United States Eventing Association

Miks Master C Moves Into the Lead in $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final

Lexington, Ky.—August 30— It’s been two months since Miks Master C cantered down centerline at the Aachen CCIO4*-S in Germany where he and Liz Halliday helped the U.S. team to a silver medal, and he didn’t look like he missed a beat when he entered the Stonelea Ring today at the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds.

“Mikki” and Halliday took the top spot on day one of the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final, scoring a 23.1.

“I was thrilled with him,” said Halliday, who lives locally in Lexington. “He hasn't done the test since Aachen, so I'm just changing things around a little bit again, just fine-tuning everything for him. I was, for the most part, really pleased with that—just a couple of little things that weren't quite how I wanted them, but I thought all in all it was a good test.

“The biggest thing is that he’s asymmetric behind, so it's just trying to keep him really strong without wearing him out in the warmup, so I did minimal warm up,” she added. “He offers so much in the ring, and he has so much power, so you just want him to be able to deliver his best self.”

Halliday and Mikki, an 11-year-old U.S.-bred Swedish Warmblood (Mighty Magic x Qui Luma CBF) who’s owned by Ocala Horse Properties LLC and Deborah Palmer, were recently named to the 2023 Pan American Games (Chile) team, so Halliday will treat her cross-country run tomorrow as a fitness and prep run.

“I think there's a few challenging questions,” she said. “It'll take some riding. I'm not sure how tight the time will be, but that's usually influential here. I'd like to be competitive. It doesn't suit Mikki to go slow, so I think I'll let him gallop within himself but not take any undue risks.”

Phillip Dutton, of West Grove, Pennsylvania, slotted into second place (27.5) with Z, a 15-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Asca Z x Bellabouche) owned by Evie Dutton, Ann Jones, Suzanne Lacy, Caroline Moran, Thomas Tierney, and Dave and Patricia Vos.

Dutton and Z were also on the silver medal-winning team in Aachen, and he’s eyeing the Pau CCI5*-L (France) in October in an effort to compete in as many of the world’s five-stars with the gelding as he can.

He credited two days of help from Grand Prix dressage rider Tuny Page for his polished test this morning.

“It’s been really, really helpful, just the whole process of getting him going and how it’s got to look in the ring,” he said. “Improving the contact and the connection and just overall how to present him and make him look in the best possible way.”

Will Coleman and his Aachen team horse Off The Record, a 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (VDL Arkansas x Drumagoland Bay) owned by the Off The Record Syndicate, are currently in third place on 28.1.

Advanced riders head out of the cross-country start box on Thursday at 8:45 a.m.

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About the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC)

The USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC), presented by Nutrena Feeds, is the pinnacle of the sport at the national levels. Held annually, the best junior, adult amateur, and professional competitors gather to vie for national championship titles at every level from Beginner Novice to Advanced. This ultimate test of horse and rider draws hundreds of combinations from around the country to compete for fabulous prizes, a piece of the substantial prize money, and the chance to be named the National Champion at their respective levels. In fact, the 2021 AEC garnered over 1,000 entries and now stands as the largest eventing competition in North American history. The 2023 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds will be held Aug. 29—Sept. 3 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. Click here to learn more about the USEA American Eventing Championships.

The USEA would like to thank Presenting Sponsor: Nutrena Feeds; Advanced Final Title Sponsor: Adequan; Platinum Level Sponsor: Bates Saddles; Gold Level Sponsors: Capital Square, Horse & Country, Parker Equine Insurance, Smartpak, Standlee; Silver Level Sponsors: Auburn Labs, Ecogold, Kerrits, The Jockey Club; Bronze Level Sponsors: 70 Degrees, Athletux, Black Petticoat, The Chronicle of the Horse, Devoucoux, D.G. Stackhouse and Ellis, Dubarry of Ireland, Equestrian Team Apparel, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, Horseware Ireland, Majyk Equipe, Retired Racehorse Project, Ride EquiSafe; Contributing Level Sponsor: CrossCountry App, Georgetown – Scott County Tourism, Lexmark, L.V. Harkness, Mountain Horse, Mrs. Pastures Cookies, #WeRideTogether; Prize Level Sponsors: Coach Daniel Stewart, EquiFit, Equilab, Equiluxe Tack, Equine Essentials, Equine Pulse Performance, FarmVet, Achieve Equine/FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips, Horses 4 Your Consideration, Hound & Hare, I Love My Horse Eventing Boutique, Jack’s Favorites, Jane Heart Jewelry, Kinetic Equine Services, LeMieux, Levade Kentucky, Mare Modern Goods, OneTouch Fly Spray, Parkmore Supplements, Practical Horseman, Sidelines Magazine, Spy Coast Farm, Strides for Equality Equestrians, and VTO Saddlery.

About the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final

The $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final will take place at the 2023 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, Aug. 29—Sept. 3, 2023. Thanks to Adequan’s amazing support, the Adequan® USEA Advanced Final will bring together the country’s top riders to vie for $60,000 in prize money and the title of Adequan® Champion. To qualify for the $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final at the AEC in 2023, competitors will need to complete a minimum of two events without cross-country jump penalties at any USEA recognized Advanced horse trials, CCI4*-S, CCI4*-L , CCI5*-L, World Championships or Olympic Games. Click here to learn more about the $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final.