United States Eventing Association

A bit of bad weather didn’t slow any competitors down this afternoon in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup CIC3* division. After a nearly two-hour weather delay, riders finally left the start box to tackle Ian Stark’s challenging course. The top three held their spots, while the rest shuffled a bit after time penalties, but it was Whitney Mahloch who pulled off the only double clear ride of the day.

Heading to the warm-up, Mahloch’s heart was racing as she anticipated one of this biggest cross-country tests that she and her 10-year-old off-the-track Thoroughbred, Military Mind (Military x Smart Balance), had ever come across. In their first CIC3* not only did they pull off a personal best in the dressage, but they also found themselves in the lead.

Whitney Mahloch and Military Mind. USEA/Shelby Allen Photo.

“I couldn’t sleep last night,” she admitted and added that the rain delays didn’t help ease her nerves. Despite this, she continued to repeat her personal mantra: “If your mind can dream it. If your heart can believe it, then you can achieve it.”

She tore around Richland Park’s picturesque track with a permanent grin on her face, but she knows it’s not over until the last fence is cleared, and now has her energies focused on show jumping. “I feel like I’ve done my homework. I feel good, but I want to make sure I do it right tomorrow too.” Mahloch has one rail in hand to hold her lead.

Will Coleman and Tight Lines. USEA/Shelby Allen Photo.

Will Coleman and the Conair Syndicate’s Tight Lines (Turgeon x Merindole) only accumulated 3.6 time penalties despite pulling two shoes on course. “That was kind of nerving. I lost them early too, but he didn’t really notice that much,” Coleman explained.

This is only the 9-year-old Thoroughbred’s second competition at this level, and he is certainly showing his potential as a top level horse. “I thought it was a stiff test, but he runs like a bat out of hell. I was really pleased.”

Caroline Martin and Spring Easy (Garrison Royal x Castlerogan Clare), a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse owned by Sherri Martin, also jumped clear and only three seconds over time for the third place spot.

Adequan USEA Gold Cup CIC3* Top Ten:

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About the Adequan USEA Gold Cup

The Adequan USEA Gold Cup 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 1-4 in Tryon, North Carolina. Riders who complete a qualifier earn the chance to vie for $40,000 in prize money and thousands of dollars in prizes in the Adequan Advanced Division and the title of Adequan USEA Gold Cup Champion.

The 2016 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series is made possible through the support of its many loyal sponsors: Adequan, Standlee Forage, Nunn Finer, Nutrena, Merck, Broadstone Equine Insurance Agency, and FITS.