United States Eventing Association

Cross-Country Day at the Jersey Fresh Three Day Event, and Five More Minutes with Jennie Brannigan & Lillian Heard

Cross-country day at the Jersey Fresh Three-Day Event dawned with the threat of thundershowers; but somehow our luck turned for the better. The clouds passed, and the sun blessed us for the entire day. Blustery winds appeared in the afternoon, however, which blew down almost the entire show jumping course which was being set up for tomorrow.

The best news to report today is that though there were two rider falls and a number of refusals/run outs- there were no serious incidents or injuries to horses or riders for the entire day.

The CCI2* proved to be quite exhilarating as Jennie Brannigan and Nina Gardner’s Cambalda put in one of only four double clear two-star rounds, providing them with a secure lead going in to tomorrow’s show jumping. After an outstanding ride Jennie and Cambalda remain on their dressage score of 44.3. They have a rail and few time penalties in hand, ahead of Doug Payne and Sanford Freeman’s Happy Valley. Payne, of Pottersville, NJ and Happy Valley were also double clear and ended their very successful day on their Dressage score of 50.0. Canada’s Joelle Baskerville and Malibu gained just 1.2 time penalties to place them in third position on a 56.0; providing Doug and Happy Valley with a small cushion as well.

The CCI3* course proved to be an arduous task for numerous competitors and the division saw six horse and rider team retirements on course; thankfully again, with no falls or incidents. The majority of the rides were very successful: four double clears, eight riders jumping clean with time penalties, and two riders that completed with 20 jumping penalties. California-based Tiana Coudray and the Irish Sport Horse Ringwood Magister held on to their lead by a wide margin, even after gaining 4.8 time penalties. They ended the day on a 41.6, which is the lowest score among the three divisions here at Jersey Fresh this weekend. Colin Davidson of South Conway NH and his own Draco were double clear, securing their standing in the second place spot, completing the day on a 56.2. Sharon White of Summit Point West Virginia and Rafferty’s Rules were also double clear, moving them up from eighth to second place.

The CIC 3* saw no retirements on course; however there was an elimination and one rider fall (with no serious incident). Interestingly, there were no double clears in this division. Steadfast Phillip Dutton and Ann Jones’ Thoroughbred Tru Luck picked up just 7.2 time penalties to hold on to their lead with a total score for the two days of 58.4. Dutton and Tru Luck have a rail in hand going in to the show jumping, ahead of Peter Barry of Canada and Kilrodan Abbott. Barry moved from third to second place with an excellent round, followed by Callie Judy of Columbia, MO and Call on Me. Judy moved up from seventh to third place to complete her day on a score of 71.6.

The wind is expected to continue tomorrow, and the Show Jumping course has most certainly been battened down this evening by the excellent crew here at the Horse Park!

Five Minutes with Two Riders Part II

I managed to wrangle a few minutes with Lillian Heard and Jennie Brannigan again this afternoon, as they were working tirelessly to insure that their horses were recovering well from their mutually wonderful cross-country day. Both had clear jumping rounds (Jennie and Cambalda double clear in the CCI 2* and Lillian and her own Share Option completed their very first CCI3* with no jumping penalties. We’re very proud of both of them (and their horses)!

I couldn’t wait to ask them about their thoughts regarding the XC course and how it may have differed from their initial ride plans. Here’s what they had to say:

1. What are your thoughts about the cross-country today?

Lillian: “It rode really, really well. The water seemed tricky for a few people, but I think that if you were going well in the beginning of the course, then it rode well. The course was definitely long; and hard on the horses in a fair way- the way that it should have been. All of the jumps jumped well. It was a beautiful day; good for the horses, as it didn’t take too much out of them. The course crew did a good job with the footing, excellent job”.

Jennie: “My plan wasn’t really to go out and make the time, as we’re preserving the horse for the future; but I really studied the minute markers and [Cambalda] took to it well. He’s a good galloping horse. The course rode well, and John (Williams, course designer) did a good job on all of the tracks. There were problems for people out there, but they were staggered (here and there).”

1. Was any part of your ride drastically different than your ride plan?

Lillian: “No. I walked the course with Boyd Martin and he was spot on for every jump and plan that we made. I couldn’t have anticipated how (Share Option, aka Whitey) would do on the terrain, but he was good and jumped well for the entire course. It rode exactly as planned.

Jennie: 5A/5B was a hard question and it rode harder than anticipated. Phillip (Dutton) and I talked about the water; and I did have to press on a bit there. He (Cambalda, aka Ping) was a little greener in the water than I had anticipated.

1. How is your horse recovering this afternoon?

Lillian: His recovery is going great. The weather wasn’t too hot and it didn’t take too much out of the horses. He’s eight years old and this is our first CCI3*, so we’re not sure yet how he’ll be. He is feeling very good about himself this afternoon and he should be. He knows that he did something great today!”

Jennie: “He’s recovering well. We’re giving him fluids to keep hydrated. Hopefully he’ll be good tomorrow!”

4. What are your expectations of tomorrow’s Show Jumping Phase?

Lillian: “Show jumping here is pretty good normally. It’s a nice ring; big, it suits my horse well. It’s very well footed. The biggest factor will be his recovery from today, which should be fine. There will probably be a lot of people pulling rails”.

Jennie: “I have yet to walk the course…The horse has put in quite a few good show jumping rounds this season and I hope that he continues it”.

1. Do you have any additional comments to add?

Lillian: I think that the show officials did a phenomenal job on cross-country. It’s been really fun doing my first (CCI) 3* here. Boyd (Martin) got me here, and though he couldn’t be here this weekend, the rest of the True Prospect team has been here and everyone has been helping out. There’s good team spirit and we all did well today. It’s not over yet though- talk to me tomorrow. I’m happy today though. There’s nothing like clawing your way to the top!”

Jennie: “I’m very thankful that Nina and Tim came out today. I appreciate the efforts that Captain Mark Phillips and Sarah Ike have put in to the Developing Riders program. I’m always thankful to Phillip for his guidance.”

Huge thanks to Lillian and Jennie for taking time from their very busy afternoon to chat with me. It’s a privilege to be able to share their first hand perspective.

Onward for a good nights rest for all of the riders and horses, in anticipation of sound jogging and clean jumping. Best of luck everyone!