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.
The 2024 USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships were an incredible success, marking a new era of partnership for the two programs which aim to encourage the USEA’s junior and young adult members to continue to pursue their passion for eventing throughout their educational years and beyond.
On this week's edition of the USEA Podcast, interim podcast host Rosie Russell touches base with this year's Defender/USEF CCI5*-L National Champion Lauren Nicholson who was the highest-placed U.S. rider in the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. Rosie talks with Lauren about her history with her longtime partner Vermiculus, their preparations for Kentucky, their outstanding performance at the five-star event, and so much more!
After an action packed Saturday at Stable View on the opening day of the 8th Annual USEA Intercollegiate Eventing National Championship, the podium was up for grabs heading into the final day of competition. The stage was set for an unforgettable showdown between the 18 university and college teams who were entered.
Coach Halliea Milner loved that the USEA Interscholastic Eventing League (IEL) gave her riders the opportunity to compete together as a team in a normally individual sport. But, when it came down to it, her riders acted no differently this weekend at the inaugural USEA Interscholastic Eventing Championship than they do at home.