United States Eventing Association

The United States finished strong today at the Land Rover Great Meadow International CICO3* with Clark Montgomery holding onto his individual lead and helping the U.S. FEI Nations Cup™ team to also stay at the top of the leaderboard.

Riders tackled Marc Donovan’s show jumping course this evening in the same order in which they rode in the morning, so Clark Montgomery found himself riding under pressure again at the end of the group as the anchor rider.

“I’ve been more nervous for this event in front of all you guys than any of my past ones,” Montgomery smiled. His reputation precedes him as he returns to the U.S. after some cracking good performances overseas including winning Blenheim CCI3* in 2015 and placing second at Chatsworth CIC3* aboard Jessica Montgomery, Kathryn Kraft and Holly & William Becker’s Loughan Glen (Limerik x Tallymacall Mustard).

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

He admitted earlier that he was battling some nerves at this event, but you couldn’t tell by his riding. After giving himself a four-point lead in the dressage phase, he and the 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse again rose to the occasion this afternoon leaving all the poles in their cups. “He jumped great. It helps to have an arena and footing like this,” Montgomery commented on the new $1 million arena unveiled for this inaugural North American based FEI Eventing Nations Cup™.

Maya Black and Doesn't Play Fair Hold Onto Second Place. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.

The top five following Montgomery remained identical, with these impressive pairs also producing double clear show jump rounds. Maya Black and Doesn’t Play Fair (Camiros x Oncouer), an 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Dawn Dofelmier, also had a double clear round in what Black admits is the gelding’s hardest phase. Black and Cody took the country by storm this spring finishing second at the Carolina International CIC3*, first at The Fork CIC3* and third at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event before being named as traveling alternates for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Eventing Team. They truly have seemed to come into form this year, proving themselves again and again.

2016 USEF National Champions Lauren Kieffer and Veronica. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.

Lauren Kieffer maintained her third place spot with her Olympic mount, Veronica (Pacific x Kimbel). Team Rebecca’s 14-year-old KWPN mare comes to Great Meadow after being the highest placed American pair at the 2016 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, giving them the 2016 USEF National Champion title.

The American FEI Nations Cup™ team are the overnight leaders going into the cross-country on a combined score of 132.3. The team is made up of Phillip Dutton & Fernhill Fugitive (47.2), Lauren Kieffer & Meadowbrook’s Scarlett (50.6), Boyd Martin & Welcome Shadow (48.8) and Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen (36.3). “It’s exciting for us to have some visitors come this way,” Dutton said on this first-ever Nations Cup outside of Europe. “It’s great for the sport and I think that we should all get behind this event and encourage them to keep going bigger and stronger every year.” Canada follows the rankings in second place with 157.2 points and Great Britain has 171.7 points.

Mike Etherington-Smith’s track sprawls across this beautiful Virginia venue with countless opportunities for spectators to watch Team USA tear across country. The action starts at 9:30 a.m., and there will be a complete live stream available thanks to USEF Network.

Great Meadow 2016: Live Scores | Entry List | Live Stream