Donnelly and Buenos Aires Make Their Comeback Count With Adequan USEA Gold Cup Win At Twin Rivers
The Adequan USEA Gold Cup Advanced Division at Twin Rivers in Paso Robles CA, came down to the wire on the final day of competition, leaving riders and spectators on edge to the final rail. Prior to Show Juming, James Alliston remarked that “ even the best horses have rails some times,” and today that was the case for the overnight leader, as he and Jumbo’s Jake dropped just one rail to finish in second behind Sandra Donnelly and her long time partner Buenos Aires.
Not only were Sandra and her beloved “B” the only duo to finish the weekend on their dressage score, but they did so in their first Advanced level competition together in nearly two years. The Canadian Warmblood, home-bred by Donnelly, has carefully come back from injury and demonstrated in style at Twin Rivers that he is more than excited to be back. “He was so keen to still play. I didn’t even wear a watch on cross-country, but he wanted to go, and it was amazing to have him back,” Sandra said of her 14-year-old gelding.
Buenos Aires once again demonstrated his talents in show jumping, as he put forth a terrific round, not appearing to be even a bit rusty. “Traditionally he is quite a good show jumper,” said Donnelley, “but we haven’t jumped a course this big in a long time.” When asked if she hoped to win the Adequan USEA Gold Cup at Twin Rivers, hosted by the Baxter Family, Sandra laughed and remarked, “it was not even on the radar, I would have been thrilled just to finish.” Finish they certainly did.
With their vet's blessing, Donnelly and B are headed to the CIC3* at Woodside, October 7-9, followed by the only CCI3* on the West Coast at the Galway Downs International Horse Trials in Temecula, CA, in early November.
Jennifer Wooten-Dafoe and Nabouco de Lessay, owned by Tim Clandra, finished the weekend with the yellow ribbon and are another duo spectators will watch at the upcoming Woodside and Galway Downs events. As the second fastest horse and rider behind the division winner on cross-country, and with a beautiful double clean stadium round, this pair will be one to keep an eye on as the season winds down in California.
The Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series is made possible through the support of its many sponsors: Title: Adequan; Legacy: Nunn Finer, Nutrena; and Patron: Broadstone Equine Insurance Agency, and Succeed.
Adequan is proud to be the official joint therapy treatment of the USEA.
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