United States Eventing Association

Laine Ashker downplayed her chances of a winning the Advanced at Millbrook Horse Trials for the second year in a row all weekend, but she and Anthony Patch remained cool under pressure and rode a beautiful show jump round to defend her title in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup/PRO Tour Series. With less then two points separating Ashker from Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Cubalawn, she knew she needed to jump a clear round to win, as Dutton had flawlessly piloted both Fernhill Cubalawn and Fernhill Fugitive around the course.

“I was definitely nervous,” said Ashker of Henrico, Va. “But I was able to control my nerves and Al was amazing.” Ashker is planning to take the 15-year-old off-the-track Thoroughbred to the Adequan Gold Cup Final at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships in Texas, where she also took top prize last year, and hopes her back-to-back success will continue.

Ashley MacVaugh won the Open Intermediate A Division with longtime partner Fernhill Can Do when Boyd Martin dropped two rails aboard SBF Cortez to relinquish the lead and finish in second place. Sarah Cousins and Ideal Contini won the Open Intermediate B Division, holding onto the top spot over Sarah Kozumplik Murphy and Catchascatchcan.

The inaugural $1,000 PRO 4-Bar Show Jumping Challenge was great fun for spectators to watch and listen to with exuberant commentary provided by Boyd Martin. Ryan Wood cleared 4’11” with David Hopper Inc.’s Storm Warning to win the prize.

It was an emotional day at the Millbrook Horse Trials with Silva Martin presenting the Charles Owen Equestrian Memorial Award to Courtney King Dye. King Dye spoke very poignantly about how much the award meant to her and the Riders4Helmets Campaign, and how honored she is to have been presented the award by Silva Martin.

A special tribute and moment of silence was also observed for Sharon Weber, Sharon White’s longtime owner and friend who tragically passed away unexpectedly last night. Sharon Weber was the 2013 PRO As You Like It Owner’s Award recipient and had chosen the Millbrook Horse Trials to receive the prize money that comes with the award.

Please join us in recognizing the outstanding job of Millbrook’s organizing committee, staff and all the volunteers for an outstanding job throughout the last four days.

Click here for full results from the Millbrook Horse Trials: http://www.evententries.com/livescoring/15670.html

About the Adequan USEA Gold Cup and PRO Tour Series
Qualifying for the 2014 Adequan USEA Gold Cup began last fall with the Plantation Field CIC3* (PA) and the Woodside CIC3* (CA) and features 11 qualifying competitions throughout the United States at the Advanced Horse Trials and CIC3* levels. The final will take place 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; Standlee Forage; 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 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 Multi Radiance Intermediate Challenge Leader Board.

The Professional Riders Organization would like to thank the following sponsors for their support of the 2014 PRO Tour Series: 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; Optimum Time, the Official Timing System of the PRO Tour Series; SSG Riding Gloves; Midlantic Ltd.; Triple Crown Nutrition and World Equestrian Brands.