United States Eventing Association

Former-Aussies Phillip Dutton and Boyd Martin rose from the ashes today and proved that you’re never too good to fall off. Both ran into trouble at the same element on their respective two-star mounts and gave spectators a scare. Fortunately, both riders and horses were no worse for the wear, and they returned for Dutton to win the Adequan USEA Gold Cup CIC3* with Mr. Candyman and finish third with I’m Sew Ready, and for Martin to come in second with Crackerjack.

Dutton and Mr. Candyman (Canto x Montara), a 9-year-old Holsteiner owned by Bridget Colman, Ann Jones, Caroline Moran and Tom Tierney, came through the finish flags today eight seconds above optimum time, adding 2.8 time penalties to their dressage score. “It was always my plan to go quick with him. He’s a lot fitter than I’m Sew Ready [Dutton’s third-placed horse]. He was brilliant. I’m really pleased with him,” Dutton said.

“Elmo” showed great promise last year after a fourth-place finish at Galway Downs CCI3*, but has spent some time on the backburner since then. “He hasn’t had a great year. I blame myself. He needs a fair bit of attention and I was spread thin,” Dutton explained. “He’s quite quick to lose confidence, so I’ve got to do a good job to keep him confident all the way.” You would never guess Elmo struggles with confidence, as he rocked around the course easily today. “He showed a lot of potential for the future in all three phases. It raises my hope for him,” he continued.

Boyd Martin and Crackerjack. USEA/Sheby Allen Photo.

Boyd Martin and Crackerjack (Aberjack x Santa’s Slave) were one of the fastest pairs of the day, jumping double clear to finish on their dressage score of 51.5. Lucy Lie’s 13-year-old Thoroughbred gelding looked great in his first FEI outing since Luhmühlen CCI4* where he finished 10^th. “He’s not the easiest to ride cross-country. He’s very keen to get to the jump, and often his idea of taking off and my idea of taking off are different,” Martin joked.

Dutton took his time with I’m Sew Ready (Lupicor x Jarda) as the two are still getting accustomed to one another. The 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood returns to Dutton’s string as his usual rider, Kristen Bond, is pregnant with her second child. “Jackson” added 10.8 time penalties, but his score was still enough for a third place finish.

The time was tight today, and only three pairs – Boyd Martin & Crackerjack, Sharon White & Cooley on Show and Lisa Marie Fergusson – finished within the time. Many pairs competed this weekend for a confident finish before their big CCI outings this fall, but all seemed to agree that Mike Etherington-Smith’s course was top notch.

“It’s funny. You walk the course and it’s big, and all the riders are saying, ‘how are we going to do this?’ Then the horses jump it really well, which is a credit to Mike ES,” Martin said. He and Dutton have played at huge part in the planning and promotion of this their hometown event. “One of the reasons that Phillip and myself were so adamant to get Mike is we know this is a big event in everyone’s calendar, but it’s also more importantly a preparation event for the CCI’s at the end of the year. We really wanted this event to be a stepping stone to produce good performances later on.”

30 of the 34 starters finishes without jump penalties and only two pairs retired. Buck Davidson was the only rider fall in this division, and he and Park Trader parted ways at fence 14.

Click here for scores.

About the Adequan USEA Gold Cup

The Adequan USEA Gold Cup features 11 qualifying competitions throughout the United States at the Advanced Horse Trials and CIC3* levels. The final will take place at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships, September 1-4 in Tryon, North Carolina. Riders who complete a qualifier earn the chance to vie for $40,000 in prize money and thousands of dollars in prizes in the Adequan Advanced Division and the title of Adequan USEA Gold Cup Champion.

The 2016 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series is made possible through the support of its many loyal sponsors: Adequan, Standlee Forage, Nunn Finer, Nutrena, Merck, Broadstone Equine Insurance Agency, and FITS.