United States Eventing Association

The Advanced division finished up the second 2016 Adequan USEA Gold Cup qualifier this morning as 20 pairs navigated Marc Donovan’s show jumping course. These riders closed out the Cloud Eleven/Gavilan North Carolina International CIC & H.T. after a very successful weekend for the event in its third year. All weekend the Carolina Horse Park was immaculately turned out and staffed by some of the most passionate and selfless volunteers and enjoyed by competitors and spectators alike.

Kylie Lyman and Joan Nichols’ Lup the Loop (Lupicor x Hogans Lass) came out triumphant in the Advanced with no jump penalties and only 1 time penalty. The 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding is still green at the level, only completing his first Advanced last month at Pine Top.

“Loopy” put in a beautiful dressage test to start the weekend on a score of 28.5 for second place headed to the cross-country, where Lyman was looking for redemption after two stops at their last event. “Pine Top was his first Advanced, and I had two really stupid mistakes [on the cross-country], so I went out yesterday determined not to do that again,” she said. “He’s been a very consistent horse. Pine Top was the first blip on his record that he really didn’t need.” Lyman and Loopy excelled over Ian Stark’s cross-country coming home with no jumping and 9.2 time penalties, giving them the lead of the division.

Kyle Lyman and Lup the Loop over the last fence on cross-country. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.

In the show jumping, a triple combination near the end of the course seemed to be the trickiest piece, and caused rails for many riders including Lyman on her first horse in the division, Sacramento. “I was going to be sure not the let that happen to [Loopy] who is so careful,” she said. Lyman and Loopy were successful in this having a very tactful ride in the morning mist. “He was extra fresh and he’s always a careful horse. Thankfully he stayed careful in the mud. He’s a pretty hard horse to make a mistake on. He makes my job extremely easy.”

As for what’s next, Lyman says she has big plans for Loopy, but doesn’t want to rush him. You can expect this pair in the CIC3* division at The Fork H.T. in two weeks, and potentially the Bromont Three-Day Event after that. “He’s young and he’s only done one two-star,” Lyman elaborated. The pair finished 13th in their first CCI2* last fall at Fair Hill International. “I’d love to do Bromont, but just taking it one event at a time. There’s no rush.”

For winning the qualifier Lyman took home a slew of prizes generously provided by the sponsors of the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series.

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About the Adequan USEA Gold Cup and PRO Tour Series

Qualifying for the 2016 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Championship began last fall with the Richland Park Advanced & CIC3* (MI), Aspen Farms Advanced (WA), Plantation Field Advanced & CIC3* (PA) and the Woodside International Advanced & CIC3* (CA) and features 11 qualifying competitions throughout the United States at the Advanced Horse Trials and CIC3* levels. The final will take place at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships, September 1-4 in Tryon, North Carolina. Riders who complete a qualifier earn the chance to vie for $40,000 in prize money and thousands of dollars in prizes in the Adequan Advanced Division and the title of Adequan USEA Gold Cup Champion.

The 2016 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series is made possible through the support of its many loyal sponsors: Adequan, Standlee Forage, Nunn Finer, Nutrena, Merck, Broadstone Equine Insurance Agency, Pyranha and FITS.

The PRO Tour Series consists of 13 premier destination events in the United States and Canada, featuring the best riders and most entertainment. Riders and Horses are awarded points on the PRO Tour Rider Leader Board and PRO Tour Horse Leader Board.

The Professional Riders Organization would like to thank the following sponsors for their support of the 2016 PRO Tour Series: KER Optimum Time, Tex Sutton, Triple Crown Nutrition, and SSG Riding Gloves.