In the USEF Eventing CCI3*-L National Championship, Caroline Pamukcu (Miami Beach, Fla.) and HSH Connor (Connor 48 x Galwaybay Merstona), a 2016 Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Pamukcu, Sherrie Martin, and Luann McElduff, continue to hold the lead after cross-country. The pair finished well under the optimum time to stay on their dressage score of 25.4, and are one step closer to securing the 2023 USEF CCI3*-L National Championship. Pamukcu, who has been riding in numerous divisions this week, also piloted HSH Tolan King, a 2015 Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Pamukcu, Sherrie Martin, and Derek Strine, to a clear cross-country round to stay in third on a 29.0.
"I don't want to say it's been a long time coming, but I have produced most of these horses [in her program] from 4-year-olds," said Pamukcu. "HSH Connor came through the Young Event Horse program and won the 4-year-olds championships three years ago, was second in the 5-year-old championships two years ago, and last year he was second at Le Lion. And then going into this year he has won one three-star long and three three-star shorts. He is an incredible horse and owned by an incredible owner and I am just very, very blessed."
Lauren Nicholson (The Plains, Va.) and Larcot Z, a 2013 Warmblood gelding owned by Jacqueline Mars, were efficient with their round and are in second place on 28.6.
"Larcot was amazing and I get to know him more each time we go out," commented Nicholson. "I thought it was an excellent track for these young horses that we are developing that have a great amount of base fitness on them and test them over 10 minutes. They were all confident and learned a lot the way around. I think it is a great course to set them up for the future. Both of mine I thought really answered everything and seemed straight forward the whole way. I think it sets them up really well for the long term for next year and moving up."
All of the three-star horses passed the final horse inspection this morning and the remaining 40 entries will head into show jumping this morning starting at 10:30 a.m. EST.
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Are you following along with the action from home this weekend? Or maybe you're competing at an event and need information fast. Either way, we’ve got you covered! Check out the USEA’s Weekend Quick Links for links to information including the prize list, ride times, live scores, and more for all the events running this weekend.
The 2025 United States Eventing Association (USEA) American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds is just over three months away, which means it is time to start planning your trip to Temecula, California! This year, the AEC will be on a Western rotation to the ever-popular Galway Downs, which is a staple on the Area VI calendar each year.
The U.S. Equestrian Federation is pleased to announce that the Maryland International and Horse Trials at Loch Moy Farm in Adamstown, Maryland, has been chosen as the host of the 2026-2027 USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships (CCIJ1*-Intro, CCIYJ2*-S, CCIU253*-S). The championships will be held on June 25-28, 2026, and June 24-27, 2027.
What makes a trainer qualified to coach? Could it be a master’s degree in psychology from Harvard University? A career as a five-star event rider? Being an ‘A’ rated Pony Club graduate? Getting your license as a U.S. Equestrian Federation ‘R’ judge and technical delegate for eventing?