United States Eventing Association

Little Leads, Severson Sits Seconds Following Dressage in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup CIC3* at the Fork Horse Trials

The dressage for the Fork CIC3*, the FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) eventing test event and Adequan USEA Gold Cup qualifying competition, finished today with the remaining 17 pairs in the division. There is only one new name in the top three as Kim Severson and Cooley Cross Border moved into second position with a 24.5 – just .2 off from overnight leaders, Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous, a 13-year-old Oldenburg mare (Carry Gold x Richardia) owned by Jacqueline Mars and Phoebe and Michael Manders.

Catch up on yesterday's riders here.

Throughout Severson’s test the live scoring showed the Cross Syndicate’s 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Diamond Roller x Whos Diaz) trending in first place, but two missed flying changes dropped them off the lead and even the collective marks couldn’t catch Little.

“He was really good in his rhythm and his frame for the most part,” said Severson. “I missed both my flying changes, which has been quite a thing with me and him, but he’s a really good boy, and he does a good job, and he tries really hard. I’m most happy with his rhythm and his frame, but we still have some little things to fix of course, like everybody.”

Two weeks ago Severson was leading the Carolina International CIC3*, but a fall in the water jump ended her weekend early, so she is looking for a positive run on Saturday. “It’s certainly been a progression,” continued Severson. “But not always an upward one! We’ve had a lot of ups and downs, starting with two weeks ago. He’s a good boy, and he tries really hard, and if he can at least halfway do the job he does.”

“I think he’s good [after his fall],” she continued. “I did two water schools with him these past weeks. He’ll either be really good for it, or worse for it, but I think he’ll be good for it. That’s a little bit what Richard [Sheane] did with him this summer – he fell in a few ditches, just making a mistake. I think he’ll be better for it. That’s how I’m going to plan to ride the whole thing, not just the water part!”

Phillip Dutton and I’m Sew Ready dropped down one spot in the rankings to sit in third now. “He wouldn’t be the easiest horse I’ve ever had, but we’re just trying to get him reaching in his neck and not being tight in his back,” Dutton said of Kristine and John Norton’s 14-year-old KWPN gelding (Lupicor x Jarda). “You’ve got to be patient in the warm-up because he doesn’t give you the greatest feel in the beginning. Sometimes in the past I’ve been reactive to that and tried to fix it. A long warm up is quite good for him. He’s a very quiet horse. I had him more forward than I’ve had him.”

Looking ahead to cross-country tomorrow with his three horses, Dutton said: “I haven’t run them a lot, so it’s good to see where your training is at. The course I think is nice and not overly taxing, which I like at this time of the year. The ground is a bit firm, but I think they’re holding off watering because of the rain, so I think ultimately the footing is going to be really good.”

As for the overnight leader, Little, she hasn’t decided yet if she will be going for the win. “I got to see the course yesterday, and I think there’s just so many fly fences,” said Little. “I’m sure plenty will make the time, but I’m not sure this is the event to push her. We’ve been working on rideability and control. I’ll just see how she feels in the warm-up.”

View the full results from dressage here. Cross-country gets underway at 10:45 a.m. View the order of go for the CIC3* here and the Advanced ride times here.

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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.