United States Eventing Association

Dressage Concludes with Springer Topping the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Advanced Leaderboard

Allison Springer and longtime mount Arthur, a 17-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Windstar x Kelly) owned by Arthur Syndicate LLC, rose to the occasion once again in their admitted strongest phase of dressage, as the pair earned a 25.3 to hold a slight lead over Ryan Wood and Powell, a 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Pablito x Dinara) owned by Summit Sport Horses, who received a 25.4. Marilyn Little and RF Demeter, a 14-year-old Oldenburg mare (Rubin-Royal x Patricia) owned by Jacqueline Mars, Raylyn Farms and Patrick Witte, are currently in third with a score of 28.0.

The division, which is an annual highlight of the Nutrena® USEA American Eventing Championships presented Land Rover (AEC) each year, features some of the best riders in the country including experienced CCI 4* riders and Olympians. Springer is no stranger to holding a lead heading into the second day of competition as Arthur, who is notoriously spooky in the two remaining phases, excels in dressage. The pair consistently score below average on the flat at the Advanced level and look continue their success on cross-country tomorrow.

“He was super today. I didn't have my usual prep for him because he was first out at 8 a.m. He hasn’t been anywhere since Kentucky this spring. I got injured and his first cross-country school was last week since then,” explained Springer. “The last couple of weeks I’ve been working with Karen O’Connor, and I feel good and he feels good. He just was so happy to be at a show and doing something again.”

Allison Springer and Arthur. USEA/Shelby Allen Photo.

“I was a bit late getting to the warm-up, but he was focused and ready to do his job. When Arthur is good, he’s so good. It was just a fluid nice test,” she added.

The pair, who have been together for the entirety of Arthur’s career, have experienced both ups and downs in their performances together, but Springer is hopeful that the duo will be able to lay down a solid round tomorrow around a difficult track, that could be an interesting test for Arthur.

“He is very very spooky. He’s not spooky at the jumps, but everything around them. When he’s like that he gets very tense in his back and jump a little low and tight. I think I’ve had to learn a lot about how to ride and train more like a show jumper,” she commented. “Certainly this type of event with a lot to look at on course makes it difficult to make up time and we’ll just see. He’s a good horse and he knows his job.”

Ryan Wood and Powell found themselves hot on the heels of the veteran pair, sitting just a tenth of a point behind the leaders, an interesting contrast to the levels of experience, as this duo is just finding their feet at the Advanced and CCI3* level compared to Springer and Arthur.

“He felt fantastic. I thought I smoked the test today,” he laughed. “We’ve been working a lot on the flying changes. I had four horses in the Advanced division and we hit all of our changes. It’s usually a 50/50 change of getting them and we’re starting to get the hang of it.”

Marilyn Little continues to dominate at the AEC, as she leads the Merial Open Intermediate division aboard RF Scandalous and holds second aboard RF Overdressed and holds third place in the Adequan® USEA Gold Cup Advanced Finals aboard her longtime Advanced mount RF Demeter.

“She held it together quite well. There was no familiarization so she perked up again heading into the ring,” said Little. “I thought she let me position her really well for the lateral work and the rideabilty will sometimes go there. That and the tension are typically the first things that creeps up on her, but we didn’t see that today.”

All three pairs will head out on the track tomorrow, as the Adequan® USEA Advanced Gold Cup Finals division is set to take to the track at 12:15 p.m.

Junior Novice

Alexis Mazzatta leads the Junior Novice division with Diana Burnett’s Shigatzi, a 13-year-old Thoroughbred by Fran Coeur. They carry 26 penalty points into tomorrow’s cross-country phase.

Madeline Hartsock follows behind in second place with her 7-year-old German Sport Horse Prinz S.W. (PR. H. Principal Boy x Pr. St. Hauptstutbuch Bienchen) on a score of 28, and Mia Braundel sits in third on a 28.3 with her own Cashmere (Special D x Shyra), a 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood.

Broadstone Junior Beginner Novice

In the Broadstone Junior Beginner Novice divison, Julia McElligott and Ricky (Ricky Martin x Chelsea Small), a 16-year-old Swedish Warmblood owned by Lauren Meyers, lead the way after dressage on a score of 22.5.

Kaley Breland and Not An Issue (Mix Max x Contessa), a 10-year-old Holsteiner, follow with a score of 26.5 for second place, and Rachel Castellani and Lisa Castellani’s Kathmandu, an 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse out of Gowlaun Nina, are in third place on 27.3

Broadstone Junior Beginner Novice 14U

The youngest competitors of the weekend, the riders in the Broadstone Junior Beginner Novice Under 14 division, took to the dressage ring today, and it was Samantha Tinney and Might Be Regal who earned the top spot. Katherine Cox’s 20-year-old Appendix/Quarter Horse by Regal Lark sits on a 26 going into tomorrow’s cross-country.

Annabelle Kress and Batteries Not Included, a 16-year-old Pinto owned by Susie Beale, are in second on 26.5 points and Mackenzie Lea and The Main in Black (CC Brunos Chinook x Foxy Peppy IMP), a 6-year-old Appendix, are in third on 27.5 points.

Professional’s Choice Junior Training

In the Professional’s Choice Junior Training division, McKinsey Wickman and Dassett Profile, an 8-year-old Irish Sport horse by Crosstown Dancer, hold the dressage lead. The pair danced their way to 23.6 penalty points.

Georgia Dillard follows in second place after scoring a 27.3 with Normandy Farm’s 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse, Normandy’s Cole’s Clover (Normandy’s Four Leaf Clover x Racin’ Rosa). Maddie McElduff and Tupelo (Baron Verdi x Thabana), a 7-year-old Trakenhner, are in third on a score of 27.5.

Junior/Young Rider Preliminary

William Zuschlag and his own RF Southern Command (Ustinov x Trijntje) lead the Junior Young Rider Preliminary division after today’s dressage. The 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood holds 27.3 penalty points currently.

Arielle Aharoni and Dutch Times, an 8-year-old Warmblood owned by Christina Ahoroni, are in second place with 28 points, and Arden Stephens and Ultra T, another 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood, are in third place on a 28.7.

About the AEC

The Nutrena® USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Land Rover (AEC) is the pinnacle of the sport for the national levels. Held annually, this event draws together the best competitors from across the country vying for national titles from the Beginner Novice through the Advanced level. This year's AEC is being held at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, N.C. August 31-September 4, 2016.

The 2016 Nutrena® USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Land Rover would not be possible without our wonderful sponsors: Nutrena, Land Rover, Adequan, Merial, Broadstone Equine Insurance Company, Professional's Choice, Devoucoux,Merck Animal Health, Standlee Hay, Charles Owen, Fleeceworks, CWD, The Chronicle of the Horse, Noble Outfitters, Auburn Laboratories Inc., Smartpak, Stackhouse Saddles, Point Two, VTO Saddlery, FLAIR, Dubarry of Ireland, FITS Riding, Equine Art by Julie, Ride Safe, The Jockey Club, Ovation, Eventing Training Online, Kastel Denmark, Happy Saddle Treats, I Love My Horse, GumBits, Horse Hydrator, Phoenix Bodyworks, C4 Belts, The Scoring Chix, and more.

*Many of these sponsors are in attendance at the AEC with vendor spaces in the USEA Sponsor Village, located directly next to the George Morris Arena at TIEC. Get ready to shop!