United States Eventing Association

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It was a competitive day in the CIC3*W division, the designated Adequan USEA Gold Cup class, at Rebecca Farm this afternoon, but after the last horse trotted down centerline, there were three very experienced riders leading. No one was surprised to see Olympic riders Karen O'Connor, Phillip Dutton, and Mara Dean leading the 28-strong division in Kalispell, Montana, even though they traveled from the East Coast to contest this prestigious event.

With their score of 44.2, Karen O'Connor and Joan Goswell's Mandiba added another fabulous dressage test to their resume, and stole the lead from Phillip Dutton and Tru Luck (owned by Ann Jones and Rebecca Farm owner and organizer Rebecca Broussard).

"Mandiba has really matured, has become very confirmed in the flatwork, and a lot of fun to ride," said O'Connor of The Plains, Virginia. "I was feeling the fruition of a lot of years of work. And it was becoming easier than it ever has - and that is a very fun moment."

Dutton scored a 45.8 early in the afternoon with Tru Luck, who was his first of three rides--his other two horses were Jan Byyny's Inmidair (currently in 10th) and Fernhill Eagle (currently in 17th), also owned by Rebecca Broussard.

"When you come to a place like Rebecca Farm where there is a bit of atmosphere, it is a good stepping stone for him," commented Dutton of West Grove, Pennsylvania. "There are ways to improve, but I really feel that he's getting better and I'm getting better."

Mara Dean, known for her excellence in the dressage ring, seemed quite pleased with High Patriot's test. The 12-year-old Thoroughbred gelding kept his mind on the task at hand, though the lower levels were running cross-country in the near fields. "High Patriot got a little wound up watching the cross-country, but we went into the ring and did the work," said Dean, of Round Hill, Virginia. "He has matured so much since Kentucky--and his canter work has really improved." High Patriot had a refusal at the spring four-star event, but is looking fresh and better than ever lately.

Eighteen horses (including the top three leaders) were flown in from the East Coast, thanks to the support of co-organizer Sarah Kelly as well as a few other keynote people, to ensure that this year's event was as special and prestigious as ever.

All of the riders, especially those who are competing at the event for the first time, had nothing but high praises for the event as well as long-time supporter of the sport and co-organizer Rebecca Broussard. "This is comparable to what you would see in Europe and the best of the East Coast," said Dean.

Even though there were nearly 500 horses competing this weekend, the event still has a warm colloquial feel. "This is the world stage, but it feels like a community event," remarked O'Connor.

"This is one of the greatest venues I've ever seen," added Dutton--a high compliment coming from a well-traveled Olympic gold medalist. "To find a facility like this in the middle of the summer is unheard of. The event is run in a really professional way and it's really good for the horses. The next step will be for the European riders to come here."

The riders are all eager to compete over the cross-country course, designed by Capt. Mark Phillips, and feel that it will be a very forward-riding, gallopy course--a great preparation for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games this fall. The first CIC3*W rider is set to leave the start box at 11:10AM.

Winners of each of the eight Adequan USEA Gold Cup events across the nation take home a $500 check, a Gold Cup trophy, a three-month supply of SUCCEED, a 7-dose box of Adequan, a pair of Nunn Finer galloping boots, and a Mountain Horse jacket. Second placed competitors win a pair of Nunn Finer galloping boots and Nutrena gift certificates, and third place takes home a pair of Nunn Finer boots as well.

Several of the CIC3*W riders already have a fair amount of Gold Cup points to their name, and a good finish in this weekend's event could boost them ever closer towards winning the $10,000 year-end purse. Some of the forerunners include: Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister (in 4th place after dressage), Hawley Bennett-Awad and Gin N' Juice (in 5th), Krisiti Nunnink and R-Star (in 7th), Jennifer Wooten-Dafoe and The Good Witch (tied for 15th), and Hannah Sue Burnett and St. Barths (in 19th).

Wieschhoff Wins YEH On A Whim
"We kind of threw 'Ready' in at the list minute because Becky [Broussard] asked, 'Why isn't he in the Young Event Horse class?' So I said, 'I don't know, let's put him in!' " Cathy Wieschhoff said with a laugh.

