United States Eventing Association

Phillip Dutton and I’m Sew Ready Lead the Way into the Carolina International CIC3* Cross-Country

Phillip Dutton and I’m Sew Ready show jumped clean to keep their lead in the CIC3* at the Cloud 11 – Gavilan North, LLC. Carolina International CIC and Horse Trials, part of the Adequan USEA Gold Cup/PRO Tour Series, and Kristen Bond couldn’t have been happier about it – even if she had been the one riding.

“I was so nervous today watching them go; I was way more nervous than if I was riding!” said Kristen, who normally has the ride on “Jackson” but has taken some time off to have a baby.

“Phillip has been working so hard and Emma [Ford] has been outstanding and has taken such good care of them. I wanted it to go so well for them because they have been so wonderful to the horses and me.”

Bond stood ringside to watch I’m Sew Ready (Lupicor—Jarda) and Seams Ready, both owned by John and Kristine Norton, jump around a very challenging show jumping course under Phillip’s expert guidance. She was joined by John Norton, her parents, and 15-week-old baby boy, Beckham.

Marc Donovan’s technical show jumping course on the grass caused faults for more pairs than not, with only 15 of 50 horses going double clear.

“He’s a very careful horse, and by that I mean that every time he jumps, he wants to jump clean. He never puts in a casual jump,” said Phillip about the 11-year-old gelding, who did exclusively show jumping until he was about 7 and has limited experience at the three-star level.

“When I went overseas to try him, I couldn’t get his head down for anything. It was so embarrassing,” laughed Kristen.

“He obviously was really talented, and it seemed like he was moving nicely so I jumped him and he was incredible. But I called Phillip and was a little bit like, ‘Is it really worth it?’ He was honestly so backwards and upside down. It has taken a really long time, and Phillip has worked very hard on [his frame] as well. But Phillip can get the best out of any horse pretty much as soon as he gets on them.”

As for Kristen, she is feeling the itch to get back in the saddle. “It’s even weirder for me because I’m kind of unclassified. At Fair Hill [International Horse Trials in Elkton, Md.] last year, I went to get an armband and they were like, ‘Are you a rider? No? Are you an owner?’ I’m a groupie, I guess!”

Boyd Martin and Master Frisky (Master Imp – Frisky Legs) moved up a spot into second with a clean round after yesterday’s second-placed Laine Ashker and Anthony Patch dropped an uncharacteristic three rails. Boyd was thrilled with “Mikey’s” round, since show jumping is the horse’s weaker phase.

“All winter we’ve been working with Silvio [Mazzoni, U.S. Eventing Team show jumping coach],” said Boyd, who high-fived Mazzoni after his round. “I felt like it wasn’t even a lucky round; I felt like he was really just jumping well.”

Boyd feels that Mikey could be very competitive at Rolex Kentucky this year, and that the 11-year-old gelding owned by Stephen Blauner has a very bright future after that.

“He won’t be far off the pace after dressage [at Rolex]. I was just so impressed with him at Fair Hill last year when it was a long, grueling Derek di Grazia course, and I’m just going to do my very best in the show jumping,” said Boyd.

“After [Kentucky] we will worry about the Pan Ams and all of that, but more probably thinking he’d be a good backup horse for the Olympics to Shamwari.”

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Fernhill By Night (Radolin – Argentina), or “Blackie,” also put in a much-coveted clean round to move into third going into tomorrow’s cross-country.

“In the past I’ve maybe struggled a bit with the time, but I think he’s gotten tidier with his turns,” said Liz, who has been working on her show jumping with Richard Picken in Ocala, Florida.

“Having less horses to ride, I’ve taken time to do more lessons, and I think that’s been good for me and the horse,” said Liz. “I’m thrilled to bits with him. He tried his heart out.”

The Advanced divisions got underway in the sandbox today, with Lauren Kieffer and Veronica leading Advanced A on a 29.3, and Erin Sylvester leading Advanced B on No Boundaries with a 27.5. Tomorrow, USEF Network’s live broadcast will begin with the CIC2* cross-country at 10:30 a.m., followed by the CIC3* cross-country at 12:40 p.m.

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About the Adequan USEA Gold Cup and PRO Tour Series

Qualifying for the 2015 Adequan USEA Gold Cup began last fall with the Plantation Field CIC3* (PA) and the Woodside CIC3* (CA) and features 11 qualifying competitions throughout the United States at the Advanced Horse Trials and CIC3* levels. The final will take place at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships September 2015 in Tyler, Texas. Riders who complete a qualifier earn the chance to vie for $40,000 in prize money in the Adequan Advanced Division and the title of Adequan USEA Gold Cup Champion.

The 2015 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series is made possible through the support of its many loyal sponsors: Adequan, Standlee Forage, Nunn Finer, Nutrena, Broadstone Equine Insurance Agency, Point Two, Dubarry, and FITS.

The PRO Tour Series consists of 13 premier destination events in the United States and Canada, featuring the best riders and most entertainment. Riders and Horses are awarded points on the PRO Tour Rider Leader Board and PRO Tour Horse Leader Board.

The Professional Riders Organization would like to thank the following sponsors for their support of the 2015 PRO Tour Series: KER Optimum Time, Tex Sutton, Triple Crown Nutrition, SSG Riding Gloves, and Midadlantic Ltd.