United States Eventing Association

Show Jumping Names More AEC Champions, Little Finishes First And Second in Merial Intermediate

Merial Intermediate

Marilyn Little’s background in show jumping was a huge advantage in the final round of competition for the Merial Intermediate division. Rails were readily falling and they had a big impact on the final standings, but Little’s expertise helped her put in two double clear rounds with RF Scandalous (Carry Gold x Richardia) and RF Overdressed (Countdown x Delia), who ended the weekend in first and second places respectively.

Jacqueline Mars, Robin Parsky, Phoebe & Michael Manders' RF Scandalous, an 11-year-old Oldenburg mare, carried her lead wire-to-wire, only adding .4 time penalties on the cross-country, which gave her a final score of 22.7. Meanwhile, Jacqueline Mars, Robin Parsky and Raylyn Farms' RF Overdressed climbed ranks after each phase. The 8-year-old Hanoverian started tied for fifth place on a 30.1, added nothing on the cross-country which move him up to third, and finally one rail in show jumping advanced him again into the yellow ribbon position.

Dividing her time between events and the jumper ring, Little’s horses had no problem with the atmosphere of the TIEC venue. “Both Overdressed and Scandalous had the advantage of coming here in July and competing. Overdressed did not go into [The George Morris Arena], but Scandalous did for a 1.30-meter class,” she said. “She’s comfortable in there. She’s been really comfortable here all weekend.”

Because she is so accustomed to competing here, Little was thrilled to see TIEC welcome eventing with open arms. “This has been a goal post event for my horses for a long time. This is my first AEC, but since I knew it was coming here, it’s been on the calendar,” she said. “The venues are important for the attractions of new owners, and the attraction of owners who have been here, but maybe aren’t enchanted yet with the sport.”

“It’s like Disney World in some ways. That’s the good and that’s the bad. Because there are so many portables [on cross-country], perhaps the jumps are taken a bit out of context, but I’ve seen the future plans for the property where the prospective four-star will go. It’s old. It’s established. It’s stunning, and all the jumps will be in context there.”

Boyd Martin rounded out the top three with the Christine Turner’s Tsetserleg (Windfall x Thabana). The 9-year-old Trakehner gelding started in fifteenth and advanced all the way to third by the time it was all said and done. He scored a 31.7 on the flat and added 2.4 time penalties on cross-country to finish on a final score of 34.1.

Novice Amateur

Sarah Fischetto and Sin Fallo finished their weekend here at TIEC the way all competitors want to, with a victory gallop around the George H. Morris Arena. The 9-year-old Lipizzaner may not be the most traditional eventer, but he didn’t put a foot wrong all weekend, winning the Novice Amateur division on their dressage score.

Their dressage score of 24.3 was strong enough for the lead on day one, and they continued on without adding any points to that score, which was a relief seeing as though their last few competitions had not been going to plan.

“Being in a big atmosphere it really makes you step up your game. There’s so much going on like I knew I needed to ride every step and ride every step to every fence and so I think it really helps riders ride better,” she said.

The pair are looking forward to their continued future together, but have decided to enjoy this moment for a while. “Honestly, we’ve had a pretty bad season up to this point so honestly I think we’re going to call it the end of the season and go back to the drawing board and work on some stuff and keep her confidence way up. Hopefully we will be back in another year or two in training.”

The second and third place finishers remain in the top three after show jumping, but three time penalties caused them to trade positions. This left Cecelia Bette and Mystery K in second place finishing on 27.5 penalties, and Alison Wilaby and Mr. Mile High finishing in third with 29.3 points.

Master Novice Amateur

Cynthia DePorter was shocked to hear she moved from third to first place the last two riders had rails in the final phase of competition today in the George Morris Arena. DePorter and her own Ana D, an 11-year-old Hanoverian by Walkdord finished had jumped clear earlier, a feat she was already incredibly proud of, but to finally win the Master Novice Amateur division was the cherry on top of a perfect weekend.

The pair were tied for fourth after dressage with a score of 29.5 and DePorter broke that tie after cross-country after being closest to optimum time, and the final double clear in show jumping gave them the title.

“I’ve had a rough spring: been in the hospital twice and I had to go to Georgia to get my third qualifying [score] because one time on the last fence of show jumping I fell off! So it has been a long trail to get here, but it has been the one goal, and it was a goal I had with this horse because she’s so nice. I’m just proud to be here and tickled to death and this is a wonderful place to have this. I’m just so fortunate. I have to thank the Good Lord and the people who helped to get me here,” she said.

