Tag Archives: Phillip Dutton

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

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.

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

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.

Coleman and Dutton Take Top Honours at the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event

William Coleman III riding Obos O’Reilly won the Bromont CCI3*, the Todd Sandler Challenge. Photos by Cealy Tetley.

Bromont, Quebec – William Coleman III and Phillip Dutton both maintained their leads in the final show jumping phase to win the CCI3* and CIC3* divisions respectively at the 2013 Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event, The Todd Sandler Challenge, held June 6 to 9 at the Bromont Olympic Horse Park in Bromont, Quebec.

The Olympic equestrian discipline of Three Day Eventing is often referred to as the triathlon of equestrian sport, with the phases of dressage, cross-country, and show jumping taking place over three consecutive days. While the cross-country is considered the most thrilling phase, the show jumping at Bromont held plenty of excitement, as scores were very close among the top contenders in all four International Equestrian Federation (FEI) sanctioned divisions.

William Coleman III of the United States became the winner of the CCI3* division and the Todd Sandler Challenge. Riding Obos O’Reilly, owned by Four-Star Eventing Group Syndicate, Coleman posted one of only two clear show jumping rounds in the CCI3* division. The challenging show jumping course was designed by Mauricio Garcia of Puerto Rico, who was assisted by Canada’s Jean Pierre Ayotte.

“I do love this event,” said Coleman, who was a member of the U.S. Eventing Team at the 2012 London Olympics. “I like the way it’s run and the people who run it. I always have a good time here. Some people have events where they tend to do well, and Bromont is one for me.”

Finishing second in the CCI3* was Canadian Olympian Selena O’Hanlon of Kingston, ON, who piloted Foxwood High to the only other clear round in the division, rising three spots from fifth place following Saturday’s cross-country phase. O’Hanlon also rode two other horses in the CCI3*, both of which finished in the placings. With Bellaney Rock she was fourth, while A First Romance placed 12th.

“This was the first CCI3* for all three of my horses,” said O’Hanlon. “I am thrilled with how all of them went this week, and I’m happy to be taking them home happy and sound. I’m looking forward to the future with all three of them.”

Phillip Dutton (left) riding Ben and William Coleman III riding Obos O’Reilly celebrate their respective victories in the CIC3* and CCI3* divisions
Phillip Dutton (left) riding Ben and William Coleman III riding Obos O’Reilly celebrate their respective victories in the CIC3* and CCI3* divisions

In the CIC3* division, Phillip Dutton maintained the lead he established after cross-country with Team Rebecca’s Ben. In the CIC3* division, competitors rode a shortened cross-country course compared to the CCI3*, but the final show jumping phase was over the same course as the CCI3*. Dutton had one fence down in the show jumping, but with a two rail lead, he still comfortably finished first with 72.1 penalties.

“I am overall pleased with Ben; he’s a very talented horse,” said Dutton, a two-time Olympic Team gold medalist for his native Australia who now competes for the U.S. “Ben’s work is getting better and higher quality.

Dutton, a frequent competitor at Bromont, was once again impressed with the calibre of competition.

“Bromont and Fair Hill CCI3* are the two hardest competitions of this level in North America in terms of terrain and course design,” he said in reference to the annual events held in Quebec and Maryland.

Moving up to second place with one of only two clear show jumping rounds in the CIC3* division was Canada’s Jessica Phoenix on Pavarotti, the horse with which she won individual gold and team silver at the 2011 Pan American Games.

“Pavarotti was awesome all weekend long, and he was so rideable on cross-country,” said Phoenix, who was the highest placed Canadian at the 2012 London Olympics. “He couldn’t have jumped any better.”

In the CCI2* division, Erin Sylvester of the United States managed to maintain her lead, despite a less than perfect show jumping round riding Mettraise. Her eight fault round and final score of 70.4 penalties stood up against the field of 14, after only four riders went clear in the show jumping.

“Overall I was really happy with my horse today; she got excited in the ring but she still tried really hard,” said Sylvester. “This is a big improvement over where she was even a few months ago.”

American Buck Davidson moved up five places in the CCI2* show jumping phase, vaulting from seventh after cross-country to second place after posting one of the division’s few clear rounds with Santa’s Keeper. Davidson was also third with Knight Lion.

