Kurt Martin and Delux Z (Shannon Brinkman Photo)

Kalispell, Mont. – The inaugural CCI3* at The Event at Rebecca Farm came to its conclusion on Sunday with the jumping phase at the picturesque venue. USEF Land Rover Competition Grant recipients Kurt Martin and Delux Z made quite an impression at the competition, taking home the win in spectacular fashion as the only combination in the division to finish on their dressage score.

“It feels great, though I’m most proud of our consistency throughout the weekend,” Martin said. “I’m proud of all the hard work I put in with my horses, and it makes me proud that everyone who has helped me along the way can see it all pan out. I’m also thankful for the opportunity that I was given with this grant.”

Traveling from the East Coast, Martin (Middleburg, Va.) and his own and Caroljean Martin’s 2005 Irish Sport Horse gelding performed a smooth, consistent dressage test to score 47.0, putting them in third in Delux Z’s debut at the CCI3* level. The pair then made light work of Ian Stark’s bold, galloping track, having one of only three double-clear rounds to move into second place. In the final phase, Martin and Delux Z displayed great form as they finished with one of only three double-clear jumping rounds over Richard Jeffery’s course, claiming the win on their dressage score of 47.0.

“I’m really pleased with my horse today,” Martin said. “He can be really spooky, but I have ridden him for three years, so I know him well. Since it was a bright, colorful course, he was careful, but a little backed off, so I rode with a lot of leg and he really listened to me.”

Find out more information about The Event at Rebecca Farm.

By Kathleen Landwehr