Chattahoochee Hills: Friday Re-Cap
I cruised down the shady Chattahoochee Hills driveway early. Pausing next to the stabling chart I noticed a young couple tossing tennis balls to two Shetland Pony-sized Great Danes. Only three divisions were competing in dressage on Friday, and many people would be arriving later in the afternoon while one arena took its time getting through the day’s schedule. At this quiet hour on a crisp fall morning, one would hardly know there was a show at all. I knew a pleasant, peaceful day of dressage was ahead.
Elizabeth Barron and The Graduate won first in dressage out of seventeen starters in the CCI** division. Elizabeth smiled wide during a lovely test aboard the rich copper-colored chestnut and will begin cross-country on a score of 46.9, just 0.6 penalty points ahead of Clark Montgomery and Cyrano Z and Becky Holder and Call Me Ollie, who are tied for second. All horses presented at the Two Star jog passed.
Jonathan Holling and Downtown Harrison lead the CIC* by a full 10 points on a score of 43.8. The Open Intermediate division is led by Becky Holder and Can’t Fire Me on a score of 30.8, followed closely by Elinor MacPhail and Parador Mail on a 32.
These three divisions will run cross-county Saturday morning while Preliminary through Beginner Novice will compete in both dressage and cross-country. After a relaxing first day, I’m sure tomorrow will be full of excitement.
Related Articles
Alexa Thompson: A Clear View to Eventing Success
The equestrian story of four-star eventer Alexa Ehlers Thompson starts with a little hand-me-down Shetland pony named Panda, brought home in the back of her dad’s pickup truck. Panda was intended for her 10-year-old older sister, Kelsey, but Alexa was smitten and had other ideas.
Fast Facts: MARS Bromont CCI
Eventing returns to one of the most picturesque venues in North America this week at the Bromont Olympic Equestrian Park for the MARS Bromont International. Held in Bromont, Quebec, Canada, from June 4-8, Bromont hosts a CCI4*-L, CCI4*-S, CCI3*-L, CCI2*-L, and CCI2*-L and CCI3*-L U25 divisions
