Aug 22, 2020

Quarantine Homework Pays Off For MARS Great Meadow International Competitors

By Leslie Mintz - USEA Staff
Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.

A full day of show jumping at the MARS Great Meadow International got even fuller after an afternoon thunderstorm caused a two-hour weather delay. Show jumping began at 8:00 a.m. with the Preliminary followed by the CCI2*-S, CCI3*-S, CCI3*-L, and capping off with the CCI4*-S. The event ran short on daylight however and only 32 of the 68 CCI4*-S pairs were able to jump today – the remaining riders will show jump at 7:30 a.m. before cross-country starts at 9:00 a.m. for the CCI3*-S and CCI4*-S.

The CCI4*-S riders look to have spent their self-quarantines practicing show jumping as 24 of the 32 pairs jumped clear over Chris Barnard’s show jumping track. Although the division isn’t finished the overnight leaders Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous jumped clear and were inside the time so will hold onto their lead heading into tomorrow’s cross-country. The second-placed pair of Will Coleman and Off The Record will show jump tomorrow, but Phoebe and Michael Manders and Jacqueline Mars’ 15-year-old Oldenburg mare (Carry Gold x Richardia) currently don’t have a second to spare if they want to win.

Kim Severson and Cooley Cross Border. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.

The third-placed pair, Kim Severson and Cooley Cross Border, the Cross Syndicate’s 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Diamond Roller x Whos Diaz), jumped a lovely clear to continue to sit on a 22.1. A special bonus as it is Severson’s birthday!

Sharon White and Claus 63. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.

At the three-star level clear rounds were a lot harder to come by with only three (out of nine entries) in the CCI3*-L and only 10 (out of 44) in the CCI3*-S. It was a wire-to-wire victory for Sharon White and her own Claus 63, a 7-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Catoo x Tina II), in the inaugural CCI3*-L. The pair started their weekend on a 29.5 and added just 1.6 time penalties on the cross-country course yesterday to come out on top. Kimmy Cecere rode Jessica Bortner-Harris’ Bishop de Selah to second place. The 11-year-old Zweibrucker gelding (Begat Pfaythe x Slew Dinkum) was the only horse to finish on his dressage score in the division. Rounding out the top three is Benjamin Noonan and his own Keep Kitty, a 9-year-old Hanoverian mare (King Julio x Hauptstutbuch Emelie) – they scored a 31.2 in dressage to sit second and maintained that after the cross-country, but a single rail down today dropped them to third.

Lynn Symansky and RF Cool Play. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.

CCI3*-S overnight leaders William Coleman and the Hyperion Stud’s Chin Tonic, an 8-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Chin Champ x Wildera) pulled a rail to drop to third. Phillip Dutton and Fernhill PickPocket, the 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Chacco Blue x Bracklin Mystique), owned by Lee Lee Jones, Ann Jones, and Caroline Moran, moved up from third to second after leaving all the jumps up.

The CCI3*-S got the brunt of the rainstorm – the delay was called as Gabby Dickerson was beginning her round with Journeyman – and the horses in warm-up were all sent back to the stables for two hours. That included RF Cool Play, who with Lynn Symansky in the tack is now the overnight leader. The Donner Syndicate’s 12-year-old German Sport Horse gelding (Condors Champion x Roxana) is sitting on his dressage score of 24.5 with just a few seconds to spare ahead of Dutton.

Kelly Prather and Catch Me Cooley. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.

The CCI2*-S finished up their competition this morning with Kelly Prather and her own Catch Me Cooley taking the win on a score of 23.9 – a hefty five-point margin. It was the third win in a row for the 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Clover Brigade x Loughnavatta Sabrina) who just moved up to Preliminary this year. Michelle Chisholm’s 7-year-old Thoroughbred gelding Reloaded (Magna Graduate x Curious Cat) finished second with Kurt Martin while another Thoroughbred, Amazing Anthem (National Anthem x Amazing Truth) owned by Nina Gardner finished third with Jennie Brannigan.

Helpful Links

Don't forget to follow the USEA’s event coverage on social media!
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Sep 11, 2024 Eventing News

Weekend Quick Links: Sept. 14-15

Are you following along with the action from home this weekend? Or maybe you're competing at an event and need information fast. Either way, we’ve got you covered! Check out the USEA’s Weekend Quick Links for links to information including the prize list, ride times, live scores, and more for all the events running this weekend.

Sep 11, 2024 Membership

10 Things USEA Members Wish They Knew Before Their First Horse Trial

Your first horse trial will be one of the most exciting and yet nerve wracking moments in your equestrian career. There is so much to do, so much to learn, and it always feels like so little time. We recently polled USEA members and asked them to share one piece of advice that they would tell themselves if they could go back in time to the morning of their first ever horse trial. Here are some of our favorite tips and tricks shared.

Sep 10, 2024 USEA Foundation

Statement from the USEA Foundation

The United States Eventing Association (USEA) Foundation serves as the administrator for numerous grants and scholarships, including the Rebecca Broussard Developing Rider Grant. On the evening of Saturday, September 7, 2024, the USEA Foundation was made aware of allegations of equine abuse, which included links to videos which appear to show a recipient of a Rebecca Broussard Developing Rider Grant striking a horse.

Sep 10, 2024 Eventing News

Lieberman and Mustang Bear Neccessities Conquer the AEC

When 15-year-old Sophia Lieberman first laid eyes on her dapple gray mustang Bear Necessities three years ago in Alabama, she had no idea what the future might hold for them. Lieberman and her mother, Dr. Alison LaCarrubba, DVM, were on the hunt for a new project pony, and the 14-hand gelding seemed like he might be a good fit.

Official Corporate Sponsors of the USEA

Official Joint Therapy Treatment of the USEA

Official Feed of the USEA

Official Saddle of the USEA

Official Equine Insurance of the USEA

Official Forage of the USEA

Official Supplement Feeding System of the USEA

Official Competition & Training Apparel of the USEA

Official Horse Boot of the USEA

Official Shockwave of the USEA

Official Horse Wear of the USEA