United States Eventing Association

Despite the unrelenting sun today in The Plains, Va., spectators were out in numbers to watch the first North American based FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ and the final preparatory event for the U.S. Olympic Team members at the Land Rover Great Meadow International, presented by Adequan®.

The American contingent came out strong and grew stronger as we saw scores dropping throughout the morning. In the last group of the day it was Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen (Limerik x Tallymacall Mustard) who finally broke into the 30s. Jessica Montgomery, Kathryn Kraft and Holly & William Becker’s 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse laid down a 36.3 to spring easily into the lead.

Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.

“Glen” had one bobble coming down the centerline, but the rest of his ride was a textbook performance. “That’s the one movement I forgot to practice in the warm up,” Montgomery joked. “For Rio he will not be trying to halt before X.”

Clark Montgomery - Dressage Leader at Great Meadow International from USEA on Vimeo.

This pair is a welcome surprise being back on U.S. soil after spending the last few years based in England, and all eyes were on Montgomery and Glen for their homecoming. “I feel a little nervous today,” he said. “The expectation to perform in front of the hometown crowd [was very high]. It’s good to deal a little with those nerves here before Rio.”

Maya Black and Doesn't Play Fair. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.

Maya Black and Dawn Dofelmier’s Doesn’t Play Fair (Camiros x Oncoeur) were one of the pairs to take an early lead. They dazzled the judges to secure a 41.3, which is a personal best for the 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding. “He seemed pretty settled in there, and that’s something that we’ve worked towards over the years. It’s been a work in progress, but I feel like it’s going in the right direction now,” Black commented.

Lauren Kieffer and Veronica. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.

Team Rebecca’s Veronica (Pacific x Kimbel) rounds out the top three with Lauren Kieffer in the irons. The 14-year-old KWPN mare scored a 43.7 to squeak just ahead of Marilyn Little and RF Demeter (43.8). “She just keeps getting stronger and stronger,” Kieffer said. “We were just kind of playing around to see where we can pick up some points and show her off more.”

The United States FEI Nations Cup™ Team leads on a cumulative score of 132.3 going into tonight’s show jumping while Canada sits in second on a 149.2 and Great Britain has 159.7 points for third place currently.

Competitors will take on Marc Donovan’s show jumping course tonight at 5:00 p.m. in the “$1 Million Arena.”

Great Meadow 2016: Live Scores | Entry List