United States Eventing Association

Kim Severson and Tipperary Liadhnan looked confident as they entered the new grass show jumping arena in the lead at the Carolina Horse Park on Sunday, March 21, 2009, but the big grey Irish gelding knocked three rails out of the cups to finish second to Becky Holder on Courageous Comet in the advanced A division at the Southern Pines Horse Trials II.

Holder was thrilled with her successful weekend on Comet, who was her Olympic partner in 2008 but was off his game in 2009. He spent the winter on a new routine that included turnout with a buddy and treatment for ulcers along with a lot of hacking out, and has started the 2010 season on the right foot, also winning at Pine Top a couple of weeks ago.

This is the first year that Tremaine Cooper designed the cross-country at the Carolina Horse Park, taking the reins from John Williams and giving the courses a fresh feel. The general consensus from riders seemed favorable, and while cross-country doled out its share of penalties the challenges seemed spread out among the fences.

“The cross-country was forward and galloping and used the terrain well,” said Holder. “I was able to put my leg on and ride up to the fences.”

Severson also had favorable comments about the course. “The cross-country was great,” she said. “It’s always nice to have fresh eyes and a new perspective. Number eleven, the palisades to corner, was hugely substantial; it was okay for my horse but hard for the majority of advanced horses. I liked the first water, off the turn, and how it progressed. He’s always been a really good cross-country horse.”

Phillip Dutton placed third on Acorn Hill Farms’ Woodburn, and seventh on sidelined rider Jan Byyny’s Inmidair. In advanced B he finished third on Annie Jones’ The Foreman and fourth on his own Kheops du Quesnay, and thirteenth on Byyny’s Waterfront. He also rode two intermediate horses, finishing 13^th in OI A on Fernhill Eagle and second in OI B with Wild Tiger.

In advanced B Will Faudree could not afford a rail, and he and Jennifer Mosing’s 11-year-old Irish gelding Pawlow cantered confidently around to win the division. Dressage leader Phillip Dutton finished third with The Foreman after garnering 12.4 time faults on cross-country and Kate Ditchey moved up from fifth after dressage to finish second with clear trips cross-country and in stadium, and only 6.8 cross-country time faults.

Faudree also won a division of intermediate riding Mosing’s 9-year-old, Irish Thoroughbred mare Andromaque, on her dressage score of 27.2, and placed ninth in OI-B riding Errigal Lion and third in OP-B on Mr. McWhinney.

Faudree was especially excited for Mosing, who he said is a friend first and foremost, as well as his owner and sponsor. “I’m so sorry she couldn’t make it this weekend but I know how happy she is for the horses,” he said. Mosing is also a dog enthusiast and Faudree showed one of her Yorkshire Terriers at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show in New York City in February, winning the Yorkshire Terrier section.

Owner and rider met at a clinic in 2007, the same year he purchased Pawlow from Robyn Fisher. “He’s a little quirky – you can’t clip him and he’s funky in the start box. He’s tricky on the ground,” said Faudree. But he’s a fantastic event horse, and Mosing had expressed interest in owning an eventer. “My sister passed away from cancer in 2008 and when I got home I was supposed to teach a clinic. I’d told Jennifer that I needed to sell Pawlow because I needed the money and she agreed to buy him,” he explained. “She owns Sterling Silver Stables in Lafayette, Louisiana, and her oldest daughter is in college so I also have her horse at my barn.

Faudree and Pawlow competed at the three-star at Blenheim in England last fall and plan to compete at The Fork CIC*** in two weeks’ time. Andromaque is aiming for the Bromont CCI** in Canada.

This year’s event was also sponsored by PRO, so prize money was offered, and a cocktail party, silent auction and Saturday and Sunday luncheons gave patrons something to look forward to. A large white spectator tent was set up next to the show jumping arena and spectators lined the fence, giving the event plenty of atmosphere. Faudree, who lives in Southern Pines, said that he is thrilled to have such a high-class event in his “backyard”.

Complete Results