United States Eventing Association

Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team Finishes Sixth at CICO3* Aachen

Aachen, Germany – The DHL-Prize CICO3* at CHIO Aachen concluded Saturday with the cross-country phase. Led by Chef d'Equipe David O’Connor, the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team of Matt Brown, Hannah Sue Burnett, Phillip Dutton, and Lauren Kieffer finished in sixth on a total of 203.30 penalties. Taking the Gold medal was Australia on a total of 145.40, followed by Germany in second on 154.90, and Ireland in third on 179.90. Michael Jung of Germany rode fisherTakinou to the individual win on a total of 42.40.

Burnett (The Plains, Va.) and Jacqueline Mars’ Harbour Pilot put in valiant efforts in their CHIO Aachen debut. They posted the top dressage score for the U.S., a 45.60, and had a single rail down in show jumping to start cross-country on a total of 49.60. The pair confidently took on the Rüdiger Schwarz-designed track, jumping clean and crossing the timers 15 seconds over the optimum time of 6:38 to finish on a total of 55.60 as the top-ranked American in 11th place.

Riding as the team anchor, Dutton (West Grove, Pa.) rode David Garrett’s Indian Mill to a score of 50.00 in the dressage phase. The pair had an unlucky end to their show jumping round, dropping three rails and posting a two-phase score of 62.00. Out for redemption on cross-country, Dutton expertly guided the gelding around the tough track and cruised through the finish in 6:31. They recorded the fastest time of the day as one of only two combinations to go inside the time and added nothing to their total to finish on 62.00, placing 17th.

Kieffer (Middleburg, Va.) and Mars' Landmark's Monte Carlo entered the final day as the leading American following strong performances on day one. In dressage, Kieffer got an excellent performance out of the gelding, scoring 48.90, and went foot perfect in show jumping. The pair got a strong start on cross-country, but had a run out at the skinny brush at 22a in the STAWAG complex, adding 36.80 in penalties and finishing on a total of 85.70.

Also making a first-time appearance at Aachen, Brown (Cochranville, Pa.) and Blossom Creek Foundation's Super Socks BCF laid down a solid dressage test, but had an unfortunate go in show jumping, knocking three rails to start the final day on 60.60. On cross-country, the pair ran into trouble at the triple brushes in the Turkish Airlines complex. The gelding jumped in boldly and missed the second part of the combination at 11b. They added 42.40 penalties to their score to end on 103.00.

Both Burnett and Kieffer were aboard mounts that were bred and are owned by Mars, a great testament to the level of support and dedication from American owners and breeders that U.S. riders are fortunate to benefit from.

Complete team results

Complete individual results

Further information about eventing at CHIO Aachen