Defending champion Liz Halliday-Sharp returned to Bruce’s Field in Aiken on a mission. A good dressage and clear jumping round left her in second place on Deniro Z (Zapatero x Zonne-Trend) after the first two phases, and after the overnight withdrawal of the leader Boyd Martin, she found herself in pole position going into the cross-country.
After a long and busy day at Bruce’s Field in Aiken, it’s winter local Boyd Martin who holds the $50,000 LiftMaster Grand Prix Eventing overnight lead on Tseterleg (Windfall x Thabana), Christine Turner's 13-year-old Trakehner gelding, consolidating his 30.7 dressage score with a double clear show jumping round.
AIKEN, SOUTH CAROLINA - Liz Halliday-Sharp and Fernhill By Night, 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Radolin x Argentina XII, by Argentinus) owned by Deborah Halliday, took the lead after dressage Friday morning with a 28.7 and never looked back. After cruising around Michel Vaillancourt's show jumping course Friday evening, all that stood between the dynamite pair and the top spot on the podium was Capt. Mark Phillips's artfully designed, showcase cross-country course.