United States Eventing Association

Hooray! One of my favorite riders, Allison Springer and her Irish Sport Horse gelding Arthur (by Phyllis Dawson's stallion Brandenburg's Windstar) took the lead today in the CIC3*W division at The Fork. Unfortunately, I missed her ride (along with most of the division) because I had to drive back to Charlotte to pick up the boss (priorities!). Had to have been a gorgeous test though - she earned a 38.4! NICE. I did get a few shots of her warming up with Capt. Phillips a few hours earlier and the pair seemed to be doing some really great stretching exercises, getting him to open up his stride (at least that's what it looked like to me!). Good stuff! These guys really have gotten some pretty consistent scores in dressage the past year or so, too. Occasionally, they'll drop a few rails in stadium or get some time penalties in this phase as well, but I think Allie's just taking it slow with this special guy, giving him a nice solid, confidence-building ride. He's only nine, after all! I just noticed that they're headed to Rolex this year - I believe his first four-star! Yay!

I REALLY like this pair... I think she's a very, very talented rider (her position over fences is impeccable) and she has a promising future (plus, she lives near me - right outside of Middleburg in Marshall, VA). Can't wait to see how she does on Saturday - I haven't walked the course yet, but if it's anything like last year, it'll be a real doozy (but in a good way!). Arthur seems to have NO issues with xc - he's been in the top three in several of the big competitions this past year (Red Hills, AEC, Richland Park, etc.). I'll try and catch up with her tomorrow for an interview and see what her upcoming plans are for her boy. She has quite a few going this weekend, so she may be pretty busy: Destination Known ("Berger"???) in the CIC3*, A Jack of Hearts & Tiamo (both by the stallion A Fine Romance) who are in the Open Preliminary divisions.

(Phillip had a rather nice ride on Acorn Hill Farm's Woodburn)

In 2nd place with a 43.1 is Mara Dean & High Patriot... also not surprising since Mara's known for her consistently spectacular dressage rides. Don't know much about this horse of hers, although he's a big, nice looking Oldenburg/Thoroughbred gelding and I believe she got him after the Pan Am's last year (or maybe right before? Not sure...). Anyways - seems like a good match! He's only 10, so she has plenty of time to have lots of fun with him.

I DID happen to catch our 3rd place rider's test... Kim Severson and the HUGE 18-hand (but very attractive) Tipperary Liadhnan (owned by "Friends of Kim Severson Syndicate" hehe!). He seemed a little full of himself during warm-up, but not that I can blame him since it was about 40-degrees and windy and rainy...ick. He had a really nice test (46.2) - he moves VERY elegant and with a lot of expression, which I wasn't expecting, considering he's very large, heavy-ish Irish horse. I'm liking this guy a lot... actually if you remember, last year he was second (behind Teddy!) in the CIC3*. It was so funny, I remember interviewing Kim last year (after her win in the CIC3*W on Winsome Adante.... aw, no more Dan! So sad!) and she laughed saying that they let Teddy have that win - her and the big grey were in first, but dropped a rail... so they had to settle for second. Anyways, it looks like they're in a good spot headed into the rest of the weekend.

(Kim and her freakin' HUGE, but elegant, Irish gelding - I wonder what his barn name is? His show name's a mouthful!)

I was pleased to see that the fourth place holders were none other than Heidi

White-Carty and her 15-year-old partner Northern Spy. Haven't seen these guys out in awhile! The last "big" event was finishing 4th at Rolex last year, but since then they've been pretty quiet - hopefully we'll see her back and rolling this year.

(Samantha Taylor & Livewire)

Rounding out the top five is Clark Montgomery & Up Spirit, fresh off their win a few weeks ago at Red Hills in the CIC3*W, who are tied with Karen O'Connor & Hugh Knows with a 49.7. Karen has three rides in this division (Allstar & Teddy, also) and she has Bad Boy Billy (Ralph's horse!) and Upstage in the CIC3* & Mam'zelle de Dun in the Prelim. She certainly has her work cut out for her this weekend! I don't think The Pony had a stellar test - he's had to settle for 19th place with a 57.5. Not too shabby, though, but probably not first place material.

In one of the Advanced divisions it looks as if the charming Australian Boyd Martin & Ying Yang Yo are leading with a 27.9. Corinne Ashton and her lovely red head Dobbin are leading in the Open Intermediate section D after wisely dropping down to a more confidence-building level before Rolex. Kristin Schmolze and Ballylaffin Bracken are leading the second Open Intermediate division also.

(Jessica Phoenix & Exploring)

Tomorrow we have another day of dressage - CIC3*, Advanced B, Young Rider OI, and Prelim divisions. Let's all cross our fingers that the rain STOPS because there were a lot of sopping wet, grumpy ponies out there today...can't blame them, I was too!

To see the complete results - click here.

That's all for today - more tomorrow!