In the CCI1* division, Waylon Roberts of Port Perry, ON, was the only Canadian winner at the 2013 Volvo Bromont Three Day Event. It wasn’t an easy victory for Roberts, who went into the show jumping with Yarrow only 4.8 penalties ahead of Erin Sylvester on Paddy the Caddy, who had added a single time penalty to their score in the show jumping. That one time penalty turned out to be just enough to keep Roberts in the top spot. After taking one rail and adding four faults to his score, Roberts finished just 0.8 points ahead of Sylvester, with 49.7 penalties.

“I thought the course today was really well designed. It was challenging for the level,” said Roberts, who was excited to have had such a major success with Yarrow, a six-year-old Canadian Sport Horse gelding sired by Yavari and bred by his parents, Canadian Olympians Ian Roberts and Kelly Plitz. “I’m really excited about Yarrow. He’s also a part of our family.”

The success of the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event relies on the support of many sponsors and volunteers each year. Volvo returned as title sponsor for the second year, and Bromont was included for the third time in the PRO Tour Series. The Professional Riders Organization (PRO) is a non-profit group of accomplished event riders dedicated to promoting the sport and advocating safety for horses and riders.

“We are delighted with Volvo’s involvement again this year,” said Sue Ockendon, Event Director of the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event. “We are also grateful for the sponsorship we have received from SSG Gloves, and from Keith and Debbi Eaman. We greatly appreciate the support from all of our sponsors.”

While the weather didn’t cooperate for much of the weekend, Ockendon says it’s a tribute to the ongoing improvements to the footing and drainage at Bromont, and to the efforts of the cross-country jump crew that the event was a success in spite of the rain.

“Jay Hambly and his crew worked very hard to make it possible for the horses to run at every fence,” said Ockendon of Bromont’s resident course builder and his team. “They put gravel down at every fence throughout the day on Saturday. That’s what helped the footing stay solid.”

The cross-country courses at Bromont were designed by Derek Di Grazia of the United States. Riders agreed that Di Grazia, the resident course designer at Bromont since 2009, created tracks of world class quality at the 2013 event.

“Derek is arguably one of the best designers in the world,” said Dutton. “What you find with his courses is consistency, and his courses are bigger than what you see in most of North America. You can have confidence in the lines that the distances are going to work.”

The 2013 Bromont Three Day Event was host to an FEI Course for officials, technical delegates, stewards and course designers. The course drew people from around the world to Bromont, which is in the final stages of bidding for the right to host the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games.

“The FEI Course was very good,” said Ockendon. “It gave people from all around the world the opportunity to come to Bromont and see how it works.”

The Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event, The Todd Sandler Challenge, is made possible in part through a contribution from the Government of Canada. The organizing committee also wishes to thank the Gouvernement du Québec, Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport, for their support of this year’s event.

For more information about the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event, please visit the bilingual website, www.bromontcci.com.  Live scoring will be available throughout the duration of the event.

Contact:  Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439
www.startinggate.ca

Coleman and Dutton Lead after Cross-Country at the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event

William Coleman III riding Obos O’Reilly leads the CCI3* division following cross-country at Bromont. Photos by Cealy Tetley.

Bromont, Quebec – William Coleman III and Phillip Dutton lead the CCI3* and CIC3* divisions, respectively, following the cross-country phase of the 2013 Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event, The Todd Sandler Challenge, running June 6 to 9 at the Bromont Olympic Horse Park in Bromont, Quebec.

The Olympic equestrian discipline of Three Day Eventing is often referred to as the triathlon of equestrian sport, with the phases of dressage, cross-country, and show jumping taking place over three consecutive days. The cross-country phase is the most thrilling of the three, and weather often plays a role, as it did on a wet cross-country day in Bromont. Intermittent rain over the past two days resulted in challenging conditions for competitors in all four International Equestrian Federation (FEI) sanctioned divisions.

In the CCI3*, William Coleman III of the United States improved on his second place position after the opening phase of dressage to take over the lead following the cross-country. Coleman, of Gordonsville, VA, was a member of the U.S. Olympic Eventing Team at the 2012 London Olympic Games. He piloted the relatively inexperienced Obos O’Reilly through a clear cross-country jumping round, adding eight time penalties to his dressage score for a cumulative score of 58.2 going into Sunday’s final show jumping phase.