Although DePorter ultimately finished closer to optimum time and jumped in the rankings, Suzanne Murray ended in second with her own Gunnar (Sion x Fiola), a 19-year-old Oldenburg gelding, also on a score of 29.5

Broadstone Beginner Novice Amateur

Kelly Young and her own Shaqir, an 18-year-old Arabian gelding (Shadimar x KH Southern Sundae), earned top honors in the Broadstone Beginner Novice Amateur division after finishing on their dressage score of 29.3. Eleanor Lawson and her own Matapeake, who led for most of the week, finished in second place with a score of 29.5 after dropping a single rail on course, while Allison Williams and Art’s Advantage, a 14-year-old Thoroughbred by Artful Move and owned by Erica Addison, rounded out the top three with a 30.3.

“He felt amazing in the warm-up today. He was so relaxed and I just tried to keep my composure through the whole test and wait for him,” said Young. “The course rode great and I was really happy with it, and he didn’t spook at all. There were a lot of rails going down in there and I feel lucky that I had a clear round.

Lawson and Matapeake gained a good deal of confidence this week, as the pair will look for a strong move up to Novice this fall. Lawson nearly finished the weekend on her dressage score of 25.5, but a single rail placed them in second.

“It actually went well. He didn’t freak out in there, which I thought would happen. We were pretty calm and we have rails, but it happens and I don’t think I could have done anything any differently,” she explained.

Allison Williams was determined to stay out of her own head this week, which she also felt like she accomplished throughout her rides in the division. She commented, “My goal this week was to control my nerves for the first part and I think for once that was successful. This was my last Beginner Novice, so it feels nice to go out on a good note. Hopefully we’ll move up to Novice in October.”

Broadstone Master Beginner Novice Amateur

William Barclay and his own Stormn Hudson KD, a 7-year-old Trakehener gelding (Blitz und Donner x Stormn Doreen KD) rose to the occasion in the Broadstone Master Beginner Novice Amateur division after a steady climb to the top, starting the week in third place, moving into second after cross-country, and then sealing the week with a win with a 28.3.

“This was a great, great weekend. This facility, number one, is just great. Super good weather for part of it and just a good experience across the board. This is one of the greatest facilities we’ve ever been too,” commented Barclay.

“I bought him when he was four and just starting out. He had a good foundation and my coach has done a wonderful job with him and I. We’re very fortunate to have Dom Schramm this week. That made a big difference too,” added Barclay.

Carrie Griffen and Feuetanzer ES, a 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Nicholas x Daybreak), collected second place honors on a score of 31.5, after starting off the week in 11th after dressage.

“He was a bit tired today, but I still felt like he jumped well. The course was great and Marc Donavon did a fantastic job, his courses are always fun,” she noted. “He touched a rail or two, which surprised me because he is always really careful, but I think he’s really love to jump and that’s why we’re sitting here.”

Deborah Hunt piloted Big Bad Tattoo, a 17-year-old Paint (Batchs Bear Man x My Easy Ariel), to a joyous third place finish, as the pair rose from twelfth place to third.

“He was perfect. He had no problems, just galloped right along, kept going on and went fine. I like the camaraderie of the master’s division. It feels nice to have people that have experienced what you have, even when your bones don’t always agree with what you do,” she laughed.

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About the AEC

The Nutrena® USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Land Rover (AEC) is the pinnacle of the sport for the national levels. Held annually, this event draws together the best competitors from across the country vying for national titles from the Beginner Novice through the Advanced level. This year's AEC is being held at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, N.C. August 31-September 4, 2016.

The 2016 Nutrena® USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Land Rover would not be possible without our wonderful sponsors: Nutrena, Land Rover, Adequan, Merial, Broadstone Equine Insurance Company, Professional's Choice, Devoucoux,Merck Animal Health, Standlee Hay, Charles Owen, Fleeceworks, CWD, The Chronicle of the Horse, Noble Outfitters, Auburn Laboratories Inc., Smartpak, Stackhouse Saddles, Point Two, VTO Saddlery, FLAIR, Dubarry of Ireland, FITS Riding, Equine Art by Julie, Ride Safe, The Jockey Club, Ovation, Eventing Training Online, Kastel Denmark, Happy Saddle Treats, I Love My Horse, GumBits, Horse Hydrator, Phoenix Bodyworks, C4 Belts, The Scoring Chix, and more.

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