United States Eventing Association

Coleman and Chin Tonic HS Capture The Intermediate Lead at the AEC

Lexington, Ky.—August 29— The last time Chin Tonic HS galloped around the Kentucky Horse Park he was completing his first five-star at Land Rover Kentucky in April with Will Coleman.

After a quiet summer due to a respiratory issue, “Chin’s” returned to the bluegrass for a prep run around the USEA Intermediate Championship at the USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds this week as Coleman eyes the Pau CCI5*-L in France in October.

Chin and Coleman took the top spot today over 46 other pairs, scoring a 25.3. Jenny Caras and Trendy Fernhill are in second (25.8), and Coleman and new ride Diabolo are in third (28.2). “I thought he did a great test. I was really happy with him,” said Coleman. “There were a few things to clean up, but by and large, I thought his connection was good, and I was really happy with how positive I was able to ride in there.”

Chin, an 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Chin Champ x Wildera) owned by Hyperion Stud, has only one full run since April under his belt heading into this week—an open Preliminary division he won at Fair Hill (Elkton, Maryland) in early August—because Coleman wanted to be cautious with him this summer. “He’s totally fine now, but I was probably using an abundance of caution,” he said. “He’s also not done a whole lot since Kentucky, so I think it’s fine for him to come here and have a nice round. We’re going to keep gearing up for Pau from here, and I’m looking forward to developing and testing this horse at another of the world’s five-stars.”

Coleman decided on Pau against the MARS Maryland Five-Star this fall, and he just received a The Dutta Corp./USEF Eventing High Performance Flight Grant to help with the trip. “I think the terrain in Maryland would be kind of hard for him,” he said. “He’s not the most blood, and I think he’s still developing the stamina required for five-star level. I think Pau’s terrain is probably a little bit more gentle, and even though the track is very technical and mentally can be a little harder for horses, I still feel like it’s the best option for us in the fall. Hopefully we’re right and have a good go over there.”

Coleman’s second ride, Diabolo, is an 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Diarado x Roulett M) owned by the Diabolo Group. He came to the U.S. in February after Stuart Tinney and his daughter Gemma Tinney developed him to the Advanced level in Australia. Coleman flew to Australia to try the gelding, and he’s competed him a handful of times, but has mostly kept him at home to get to know him.

“We’re really excited about him,” he said. “I think he’s a lovely horse. He’s still very much a work in progress. The trip and the adjustment for a horse coming from the southern hemisphere is a rather big one, and he’s still acclimating to the seasons and the cycle here. We’re being very patient, and I think he’s an exciting horse for the future, and I’m really grateful to all the owners who helped me acquire him. [Forming a parternship is] not something that’s done overnight. We still have a ways to go, but we do really like his character, and we think highly of him.”

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About the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC)

The USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC), presented by Nutrena Feeds, is the pinnacle of the sport at the national levels. Held annually, the best junior, adult amateur, and professional competitors gather to vie for national championship titles at every level from Beginner Novice to Advanced. This ultimate test of horse and rider draws hundreds of combinations from around the country to compete for fabulous prizes, a piece of the substantial prize money, and the chance to be named the National Champion at their respective levels. In fact, the 2021 AEC garnered over 1,000 entries and now stands as the largest eventing competition in North American history. The 2023 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds will be held Aug. 29—Sept. 3 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. Click here to learn more about the USEA American Eventing Championships.

The USEA would like to thank Presenting Sponsor: Nutrena Feeds; Advanced Final Title Sponsor: Adequan; Platinum Level Sponsor: Bates Saddles; Gold Level Sponsors: Capital Square, Horse & Country, Parker Equine Insurance, Smartpak, Standlee; Silver Level Sponsors: Auburn Labs, Ecogold, Kerrits, The Jockey Club; Bronze Level Sponsors: 70 Degrees, Athletux, Black Petticoat, The Chronicle of the Horse, Devoucoux, D.G. Stackhouse and Ellis, Dubarry of Ireland, Equestrian Team Apparel, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, Horseware Ireland, Majyk Equipe, Retired Racehorse Project, Ride EquiSafe; Contributing Level Sponsor: CrossCountry App, Georgetown – Scott County Tourism, Lexmark, L.V. Harkness, Mountain Horse, Mrs. Pastures Cookies, #WeRideTogether; Prize Level Sponsors: Coach Daniel Stewart, EquiFit, Equilab, Equiluxe Tack, Equine Essentials, Equine Pulse Performance, FarmVet, Achieve Equine/FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips, Horses 4 Your Consideration, Hound & Hare, I Love My Horse Eventing Boutique, Jack’s Favorites, Jane Heart Jewelry, Kinetic Equine Services, LeMieux, Levade Kentucky, Mare Modern Goods, OneTouch Fly Spray, Parkmore Supplements, Practical Horseman, Sidelines Magazine, Spy Coast Farm, Strides for Equality Equestrians, and VTO Saddlery.