“My horse was a little bit green all the way around, but he’s game and gutsy,” said Coleman of his cross-country experience. “His attitude and bravado were such that I did feel he would go around, and I thought he handled it all really well.”

Currently in second place in the CCI3* division is Sarah Cousins of the United States on Tsunami. Cousins was the only competitor in the division to jump clear cross-country and within the optimum time of ten minutes. She adds no penalties to her dressage score of 64.2 going into the final show jumping phase. Out of a starting field of 22 horses and riders, all but four completed the cross-country, 11 of them with no jumping penalties, including all of the riders currently placed in the top eight. Canada’s Kyle Carter, who has had an incredible comeback season with his 2008 Olympic and 2010 World Equestrian Games partner Madison Park, is in third place, hot on the heels of Cousins with 64.4 penalties.

“I definitely felt it was one of the tougher three star courses I’ve seen in the last couple of years,” said Carter, a native of Calgary, AB. “I thought it rode better than it walked, which is a testament to the course designer.”

All of the courses at Bromont were designed by resident course designer, Derek Di Grazia of the United States, who was assisted by Canadian course builder Jay Hambly.

Phillip Dutton riding Ben leads the CIC3* after cross-country
Phillip Dutton riding Ben leads the CIC3* after cross-country

The CIC3* is at the same level of difficulty as the CCI3*, but a shorter course and fewer jumping efforts make it less taxing on the competitors. American Phillip Dutton of West Grove, PA, managed to hang onto the lead he established in the dressage phase of the CIC3* with Team Rebecca’s Ben, in spite of incurring 21.2 time penalties for a total score of 68.1 after cross-country. Dutton, a two-time Olympic team gold medalist for his native Australia, now competes for the U.S.

“It was a quite challenging course as we knew it would be, and the weather added a little bit to that,” said Dutton. “Overall, the footing at the jumps was very good. Ben actually galloped pretty well, and that part I was pleased with. He’s not bred to go really fast, but he doesn’t get strong getting to the jumps, so I could save time on the approach.”

Chasing Dutton into the show jumping phase is fellow American Lauren Kieffer, who is in second place after a clear cross-country round with R. F. Cosima, owned by Jacqueline Mars. Kieffer’s two-day score of 71.5 leaves less than a single rail between herself and Dutton. Just five of the nine entries in the CIC3* completed the cross-country course. All five had clear rounds, though none was within the optimum time of six minutes and 45 seconds.

In the CCI2* division, Erin Sylvester of the United States has taken over first place with Mettraise after a clear round, adding just 2.4 time penalties for a two-day score of 62.4 penalties. Sylvester is also in second place in the CCI1* division with Paddy the Caddy. Behind Sylvester in second place is fellow American Buck Davidson, who had the only time penalty-free round of the day in the CCI2* riding Knight Lion. Davidson is just one show jumping rail behind Sylvester with 66.4 penalties.

Erin Sylvester riding Mettraise leads the CCI2* division following cross-country
Erin Sylvester riding Mettraise leads the CCI2* division following cross-country

“I always feel cautiously good going into cross-country with this mare because she tries very hard,” said Sylvester of Mettraise. “It didn’t end up raining all that hard, but we went at the end of the day and the going had got a bit deep.”

In the CCI1* division, Canadian Waylon Roberts of Port Perry, ON, moved up one placing from his second placed dressage standing after he and his homebred Yarrow enjoyed a clear round with no time penalties to finish the cross-country on their dressage score of 45.7 penalties. Roberts maintains only the narrowest of leads over Sylvester and Paddy the Caddy, who also jumped fault-free to remain on their dressage score of 49.1 penalties. Roberts, a member of Canada’s silver medalist eventing team at the 2007 Pan American Games, is also in sixth place in the CCI1* division with Orion 49.

“Yarrow is just six and this is his second one-star event,” said Roberts, 24. “He felt great right from the start. Being second after dressage, I went out there knowing what I had to do. There were some green moments, but Yarrow answered me really well. I’m very pleased with him. Both of my boys were great today.”

