Beezie Madden and Cortes ‘C’ (SusanJStickle.com)
Caen, France – The Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team got off to a quick start in Team and Individual Championship competition at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games on Tuesday in the opening Speed Leg. Tidy jumping and efficient lines were the order of the day in the faults-converted class over Frédéric Cottier’s 14-obstacle track in the d’Ornano Stadium. The U.S. team of McLain Ward, Kent Farrington, Lucy Davis, and Beezie Madden lies third on a score of 4.72 heading into Wednesday’s Individual Qualifier and Team Competition.
Madden (Cazenovia, N.Y.) and Abigail Wexner’s Cortes ‘C’ were the penultimate combination to head into the d’Ornano Stadium and did not disappoint, delivering a quick, clear round to finish the first leg of competition in fourth place. The 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding proved deceptively fast as he used his ground-covering stride and scopey jump to produce an effortless round, stopping the clock in a time of 77.34.
“He’s naturally a quick horse across the ground and we made some good turns; he’s quick for a big horse,” said the double Olympic Team medalist who strategized with Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland before her round. “We strategized a bit and Robert Ridland told me to be in the 77 range, because if I had a rail I’d still be in the hunt.”
While Madden was pleased with Cortes ‘C’ and her round on Tuesday, she still knows that there is a lot of jumping to be done in these World Championships.
“We’ve got a tiny bit done; it’s just going to get bigger tomorrow and the next day.”
Finishing the day in 18th place were Farrington (Wellington, Fla.) and Amalaya Investments’ 12-year-old KWPN gelding, Voyeur. The combination looked on target to produce one of the quickest rounds of the day, but a late rail at the oxer at 11 meant they added four to their time, finishing on a score of 81.02.
“I thought I had a decent start; we had a cheap rail,” said Farrington of his round. “He (Voyeur) maybe felt a little fresher than I would have liked, but we do have a lot of rounds left.”
Like Farrington, Ward also set a competitive pace with Sagamore Farm’s Rothchild, but they, too, were unlucky to just roll the pole at fence 11. He and the 13-year-old Warmblood gelding finished the Speed Leg in 22nd place on a score of 82.13.
“He’s in great form, he went beautifully,” said Ward. “Towards the end of the course you’re going to take a shot. He jumped very high and just ticked the back rail; he barely touched it. I think today you’re going to take a bit of a shot.”
Davis (Los Angeles, Calif.) is making her World Championship debut this week with Old Oak Farm’s 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood Barron. A miscommunication at the influential wall, fence five, resulted in four faults and the pair finishing on a score of 89.43 in 70th place.
“He kept going and jumping clean and I think we’re ready for tomorrow. He feels amazing; he’s ready to go,” said Davis of Barron’s performance after the mistake at five.
After the Speed Leg France leads on a score of 2.08, with Sweden lying second on 3.01.
Ireland’s Bertram Allen and Molly Malone were the winners on Tuesday on a score of 77.01.
The U.S. has drawn first of 33 teams in the order for Wednesday’s competition.
By Helen Murray
To learn more about the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, visit: http://www.normandy2014.com/2014-games/the-disciplines/1/jumping.
Follow the Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team here.