United States Eventing Association

Will Coleman and Diabolo Maintain Lead in the $40,000 Brooke USA CCI4*-S at Plantation Field International Horse Trials

Unionville, Pa.—Sept. 21— U.S. Olympic eventing team Will Coleman and Diabolo, a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Diarado x Roulett M) owned by the Diabolo Group, jumped around clear and in the time to maintain their lead in the Plantation Field International Three-Day Event $40,000 Brooke USA CCI4*-S.

Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg TSF, a 17-year-old Trakehner gelding (Windfall 2 x Thabana) also jumped clear and in the time to maintain second (27.9) and Michael Nolan and Carrabeg Hulla Balou, a 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Balou Du Rouet x Vella Flavour) owned by Susan Martin added just 1.2 time faults to hang on to third (29.4), though he is now tied with Shannon Lilley riding Eindhoven Garette, her own 10-year-old Selle Francais gelding (Rose Rouge Garette x Manillon Rouge).

A total of 173 horses are competing in the event across all levels from the CCI1*-S up to the four-star. Though 38 horses started the CCI4*-S division, 34 will continue on to cross-country tomorrow. Twelve horses jumped clear, but only eight jumped clear and in the time allowed. Three horses received a CR, or Compulsory Retirement, for accumulating 20 or more jumping penalties, and one withdrew following show jumping.

Following his round today Coleman said, “I thought the courses were great, I think Brody Robertson is doing a nice job and it’s nice to have another name for the show jumping for course design in this country. I’ve been pleased with what he laid out over the past couple of weeks, here and at Tryon, and the show jumping was an influential phase today. My horse felt good, though I must say he’s normally a bit better jumping after cross-country, so he was a little on the muscle, but he’s a quality animal and did the job well. He’s definitely ready to go cross-country tomorrow!”

Coleman is also riding three less experienced horses this weekend. Fahrenheit Addict, owned by the Broussard family, placed 12th overall in the CCI3*-S, which completed both show jumping and cross country today. Box Como, owned by the Pellegrini family, is sixth in the CCI2*-S A, and his own Honest Man is fifth in the CCI1*-S A.

“I didn’t really push Fahrenheit for time; he’s still in development and I just wanted him to have a nice run around the cross-country, which he did, so I was pleased,” he said. “Tomorrow’s a different track for the four-star, and hopefully it’ll be a good prep for our fall events. I haven’t competed here in a while, and I’m hoping I’ll do a good job out there.”

In addition to sitting in second aboard the Turner family’s Tsetserleg TSF, Martin is also ranked fifth on Commando 3 and 17^th on Miss Lulu Herself in the CCI4*-S. Martin is also standing in second place after riding Kolbeinn around cross-country in the CCI2*-S A.

Martin said, “Thomas was amazing – he’s always a bit hit or miss in the show jumping and today he was right on the mark. Commando 3 was brilliant; he’s very careful and has a lot of scope, and he jumped like a champion. Miss Lulu Herself was jumping well too, but had an uncharacteristic rail down. Kolbeinn was a ripper in the two-star; unfortunately, Finterra took a little spook at the drop and I flew over his shoulder, but I’m still feeling good as gold to ride tomorrow.”

The event also features a Country Fair, and Martin’s wife Silva brought their three kids out to the event to enjoy the activities. Boyd said, “I just ran into my family as they were busy on the mechanical bull and eating ice cream before they head to the bounce house.”

In the Precise Buildings CCI3*-S, Ema Klugman riding RF Redfern, an 11-year-old Westphalian mare owned by Team Fern, won the division on her dressage score of 28.8. Alexandra Baugh finished second riding Hubert Des 3 Arbres (29.6), and Sharon White rounded out the top three with Jaguars Duende (30.7).

The event concludes tomorrow with CCI4*-S cross country, which begins at 1:00 m.EST, and show jumping for the CCI1*-S and CCI2*-S divisions.