United States Eventing Association

On their homecoming to the United States, it was Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen who clinched a wire-to-wire win at the 2016 Land Rover Great Meadow International, presented by Adequan®. Montgomery and the 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse showed their excellence for the American crowd this weekend with dazzling movements in the dressage, careful riding in the show jumping and boldness on the cross-country.

Behind Montgomery, the remainder of the leaderboard saw some shakeups as our overnight second and third placed riders incurred jump penalties. Maya Black and Doesn’t Play Fair had a heartbreaking runout at the Beverly Equestrian Brush Corners in the main arena [8 ab] while Lauren Kieffer and Veronica activated a frangible pin at the New Oxer [12] adding an additional 11 penalty points to their score. This left the field open for Marilyn Little and Jodie Amos to move up into second and third respectively.

From left, Marilyn Little, 2nd, Clark Montgomery, 1st, and Jodie Amos, 3rd. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.

Montgomery and Jessica Montgomery, Kathryn Kraft and Holly & William Becker’s Loughan Glen’s glided beautifully across this Virginia track finishing three second above the optimum time on a final score of 37.5. “I had a couple of hairy moments actually,” he admitted humbly. “[Glen] came out in the true form of his nickname, ‘Beastie.’” Montgomery commented that his ride was feeling fresh and lacked adjustability across the Mike Etherington-Smith course. “It was a bit of a wake-up call, but it was nice that it was here at Great Meadow and not at Rio. I had to argue with him a little bit, but he’s such an honest horse and wants to jump the fences, so that never became a problem.”

Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen into the Land Rover Water Complex. USEA/Shelby Allen Photo.

Winning this CICO3* should leave Montgomery feeling ready for Rio, despite the nerves he admitted to yesterday. “You just try not to think about it. You try to rely on your training and all your preparation, and believe that you prepared correctly,” he said. “The best thing you can do with nerves is just to get out there and do it. It’s the sitting around that’s killer. As soon as you get on your horse, it’s all second nature, so you just can’t wait to get on.” With such stunning rides this weekend, eventing fans are ready to cheer him, and the rest of the U.S. team, on at his first Olympic Games next month.

Marilyn Little and RF Demeter. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.

Marilyn Little, who balances her career between eventing and grand prix show jumping, produced one of only four double clear rounds with her longtime partner, RF Demeter, a 14-year-old Oldenburg mare owned by Jacqueline Mars, Raylyn Farms and Patrick White. This pair redeemed themselves after an unfortunate fall at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event earlier this spring, showing that she and “Demi” have still got it.

Jodie Amos and Wise Crack. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.

Riding for Great Britain, Jodie Amos leapt up an impressive eight spots after she also had a double clear round with Nicola Coates and her own Wise Crack (Phormative x Jockeress). “Cracker” is a 12-year-old Arab/Irish Sport Horse who Amos brought up through the levels. “The time wasn’t as getable as I initially thought, so I was pleasantly surprised [with my clear round],” she explained. “It’s been a really big trip for us.”

Though riders found the time difficult to make, with many competitors finishing just handful of seconds above optimum time, the course was agreeable to most pairs. There were four rider falls – all who who walked away unhurt – and one pair, Kim Severson and Fernhill Fearless, retired on course. The Beverley Equestrian Brush Corners [8ab] in the main arena caused the most problems, but others also had issues at the C element of the new Adequan Drop Complex [11abc].

Stay tuned for the FEI Nations Cup™ wrap up later today!

Great Meadow 2016: Live Scores | Entry List