Tag Archives: Les Étoiles de Pau CCI4*

Competitions, Eventing/H.T.

USEF Names Combinations for Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for Military Boekelo CCIO3*

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Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has named combinations to the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for the Military Boekelo CCIO3* and re-allocated USEF Land Rover Competition Grants for that competition and Les Étoiles de Pau CCI4*.

Military Boekelo CCIO3*

The following horse-and-rider combinations have been named to the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for the Military Boekelo CCIO3*, October 9-12, 2014 in Boekelo, The Netherlands (in alphabetical order):

Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp (East Sussex, UK) and Deborah Halliday’s Fernhill By Night
Fernhill By Night is a 2003 Irish Sport Horse gelding.

Tiana Coudray (Ojai, Calif.) and her own and Jatial Ltd’s Kinnordy Rivaldo
Kinnordy Rivaldo is a 2002 Warmblood gelding.

*Clark Montgomery (Wiltshire, UK) and Jessica Montgomery, Kathryn Kraft, and Holly and William Becker’s Loughan Glen
Loughan Glen is a 2003 Irish Sport Horse gelding.

*Sharon White (Summit Point, W.Va.) and Mary Ann Ghadban’s Under Suspection
Under Suspection is a 2004 Holsteiner mare.

*USEF Land Rover Competition Grant Recipients

Montgomery and Loughan Glen had previously been awarded a USEF Land Rover Competition Grant to contest the Les Étoiles de Pau CCI4*, which has now been re-allocated for the Military Boekelo CCIO3*.

Jacqueline B. Mars Competition and Training Grant recipients Kurt Martin (Middleburg, Va.) has withdrawn Anna Bella from the Military Boekelo CCIO3*, and USEF Land Rover Competition Grant recipient MacKenna Shea (Tacoma, Wash.) has also withdrawn Landioso. Both of these horses will instead reroute to the Dutta Corp. Fair Hill International CCI3*.

Les Étoiles de Pau CCI4*

The following horse-and-rider combination has been awarded a USEF Land Rover Competition Grant to compete at the Les Étoiles de Pau CCI4*, October 22-26, 2014 in Pau, France.

Lauren Kieffer (Middleburg, Va.) and Team Rebecca, LLC’s Veronica
Veronica is a 2002 Dutch Warmblood mare.

Kieffer and Veronica had been awarded a USEF Land Rover Competition Grant to contest the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials CCI4*, which has been re-allocated for Les Étoiles de Pau CCI4*.

Jacqueline B. Mars Competition and Training Grant recipients Lillian Heard (Poolesville, Md.) and her own Share Option have withdrawn from the Les Étoiles de Pau CCI4*, as have USEF Land Rover Competition Grant recipients Doug Payne (Apex, N.C.) and his own and Larry and Amelia Ross’ Crown Talisman.

Follow the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team here.

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T., FEI, Show Jumping

US Earns Four Top 20 Placings at Les Étoiles de Pau CCI4*; Dutton Leads the Way in Fourth

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Phillip Dutton and Mr. Medicott (Libby Law Photography)

Pau, France – Fifty combinations went forward to the final phase of competition at the 2013 Les Étoiles de Pau CCI4* on Sunday to tackle Bernard Basque’s 13 obstacle track. Rails fell throughout the day and proved costly as those that could produce clear rounds climbed the leaderboard. Five U.S. combinations headed into the show jumping phase at Pau and at the end of competition three Americans had landed in the top 15.

Overnight leaders William Fox-Pitt and Seacookie TSF of Great Britain added four faults for a single rail down to finish on a score of 45.5 to clinch victory by .5 penalties over France’s Maxime Livio and Cathar de Gamel. Fox-Pitt also collected third place honors with Cool Mountain on a score of 46.2.

Leading the way for the United States were Land Rover Competition Grant recipients Phillip Dutton (West Grove, Pa.) and the Mr. Medicott Syndicate’s Mr. Medicott. The pair which added just .4 penalties on the cross country to their seventh placed dressage score entered the final phase in fourth place. Despite incurring eight faults for two rails down the combination maintained their fourth place position to finish on a score of 52.6.