Despite the damp weather, spectators filled the stands around the water jump on cross-country, the complex that always draws the biggest crowd, and often the most dramatic action. Bromont, the only FEI three star sanctioned three day event in Canada, draws North America’s top eventers, who know they can count on high calibre competition in the beautiful setting of Quebec’s Eastern Townships.

The final horse inspection at the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event will commence at 8 a.m. on Sunday, following by the third and final phase of show jumping. Scores among the top contenders are close in all four divisions, which will make for an exciting climax to the 2013 Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event.

Waylon Roberts riding Yarrow leads the CCI1* division following cross-country
Waylon Roberts riding Yarrow leads the CCI1* division following cross-country

Volvo is the title sponsor of the Bromont Three Day Event for the second year. Bromont has also been included for a third year in the PRO Tour Series. The Professional Riders Organization (PRO) is a non-profit group of accomplished event riders dedicated to promoting the sport and advocating safety for horses and riders.

The Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event, The Todd Sandler Challenge, is made possible in part through a contribution from the Government of Canada. The organizing committee also wishes to thank the Gouvernement du Québec, Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport, for their support of this year’s event.

For more information about the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event, please visit the bilingual website, www.bromontcci.com.  Live scoring will be available throughout the duration of the event.

Contact:  Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439
www.startinggate.ca

Kieffer and Dutton Dominate Dressage at the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event

Lauren Kieffer riding Veronica leads the CCI3* division following the opening phase of dressage at Bromont. Photos by Cealy Tetley.

Bromont, Quebec – Lauren Kieffer and Phillip Dutton are the early leaders following the first phase of competition at the 2013 Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event, The Todd Sandler Challenge, running June 6 to 9 at the Bromont Olympic Horse Park in Bromont, Quebec.

The Olympic equestrian discipline of Three Day Eventing is often referred to as the triathlon of equestrian sport, with the phases of dressage, cross-country, and show jumping taking place over three consecutive days. The opening phase of dressage is now complete at the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event, and riders are preparing for Saturday’s cross-country phase, followed by the third and final phase of show jumping on Sunday.

Leading the CCI3* division after dressage is Lauren Kieffer of the United States. Kieffer, of Middleburg, VA, rode Team Rebecca’s Veronica to the top of a 22-horse starting field with a dressage score of 44.6 penalties. Kieffer has a comfortable lead over second placed William Coleman III, a member of the U.S. Olympic Eventing Team in London, who earned 50.2 penalties riding Obos O’Reilly.

“My horse was great with the atmosphere here and I’m really happy with her,” said Kieffer, who is impressed by the cross-country course she will face on Saturday. “This is my first time here and it’s beautiful. The course is big and bold, and the questions are right out there in front of you. There are lots of places for you to let your guard down and make a mistake.”

Phillip Dutton riding Ben leads the CIC3* after dressage
Phillip Dutton riding Ben leads the CIC3* after dressage

The CIC3* is a division held at the same level as the CCI3*, but on a shorter cross-country course with fewer jumping efforts. After dressage, Phillip Dutton of the United States leads the CIC3* after scoring 46.9 penalties for his test riding Ben, a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding also owned by Team Rebecca.

“Ben is a smart mover and has a really good head,” said Dutton, a two-time Olympic team gold medalist. “He gets a bit more forward in the atmosphere of the competition, but he doesn’t get silly. I was pleased with the trot work, but I could definitely improve the canter work still more.”

Dutton expects the real test to come on Saturday with the cross-country phase. “There are some big fences and there is some technical stuff in there as well. There are lots of different factors here.”

Dutton, an Olympic team veteran of both his native Australia and the U.S., holds a narrow lead over Canada’s Jessica Phoenix of Uxbridge, ON, who is less than one point behind Dutton with 47.7 penalties. Phoenix is riding Pavarotti, her partner at the 2011 Pan American Games where she won individual gold and team silver medals for Canada.

American Sharon White leads the CCI2* division with Don Sheffield on a score of 49.8 penalties. Holding down second place is Canada’s Jordan McDonald with 50.2 penalties. McDonald, from Oakville, ON, is also fifth in the CCI2* division with Glencanto with 57.2 penalties.

In the CCI1* division, Jennifer Bazan of the United States leads with 44.3 penalties riding Allegretta while Waylon Roberts of Port Perry, ON, currently sits second on 45.7 penalties riding Yarrow.

