United States Eventing Association

Phillip Dutton set the bar very high for this year’s Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series scoring a 27.9 with Arden and James Wildasin’s Mystery Whisper to lead the Red Hills CIC3* by nearly ten points over Allison Springer and Marilyn Little-Meredith who are lying equal second on Arthur and RF Rovano Rex respectively.

“It’s great to be here at Red Hills again,” said Phillip Dutton. “The people here put on one of the best events in the country and it is always great to come here and be exposed to the enthusiastic crowds. It is a unique cross-country course that is going to be pretty similar to the Olympic course so it good practice for this summer.”

Mystery Whisper, a 12-year-old warmblood gelding (Richmeed Medallion x Socialite), was the second of Phillip’s three rides in the three-star who all scored in the top ten this weekend. In total Phillip has eight horses entered this weekend in Tallahassee, Florida; however, Mystery Whisper may be one of his newest partnerships.

“Mystery Whisper just arrived here from Australia at the end of 2011,” explained Phillip. “He was bred, ridden, and trained by a good friend of mine, Heath Ryan, and Mystery was bought by the Wildasins for their daughter, Arden, to ride and in a weak moment Arden told me I could ride him for a few months, so we’ll see how that goes. This event is the first step to getting him qualified for the Olympics, so we will take it one step at a time. It is very exciting to have a horse this well schooled, I think he knows more about dressage then I do.”

The 2011 Red Hills CIC3* champions, Allison Springer and Arthur have a good chance of retaining their title. The longtime pair are tied for second on a 38.1 with newcomer, Marilyn Little-Meredith who is competing in her first Red Hills CIC3*. Marilyn is one of the many riders with multiple rides in the Gold Cup division; she is tied for second with RF Rovano Rex and in 13^th with RF Demeter.

Michael Pollard who has had a strong season so far has three horses entered in the three-star. His best result is aboard his Pan Am Team Gold Medalist, Schoensgreen Hanni who scored a 39.9 for fourth position. Michael’s other gray mount, Icarus, lies in fifth with a 41.1.

Karen O’Connor also sits back-to-back on the leaderboard with her pair of mounts, Veronica and Mr. Medicott. Interestingly, Karen got the chance to redo a movement with Mr. Medicott when a commotion in the adjacent ring caused Mr. Medicott to leap forward during the half-pass. The judge stopped Karen briefly and requested her to begin the half-pass again.

The competition resumes tomorrow at the beautiful Red Hills in Tallahassee, Florida with the cross-country phase at 8:00 AM. The highlight of the day, the Adequan USEA Gold Cup CIC3* will set off at 12:15 with Phillip leading the away aboard Tim and Nina Gardner’s William Penn. The course features two water complexes involving multiple elements as well as several other intense combinations that riders will have to tackle as they wind their way through the mossy oaks of Red Hills.

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About The Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series

Now in its ninth year, the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series is an exciting format of competition and entertainment for U.S. Eventing, encompassing seven of the top eventing competitions from around the U.S. where the best of the best vie for prize money, trophies, and the title of Gold Cup Champion.

Winners of each of the seven Gold Cup events across the country take home a trailer-load of prizes for their achievements. Winners receive an Adequan USEA Gold Cup Trophy, $500 in prize money, 7-dose box of Adequan, $200 Point Two Gift Certificate, and $500 worth of Nunn Finer Products. Second place finishers also take home a 7-dose box of Adequan and a $100 Point Two Gift Certificate.