United States Eventing Association

The 10th annual 2011 Richland Park Horse Trials in Richland, Michigan, began today with dressage amongst the corn fields. The popular Adequan USEA Gold Cup event features national divisions through Advanced, CIC2*, CIC3*, a Pan Am Games Mandatory Outing, and Young Event Horse classes.

Dutton Dominates Gold Cup Division

With 25 entries in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup CIC3* division, it was Phillip Dutton and Ben who captured the lead with a 42.7, while Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda stand close behind with a 43.3, tied with Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM.

Ben is a relatively new ride for Dutton, having only started riding him this year.

"He's pretty new to the sport," said Dutton, of West Grove, Pennsylvania. "He did his first event in October last year, but he's done a lot of show jumping and dressage work so been able to move along pretty quickly."

Fresh off an Advanced win at the Event at Rebecca Farm, this 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Team Rebecca LLC, has found himself atop the leaderboard in his first CIC3* outing.

"The cross-country will be a big test for him," Dutton admitted. "My job will be to keep him confident because he hasn't seen a lot of this stuff. But I'm really excited about him. He's got a great mind, I think he loves the sport, and I'm fortunate enough to have Sarah Kelly and Jerome Broussard supporting him."

In their first international competition since a disappointing outing at Luhmuhlen in June, Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda, owned by Tim and Nina Gardner, bounced back with one of their best dressage tests to date.

Tied with Brannigan and Cambalda, Buck Davidson and Carl and Cassandra Segal's Ballynoe Castle RM also earned a 43.3. Last month, this experienced pair picked up a second place finish at the Rebecca Farm CIC3*.

Top Five in CIC3*

1 - Phillip Dutton & Ben - 42.7
T2 - Jennie Brannigan & Cambalda - 43.3
T2 - Buck Davidson & Ballynoe Castle RM - 43.3.
4 - Becky Holder & Can't Fire Me - 45.0
5 - Karen O'Connor & Veronica - 46.7

Pan Am Pressures

After the lunch break, the Pan American Games Selection division saw 13 combinations perform their tests. Like the three-star division, the score are tight at the top.

Hannah Sue Burnett from The Plains, Virginia and Harbour Pilot, owned by Jacqueline Mars, lead the way with a 44.4, despite a warm-up Burnett said was tense and nerve wracking. But as the pair entered the arena, "William" regained his focus and knew exactly what he needed to do.

He was a showman, Burnett described, once he realized what was going on. "He put his game face on!" She was also grateful for the help her long-time coach David O'Connor provided to turn their warm-up around.

"This is his first Advanced track, so it's a step up," said Burnett. "But I don't think he'll even notice. He's done these questions before; nothing is too massive or too technical." Though this is the eight-year-old Irish Sport Horse's first Advanced, he's had great success with Burnett, which includes a Preliminary Three-Day and CCI1* win last year, and a second place finish in the Bromont CCI2* in June. In fact, last year they won their Preliminary division at Richland, so Burnett will hope for an equally successful finish this year.

Burnett is an assistant trainer for Karen and David O'Connor, and earlier this year she placed eighth in the Rolex Kentucky CCI4* with Richard Thompson's St. Barths.

Top Five in Pan Am Division:

1 - Hannah Sue Burnett & Harbour Pilot - 44.4
2 - Kristin Schmolze & Ballylaffin Bracken - 46.4
3 - Shannon Lilley & Ballingowan Pizazz - 46.7
4 - Tamra Smith & Mar De Amor - 47.8
5 - Michael Pollard & Schoensgreen Hanni - 48.3

The standings are close in this mandatory outing, and a special division was formed for the 14 riders on the short list competing this weekend. The riders will contest a CCI2* dressage test, and jump over the Advanced cross-country and show jumping tracks.

Competitive Weekend All Around

Several hundred riders are also competing in the CIC2*, Advanced, Intermediate, Preliminary, Training, and Novice divisions as well this weekend.

In the 26-rider Advanced class, Michael Pollard has taken a commanding lead with DV8, earning a solid 25.3. The eleven-year-old New Zealand Thoroughbred gelding has a five-point lead over West Coaster Kristi Nunnink and her grey mare R-Star and last year's CIC3* winner Selena O'Hanlon and Colombo, who are both tied for second with 30.3.

Anisa Tracy, 21, and her longtime partner Tigger VIII take an early lead in the Open Intermediate-A division, with Diana Burnett and Diamond Cut III not far behind with 31.2. Phillip Dutton also stands atop the pack in the B division with Young Man, while Clarissa Wilmerding takes second with 32.4.

Gold Cup Goodies

Now in its eighth year, the prestigious $20,000 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series is nearing the completion of this year's nation-wide 'Race for the Cup.' Advanced level horse and rider combinations attend destination events from across the country to rack up Gold Cup points and win cash and prizes. Whoever sits atop the leaderboard at the completion of the final event of the series, at Twin Rivers in September, earns a check for $20,000 at this year's USEA Annual Meeting and Convention in Nashville, Tennessee.

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, a three-month supply of SUCCEED, and a pair of Nunn Finer American Style open front boots. Second place finishers also take home a 7-dose box of Adequan and a pair of Nunn Finer American Style open front boots.

The Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series is made possible through the support of its many sponsors: Title: Adequan; Legacy: Nunn Finer, Nutrena; and Patron: Broadstone Equine Insurance Agency, and Succeed.

Adequan is proud to be the official joint therapy treatment of the USEA.