There were originally 16 events scheduled at the CCI4*-S level for 2020, but only a total of seven remain on the U.S. calendar now. The Red Hills CCI4*-S took place in early March, but all CCI4*-S events were canceled since then. The Mars Great Meadow International (GMI) CCI4*-S is the first event back at this level and all eyes will be on The Plains, Va. from August 19-23. This is the second year that GMI will take place in August after running for three years in July as a leg of the FEI Nations Cup. Learn more about GMI in their Events A-Z and be sure to listen to the USEA Official Podcast’s preview show.
The Field:
There are 223 entries this year – up 77 from 2019. The biggest division is the CCI4*-S with 69 entries followed by the CCI2*-S with 55 and the CCI3*-S with 46.
GMI added two new levels this year to its offerings. The CCI3*-L has 12 entered and the Preliminary will see 41 competitors.
Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda, Nina Gardner’s 18-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Balda Beau x Cathys Lady) are the only pair to have ever won the GMI CCI4*-S twice – taking home top honors in 2015 and 2017. Cambalda is returning this year in the CCI2*-S with current rider Maddie McElduff, and Brannigan has four mounts entered in the CCI4*-S: I Bella, Twilightslastgleam, Bliss III, and Stella Artois. The 2018 GMI CCI4*-S champions William Coleman and Off The Record (VDL Arkansas x Drumagoland Bay), the Off the Record Syndicate’s 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding are entered, so are looking to match Brannigan’s title.
Covert Rights is the only horse from last year’s top five returning this year. Colleen Rutledge’s 14-year-old Thoroughbred-cross (BFF Incognito x Let's Get It Right) is making his third appearance at GMI – he finished third in 2015 and second in 2019. They won their last two CCI4*-S starts; can they win GMI in 2020?
Phillip Dutton will be the busiest rider in the CCI4*-S with a whopping five entries. He has his usual rides of Fernhill Singapore, Sea of Clouds, and Z and is also piloting two of Boyd Martin’s: Luke 140 (who is making his debut at the level) and Blackfoot Mystery (who is back at the level for the first time since the 2016 Olympics)
There are 13 horses making their debut at the CCI4*-S level: Ally KGO, Cashmere, CharmKing, Deal With It, Diamond Duette, Fantastique, FE Capricino, FE Coldplay, Flash Cooley, Luke 140, Mama’s Magic Way, R-Perfect Storm, and Tilikum.
The age of the horses in the CCI4*-S spans 10 years with three 18-year-olds in the field: Bendigo, Mistralou, and Veronica and four 8-year-olds: FE Coldplay, Flash Cooley, Miks Master C, and R-Perfect Storm.
Team horses from all of the last four major championships are competing at GMI: RF Cool Play (2019 Pan American Games), Z and Vermiculus (2018 WEG), Veronica and Blackfoot Mystery (2016 Olympics), and RF Scandalous (2015 Pan American Games)
2019 GMI CCI4*-S winner, Lynn Symansky and Under Suspection. USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.
The Facts:
CCI4*-S judges: Peter Gray (CAN) and Valerie Vizcarrando (USA); CCI3*-S, CCI3*-L, and Preliminary judges: Amanda Miller (USA) and Helen Brettel (GBR); CCI2*-S judges: Mark Weissbecker (USA) and Sara Leary Miller (USA).
Gretchen Butts (USA) and Mark Weissbecker (USA) are the technical delegates.
David O’Connor is the cross-country course designer and Chris Barnard is designing the show jumping course.
Great Meadow is organized by David O’Connor and Darrin Mollett (co-organizers) with Steve Symansky, Max Corcoran, Donna Devadas, Karen O’Connor, and Punkin Lee.
Strict COVID-19 policies will be in place at GMI with no spectators allowed and masks required at all times while on-site.
Horse & Country TV will provide a livestream of all three phases of the CCI4*-S and the show jumping and cross-country of the CCI3*-L, CCI3*-S, CCI2*-S, and Preliminary, with all covered rides available to watch on demand.
Day 3 of competition at the Yanmar America Tryon International Spring Three-Day Event presented by Tow & Collect showcased Clayton Frederick’s course design at the picturesque White Oak Cross-country course at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (Tryon International). The leaderboard of the CCI4*-L division saw a shakeup after two phases of competition.
here was a dramatic finish to cross-country day at the MARS Badminton Horse Trials when the top two riders, Oliver Townend, with Paul and Diana Ridgeon's mare Cooley Rosalent, and Ros Canter with Lordships Graffalo, were both awarded 15 penalties for going the wrong side of a fence flag.
The Yanmar America Tryon International Spring Three-Day Event presented by Tow & Collect kicked off Thursday with dressage in the International Stadium and Rings 6/7, continuing into Friday.
Oliver Townend, who has never made any secret of his desire for another MARS Badminton Horse Trials victory, is now at the head of the leaderboard at the conclusion of the dressage phase.
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