The cross-country competition, the most exciting phase of the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event, will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 8, with the CCI1* division, followed by the CCI3*, CIC3*, and CCI2* divisions. American FEI 4*course designer Derek Di Grazia, Bromont’s resident course designer since 2009, will challenge competitors with courses of world class standards. The cross-country fences have again been constructed by Canadian course builder Jay Hambly.

Spectators attending the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event have the opportunity to watch some of North America’s finest equestrian athletes compete at the only annual three day event held at a former Olympic site. The Bromont Olympic Horse Park was the site of equestrian events at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games. Over the past 27 years of its existence, the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event has become one of North America’s most prestigious three day events, and is the only competition of its kind in Canada sanctioned at the three star level by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI).

Volvo is the title sponsor of the Bromont Three Day Event for the second year. Bromont has also been included for a third year in the PRO Tour Series. The Professional Riders Organization (PRO) is a non-profit group of accomplished event riders dedicated to promoting the sport and advocating safety for horses and riders.

The Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event, The Todd Sandler Challenge, is made possible in part through a contribution from the Government of Canada. The organizing committee also wishes to thank the Gouvernement du Québec, Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport, for their support of this year’s event.

For more information about the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event, please visit the bilingual website, www.bromontcci.com.  Live scoring will be available throughout the duration of the event.

Contact:  Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439
www.startinggate.ca

Phillip Dutton Defends His Title in Adequan USEA Gold Cup & PRO Tour CIC3* at Red Hills

Phillip Dutton and Mighty Nice jump to victory in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup & PRO Tour CIC3* at Red Hills.

Phillip Dutton kept his crown as the king of Red Hills with another win in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup & PRO Tour Series CIC3* after an exciting cross-country finish. Last year Phillip drove home from Red Hills in a brand new Mercedes thanks to his win aboard Jim and Arden Wildasin’s Mystery Whisper. This year he gets to trade the car in for another new one after winning today’s competition with Bruce Duchossois’ Mighty Nice, a 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (ARD Ohio x Sarazen). Phillip and ‘Happy’ are no strangers to the Tallahassee, Florida event having won the CIC2* in 2011 as well.

“I know Mighty Nice very well, but to tell you the truth a horse like Mystery Whisper is much more suited to a course like this then Mighty Nice,” said Phillip. “I didn’t actually set out thinking I was going to win although I did have it in the back of my mind when Marilyn had some time on [RF Smoke on the Water] I knew that I could win.”

Phillip finished the Hugh Lochore-designed course in six minutes and 34 seconds, eight seconds over the time allowed. Luckily the 3.2 penalties added to his dressage mark of 43 weren’t too many to grab the top spot as overnight leader, Marilyn Little garnered six penalties with RF Smoke on the Water to drop down to a score of 50.7.

“He can get pretty strong,” said Phillip, “so I thought I would set out quick-ish and then if everything was going all right I would keep going like that. It wasn’t a perfect round, but I don’t think it was a crazy round for him either.”

“He is a pretty cool horse. He is so confident in himself, bordering on being arrogant on the cross-country.  He has a great sense of what he can do, and he is a huge horse, but very, very clever. He can pat the ground very easily and sort of grows an extra leg if I misjudge things a bit.”

Mighty Nice heads to The Fork H.T. in North Carolina next, and Phillip assures that he will have a nice quiet round there before heading to Kentucky. For his win in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Division, Phillip takes home $500 in prize money, a 7-dose Adequan Gift Certificate, $350 in Nunn Finer Products, a $200 Point Two Certificate, a SmartPak Wellfleet Bridle, and a pair of FITS Breeches.

Marilyn Little headed into today’s finale of cross-country sitting in the top two spots, but time proved tough to make and cost her the win with Phoebe and Ray Manders’ RF Smoke on the Water, while a run-in with a tree aboard RF Demeter dropped them out of contention.

“Red Hills is notoriously hard to make the time on,” said Marilyn. “And I was a little bit behind coming up to the first water. I went to make it up a bit on the backside and he didn’t feel quite like himself, so I gave him a pat and said take a minute on the way to the steeplechase, so I couldn’t take advantage of that.”

“I was really pleased with the way that he went; I wish the result had been better, but it is what it is and I am really pleased with the horse.”

