United States Eventing Association

Will Faudree and Mama’s Magic Way led the VHT International CCI2*-L from start to finish, earning Faudree his first career long format CCI victory. The pair earned a 22.0 in dressage and added no additional penalties across the two jumping phases.

“He’s a star,” Faudree said of the 8-year-old Hanoverian owned by Jennifer Mosing and Sterling Silver Stables. Produced to the CCI2*-S level by Germany’s Andreas Dibowski, Mama’s Magic Way partnered with Faudree for his first U.S. event this February. A second place finish at The Fork CCI2*-S last month set them up well for success at Virginia.

“He’s definitely been a horse I’ve had to get to know. I joke around, I say he’s like a 3-year-old little boy in a toy store on a sugar high — all the time. He’s a wonderful horse. We have a lot of fun with him. I’m really excited about his future,” Faudree said.

“I’ve had to figure out how to talk to him when his emotions get going. I was really proud of him in the dressage, and it’s really fun to lead from start to finish. I’m very thankful to Jennifer Mosing and my entire team. It’s exciting — in my 20-plus year career, this is the first CCI long I’ve ever won.”

Doug Payne and Stephen Blauner’s Baymax put the pressure on Faudree with a double-clear round in the show jumping. Payne and the 6-year-old Irish Sport Horse finished on their dressage score in the gelding’s first appearance at the level.

Placing third were Arden Wildasin and Sarah Wildasin’s 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse, Southern Sun. They maintained their position throughout the competition, adding nothing to their initial score of 26.4.

Kimberly Steinbuch Durr and Kosmo K, a 6-year-old Thoroughbred owned and bred by Mary Quarles, moved up from sixth place to finish fourth on their dressage score in the gelding’s first international appearance.

Rounding out the top five in the CCI2*-L were Christina McKitrick and Lotte Lenya Q, who added one rail in show jumping to drop out of the top four.

“Thanks everyone for joining us this weekend,” Organizer Andy Bowles said. “The competitors and their supporters, our volunteers, and fantastic staff make every event here a truly special experience. It was a great event and we look forward to the next one!”

We look forward to the fall VHT International October 31-November 3 at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, Virginia, when we will host the only CCI*-L currently on the 2019 U.S. calendar. Additional divisions will include CCI2*-S, CCI3*-S, CCI2*-L, CCI3*-L, and Starter through Intermediate horse trials.