United States Eventing Association

Jersey Fresh as a Daisy

Heads up! Jersey Fresh CCI2*/CCI3* at the Horse Park of New Jersey in Allentown, N.J. is this weekend - so if you're in the general area, you're definitely not going to want to miss one of the biggest events of the year. Hold the phone, you say, isn't Jersey Fresh usually held on one of the last weekends in May/first weekend in June? Normally it is, but the date was changed for many user-friendly reasons such as the hope for less-sweltering weather, and a chance to allow horses to run in the Bromont (which will be running a CCI3* as well as a CCI2*, CCI*, CIC2*, and CIC1*!) in June.

So, off I go this weekend for my virginal visit to the Garden State, with photographer boyfriend (a must-have accessory for journalists!) and token Jack Russell in tow! I'm packing up the car with coolers, tent, Cliff bars, and lanterns, because we're camping, believe it or not (I hear they have showers... hooray! I might not be basking in my sweat all weekend, after all)! If you see a frazzled-looking blonde girl with camera in one hand, and dog leash in the other - come introduce yourself!

Who am I rooting for? Who are you rooting for? Well, let's go over the roster, shall we?

Let's start with the Big Kids in the CCI3* division:

Currently there are 42 riders entered (half to run dressage on Thursday, and half to compete on Friday).

I was very pleased to see several West Coasters made the trek East to compete: Andrea Baxter & Estrella, Hawley Bennett & Splendorofthesun, Stephanie Boyer & Macloud, Barbara Crabo & Eveready, Nicholas Cwick & Asterix, Chelan Kozak & Tasman Sea, Tamra Smith & Chaos Theory, Debbie Rose & The Alchemyst, Jolie Sexson & Killian O'Connor, and Tory Smith & Bantry Bay V.

We have a few Young(er) Riders competing: Nate Chambers (who just aged out of YR's after his individual silver medal win at NAJRYC last year, and also won the Intermediate Ch. at Wellpride AEC's) & Rolling Stone II will head north from their home in Vienna, Va. Eighteen-year-old Madeline Blackman & Gordonstown won't have far to travel from their hometown of Ringoes, N.J. Lauren Kieffer, 20, of Mt. Carmel, Illinois (but who trains with the O'Connors in The Plains, Va.) will be competing Snooze Alarm (her talented little Anglo-Arab) and Tigger Too (David O'Connor's horse - lucky girl!). Tamra Smith, 22, of Camarillo, Ca. will compete with Bantry Bay V. Twenty-two-year-old Ashley Adams of Southern Pines, N.C. will be there with Vaunted.

We've got quite a few riders from other countries competing as well such as Jose Ortelli & JOS Aquiles of Buenos Aires. And of course there's the Canadian Contingency which is really making quite a name for themselves: Hawley Bennett (fresh off a great run at Rolex Kentucky with longtime partner Livingstone) & SplendoroftheSun, Lisa-Marie Fergusson & Uni Griffon, Lesley Grant-Law & Timber Spirit (though they live in Bluemont, Va./Ocala, Fla. with Olympic gold medal hubby Leslie Law), Chelan Kozak & Tasman Sea (also West Coasters), Jessica Phoenix & Exploring, Diana Burnett with Manny & Sagacious King, Karl Slezak & Showdown, and of course Mike Winter (also recently returning from Rolex) who'll be riding THREE in the CCI3* (Manhattan IV, Wonderful Will, and Glen Morangie).

There's plenty of recognizable names competing this weekend, too: Kristen Bond & Three Wishes II, Will Coleman & Kiki du Manoir (and also competing with Twizzel), Sarah Cousins with The Robber Baron & Tsunami, Buck Davidson & Ballynoecastle RM, Sara Dierks & Somerset, Leslie Law & Fleeceworks Mystere du Val, Karen O'Connor with Mandiba & Allstar, Jane Sleeper & New Moon, Amy Tryon & Leyland, Phillip Dutton (fresh off his Rolex win) & Loose N' Cool, and Allison Springer & Destination Known.

There's also a few lesser-known competitors, too, who'll probably end up being just as competitive as the "pro's": Debbie Adams & Kheops du Quesnay, Wendy Bebie & Phoenix, and Ashley Leith & ESB Irish Doctrine.

I think we've covered just about everyone... who's your favorite? I think that certainly the West Coasters have a fair shot at doing pretty well. Hawley & "Sunny" have a good chance, as well as Nicholas Cwick & Asterix. But I ceratinly wouldn't count out any of the other Californians as well. The Young(ish) Riders are looking really good, and Nate & Rolling Stone always seem to be pretty consistent, although they're still relatively green at this level, I'd expect them to have a nice run. Lauren Kieffer has a couple of great partners, so I'm thinking she should finish right up there.

Will Coleman also has quite a few good rides, as does Karen O'C. I'd expect both of them to finish in the top ten easily. Leslie Law & Fleeceworks Mystere du Val just won the CIC3* at The Fork a few weeks back, so they should be feeling pretty confident. Allison Springer's grey gelding (known as "Burger" to his friends) is also relatively green at this level, but Allison should give him a nice confident ride.

