United States Eventing Association

Dutton and Possante Lead the Advanced Division at Millbrook Horse Trials

Millbrook, N.Y.—July 26—The Millbrook Horse Trials kicked off on July 25 with lower level dressage at Riga Meadow Equestrian Center at Coole Park in Millbrook, New York. There are more than 400 total entries competing at Millbrook, from Beginner Novice to Advanced level. Today the upper level horses cantered down the centerline, while the lower levels headed out on cross-country.

In the Advanced division, veteran Olympian Phillip Dutton of West Grove, Pennsylvania and Possante, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by the Possante Group, took a solid lead with a fluid, accurate test to lead the division of 39 starters on a 25.5. Irish rider Michael Nolan, riding the 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse Carrabeg Hulla Balou, owned by Susan Martin, is second (28.2), and Meghan O’Donoghue is third with her own 18-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, Palm Crescent.

Dutton also rode Denim, owned by Ann Lapides, Caroline Moran, Annie Jones and Neill Sites, to 11^th after dressage (31.1) and his daughter Olivia Dutton and Sea of Clouds, a 13-year-old Thoroughbred gelding owned by the Sea of Clouds Partnership, are currently 16^th (31.8) in the Advanced division.

“We’ve had Possante for a bit over a year and a half,” said Phillip. “I had a slow start with him but he’s kind of coming into his groove now and shaking out to be a really top horse. He’s got a lot of charisma, a bit of bling, and carries himself well. He’s a good jumper, still a work in progress like all of it, but I hope he’ll have a good, educational day tomorrow on the cross-country.”

Phillip's been riding Denim since he was a 6-year-old and said that though he’s a bit younger, he has more experience than Possante. “We had a couple little errors in the dressage, but I was actually quite pleased with him,” he said. “It’s his first Advanced for a while. It’s good to be up in Millbrook with him, especially with this great weather. We’ve had a lot of friends and owners from the Millbrook area, and I used to teach a lot of the kids who grew up here, and it’s fun to come back.”

He noted that while it’s a little nerve-wracking to watch his own daughter compete at the Advanced level, he’s pleased to see her learning and thriving with his former partner, affectionately known as “Socks.”

“He really likes her, and they seem to be clicking well,” he said.

Phillip also sent his best wishes and good luck to the U.S. riders competing at the Olympic Games in Paris this weekend.

The competition continues tomorrow with cross-country for the Advanced, Intermediate, and Preliminary. Show jumping will conclude the competition for Training, Novice, and Beginner Novice.

For full results, click here.