United States Eventing Association

Phillip Dutton is primed and ready for a CIC3* takeover in front of his hometown crowd at Plantation Field International Horse Trials. He sits in first and second of this Adequan USEA Gold Cup division after dressage with I’m Sew Ready and Mr. Candyman, respectively.

A catch-ride for Dutton, Kristine & John Norton’s “Jackson” is normally ridden by Kristen Bond, but has returned to Dutton while Bond is pregnant with her second child. Dutton is accustomed to the ride, having competed the 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood before, winning the CIC3* together at The Fork International Horse Trials in 2015.

This morning they posted a score of 43.4 which remained untouched for the rest of the day. “Kristen’s been working him. I’ve only had him for a bit over a week, so I can’t take much credit for that,” Dutton said of his score with Jackson. “He’s a good mover. He’s got three good paces and generally scores pretty well. I was just trying to make it look soft and easy.”

In the very last ride of the day, Dutton also found himself in second place on a score of 46.9 with Mr. Candyman (Canto x Montara), a 9-year-old Holsteiner owned by Bridget Colman, Ann Jones, Caroline Moran and Tom Tierney. Despite their impressive score today, Dutton admits this horse has been on the backburner with his Olympic-packed schedule. He hasn’t had the greatest year. I haven’t put as much time into him with the Olympics and other horses, so now it’s his turn,” Dutton said. The plan is to give him a great prep here before hopefully another impressive performance at Fair Hill International CCI3* in a few weeks.

Dutton’s third ride in this division, Z, also earned a top ten placing after dressage on a score of 52.40.

Fresh off their recent win at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Land Rover, Adequan USEA Gold Cup Champions Ryan Wood and Powell (Pablito x Dinara) round out the top three., earning a score of 48.9. “I made a couple mistakes, but a solid score,” he said. The Summit Sporthorse’s 10-year-old Oldenburg had a few disappointing bobbles today, but he’s definitely come into his own this year with a win at the CCI3* at Jersey Fresh International Horse Trials before winning again at AEC.

Will Faudree and HansDampf sit in fourth place (49), and Hallie Coon and Celien rest in fifth (49.2).

Hannah Sue Burnett withdrew Under Suspection before their ride time this afternoon because of an allergic reaction from a bug bite in the mare’s mouth.

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.