United States Eventing Association

Laine Ashker and Anthony Patch are poised for a repeat at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships, presented by VTO Saddlery.

They had the fastest trip on Captain Mark Phillips’ cross-country course with 3.2 time penalties (36.6) which moved her into the top spot, and is set to defend her title in the $40,000 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Final with her off-the-track Thoroughbred, Anthony Patch (Castle Guard - Aimee Alexis).

“I think it was maybe our best round to date,” said Ashker of Richmond, Va. “I saw everything out of stride and I really found a nice rhythm and found that I had a better horse coming out the finish box. I’m on cloud nine right now.

Laine knew that even on a handy, quick Thoroughbred, the time would be as difficult to make as it was last year. So, in preparation for the twisty course, she altered her fitness plan for “Al.”

“Instead of doing long, slow gallops, I did shorter sprints up hills,” she said. “Last year my watch didn’t work and I felt him get a bit tired. But this year, when I asked, he delivered.”

Buck Davidson and Ann Clements’ promising 7-year-old, Quasar, made easy work of the Merial Intermediate championship cross-country course to maintain their overnight lead (30.4) atop a field of 32 competitors. Davidson also stands in fourth in the Advanced on Caroline Martin’s Petite Flower. The combination of a great facility and ample prize money draws upper-level competitors like Davidson, who is currently the top rider on the USEA Leaderboard.

“Adequan puts in a lot of time and money for this event, as do all of the other sponsors,” said Davidson of Ocala, Florida. “We can’t complain about there not being prize money in eventing, and then just not show up to an event that has it.”

Anne Kornak and Canadian Warmblood, Double Rivers Really Cool (Regardez - Reve Neu) moved to the top in the Sr. Training Amateur (29.1) after a double-clear cross-country course.

“My daughter was here [at AEC] last year in the Junior Preliminary, and she finished in third place,” said Kornak, who also happens to be an equine veterinarian. “Now, I have the horse to do it on. We started at the Training level this year and did four horse trials before we qualified. I felt like I was ready to come here.”

While Training through Advanced completed their cross-country rounds today, Novice and Beginner Novice dressage got underway.

Last year’s Senior Novice Amateur division winner Julia Denton and Win/Win Situation are currently tied for first place with Kristin Hardy and Enchanted on a score of 27.5. Although the two women will compete head to head on cross-country tomorrow, there is nothing but sheer camaraderie between them. They stayed in the same barn at least year’s AEC and shared champagne over their success.

Kristen Hardy’s success was particularly emotional as she rides alongside Vicki Dudasch, the mother of Avery Dudasch for whom the Adult Pony Rider Award in Memory of Avery Dudasch will be presented on Sunday.

Hardy will ride her cross-country course with a purple streak in Enchanted’s tail in honor of Avery and as part of “Team Fearless.”

“In a nutshell, I did my halt and salute and started crying,” said a tearful Hardy. “My horse makes me cry, she is so awesome. There are no words. These are happy tears to be here.”

Darlene McInnes from Colorado and her own Warlord maintained their dressage score of 28.3 and moved up from second to first in the Senior Preliminary Amateur. McInnes, who hails from Colorado like Hardy, also has “Fearless” tattooed on her inner arm in honor of Avery.

“My horse is a machine and he is just amazing,” said McInnes. “He answered all the questions and kind of pulled me around and said ‘Let’s go!’ and we had a blast. The course was amazing!”

The day wrapped up with the Weatherbeeta Dog Show and the Adult Rider Social. Earlier today, Max Corcoran gave a horsemanship seminar on studs and post cross-country care, Capt. Mark Phillips and Cathy Wieschhoff discussed course design and cross-country riding techniques, and Corcoran and Dr. Bobby Hewlitt spoke about physical therapy and veterinary care.

A statement from the ground jury was released regarding a fall in the Advanced division:

“Becky Holder riding Can’t Fire Me had a rider fall at fence 6 in the Advanced division. She was evaluated onsite by the medical team and then was transported for precautionary further evaluation. The horse was evaluated by the veterinary team and is resting comfortably in the barn.”

Check out the rest of today’s results here. Tomorrow, Beginner Novice and Novice will tackle their Championship cross-country courses, and the rest of the levels will take on Richard Jeffery’s show jumping courses to shake out the final standings.