United States Eventing Association

It was another sunny California day at the Woodside International Horse Trials where riders in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup and the PRO Tour Series took on Derek di Grazia's challenging CIC3* course. While most of California is dry and dusty at this time of year, the tracks for the various cross-country courses were very well prepared and there were few worries about the footing. The beauty of the Horse Park at Woodside is that so much of the course can be seen from one vantage spot, which makes it very spectator friendly.

Derek's course asked many questions of the riders for whom this will be the last outing before their fall three-days. Bold accurate riding was required and the ability to see and hold a line through the many combinations was key to a clear round.

Maddy Mazzola and Mojito (formerly owned and ridden to the CCI4* level by Katie Brown) were the trailblazers and jumped a fluent clear round with just 4.0 time penalties which moved them up to ninth from 13th. And it was to be the time that would be crucial to the final placings. Not one rider made the time but they all jumped clear with the exception of Jennifer McFall and Emilee Libby who were popped out of the tack. Jennifer parted company with High Times at the penultimate fence after having a stellar round on this young horse so full of scope.

The Alchemyst showed all his experience by jumping a rhythmical clear round to add just 4.0 time penalties to his score and give Debbie Rosen her first win at the three-star level. Debbie has owned Al for eight years and put him up for sale last year. Today, she is glad he did not sell as he won her $3,000.

But it was not the prize money that moved Debbie to tears but the fact that she had finally achieved this success after years of personal struggle. Debbie (52) is a cancer survivor and knows what it is to hang in and fight. "This means the world to me," she said. "Not even the winning but I just wanted to do this, I wanted to work on my skills and I wanted to be brave...It was the ride of my life. There was very little for me to do out there he [Al] was so perfect."

Overnight leader Lauren Billys had a very impressive ride on Ballingowan Ginger but incurred 8.4 time penalties, which dropped her down to second. She was not too disappointed though as this is only the second CIC3* for the pair. Helen Boscaren's fastest ride of the day on Ben secured third place. Ben added just 0.4 time penalties to finish third in front of Gina Miles and Chanel who made up some of the ground lost after the show jumping phase.

Robert Kellerhouse and his team put on yet another sterling event that was enjoyed by everyone, especially the riders who will now move on to Galway Downs CCI3* with confidence after successfully completing here at Woodside International Horse Trials.

About the Adequan USEA Gold Cup and PRO Tour Series
The Adequan USEA Gold Cup features 11 qualifying competitions throughout the United States at the Advanced Horse Trials and CIC3* levels with the final at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships September 2014 in Tyler, Texas. Riders who complete a qualifier earn the chance to vie for $40,000 in prize money in the Adequan Advanced Division and the title of Adequan USEA Gold Cup Champion.

The Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series is made possible through the support of its many sponsors:Adequan; Nunn Finer; SmartPak Equine; Nutrena; Broadstone Equine Insurance Agency, Point Two;Dubarry; and FITS.

The PRO Tour Series consists of 13 premier destination events in the United States and Canada in 2013/2014 featuring the best riders and most entertainment. Riders and Horses are awarded points on the PRO Tour Rider Leader Board and PRO Tour Horse Leader Board. Riders can also earn points on the PRO Tour Series at the Intermediate or two-star level for the Multi Radiance Intermediate Challenge. The 2014 Multi Radiance Challenge Leader Board Champion will win a Multi Radiance MR4 ACTIVET Portable Laser System.

The Professional Riders Organization would like to thank the following sponsors for their support of the 2014 PRO Tour Series: Martin Collins USA, The Official Footing of PRO; Multi Radiance Medical, The Official Laser Therapy of PRO & Sponsor of the Multi Radiance Medical Intermediate Challenge ; Tex Sutton, the Official US Equine Air Carrier of PRO; SSG Riding Gloves; Finish Line Horse Products; Midlantic Ltd.; and Mythic Landing Events.