United States Eventing Association

USEF Mandatory Outing - Day 2

A dense fog covered the grounds of the Fork during the second and final morning of the USEF Mandatory Outing for Eventing. Concentrated energy filled the atmosphere as riders and coaches walked the show jumping course multiple times, making final adjustments to what would be their last opportunity to show the selectors that they were one of the best choices for a spot on the team. The fog cleared, and the sun made an appearance resulting in somewhat hot but not uncomfortable morning. Certainly the riders felt the heat in their full show jumping attire. Coats would not be excused on this important occasion!

Conscientious grooms began to appear with the horses at ring side about thirty minutes prior to the start of the jumping test. All of the horses looked to be in gold medal condition after yesterday's dressage and cross-country phases. Watching nine of the United States' best horse and rider combinations warm up simultaneously is a sight to behold! Team spirit was flowing again today, as riders helped each other warm up and set schooling fences with grooms. Family members and grooms gave the horses one last bit of polishing. Captain Mark Phillips attentively navigated through the group, assuring that he spent at least a few moments coaching each rider prior to their round. Special recognition goes out to Kim Severson who unselfishly warmed up quite a few of her team mates before and after her own ride.

The show jumping course was a twisty, turn-filled set of imposing jumping elements, with an optimum time of 88 seconds allowed. The course designer Marc Donavan successfully arranged each question to showcase the horses' abilities with short and long distances, tight turns, verticals and very wide oxers. There were certainly no breaks given on this course. The arrangement was similar to the dressage phase, where if needed, a rider was coached briefly in the ring after their round. In cases where they pulled a rail, they were given the opportunity to re-ride the fences in question. The re-rides were not scored or timed.

Phillip and Connaught started things off in their usual picture perfect manner, jumping a clean round with just a very few time faults. "Simon" smoothly jumped every fence with plenty of room to spare.

Kim Severson and the very good natured Tipperary Liadhnan pulled two rails for eight faults and had a few hard rubs. Captain Phillips consulted with Kim for a few moments, and she handily re-rode four of the fences.

Will Faudree and his long time partner Antigua ended up with 12 faults during their first attempt around the course. After speaking briefly with Captain Phillips he re-rode the trouble spots in fine form with no additional rails pulled.

Despite the great pressure of the moment, Bonnie Mosser and Merloch looked as if they were having a complete blast during their terrific double clear round. Merloch motored around the course like a pony jumper, taking tight turns and angles with no problems what so ever. What a pleasure to watch!

Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM truly came to the forefront this weekend and showed off their talent and fortitude. Ballynoe Castle RM is a lovely jumper and tries extremely hard for Buck. Buck rides him wonderfully in return. They finished the weekend with a very well deserved clear round and just one time penalty.

Jennifer Wooten and the Good Witch ("Pooh") also rode a clear round, and picked up four time penalties. They came to The Fork in the hopes of catching the selector';s eyes, and it seems that she absolutely accomplished that mission. Jennifer can be very proud of the excellent work that they did this weekend.

Heidi White and the experienced Northern Spy pulled one rail, and picked up two time penalties during their last hurrah of the outing. She was immediately coached by Kim Severson and Captain Phillips, resulting in a successful re-ride of the fence in question.

Prior to entering the ring, Becky Holder and Courageous Comet seemed to be feeling the pressure of their show jumping demons, but Becky was able successfully banish them from the picture and they ended with a wonderful, beautiful double clear round! It was a huge relief for everyone present and the supportive, albeit small, crowd cheered jubilantly for the pair.

The last horse and rider team of the day was Phillip Dutton and Woodburn. Phillip rode him in his usual infallible style, but they did pull one rail and had eight time penalties. After consultation with Captain Phillips, Phillip gave a few of the fences another try for good measure. This extraordinary horse will be a showing his full prowess in the very near future.

After the jumping test was complete, horses, riders and grooms all headed back to the barns in anticipation of next week's trip to the airport for a flight to England, or for the long road back home to cheer for the team with the rest of us. Kudos to all of the riders--you and the horses did an outstanding job this weekend, and every one of you would be a terrific choice for the team.

The outing was a marvelous experience, and everyone in attendance had a unified goal in mind--the selection of the five very best horse and rider combinations to represent the United States in the 2008 Olympic Games. The choice will absolutely not be an easy one for the selectors. We're all waiting to hear what it is!

P.S. Stephen Bradley and Brandenburg's Joshua were forced to withdraw from the competition as Joshua suffered a hoof abscess after his arrival at the Fork. Team vets, farriers and Stephen's groom worked diligently with Joshua in the attempt of soundness, but very sadly it was not to be. Stephen was the consummate team player and stayed on hand to support the other horses and riders all weekend. It was felt that the abscess would pass in a few days and that Joshua would be sound as can be by Monday or Tuesday.