Dutton and Possante Secure Early Lead in CCI4*-L at The Event at TerraNova
Myakka City, Fl.—Nov. 14—The B&D Builders CCI4*-L at The Event at TerraNova wrapped up its dressage phase on Friday with Phillip Dutton and Possante(Namelus R x Wendelien), known as Impy around the barn, topping the leaderboard on a score of 26.8.
Their dressage score put them roughly three points ahead of Sydney Elliott and QC Diamantaire, who sit second on 29.3. Robyn Fisher, Valerie Pride, and Christina Klingspor judged the CCI4*-L dressage phase.
In September 2025 at Plantation Field International in Pennsylvania—just 15 minutes from where Dutton and his wife Evie operate True Prospect Farm—Dutton led nearly the entire competition and won the CCI4*-S aboard The Possante Group's 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding.
Unfortunately, their next outing in October 2025 didn’t go as planned. Impy’s bridle unexpectedly broke on course, resulting in a fall and unfinished competition. Now, the pair have put that incident behind them and are aiming for another top spot on the leaderboard at The Event at TerraNova.
After a couple of years together, Dutton and Impy have developed a well-established partnership at the upper levels.
“He’s been competing at this level for a while—this is his second season at four-star, so he’s pretty comfortable here,” says Dutton. “It’s beautiful here at TerraNova, and I’m glad to be back at it, even though our last outing was just one of those weekends. He’s a very talented horse—fun to be around, a real gentleman who always wants to please, and absolutely stunning to look at. When he goes in the dressage ring, he has such presence.”
Topping the leaderboard in today’s CCI4*-L dressage phase, Possante delivered a strong overall test.
“We had a few moments that weren’t perfect by any means, but he still scored very well,” says Dutton. “When we first entered the arena, he was a little wary of the judges’ boxes and tightened up a bit. Then, in the trot half-passes—usually one of his strengths—I must have surprised him, and he dragged behind and didn’t do them as well. But he walked beautifully and cantered really well.”
Looking ahead, Dutton remains focused on the next phase and what Possante needs most heading into cross-country.
“I’m not too worried about stadium jumping yet—that’s still a long way off,” says Dutton. “There’s a lot to do on cross-country first. We’ll head out there knowing it’s a tough course and aim to give him the best possible ride to keep him confident. We’ll see where we land after tomorrow.”
Related Articles
American Horse Trials Foundation Offering Increased Funding for 2026 "Chasing the Gold" Grant
The American Horse Trials Foundation is proud to announce that they will once again be funding the “Chasing the Gold” Grant for 2026. The funding has increased for 2026 to include two horse and athlete combinations who have the attainable goal to successfully compete on the eventing world stage.<...
Mogey’s Story... An EHM Survivor
On November 18, two horses from our barn attended a clinic and two days later Mogey's pasture mate Misty went down late in the afternoon and could not get up.
It's a Tie for Pamukcu & Baugh Following Dressage in CC3*-L at The Event at TerraNova
Two identical scores of 28.4 put both Caroline Pamukcu and Alexandra Baugh at the top of the leaderboard after the dressage phase of The Estates at TerraNova & Laughlin Tanner Group CCI3*-L on Thursday, judged by Marilyn Payne and Robert Stevenson.
