United States Eventing Association

Marilyn Little Keeps Hold of her Lead After Show Jumping in Wellington

Clear rounds were few and far between for the competitors this morning at the 2017 Land Rover Wellington Eventing Showcase as falling poles shuffled the leaderboard considerably. Marilyn Little used her show jumping background to her advantage leaving all the rails in their cups after a trip around with RF Scandalous (Carry Gold x Richardia).

“Kitty,” a 12-year-old Oldenburg owned by Jacqueline Mars, Robin Parsky, and Pheobe and Michael Manders, made quick work of the Richard Jeffery track. This may be her first eventing competition back since winning the Dutta Corp. Fair Hill International CCI3* last October, but she’s on week four of jumping at the Winter Equestrian Festival here in Wellington, Fla.

Boyd Martin and Welcome Shadow. USEA/Shelby Allen Photo.

Boyd Martin hot on her heels and working hard on pulling off a three-peat at this showcase after nailing a double clear round with Gloria Callen’s Welcome Shadow. “Shadow,” his reserve horse for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, is now in her second season at the Advanced level, and Martin commented that their partnership is really beginning to solidify, so we haven’t seen the last of this pair.

Allison Springer and Arthur. USEA/Shelby Allen Photo.

Crowd favorites Allison Springer and the Arthur Syndicate’s Arthur finished their clear round to a roar of applause. Springer and Arthur, winners at last year’s Carolina International CIC3*, now sit in third place going out on cross-country.

Kim Severson and Cooley Cross Border were one of the first pairs of the overnight top ten to leave all the poles up, ending this round in fourth place. Before defending her lead, Marilyn Little also leapt from 9^th to 5^th position with RF Demeter, who also handily earned a clear round. Buck Davidson also gained upward momentum with Petite Flower, moving from 13^th to 6^th place.

Only twelve combinations posted double clear rounds today as the twisty track unfortunately knocked top competitors down the leaderboard. Ryan Wood and Powell were of the most heartbreaking victims, taking three rails with them through the final triple combination which dropped them from second to 21^st.

Seven pairs will not go on to the cross-country phase. Dan Jocelyn withdrew L & N Lady Colina before the start of show jumping. Boyd Martin and his first ride, Long Island T, seemed to have a miscommunication early in the course at fence three where two stops resulted in their elimination.

Five have been withdrawn after show jumping. Hannah Sue Burnett withdrew both Harbour Pilot and Under Suspection, 9^th and 24^th place, respectively. Clayton Fredericks withdrew both of his rides, Houdini (34^th) and Foreign Affair (36^th). Liz Halliday-Sharp also elected not to continue the competition with Deniro Z (33^rd).

Cross-country begins at 1:00 p.m. and will run in reverse order of go.

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