According to Marilyn, RF Demeter felt great on the first part of the course, but landed from fence six and locked onto a tree in her path. Despite Marilyn’s best efforts Demeter was determined to head towards the tree, and she tripped over the landscaping and sent Marilyn flying into the tree. Luckily both walked away unharmed from their foray into “Tree-Day Eventing.”

Rounding out the top three was the final pair of the CIC3*, Buck Davidson with Carl and Cassandra Segal’s Ballynoe Castle RM. When they left the start box, Buck and ‘Reggie’ still had a chance to win the division if they went clear inside the time. It wasn’t meant to be though and the pair earned 4.8 time penalties to settle for the yellow ribbon.

“I made so many mistakes throughout this event this weekend, I can’t even believe it,” said Buck. “I was on the best horse, and I didn’t do what I was supposed to do.”

“I think it was an exciting day for the crowd, with Reggie having a chance to win and being the last horse to go. I know the Segals loved it. I tried, but he obviously isn’t a Thoroughbred horse and isn’t the fastest horse, but he is honest as they come. I always feel that he is the best horse every single weekend, so I always feel like I let him down, but I got beat by two really good riders and two really good horses and you can’t win them all. I am very proud of Reggie and the other two that I rode.”

The only rider to make it home inside the time on the CIC3* course was Canadian, Selena O’Hanlon, who did so on two of her three mounts, A First Romance and Foxwood High.

The 33 horses and riders who completed the CIC3* are now qualified for the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Final at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships in Tyler, Texas.

The CIC2* also concluded today with the cross-country phase and time proved a bit easier to make as the top three pairs all crossed the finish line without any additional penalties. Jennie Brannigan, who also finished fourth in the CIC3*, rode Nina Gardner’s Indie to the win after overnight leader, Clayton Fredericks took a ducking in the Appalachia Water complex.

“I didn’t even look at my watch until I was crossing the finish line,” said Jennie. “And then I was like oh my god I made time at Red Hills. I had no idea.”

Jennie gave a lot of praise to her coach and boss Phillip Dutton and was thrilled with the successful finishes for both her horses and his. Both of the Gardners’ horses are aiming for spring three-days with Indie headed to Bromont CCI2* and Cambalda to the Rolex Kentucky CCI4*.

Marilyn continued her successful streak in the CIC2* by finishing second and third on Raylan Farms’ duo of 8-year-old mares, RF Azarah and RF Black Pearl. RF Azarah finished on her dressage score of 56.4 while RF Black Pearl added only a rail down yesterday – an impressive feat, considering Marilyn only rode the horse for the first time last week and had never jumped a cross-country fence with her before.

Julie Richards won the CIC* with Linda Crabtree’s Hanoverian stallion, San City, while Kyle Carter and Elizabeth New rounded out the top three with their mounts, FR’s Trust Fund and Uppercrust D.

The Advanced, Intermediate, and Preliminary divisions conclude with show jumping tomorrow to finish out another great year at Red Hills Horse Trials.

Authored By: Leslie Mintz

© 2012-2013 United States Eventing Association, Inc.

O’Connor Leads American Olympic Games Effort; Germany Sweeps Gold

Karen O'Connor and Mr. Medicott (photos: Shannon Brinkman)

Greenwich, UK – The German Olympic Eventing Team was in a class of its own as history was made at Greenwich Park. Michael Jung led a charge that finished with him winning Team and Individual Gold in a flawless effort on Sam. They were the only combination to finish the entire competition without adding anything to their dressage score. That score of 40.6 meant that Jung is the first person ever to be the reigning European, Olympic, and World Champion simultaneously.

Sara Algotsson Ostholt led after the cross country with Wega for Sweden but her Gold medal turned to Silver when they impossibly dislodged the front rail of the last fence of the individual show jumping round. It appeared to happen in slow motion. Sandra Auffarth bookended the German effort, picking up Bronze on Opgun Louvo. Just 4.2 faults separated the top three individuals.

The German invincibility began its display in the Team competition; they finished on a three-day score of 133.7, handling everything the British could throw at them. The Brits gave it a serious effort before a hugely supportive crowd, but they finished up Silver on a score of 138.20. New Zealand rounded out the top three with class performances from all five of their riders. The U.S. Team finished seventh on a score of 208.6.

