United States Eventing Association

Caroline Martin Shines in Her First CIC3* Win at Carolina International

At just 22-years-old Caroline Martin has scooped up her first CIC3* win after nailing a double clear cross-country round with Sherrie Martin’s The Apprentice today at the Cloud 11/Gavilan North CIC & Horse Trials.

Making it around Ian Stark’s big bold track in six minutes and 41 seconds proved a tall order for the Adequan USEA Gold Cup competitors, all except the winning combination. Of the 52 starters, Martin and “Dirk” were the only pair to come home within the time, a first for the 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Casado x Funny Girl) at the CIC3* level.

“The good thing is I had two horses to go out first. I had Danger Mouse and then I had Spring Easy, so I got to get to know the course,” she explained. “He was pretty good through most of the course and honestly just showed me how to ride. He was like, ‘this is the jump. You go here.’ It was kind of cool because I got off of Danger Mouse, who is wicked green - he did is second event ever two years ago here - and then to get on a horse that’s been going around Advanced for five years. It’s cool. I get to ride another really nice experienced horse, so it gives me the confidence because the other ones that I have at this level, I brought up to this level. It’s interesting to learn how to do things correctly.”

Martin’s only had the ride for a few weeks, but the two are quickly putting the pieces together. “I think the biggest thing is I did train with Buck for about 12 years, so the way Buck taught me how to ride is how he rode the horse, so I think that helped a lot. I also used to ride Titanium who was also trained by Buck,” she said.

“So it is a new horse, but I was taught the basics by Buck who is amazing. I think that’s why maybe it was easier to get to know him. He’s an incredible athlete. He’s a very good jumper. He has an amazing gallop and he’s very easy on the flat. I have to give Buck credit for training him and for training me. You can’t forget Buck for everything he’s done for me,” Martin continued.

Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen. USEA/Shelby Allen Photo.

Finishing 14 seconds slow for 6.4 time penalties, Clark Montgomery and his own, Jessica Montgomery, Kathryn Kraft and Holly & William Becker’s Loughan Glen finished in second place in their last run before the Rolex Kentucky CC4* next month.

“Glen was a bit tough today. He locked his back and wouldn’t go faster wouldn’t go slower, so it made things a little difficult,” Montgomery described. “I tried to go for a long one at fence two and absolutely did not make the long one, and chipped in. It was actually quite scary to be honest… We survived that and I kind of shook my head and was like ‘ok I’ll slow down a little bit.”

He continued, “It got a little better and I made the turn to the first water and went to go forward to the right side where we’re supposed to jump and he wouldn’t go forward and he drifted left to the biggest part, so after that I was really like ‘ok I have to pull my thumb out and get this done a little better.’”

Once Montgomery and the 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Limerick x Tattymacall Mustard) got on the same page, it was smooth sailing to finish on a final score of 47.7. “He jumped all his fences. He was good. It just was hard, he wasn’t super adjustable to go really quick on a CIC course, but he feels good. He doesn’t need to do anymore runs. He’ll just get stronger and stronger, so we’ll just make sure he’s physically happy from here on out, peak his fitness and hopefully get to Kentucky.”

Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda. USEA/Shelby Allen.

Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda, a 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Balda Beau x Cathy’s Lady) owned by Nina Gardner finished the weekend third in the standings. Despite pulling a shoe early in the course, “Ping” only added 8.4 time penalties for a final score of 49.9.

“I give the horse a hard time, maybe because I’ve been riding him so for so long.,” Brannigan laughed. “I actually had a really smooth round. I really didn’t feel like I had any huge moments, but he is just a kicking horse so you always feel like you’re working on him.”

Enjoying every minute with her longtime partner, Brannigan says she has a lot of thinking to do about the show season to come. “It’s funny everyone is like, ‘oh my god, he looks the best he’s ever looked today. Are you going to take him to Kentucky?’” she said.

“I had originally kind of felt like that [aiming him at CIC3*s]. To be honest I didn’t really make a huge plan. He doesn’t owe me anything, and I’ve been lucky to have some other horses up and coming. I just wanted to keep him happy. I really don’t know. I’ll have to talk to Phillip [Dutton] and see what his idea is. He is a horse that likes hard ground, so I wouldn’t say I’d ask him to jump around a four-star in the rain again. Just horsemanship wise, it’s hard on him. He’s just not really a forward-thinking horse. We’ll see how he comes out of [this competition]. Also, its’ a shame if he’s going well and good form to not take him if he’s up to it,” Brannigan elaborated.

Will Faudree and Jennifer Mosing and Sterling Silver Stables’ Pfun moved from 13^th to 4^th place after accumulating only 4.4 time penalties to finish on 52.9. Doug Payne and his own, Debi Crowley and Jessica Payne’s Vandiver ended fifth (53.6). Lynn Symansky and The Donner Syndicate’s Donner had the second fastest round of the day for sixth (54.1).

Kylie Lyman and Da Vinci Code. USEA/Shelby Allen Photo.

Kurt Martin & Delux Z, Will Faudree and Hans Dampf, Kylie Lyman and Da Vinici Code and Sharon White and Cooley On Show wrap up the top ten in seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth place, respectively.

There were a few heartbreaking moments today. Fourth-placed Allison Springer and The Arthur Syndicate’s Arthur picked up 20 penalties at the Bluestone’s Brush [17], dropping to 29^th. Sixth-placed Liz Halliday-Sharp and Deborah Halliday’s Fernhill By Night had a run out at the Cloud 11 Pebble Beach water [14b] finishing 32^nd. Six other combinations also added jump penalties to their final score. Erin Sylvester and Spike & Jeanne Sylvester’s Mettraise did not properly clear the flags at the Ship’s Quarters water [7b], but under FEI rule 548.1 they continued picking up 50 penalty points.

Six combinations retired before cross-country, three were eliminated, one pair retried and two fell on course, but there are no injuries reported.

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About the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series

The 2017 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Championship features 11 qualifying competitions throughout the United States at the Advanced Horse Trials and CIC3* levels. Qualifying began last fall and continues through August with the final taking place at the USEA American Eventing Championships, August 30 – September 3 at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, 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 2017 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series is made possible through the support of its many loyal sponsors: Adequan, Standlee Forage, Nutrena, Merck Animal Health, Broadstone Equine Insurance Agency and FITS.