The final CCI5*-L of the year took place from Oct. 26-29 at Pau in France, and the United States had four riders represented.
Boyd Martin and the Annie Goodwin Syndicate’s Fedarman B, a 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Eurocommerce Washington x Paulien B) finished best of the bunch in eighth on a score of 42.7. They were the only pair to make the time on Pierre Michelet’s cross-country course Saturday, but 11 penalties for a frangible pin was added to their score. They jumped double-clear over Sunday’s show jumping course.
“‘Bruno’ was absolutely fantastic at Pau this week. It was a massive journey getting here,” said Martin. “Many thanks to the USEF who chipped in for our trip through a grant. Many thanks to the Annie Goodwin Syndicate. They’ve supported this horse. He’s such a special animal, and to finish in the top-10 at another five-star is awesome. Looking back on the weekend, there’s still improvement to be made. The dressage is getting better and better. Come next year it should be sub-20. Cross-country he was a freak yesterday. Unfortunately, we had a rail in the cross-country—a little bit my fault; he couldn’t quite understand the jump. It’s frustrating when you look at the scoreboard, but he doesn’t know he had 11 penalties. [In show jumping] he was phenomenal. Bruno jumped out of his skin.”
Watch their cross-country round via H&C TV here:
Young rider Cosby Green has been spending the year in England with Tim and Jonelle Price and her group of horses, and she rode Buck Davidson’s former five-star ride Copper Beach, a 17-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Radolin x Cloverballen) owned by Bel Mar Farm, to a 16th place finish (71.3). It was the first five-star start for Green. The pair had 11 penalties for a frangible fence on cross-country plus some time faults and picked up 12 penalties in show jumping.
Kentucky-based Allie Knowles and Katherine O’Brien’s 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Ricardo x Princess In Arms) Morswood finish 18th (73.3) with a clear cross-country jumping round and 16 show jumping penalties. This was the pair’s second five-star completion.
Phillip Dutton and Z, a 15-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Asca Z x Bellabouche) owned by Evie Dutton, Ann Jones, Suzanne Lacey, Caroline Moran, Thomas Tierney, and Dave and Patricia Vos, were in a competitive 12th place after dressage, but a late 20 penalties on cross-country dropped them down the standings. Phillip withdrew Z before the final horse inspection.
“It was a tough cross-country afternoon at Pau. Unfortunately, Z and I had 20 penalties near the end of the course. I was a bit too aggressive into the combination, so couldn’t make the turn to the B element. Up until then, we were foot perfect,” he said. “I decided to withdraw Z as he was a bit knocked around from cross-country here in Pau. It’s such a shame not to complete, but I feel it’s the right decision for my incredibly brave little partner.”
Catch up on the H&C TV livestream here.
Have your travels to Kentucky for the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event begun yet? We've got the perfect podcast episode to help you make the time on the plane or in the car pass by as you prepare for all of the excitement of the CCI4*-S and CCI5*-L that will take place this week. USEA Podcast Host Nicole Brown sits down with Will Coleman to talk all about this iconic week in U.S. eventing, his plans for the four-star this year (including an adorable homage to long-term partner Off the Record), his first ever time competing at Kentucky, and so much more!
Happy Kentucky week eventing fans! The 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event kicks off with the first formal horse inspection for the five-star field this Wednesday, April 23. With so much excitement building up for the competition this year, we compiled all the facts you might want to know about this year's five-star lineup. Get to know each of the horses and riders entered this year a little bit better below!
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