“He jumped well. I feel bad that I had two fences down; he is a horse that can definitely jump a clear round but it was a very difficult track,” said Dutton who had the dubious honor of following Livio into the ring after the French rider went clear. “Not to make excuses but I followed the Frenchman into the arena and the crowd went ballistic and he (Mr. Medicott) was a handful after that. If I were to do it over again, I would have taken a little more time.”

The Olympic and FEI World Equestrian Games veteran only began riding Mr. Medicott in June but has quickly forged a partnership with him. The talented 14-year-old Irish Sport gelding had been ridden at the 2008 Olympic Games and 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games by Germany’s Frank Ostholt as well as partnering with Karen O’Connor to a ninth place finish at the 2012 Olympic Games. Therefore, Dutton has put a priority on getting to know the veteran horse, as well as having the gelding get acquainted with his style of riding.

“Looking back on the weekend on the whole I’m quite pleased. Coming here if I knew I would be fourth I would have been very excited.”

With his fourth place finish this weekend Mr. Medicott now has three top 10 finishes at Pau, with Ostholt the gelding was third in 2008 and 10th in 2011.

Clark Montgomery and Universe (Libby Law Photography)
Clark Montgomery and Universe (Libby Law Photography)

Clark Montgomery (Wiltshire, UK) and Jessica Montgomery, Carole Montgomery, Janet Higgins, and Elizabeth Smith’s Universe headed into the show lying in ninth place after a double clear cross country round. The Land Rover Competition Grant recipients incurred eight faults for rolling two poles on Sunday to drop one place in the standings, finishing 10th on a score of 60.

Montgomery and the 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding complete their 2013 campaign with two top 30 CCI4* finishes. In addition to their 10th place finish at Pau, the pair was 27th at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials in Universe’s first attempt at the level.

Lynn Symansky and her own Donner travelled to Pau after having been awarded a Jacqueline B. Mars Competition and Training Grant and gained valuable experience over the weekend. The 2011 Pan American Games Team Gold medalists rose from 38th after the dressage on the strength of a double clear round on the cross country, they headed into the show jumping in 12th place. Two rails down meant they added eight faults to their total to finish on an overall score of 61.3 in 13th place in their first European competition.

Land Rover Competition Grant recipients, Marilyn Little (Frederick, Md.) and Raylyn Farms and Team Demeter ‘s RF Demeter headed into the final phase of competition lying in 11th but 16 faults  dropped them down the order. The 11-year-old Oldenburg mare rolled four rails to finish on a final total of 68.8 in 18th place.

Michael Pollard (Dalton, Ga.) and Carl Bouckaert’s 15-year-old Thoroughbred gelding Mensa were the sole U.S. pair to jump in the first session of the day producing an eight fault effort, the Land Rover Competition Grant recipients finished on an overall score of 108 in 43rd place.

By Helen Murray

To learn more about the Les Étoiles de Pau CCI4*, visit www.event-pau.fr/en/homepage/.

For start times and results, click here.

Follow the 2013 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team here.

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T., FEI

Dutton, Montgomery, Little and Symansky Climb the Leaderboard after Influential Cross Country Day at Pau

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Phillip Dutton and Mr. Medicott (Libby Law)

Pau, France – Cross country day at the 2013 Les Étoiles de Pau CCI4* saw American combinations climb the leaderboard with efficient, clear performances. Pierre Michelet’s 33 obstacle track produced trouble throughout the day with thirty six combinations coming home without jumping penalties and of those only six were able to finish within the 11:48 time allowed. Phillip Dutton, Clark Montgomery, Marilyn Little and Lynn Symansky proved their mettle with classy efforts on a day that saw many top names in the sport fail to finish.

