United States Eventing Association

The first Adequan USEA Gold Cup qualifier for the 2017 season kicked off today in Richland, Mich. as competitors performed their tests alongside rows of Richland Park’s iconic corn fields. The qualifying period for this year’s Adequan Gold Cup Final ended August 22, so competitors with a smart round here will be eligible to go head-to-head for the $40,000 purse next year.

CIC3* Division

In their first CIC3* it was Whitney Mahloch and her own Military Mind (Military x Smart Balance) who picked up the lead in this Adeuqan USEA Gold Cup division. Their rhythmic test earned the rookies a score of 44.60 from judges Kelli Towers and Susan Graham White.

Inexperienced in comparison to the likes of her competition, Mahloch and the 10-year-old off-the-track-Thoroughbred came into the ring focused on putting their best hoof forward against top riders like Boyd Martin, Jessica Phoenix and Will Coleman. “I just wanted to go in there and do what I know - do the elements that you know how to ride and don’t worry about what anyone else does because they’re completely different than you,” she said.

Whitney Mahloch and "Milo"

Leading the pack in her first three-star certainly gives Mahloch a few nerves, but she’s trying to harnessing those to her benefit over fences. “I’m trying to be positive about it. We’ve done our homework. We can do all the elements of it. I’m just thinking of doing one part at a time. We’re going to really go for it in the next two phases,” she smiled. Milo and Mahloch completed their first Advanced earlier this summer with a double clear cross-country run, which she is looking to repeat here.

This same event last year was a “what could’ve been” weekend for she and Milo, as the pair were slated for a move up, but missed out due to a short-lived soundness issue. “This was supposed to be our move up to Advanced last year. So I walked when I was here last and it was all things I could’ve done. We’ll just attack it this time,” she said in a determined tone of voice.

Will Coleman and Tight Lines.

Following Mahloch is Will Coleman and the Conair Syndicate’s Tight Lines on a 45.70. This event is the only 9-year-old Thoroughbred’s second go at this level, and they improved their dressage score by over 10 points. “I was really pleased with “Phish.” He did a much improved test. I still think there’s some things I could improve, but he’s still green. He’s only nine, so I’m really happy with him,” Coleman explained. Caroline Martin and Sherri Martin’s Spring Easy, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse, round out the top three with a score of 48.50.

Philippa Humphreys Advanced Division

Katie Ruppel and Stephen Steinhoff’s Houdini (Hot Rock x Nancy’s Star) earned themselves a 27.70, a score that no other pair managed to match, to lead the Inaugural Philippa Humphreys Advanced division. No strangers to this level, Ruppel and the 12-year-old Thoroughbred came to Michigan to kick off their fall competition season after a much deserved break following a win at The Fork and another four-star completion at Rolex Kentucky this spring. “It’s his first show back since Kentucky. He sat around for a long time and hung out with his mini pony,” she laughed. “It usually takes him a show or two to get back into the swing of things, but he was right there today. Just as much as he was at Kentucky when he was at his peak, so I’m really happy.”

Katie Ruppel and Houdini.

As for what’s next, Ruppel has her eyes on a hometown win at the first-ever Ocala Jockey Club International 3-Day Event in November. “I’m going to skip Fair Hill [CCI3*] this year and do our new event in Ocala. I think it’s going to be really awesome - lots of prize money and lots of sponsors, so I want to support my local events,” she explained.

Three-star and Advanced horses will enjoy a day off from competition tomorrow before tackling Marc Donovan’s show jumping course on Saturday.

Click here for a complete list of scores.

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About the Adequan USEA Gold Cup

Qualifying for the Adequan USEA Gold Cup 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 1-4 in Tryon, North Carolina. Riders who complete a qualifier earn the chance to vie for $40,000 in prize money and thousands of dollars in prizes in the Adequan Advanced Division and the title of Adequan USEA Gold Cup Champion.

The 2016 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series is made possible through the support of its many loyal sponsors: Adequan, Standlee Forage, Nunn Finer, Nutrena, Merck, Broadstone Equine Insurance Agency, and FITS.