United States Eventing Association

Gold Cup Fast Facts: 2018 Carolina International

Located at the Carolina Horse Park in Raeford, N.C., the Cloud 11~Gavilan North LLC Carolina International CIC and Horse Trials is the second 2018 leg of the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series. With both the CIC3* and Advanced divisions serving as Gold Cup classes, 90 pairs will be competing in the Series looking for their Adequan USEA Gold Cup Final qualification. 2018 marks the fifth anniversary of the Carolina International competition. Learn more about the history behind the event in its Events A-Z article.

• There are 62 entries in the CIC3* – the second biggest field in the history of the event (2016 was the largest with 75 starters).
• 28 combinations are entered in the Advanced division.
• Last year’s CIC3* winner, The Apprentice, is returning to try and hold on to his title with rider Caroline Martin. The Apprentice, a 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Casado x Funny Girl) owned by Sherrie Martin has competed in every single Carolina International CIC3* since its inception in 2014.
• Last year’s Advanced winner, Cooley Cross Border, The Cross Syndicate’s 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Diamond Roller x Whos Diaz) is competing in the CIC3* with Kim Severson. The pair’s last FEI start was at the Blenheim CCI3* in England where they bested a field of 85 entries.
• Deniro Z, last year’s CIC2*winner is returning this year to compete in the CIC3*. The Deniro Syndicate’s 10-year-old KWPN gelding (Zapatero VDL x Zonne-Trend) has six FEI wins under his belt, but is looking for his first CIC3* win.
• Phillip Dutton and I’m Sew Ready hold the record for the lowest finishing score in the CIC3*. Kristine and John Norton’s 14-year-old KWPN gelding (Lupicor x Jarda) earned a 43.10 in 2015 to win the class. Dutton doesn’t have any horses entered in the CIC3* this year, so his record his open for besting.
• There are three riders with three horses apiece in the CIC3*: Buck Davidson (Erroll Gobey, Carlevo, Copper Beech); Caroline Martin (The Apprentice, Danger Mouse, Spring Easy); and Doug Payne (Vandiver, Flagmount’s Mischief, Getaway).
• Buck Davidson (Park Trader, Jak My Style, Approved Power) and Caroline Martin (Cristano Z, Islandwood Captain Jack, Pebbly Maximus) also have three mounts each in the Advanced along with William Coleman (Boris O’Hara, Tight Lines, Off The Record).
• Ian Stark is the cross-country course designer for the third year. Prior to the event he said, “I am thrilled to see the footing work that has been done at the Carolina Horse Park in the last several months. This year the CIC3* course will be run in the opposite direction than it has the last few years. We believe the change of direction will allow for the use of the best terrain and footing the Horse Park has to offer, therefore providing a great fitness test as horses are preparing for their spring CCIs.”
• The show jumping is designed by Marc Donovan who is also the Event Director and a member of the Organizing Committee.
• The CIC3* dressage arenas, which are also used as show jumping for the Advanced will have newly installed Attwood Equestrian Surfaces footing this year.
• The CIC3* judges are Nick Burton (GBR) and Jane Hamlin (USA) and the Advanced judge is Sue Smithson (NC).
• The event will be live streamed on EQSportsNet and thanks to a recently announced partnership with the USEA, registered viewers will be able to watch live and on demand coverage for $5 per month.
• Tailgating is available for cross-country day with prime spots on the steeplechase track.
• The theme for this year’s competitors’ party on Saturday night is “The Roaring 20s” with cocktails, dinner, dancing and a band. Awards for the CICs will be presented at the beginning of the party.
• Over 30 vendors will be on site in the vendor village so be sure and bring your spending money!

Gold Cup Competition Schedule

Thursday, March 22
8:20 a.m. – 4:50 p.m. – CIC3* dressage

Friday, March 23
8:00 – 9:00 a.m. – CIC3* dressage
8:00 – 11:45 a.m. – Advanced dressage
10:00 a.m. – 12:04 p.m. – CIC3* show jumping

Saturday, March 24
1:10 – 4:12 p.m. – CIC3* cross-country (top-10 in Reverse Order of Go)
4:15 – 5:45 p.m. – Advanced cross-country

Sunday, March 25
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. – Advanced show jumping

Helpful Links

• Carolina International Website
• Omnibus Listing
• Entry Status
• Ride Times
• Live Scores
• Live Stream (use code EQUSEA18 for a discount!)
• Schedule
• Facility Map

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About the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series

The 2018 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series features 11 qualifying competitions throughout the United States at the Advanced horse trials and CIC3* levels. The qualifying period begins August 2017 and continues through August 2018 with the final taking place at the 2018 USEA American Eventing Championships at the Colorado Horse Park in Parker, Colorado, August 29 – September 2, 2018. Riders who complete a qualifier earn the chance to vie for $40,000 in prize money and thousands of dollars in prizes and the title of Adequan USEA Gold Cup Champion in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Final Advanced Division.

The USEA would like to thank Adequan, Standlee Hay Company, Nutrena, Merck Animal Health, Parker Equine Insurance, and FITS for sponsoring the 2018 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series. View the full schedule and learn more about the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series here.