United States Eventing Association

A Win for Ashker at Millbook PRO Tour & Adequan USEA Gold Cup Division

Millbrook, NY (August 4, 2013) – A foot perfect show jumping round on Chris Barnard’s course gave Laine Ashker and her experienced campaigner, off-the-track thoroughbred Anthony Patch, the win she was looking for at Millbrook. Ashker hadn't run "Al" at the Advanced level since Fair Hill International in October 2012, and the pair made their first run back count.

Ashker had a rail in hand over Sally Cousins as she entered the ring and considers show jumping her weakest phase. Her longtime partner Al is absolutely allergic to wood rails and Ashker smoothly piloted him through a class round over a demanding course.

Sally Cousins came to Millbrook with the goal of qualifying for Fair Hill International. “We’ve done that so I’m really pleased. Finishing second is icing on the cake. [Ideal Contini] put in three really great phases so I feel like the partnership is really building.”

Earlier in the weekend, Jan Byyny topped the Gold Cup field aboard Syd Kent with a score of 27.5 in the dressage, besting provisional leader Boyd Martin and Trading Aces with a score of 29.1 on Thursday afternoon. Martin, recently back in the irons following surgery on his ankle immediately after the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event, brought Trading Aces to Millbrook as his first competition since Rolex in April. “He really benefitted from my wife (Silva Martin) taking him on while I was injured and he had some great movements during the test,” Martin said.

Tremaine Cooper's cross-country track shook up the leaderboard on Saturday, and Laine Ashker moved up two places to take the lead in the PRO Tour & Adequan USEA Gold Cups Series aboard Anthony Patch. Prior to the start of the event Ashker admitted that she was feeling a little nervous because she had mainly competed at Preliminary this summer and felt the need to school over advanced jumps with longtime coach Buck Davidson to prepare and sharpen her eye. “I was pretty happy with Al. It was a tough course and rode a lot harder then it walked. My goal was to attack the course because he rides better that way and I think we did that.” Watch Laine and Sally's interview here.

The Duchess Land Conservancy Patron’s Luncheon was sold out and PRO Rider, Marcia Kulak’s color commentary added to the enjoyment of the guests dining in the big tent. The DLC will be focusing on a fall fundraising luncheon in the future and Millbrook Horse Trials will transition to a wonderful charitable partner, Saratoga War Horse, beginning in 2014.

TOP 10 PRO Tour and Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series Advanced Division

1. Laine Ashker and Anthony Patch
2. Sarah Cousins and Ideal Contini
3. Kate Samuels and Nyls Du Terroir
4. Buck Davidson and Petite Flower
5. Kim Severson and Fernhill Fearless
6. Sarah Cousins and Joule
7. Peter Barry and Kilrodan Abbott
8. Holly Payne and Madeline
9. Doug Payne and Crown Talisman
10. Holly Payne and Santino

For full results from all divisions, visit http://www.evententries.com/livescoring/15347.html

For more information on the PRO Tour Series, visit www.professionalriders.org/pro-tour-series

For more information on the Adequan USEA Gold Cup, visit www.useventing.com

PRO MEDIA CONTACT:
Samantha Lendl
[email protected]

USEA MEDIA CONTACT:
Lisa Morrison
[email protected]