Phillip's partner, owned by Nina Gardner, Loose N' Cool has had some pretty good rounds at the Advanced level lately, and finished 8th at Red Hills CIC3*W early this spring, so at least they've got that tough course under their belt. Amy Tryon's experience could work to her benefit here, and their 2nd place finish at Red Hills CIC3* and 7th place finish at The Fork CIC3* certainly help boost their confidence.

Let's get down to brass tacks... I'm pulling for Team Leslie. I think he and fellow Lesley are two of the neatest people and have some really great horses going now. I'd love to see a West Coaster finish up in the top three - perhaps Hawley, Barbara, or Tory? They're looking pretty strong! And who knows, a Young Rider or "lesser-known pro" could come out of nowhere and take the competition by storm... makes for a great story!

Last, but not least, the CIC2*:

We'll have 41 competing, and similar to the CIC3*, half will compete in dressage on Thursday, and the second half will compete on Friday.

There are quite a lot of Young Riders competing this weekend: 14 out of 41, and with several 20-somethings competing as well. We've all heard of the talented Tracy girls of Parker, Colorado (Kendyl, 15, and big sis Anisa,18) who took the Young Rider world by storm last year, with a 1st and 3rd place finish at the NAJRYC. Watch out for these two! Another Colorado-based Young Rider to watch out for is Holly Hillenbrand, 19, & Woodrow - they've had a great year at Intermediate.

The Virginian Young Riders are looking strong: Ashley Kehoe & Magic Man and Krissy Smith & Clifton Vitori both hail from Purcellville, Va. Other riders from Va: Kate Brown & Mojito, Will Coleman & Nevada Bay, and Peter Green (who just turned 60!) & Evening Shade. I'm expecting good things from Will - he's been pretty solid these days (P.S. Be sure to read the article on Will in the upcoming issue of EventingUSA!)

We have a pretty big number of Pennsylvanian riders (9 to be exact)including a few well-known professionals such as Phillip Dutton with Baileywick & Risk Taker and Sarah Cousins & Kestrel Key. Colin Davidson & Mocha Fusion also hail from the Keystone State, as well as Stacia Simpson & Corporate Revolt, Maya Studenmund & Business Class, Tamara Todorovic & Funshine Bear, Melissa Roddy & Never Summer, Casey McKissock & Special Blend, and last but not least Young Rider Juliana Hutchings and Fling's Dream.

A few riders are making some big trips east, such as Christian Eagles & The Gingerbread Man who made the trek from Wyoming, 20-year-old Maya Black & Kejsarinna hail from Washington, Missy Miller, 19, & Dene Court live in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Two people are based out of Wisconsin: Young Rider Hannah Whalen & Bungee and Jonathan Ketzler & Gabriel.

There are a few New Jersey natives who'll be competing: Jane Jennings & Ringmoylan, Amy Mulhern & Ghost of Figgy, and Wendy Lewis & Catalyst. Nineteen-year-old Lauren Lambert & Baba Creek are the lone Young Riders from Kentucky, and Andrea Leatherman, 23, who hails from Georgia, will compete aboard Revere Road. Two New Yorkers: Kerry Torrey & Beantwon Player, and the experienced Carol

Kozlowski & Take Time. Caitlin Romeo, 21, & Spirit of the Outback are the single competitors from Vermont, and only two riders hail from Jersey's neighbor Maryland: Alyssa Peterson, 20, of Waldorf & Stormin's Barbie and Colleen Rutledge & Dillon, of Frederick.

With her signature orange colors, Sharon White of Summit Point, West Va. will be competing with two horses Fashion Plate & Rafferty's Rules.

Two riders will be making the trip from down south - Kerri Short & Fantasia (of Ocala, Fla.) as well as Michael Pollard & Midas Mulligan from Georgia.

There's only one Canadian rider, Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch aboard Port Authority.

Okay - so here are some of my thoughts on top placers in the two-star. Carol Kozlowski is a favorite (plus I'm partial to Take Time, since he's a Connemara/TB sired by Carol's famous Advanced partner Erin Go Bragh....what a cool story!). I also enjoy seeing Sharon do well - haven't seen too much of her at the top levels recently (whatever happened to Ronaldo & The King's Spirit? P.S. Okay scratch that... looks like The King's Spirit's had some good outings at Advanced this year. Yay!). Both Rafferty's Rules & Fashion Plate have had a really strong season so far... I think they'll be top contenders. Young Rider Kirsten Selvig (of Florida) & Ruse de Guerre are certainly on top of their game this year. What a great record! The Tracy sisters are capable of finishing in the top standings, as well as Will Coleman & Nevada Bay.

My pick? Let's go for Young Riders: Tracy Girls or Kirsten Selvig (who earned individual bronze & team gold last year).

I think that about covers it! Hopefully I didn't leave anyone out... be sure to check the Jersey Fresh website for more info. There'll be daily competition coverage on the USEA home page, as well as daily photo galleries on the Blog. See you there!