Phillip Dutton had to sit out last weekend’s Plantation Field Horse Trials due to an injury he picked up playing polo in a charity match on September 11. The time out of the saddle didn’t seem to affect his riding, however, as Dutton trotted into the lead today with Fernhill Singapore in the Stable View Oktoberfest CCI4*-S.
There is a field of 22 in the CCI4*-S and Dutton and the 10-year-old KWPN gelding (Singapore x Riedellia) were the only pair to break into the 20s. Owned by Ann Jones, Tom Tierney, and David Vos, Fernhill Singapore scored a 29.4 to lead the class.
“His tests are getting better every week, and I am really pleased with him,” said Dutton. “I definitely thought it was his best test to date.”
Boyd Martin rode both Fernhill Singapore and Z last weekend at Plantation but withdrew before the cross-country. Dutton said that he actually quite enjoyed watching Martin ride them. “Plantation has a good atmosphere and Boyd gave me good feedback,” explained Dutton. Dutton said that Martin had both his horses more forward in the canter than he might normally does which was interesting to see.
Dutton said that this will probably be Fernhill Singapore’s last run before the Fair Hill CCI4*-L, so is looking for a nice confidence-building exercise in all three phases.
Tied for second on a 30.4 is Sydney Elliott and QC Diamantaire, the 9-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Diarado x Lantana) owned by Carol Stephens, and Lynn Symansky and Under Suspection, the 15-year-old Holsteiner mare (Contender x Naomagic I) owned by Mary Ann Ghadban.
Dutton’s World Equestrian Games partner, Z, sits in fourth on a 30.6. Owned by Tom Tierney, Simon Roosevelt, Suzanne Lacy, Ann Jones, and Caroline Moran – Z is an 11-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Asca z Bellabouche).
Stable View has been putting a tremendous effort into preparing the footing for the cross-country course with constant watering and spiking and Dutton said he “is very appreciative of all the work that’s been done on the ground.”
The top seven riders are all within a rail of each other so there is a lot to play for tomorrow. The CCI4*-S show jumping begins tomorrow at 1:17 p.m. followed by cross-country at 2:47 p.m. Full ride times are here.
Welcome to the Show Me state and to Area IV USEA members! The 2023 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention kicks of tomorrow and features four full days of educational seminars, committee meetings, and social gatherings all with one aim—to bring the eventing community together to continue to improve upon and celebrate the sport that we all love. This year’s Convention takes place in St. Louis, Missouri, at the Marriott St. Louis Grand in downtown St. Louis from Dec. 7-10, and we have rounded up everything you need to know to make the most of your time in the heartland.
To accompany the 2023 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, USEA Educational Partner STRIDER has prepared Digital Resources to Maximize Education & Access for the Eventing Community. In keeping with the USEA’s mission to expand the sport of eventing, this webinar outlines ways in which digital tools can be leveraged to increase access and education across equestrian opportunities. As part of STRIDER’s popular Professional Development Webinar Series, this presentation aims to provide a quick overview of best practices and digital tools used across the equestrian industry to boost growth.
Every horse who participated this year in the USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) program has a story—a background that involves a breeder who labored over bloodlines, veterinary care, initial training, and so much more. This year’s highest-placing U.S.-bred horse in the 5-year-old division at the Dutta Corp./USEA Young Event Horse Championships, Arden Augustus, is no exception. His breeder and owner, Anita Antenucci of Arden Farms in Upperville, Virginia, started her program nine years ago and said that the Warmblood gelding was a more emotionally driven breeding for her than others due to his connections with Antenucci’s long-time friend Sharon White.
Have you ever wondered why professional riders love bringing their horses through the USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) program? USEA Podcast host Nicole Brown chats with two of this year's YEH Champions, Caroline Pamukcu who won the USEA YEH 4-year-old East Coast Championship aboard HSH Afterglow, and Andrea Baxter who won the USEA YEH 5-year-old Championship with Camelot PJ, to discuss this year's Championships and all of the great things that the program has to offer.