United States Eventing Association

Norwood, N.C. – One word comes to mind to describe the standings after two days of dressage at The Fork International CIC*** and Adequan USEA Gold Cup/PRO Tour Series: logjam.

On Friday night, twenty four riders were tied in nine different placings, and the top fifteen riders were separated by less than five points. By Saturday afternoon, rails had fallen for almost half of the field, shaking up the tight leaderboard, with Will Faudree and Pawlow taking the lead to head into Sunday’s cross-country.

Course designer Chris Barnard laid out what appeared to be an open, airy course that would require a forward ride to complete. However, it wasn’t the time that was the issue, but rather his skilled use of varying distances that caused many rails to fall.

But the tricky distance questions didn’t cause a problem for Will Faudree of Hoffman, N.C. as he managed double clear rounds on all three of his CIC*** mounts: Pawlow, Andromaque, and DHI Colour Candy. Pawlow, a 15-year-old Thoroughbred gelding owned by Jennifer Mosing, appeared to make easy work of the course, adding nothing to the pair’s second-placed dressage score of 46.80.

Faudree noted that he doesn’t get to ride Chris Barnard’s courses often, but that his courses are interesting in where he places the apex of every turn.

“You have to keep riding all the way through the turn,” Faudree explained. “On all three horses I kept them steady after the triple and took the inside turn. The only rail that [Pawlow] touched was after that, but luck was on my side and the rail didn’t come down.”

According to Faudree, Pawlow feels as good as new after having colic surgery last fall. He credits his strong recovery to the fitness he has developed with age, and to laser therapy on the post-surgical incision site. Pawlow isn’t the only horse coming away from a rest period feeling in top form; Allison Springer's ride Arthur, who sits in second place overnight, was given 2013 off from competition.

“Everyone agrees that [Arthur] is in the best condition his body has ever looked,” said Springer of Upperville, Va. “He is so happy to be back out.”

For Hannah Sue Burnett, being the last ride of the division (aboard Jacqueline Mars’ Harbour Pilot) was not a soothing experience.

“I was terrified,” Burnett laughed. “I knew everyone’s eyes were on me,” but [Harbour Pilot] is “confident in his own skin.” The pair will enter the final day of competition, cross-country, in third place.

Phillip Dutton and Shamwari 4 impressed everyone including Boyd Martin, Shamwari’s regular rider, after the pair easily won the dressage phase despite only one practice ride before the day of their test. Unfortunately, the veteran competitor made a rare mistake and took the horse off-course in the show jumping, resulting in elimination.

Buck Davidson and Carl and Cassie Segal’s Ballynoecastle RM, Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda, and Jessica Phoenix riding Patras VR remained locked in a three-way tie for 4th place.

Seventh place is also tied three ways with Kim Severson and Fernhill Fearless, Marilyn Little with RF Demeter, and Sinead Halpin with Manoir De Carneville.

With the top twenty-three riders within ten points of each other, the outcome of this event will hinge on how the group handles Tremaine Cooper’s cross-country course on Sunday.

Check out the full list of scores.

We would be remiss not to mention the tragic incident of the day involving Andrew McConnon's horse, Powderhound. The USEA sends its heartfelt condolences to Andrew and his team. The Fork issued the following statement:

"It is with great sadness that we announce that Powderhound, owned and ridden by Andrew McConnon collapsed and died while returning to the stables after completing the CIC2* jumping phase while competing at The Fork event in Norwood, NC, USA at approximately 1:45 p.m. on the date above. The entire organizing committee and officials extends its heartfelt condolences to Andrew McConnon at this difficult time."

About the Adequan USEA Gold Cup and PRO Tour Series
Qualifying for the 2014 Adequan USEA Gold Cup began last fall with the Plantation Field CIC*** (PA) and the Woodside CIC*** (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 2014 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 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series is made possible through the support of its many sponsors:Adequan; Standlee Forage Nunn Finer; SmartPak Equine; 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 in 2013/2014 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. Riders can also earn points on the PRO Tour Series at the Intermediate or two-star level for the Multi Radiance Intermediate Challenge. The 2014 Multi Radiance Challenge Leader Board Champion will win a Multi Radiance MR4 ACTIVET Portable Laser System.

The Professional Riders Organization would like to thank the following sponsors for their support of the 2014 PRO Tour Series: Multi Radiance Medical, The Official Laser Therapy of PRO & Sponsor of the Multi Radiance Medical Intermediate Challenge ; Tex Sutton, the Official US Equine Air Carrier of PRO; Optimum Time, the Official Timing System of the PRO Tour Series; SSG Riding Gloves; Midlantic Ltd.; and Triple Crown Nutrition.