The last minute decision not only led to a victory in the 5-year-old division of the Spalding Labs USEA Young Event Horse division for Cathy Wieschhoff, it also proved the talent her Thoroughbred gelding has on tap. They won the division on an overall suitability score of 82.44 out of 100.

Wieschhoff, a hometown four-star favorite from Lexington, Kentucky, acquired "Ready" from long-time friend Amy Gill last December. His first career was on the racetrack and when he finished there, Wieschhoff ushered him into eventing.

"He's built up hill and is a little looky at things which is kind of good because it makes him cautious," she explained. "It'll be great to see how he moves up the levels."

Despite dropping in on the division last minute, the youngster took to the jog lane, arena, and jumping course like a pro. "He learned how to jog in-hand yesterday," Wieschhoff admitted.

"I loved the jumping course for the Young Event Horse class," she went on. "You got going over an easy vertical, then you had to make a turn to something a little more spooky, a few cross-country fences, a nice little down bank, a canter through the water... to me it was one of the best Young Event Horse courses I've seen or competed over."

Wieschhoff also competed her homebred, Simba, in YEH classes during his 5-year-old year. Now seven, the Irish Sport Horse gelding is running in the Preliminary Three-Day division at Rebecca Farm, part of the SmartPak Equine USEA Classic Series. They are currently in second place after dressage with a score of 33.2.

"He's done a CIC and a CCI but he's still a little young in his mind," she explained. "So we brought him here to do the Preliminary Three-Day because I love the long-format, specifically for younger horses and to educate riders.

Burnett Brings Her Best Out West
Leading the P3D division on a score of 30.6 is Team O'Connor compatriot Hannah Sue Burnett riding Harbour Pilot, a 7-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Jacqueline Mars.

The pair have had a stellar year at the Preliminary and one-star levels with three wins since April. Now, at her first trip to Rebecca Farm and the amazing atmosphere the venue and "Big Sky Country" holds, their typical cool-as-ice dressage performance took top marks as always.

"He went in there and really showed off," she said. "It's nice because he doesn't get tense in the ring."

They gave away to neither spectator nor judge that their partnership had only just begun earlier this year.

"I've only had the ride for four months now," Burnett explained. "We're just starting our partnership and the warm-up is a little hairy every once in awhile, but David [O'Connor] is great and keeps me moving and my horse quiet."

The last time Burnett ran a long-format event was at Jersey Fresh in the CCI2* several years ago with Keep The Faith. Now, while she sees the full-phase competition with new and perhaps wiser eyes, she still understands the unique and irreplaceable value of the classic format and hopes it will provide a key stepping stone for moving Harbour Pilot to the next level with the best possible education.

"I haven't done a long-format in six or seven years," she explained. "It's such a great thing to do, especially with the young horses, just to establish a nice base for them. Steeplechase makes such a huge difference in their cross-country."

Like many of the other riders at Rebecca Farm this year hailing from the opposite side of the Mississippi, Burnett's first impression of the inspiring venue could hardly be summed up in words. "I am so in awe! It's amazing!" she said.

Likewise, when Wieschhoff made her first trip out last year to help coach at the Olympic Experience camp along with the O'Connors, and Amy Tryon, she new Rebecca Farm was a magical place.

"My eyes were popping out of my head and I said, 'We have got to bring the horses back out here.' "

For more information on the Spalding Labs/USEA Young Event Horse series, please contact Wendy Weinstein at (703) 669-9996 or [email protected], and for the USEA Future Event Horse program contact either Wendy Weinstein or Emily Daily (703) 779-9893 or [email protected]. Please check the calendar pages for more updates on new venues and upcoming competitions.

The SmartPak Equine/USEA Classic Series is made possible through the support of its many sponsors: Title Sponsor: SmartPak Equine; Presenting Sponsor: Stackhouse Saddles; Silver Level Sponsor: Fleeceworks; Legacy Sponsors: Five Star Tack and VitalWear; Elite Sponsors: FITS and Nunn Finer