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Jul 24, 2020
Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp Finishes First, Second in VHT International CCI2*-L
Yesterday’s CCI2*-S victor Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp capped off a winning week at Virginia Horse Trials (VHT) International with a first- and second-place finish in the CCI2*-L.
Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Be Cool, owned by The Monster Partnership and Ocala Horse Properties, led from start to finish, ultimately adding 0.4 time penalties in show jumping to win on 25.1.
“They both came out really good this morning. They looked great after running yesterday in their first long format,” Halliday-Sharp said of the two 7-year-old Irish Sport Horses. “I purposely went quiet [in show jumping with Cooley Be Cool] because I knew he had a lot in hand. I wanted to keep him settled as he can get steamed up in the ring.”
Cooley Seeking Fortune, owned by Ocala Horse Properties, sat second behind his half-brother through all three phases. One rail added in today’s final phase gave them a finishing score of 32.6.
“He warmed up amazing. He’s really a jumper but he can be a little difficult at smaller heights. He’s better at 1.20 meters than 1.10 meters,” Halliday-Sharp said. “He had one rail just being a bit sleepy but he jumped the rest really well. It’s just a matter of getting him stronger and more grown-up.”
This was Halliday-Sharp’s first visit to VHT and she was pleased with more than just her wins. “I thought they did a good job on the course and the ground. [The footing] was good even before all the rain because they aerated it so much. The hills of course are a good test of fitness. The horses were good, they ran well. I’d definitely like to come back.”
Alexandra Green Kerby and Fernhill Leitrim Lass were the only pair in the CCI2*-L to finish on their dressage score, rounding out the top three with a 39.1.
Andrew McConnon and Jeanne Shigo’s D’Luxe Steel took an early lead in the CCI*-L. Today they lowered one rail to win the 6-year-old Dutch Warmblood’s first international event on a 33.6. Joanie Morris and Betterthanexpected finished second with a final score of 38.1.
D’Luxe Steel spent most of last year focused on moving up to Training level and competing in the USEA Young Event Horse Series. McConnon feels the next logical step in a young horse’s progression is the Modified division and an international debut in the CCI*. He lamented that more riders should take advantage of this level.
“Personally, any 6-year-old of mine isn’t going to do a CCI2*-L,” McConnon said. “But having the opportunity to go to a CCI*-L and teach them to trot up and be there four or five days — I learned more about him this week than I would have just coming and competing. It’s a great experience; they grow up quite a bit.”
McConnon appreciated the opportunities afforded by VHT’s midweek event, to gain both qualifications and education for his horses. He also finished fourth in the CCI3*-S riding Ferrie’s Cello and fourth in the CCI2*-L riding Wakita 54.
“I understand [a midweek competition] isn’t a reality for everyone, but to be able to bring some horses during the week and potentially compete some others over the weekend is great,” McConnon said. “VHT always does a great job. I love to go there. This week in particular running midweek and the added challenges with the virus, they did great making it professional and relaxed.”
Thus concludes another successful week at the Virginia Horse Trials. Organizer Andy Bowles commented, “Thanks everyone for a good week. We were taking a chance rescheduling to midweek in July, and we had added challenges associated with COVID-19 — even the weather gave us a run for our money. It all came together and I’m grateful to my team and to everyone who participated or supported us in other ways.”
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Aug 01, 2021
Competitions
Major Contenders Pass Final Horse Inspection at the Tokyo Olympics
All the major contenders passed the eventing final horse inspection at the Tokyo Olympics and will carry on to contest the show jumping phase in a few hours’ time.
The ground jury (Nick Burton, GBR, Christina Klingspor, SWE, and the U.S.A.’s Jane Hamlin) and vets only failed to accept one horse - Fantastic Frieda, ridden by Poland’s Joanna Pawlak, who had completed the cross-country in 41st place with a refusal and 25.2 time-faults.
Aug 01, 2021
FEI Statement on Equine Fatality at Sea Forest Cross-Country Course
The FEI has announced that the Swiss horse Jet Set, ridden by Robin Godel has had to be euthanized after pulling up extremely lame on the Sea Forest Cross Country Course during Equestrian Eventing at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 on August 1, 2021.
Aug 01, 2021
News
From the Magazine - Travers Schick: A Day In The Life
In 2002, at the age of 15, I was at my Aunt and Uncle’s farm in Maine while Tremaine Cooper was there building some cross-country jumps. I helped him build a trakehner, not realizing that this day would set the course for my future. A few weeks later he called asking if I could help him at Millbrook Horse Trials. From there I helped Tremaine during most of my school vacations and throughout the summers. After graduating high school I kept at it never looking back. I lived the gypsy lifestyle for about six years going from coast to coast and event to event. In 2013 my wife Kathryn and I settled down in Lexington, Kentucky. These days I spend roughly 60-75 percent of my time on the road preparing events or building private schooling areas. I’ve had the privilege of being involved with some really great events around the states and have cultivated many friendships all over the country. In 2019 I was asked to be a part of Team Evans Olympic cross-country building crew. As I write this I am on my third trip to Tokyo. Here’s a day in Tokyo . . .
Jul 31, 2021
Competitions
Tokyo Cross-Country Catapults Great Britain to Top Heading into Final Show Jumping Phase
The British team cemented their gold medal position at the Tokyo Olympics with three magnificent cross-country performances, all clear inside the time. Added to that, their first rider, Oliver Townend, holds pole position individually after the dressage leader, Germany’s Michael Jung, picked up 11 penalties for triggering a frangible device.
