Sep 23, 2018

Davidson Takes Back-to-Back Wins at Plantation Field International

By Plantation Field - Press Release
Buck Davidson and Archie Rocks. AK Dragoo Photo.

In a dramatic cross-country finale, Buck Davidson cemented himself a double CIC3* winner at Plantation Field International Horse Trials, leaping from 14th straight to the top with Maya Simmons’ Archie Rocks. Davidson won this event last year with Sherrie Martin and Carl and Cassie Segal's Copper Beach. "Now I just have to win three times in a row, right?" he joked.

A hometown rider, Davidson buckled down against rain and mud to add 8.4 time penalties — the second quickest trip of the day — with the 10-year-old Thoroughbred (Le Monde x Unbridled Diva, by Unbridled Jet) to finish on a score of 46.1.

"I was first to go (with Erroll Gobey) in the class, and it felt very good. But Archie's a little Thoroughbred. I had to pick and choose different tracks and give him the best line,” he said. “I was a bit mad when I finished because he went too quick the first couple, then kind of stumbled, and I had to add a couple strides here and there. I thought, 'If I lose this thing because of that, I'm going to be really mad.' I didn't think I would win but I knew I would be up with a chance."

Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan. AK Dragoo Photo.

Ariel Grald moved into second with Anne W. Eldridge’s Leamore Master Plan. She and the 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Master Imp IHR x Ardragh Bash, by Cavalier Royale) picked up 14.4 time penalties for a final result of 48.5.

"I'm lucky that my horse is a good Irish boy and the mud doesn't bother him. He's a very strong cross-country horse and I have to just let him settle into it. He fought for everything and really took care of himself, and took care of me,” Grald said.

Fylicia Barr and Galloway Sunrise. AK Dragoo Photo.

Fylicia Barr made the incredible jump from 27th to finish third after producing the fastest round of the day aboard Galloway Sunrise, a horse who she found on Craigslist and has brought up the levels herself. She and the 10-year-old American Warmblood (Duty Officer x Coco Chanel) came through the finish 16 seconds over the time for a three-phase score of 49.9.

“When I saw the rain I wasn’t that worried — she’s a horse that’s very naturally balanced and the footing doesn’t really bother her,” she said. “Cross-country has always been her favorite. Her ears are pricked the whole time, and she’s just hunting the flags, so that’s a really great feeling as a rider to sit on a horse with that much heart and that much competitive drive.”

Mike Pendelton earned the first international win of his career Sunday at Plantation Field aboard Carlsburg in the CIC* A division. Stephen Blauner and Boyd Martin’s 6-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Puissance x Flame and Passion, by Cruising) jumped clear across Chris Barnard’s show jumping to finish on his dressage score of 28.2.

“It’s really awesome that Boyd is letting me kind of take him through the levels the last two years that he’s been competing,” Pendelton said. “He’s willing. He wants to please. He’s a careful horse, and he always wants to show jump clean even if I make a mistake, so he’ll be an exciting horse for the future.”

Ryan Wood was second with Ruby, a 9-year-old Oldenburg (Royal Price x Dinara, by Donnerwerth) owned by Summit Sporthorses, on a score of 29.4, and Boyd Martin finished third on a score of 30.2 aboard Barry, a 9-year-old Thoroughbred owned by the rider and Windurra USA.

Caroline Martin topped the CIC* B with her Cristano Z, a 9-year-old Zangersheide (Chippendale Z x Nalan VH Schoterhof, by Omar). The two had a clear show jump round to finish on a score of 26.8.

Janelle Phaneuf was second on 29.5 points with Strattonstown Lewis, an 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Wivollet Vanbeek x Leinsters Rose, by Ghareeb) owned by Christa Schmidt. Third place went to Lindsay Beer and El Paso, a 16-year-old Trakehner owned by Penny Beer, on 30.7.

To learn more about Plantation Field, please visit www.plantationfieldinternational.com.

For scoring, click here.

Dec 22, 2024 USEA Foundation

Top Tips for Applying for a USEA Foundation Grant

Did you know that the USEA Foundation awards over 150 grants each year to deserving individuals who are involved in the sport of eventing? With grants that assist riders with accomplishing their competition goals, grants geared toward licensed officials, grants that are specific to continuing education for coaches, grants that assist competitions with obtaining frangible technology, and so much more, there really is a grant opportunity available to almost anyone!

Dec 21, 2024 Education

3 Ways to Help Eventing Thrive in 2025

With the start of the New Year just days away, now is the time to consider how your actions can have a positive impact on the sport of eventing in 2025. Each and every member of the eventing community has an important role to play in ensuring the sport continues to grow and thrive. From fostering educational opportunities to supporting grassroots initiatives and participating at all levels of the sport, there are so many ways to get involved.

Dec 20, 2024 Sponsor

“Happy Horse Equals Happy Judge”: Ask An Expert with Dressage Judge Peter Gray, Brought to You by Ride iQ

Ride iQ’s popular “Ask An Expert” series features professional advice and tips from all areas of the horse industry. One of the most-downloaded episodes is an expert session with Peter Gray, an accomplished dressage judge and Olympic eventer. He has recently judged at events like the five-star at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, and he served on the ground jury at the 2022 FEI World Eventing Championships in Pratoni, Italy. His background as a competitor in the Olympic Games riding for Bermuda and as a coach and selector for the Canadian eventing team adds depth to his understanding of the sport.

Dec 19, 2024 Volunteers

The VIP Volunteer: Cathy Hale Has A Thirst for Adventure and a Love for Volunteering

With a total of 382 volunteer hours in 2024, Catherine “Cathy” Hale not only topped the USEA Area III VIP Volunteer leaderboard, but she also ranked fourth out of all eventing volunteers across the country. Hale (The Villages, Florida) has worked as a travel agent for over 30 years, a career that suits her love of travel nicely. At the time of being interviewed for this article, Hale was passing the equator on a cruise to Tahiti, New Zealand, and Australia.

Official Corporate Sponsors of the USEA

Official Joint Therapy Treatment of the USEA

Official Feed of the USEA

Official Saddle of the USEA

Official Equine Insurance of the USEA

Official Forage of the USEA

Official Supplement Feeding System of the USEA

Official Competition & Training Apparel of the USEA

Official Horse Boot of the USEA

Official Shockwave of the USEA

Official Horse Wear of the USEA