her 15-year-old Hanoverian gelding Ebenholtz (Ehrentusch x Levantine) maintained the lead on their dressage score 0f 25.3. "I feel lucky to have such a good horse," said Haugen. "He is honest in all three phases, but I think show jumping is his favorite. He saved me on a couple of sketchy distances. It was a really fun course. He felt great."

"I tend to go slow," said Haugen regarding their chances on tomorrow's cross-country course. "It's our second Preliminary back after having time off having a couple of babies. I'm getting my nerve back. It looks like a lot of fun. I hope I do him proud tomorrow!"