Dutton (West Grove, Pa.) and the Mr. Medicott Syndicate’s 14-year-old Irish Sport gelding Mr. Medicott set out on course lying in seventh place and climbed three places with a classy performance. The pair cruised effortlessly around Michelet’s track to finish one second over the optimum time and add .4 time faults to their dressage score of 44.2. They will head into the show jumping in fourth place on a score of 44.6 just 3.1 points out of the lead.

“It was good; obviously he’s a great horse. I’m still trying to get to know him and we were trying to go fast without making a silly mistake,” remarked Dutton of his ride on Saturday. “This wouldn’t be the ideal course for him but he got better and better as the course went on.”

Both Dutton and Mr. Medicott brought a wealth of experience to Pau but are contesting their first CCI4* together. Dutton has represented both the U.S. and his native Australia at numerous Olympic and FEI World Equestrian Games, including winning Olympic Team Gold with Australia in 1996 and 2000, while Mr. Medicott completed the 2008 Olympic Games and 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games with Germany’s Frank Ostholt. He was also ridden by Karen O’Connor to ninth place at the London Olympic Games.

“It gets better with each time. He’s got to get to know me and my reactions but I think this weekend is good for us,” remarked Dutton about his growing partnership with Mr. Medicott.

Dutton looks to secure Mr. Medicott’s third top-10 Pau completion on Sunday. The gelding was third in 2008 and 10th in 2011 with Ostholt.

Montgomery (Wiltshire, UK) and Jessica Montgomery, Carole Montgomery, Janet Higgins, and Elizabeth Smith’s Universe were the pathfinder for the U.S. as the first American pair on course. The Land Rover Competition Grant recipients set the tone for the U.S. camp by flying around the course faultlessly to finish two seconds inside the optimum time. The talented pair are looking for their second CCI4* completion of 2013 after having placed 27th at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials in the 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding’s first attempt at the level.

Montgomery and Universe, who stood 31st after the dressage, head into the show jumping in ninth place on a score of 52.

Little (Frederick, Md.) and Raylyn Farms and Team Demeter’s 11-year-old Oldenburg mare RF Demeter were the final U.S. pair on course and cruised to a clear round finishing just four seconds over the time. The pair, which was seventh at the Luhmühlen CCI4* in June, is competing in Pau on a Land Rover Competition Grant and is poised for another top 12 CCI4* finish as it heads into the show jumping on a score of 52.8. With its quick clear round on Saturday the pair climbed 16 places after the dressage and now stand in 11th places after two phases.

Symansky (Middleburg, Va.) and her own Donner were the second U.S. combination to produce a double clear effort on Saturday. The pair, which is contesting its first European competition after having been awarded Jacqueline B. Mars Competition and Training Grant, proved its place among the top in the world with a scorching round. The 10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding utilized his classy galloping style to finish 15 seconds within the time allowed. The 2011 Pan American Games Team Gold medalists climbed 26 places with their clear round and will enter the final phase on a score of 53.3 in 12th place.

Michael Pollard (Dalton, Ga.) and Carl Bouckaert’s 15-year-old Thoroughbred gelding Mensa looked on target to produce another clear round for the U.S. until a run-out two-thirds the way around the course. The Land Rover Competition Grant recipients collected 20 jumping penalties for a run-out at 20B and added a further 24.8 time faults. They head into the show jumping in 47th place on a score of 100.

Land Rover Competition Grant recipients Hannah Sue Burnett (The Plains, Va.) and Jacqueline Mars’ Harbour Pilot set out on Saturday laying in equal 11th place. The 2011 Pan American Games Team Gold and Individual Silver medalists slipped between elements at the first water and were subsequently eliminated when Burnett came out of the tack.

Kristi Nunnink and her own 12-year-old Holsteiner mare R-Star travelled to Pau from their base in Auburn, Calif. on a Land Rover Competition Grant. The pair ran into some trouble at the first water and was eliminated after jumping the option in the wrong order.