Continue reading O’Connor Leads American Olympic Games Effort; Germany Sweeps Gold

US Olympic Eventing Team Rises to Fifth Place Following Cross Country

Phillip Dutton and Mystery Whisper over the last fence. (Photos: Shannon Brinkman)

Greenwich, UK – The U.S. Olympic Eventing Team climbed into fifth place with three strong cross country rounds around Sue Benson’s testing cross country course against the stunning backdrop of Greenwich Park. Germany continues to lead the team effort on a score of 124.7 followed closely by Great Britain (130.2) and Sweden (131.4). New Zealand is on a score of 133.4 in fourth and the USA’s score of 155.2 has them comfortably in fifth ahead of the Australians.

The sellout crowd was incredible and cheered every horse every step of the way.

Phillip Dutton (West Grove, PA) continues to lead the American effort with the best score of the three scores to count. Riding Jim and Arden Wildasin’s Mystery Whisper, Dutton added just 2.8 time faults to his dressage score and lies 12th individually on a score of 47.10. It is incredibly close however, Germany’s Ingrid Klimke on Butts Abraxxas and Sweden’s Sara Algotsson Ostholt on Wega lead the way, tied on a score of 39.30. New Zealand’s Mark Todd sits third, unforgiving himself for the 6/10th of a second which cost him 0.4 time penalties and the lead. A mistake at the last fence was the culprit.

Continue reading US Olympic Eventing Team Rises to Fifth Place Following Cross Country

Dutton Leads American Olympic Eventing Team after Dressage

Phillip Dutton and Mystery Whisper (photos by Shannon Brinkman)

Greenwich, UK – The Olympic Eventing dressage concluded today and the U.S. put in two strong performances to settle into seventh place after the first phase. The Germans have a commanding lead on a combined score of 119.10, just clear of Australia on 122.10. The home team sits third on 127. The next five teams are separated by less than 11 points, meaning that Monday’s cross country is destined to be influential.

There is an unlikely leader at the top of the leaderboard as Yoshiaki Oiwa took control for Japan with Noonday de Conde on a score of 38.1. He leads the six horses from five countries who broke the 40 mark. Stefano Brecciaroli from Italy sits second with the horse he placed second on following the dressage at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, Apollo WD Wendi Kurt Hoev. Seven-time Olympian (and two-time Individual Gold medalist) Mark Todd rounds out the top three for New Zealand with Campino.

Phillip Dutton (West Grove, PA) leads the way individually for the USA. He rode Jim and Arden Wildasin’s Mystery Whisper to an impressive performance – scoring 44.1 for the effort and into 19th place. Judged by Anne-Mette Binder, Nick Burton and Gillian Rolton, Mystery Whisper had small mistakes in each halt, the first one preempted by a spook going around the main arena, but was otherwise all class.

Continue reading Dutton Leads American Olympic Eventing Team after Dressage

Mystery Whisper Shouts His Dominance at the Jersey Fresh CCI3*

Phillip Dutton and Mystery Whisper jump to the win in the Jersey Fresh CCI3*. Leslie Mintz/USEA Photo

The singular goal that Phillip Dutton has been working for all season is now officially accomplished; he and Mystery Whisper are now qualified for this summer’s Olympic Games. And as a cherry on top of that accomplishment they also handily won this weekend’s CCI3* at Jersey Fresh in Allentown, New Jersey.

“It’s a big relief actually – not just to win but to get the horse qualified,” said Phillip. “I knew that he was more than good enough to win, but although that wasn’t the object it was icing on the cake. Every time we do something a bit more he steps up a little bit better. I guess the biggest thing I learned this weekend is that he can go for ten minutes very easily, and that is a great sign for the future because he will be even that much fitter if he gets to run London. There is not much the horse doesn’t have as far as being a three-day event horse.”

The 12-year-old Warmblood Gelding (Richmeed Medallion x Socialite) was purchased from Heath Ryan last year by the Wildasin family for their daughter Arden to ride. However, Arden generously agreed to allow Phillip to have the ride through this summer’s Olympic Games.

Continue reading Mystery Whisper Shouts His Dominance at the Jersey Fresh CCI3*