Great Britain’s William Fox-Pitt again proved why he’s among the best in the game as he produced three double clear performances to hold the top three spots at the conclusion of the cross country. The 2012 Olympic Games Team Silver medalist leads with Seacookie TSF on 41.5, Cool Mountain stands second on 42.2, and Neuf Des Coeurs is third standing on 43.2.

By Helen Murray

To learn more about the Les Étoiles de Pau CCI4*, visit www.event-pau.fr/en/homepage/.

For start times and results, click here.

Follow the 2013 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team here.

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., FEI

US Lands Two in Top 15 Following Dressage at Les Étoiles de Pau CCI4*

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Phillip Dutton and Mr. Medicott (Libby Law Photography)

Dutton Seventh, Burnett Eleventh

Pau, France – The second day of dressage at the 2013 Les Étoiles de Pau CCI4* hosted the final 35 combinations, five of which were representing the U.S., as they performed their tests in front of the Ground Jury of Angela Tucker, Christina Klingspor, and Alain James. Leading the way for the United States after the first phase are Land Rover Competition Grant recipients Phillip Dutton and Mr. Medicott on a score of 44.2 in seventh place. Marilyn Little, Kristi Nunnink and Michael Pollard, who are also competing in France thanks to Land Rover’s support, headed down centerline on Friday as well. The first U.S. pair in the ring Friday was Jacqueline B. Mars Competition and Training Grant-recipient Lynn Symansky and Donner, who are competing in their first European competition.

Dutton (West Grove, Pa.) only began riding the Mr. Medicott Syndicate’s 14-year-old Irish Sport gelding in late June, but the pair is putting their partnership to the test this weekend in France.  On Friday, they earned their best score to date with a polished performance that earned high marks for the canter work and flying changes at the end of the test.

“I’m very pleased. I don’t know the horse that well so it’s not about educating him it’s about getting to know him more,” said Dutton. “There are still parts to improve but I’m very pleased.”

The combination will set out on Pierre Michelet’s technical track Saturday looking to climb higher up the leaderboard with a quick, clear round. Dutton will use the experience earned representing both his native Australia and the U.S. at numerous Olympic and FEI World Equestrian Games to produce a top result in his four-star debut with the gelding. Mr. Medicott also brings a wealth of experience, having completed the 2008 Olympic Games and 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in addition to garnering two top-10 results at Pau (2008 and 2011) with Germany’s Frank Ostholt. The talented gelding was also ridden by Karen O’Connor to ninth place at the London Olympic Games.

“It’s a very different course than I’ve ridden before but it’s good to be here and see it because he (Michelet) is the designer for the World Championships next year,” said Dutton. “There are lots of lines and angles we don’t usually see.”

Little (Frederick, Md.) and Raylyn Farms and Team Demeter’s 11-year-old Oldenburg mare RF Demeter were the final U.S. pair to perform their dressage test, scoring 51.2. They earned high marks for their consistent trot-work to begin the test, but mistakes in the first and second flying changes kept them from landing higher up the leaderboard. The pair, which placed seventh at the Luhmühlen CCI4* in June, set on Saturday’s cross country standing in 27th place.

Symansky (Middleburg, Va.) and her own Donner completed the first phase in 38th place on a score of 53.3. The 10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding began the test with a tense entry that kept the first set of marks down, but the 2011 Pan American Games Team gold medalists kept their poise through the remainder of the test to produce consistent work.

Nunnink (Auburn, Calif.) and her own 12-year-old Holsteiner mare R-Star were the third U.S. entry in the arena of Friday and finished the dressage in 41st place. The 2013 USEF National Open Horse Trial Reserve Championships scored 54.5 in a test that was highlighted by the mare’s flying changes.

Rounding out the U.S. effort at Pau were Pollard (Dalton, Ga.) and Carl Bouckaert’s 15-year-old Thoroughbred gelding Mensa. The combination earned a score of 55.2 for a consistent performance which was just marred by the gelding breaking into canter during the extended canter. They head into the cross country standing in 47th place.

On Thursday, Hannah Sue Burnett and Clark Montgomery completed their tests with Jacqueline Mars’ Harbour Pilot and Jessica Montgomery, Carole Montgomery, Janet Higgins, and Elizabeth Smith’s Universe, respectively. At the conclusion of the first phase Burnett (The Plains, Va.) stands equal 11th on 45.7, while Montgomery (Witlshire, UK) is 31st with a 52.

Australia’s Lucinda Fredericks and her Olympic veteran Flying Finish hold the lead following the first phase on 39.2. William Fox-Pitt of Great Britain stands in second and third on scores of 41.5 and 42.2 with Seacookie TSF and Cool Mountain, respectively.

Montgomery will be the first U.S. competitor on course Saturday for the U.S. at 2:19pm local time, Burnett is next out at 2:39pm, followed by Symansky at 3:03pm. Pollard will set out 20 minutes later at 3:23pm, closely followed by Nunnink at 3:43pm. Dutton starts on course at 4:15pm and Little is the final U.S. rider at 4:27pm.

By Helen Murray

To learn more about the Les Étoiles de Pau CCI4*, visit www.event-pau.fr/en/homepage/.

For start times and results, click here.

Follow the 2013 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team here.

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., FEI

Burnett Is Tied for Fifth and Montgomery Lies 13th after Day One at Les Étoiles de Pau CCI4*

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Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot (Libby Law Photography)

Pau, France – The first day of dressage began at Les Étoiles de Pau CCI4* with the first two combinations of the U.S. contingency performing their tests. With 40 competitors performing their dressage tests on Thursday in front of the judging panel of Angela Tucker (GBR), Christina Klingspor (SWE), and Alain James (FRA), Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot are currently tied in fifth place while Clark Montgomery and Universe are in 13th place.

USEF Land Rover Competition grant-recipient Burnett (The Plains, Va.) and Jacqueline Mars’ Harbour Pilot had a lovely, relaxed test earning an impressive score of 45.7. Their test displayed quality trot and walk work with an excellent canter tour, only marred by a final halt that was a bit early on the centerline. The pair is contesting their first CCI4* as a partnership and they are only 4.2 points behind current leaders William Fox-Pitt of Great Britain and Sea Cookie TSF, who scored a 41.5. Burnett and the 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding are in a three-way tie for fifth place with Ludwig Svennerstal of Sweden and Shamwari 4 and Andreas Dibowski of Germany and FRH Fantasia.

“I’m real happy with my ride today,” said Burnett. “He was really rideable. In hindsight I could have pushed for a little more but I’m really happy with him and looking forward to Saturday. I also want to say thanks to William’s owner, Jacqueline Mars, who is cheering at home from Virginia, and my sponsors.”

Montgomery (Wiltshire, UK) and Universe were the first U.S. pair to come down the centerline Thursday afternoon. The 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Jessica Montgomery, Carole Montgomery, Janet Higgins, and Elizabeth Smith showed a bit of tension throughout the test, but Montgomery rode him well to earn a score of 52.0 to lie in 13th place. They also received a USEF Land Rover Competition grant and are contesting their second CCI4* of the year after finishing 27th at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials.

Competition continues Friday with the second day of dressage for the remaining 35 competitors at Les Étoiles de Pau CCI4*, which serves as the first leg of the 2013/2014 FEI Classics. Lynn Symansky and Donner will kick things off for the U.S. at 9:46am local time. Michael Pollard and Mensa G will go at 10:26am, followed by Krisit Nunnink and R-Star at 11:14am. Phillip Dutton and Mr. Medicott will be the last to go in the morning session at 12:38pm, with Marilyn Little and RF Demeter being the sole U.S. pair in the afternoon session at 2:16pm.

By Kathleen Landwehr

To learn more about the Les Étoiles de Pau CCI4*, visit www.event-pau.fr/en/homepage/.

For start times and results, click here.

Follow the 2013 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team here.