Tag Archives: Saumur CCI3*

Eventing/H.T., Show Jumping, USEF

Payne Earns Sixth Place Finish at Saumur CCI3*

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Doug Payne and Crown Talisman in the dressage at the 2014 Saumur CCI3* (Eric Knoll)

Saumur, France – Land Rover Competition Grant recipient Doug Payne closed out a successful weekend with Crown Talisman at the Saumur CCI3* on Sunday with near faultless performance in the show jumping to earn a sixth place finish.

The excitement began early in Saumur as France’s overnight leader Propriano de l’Ebat ridden by Luc Chateau was not accepted at the Final Horse Inspection. A total of 41 combinations went forward into the show jumping with only six of those producing faultless efforts over Jean-Francois Morand’s 12 obstacle track.

Payne (Apex, N.C.) and Larry and Amelia Ross’ 11-year-old Holsteiner/Thoroughbred gelding had a single rail down at fence five in an otherwise immaculate round to collect four faults in the final phase to finish the weekend on a score of 54.2.

With their sixth place finish in Saumur the talented combination recorded their second top 10 CCI3* placing after finishing fourth at the 2013 The Dutta Corp Fair Hill International CCI3*.

The top three finishers of the 2014 Saumur CCI3* all belonged to the host nation as Maxime Livio, Donatien Schauly ADJ, and Thibaut Vallette CNE were able to produce clear rounds for France. Livio and Qalao des Mers collected the winners’ spoils finishing on their dressage score of 41.2, with Schauly earning second place honors on Cadiz on 48.4 and Vallette finishing third with Qing du Briot ENE HN on 48.6.

By Helen Murray

To learn more about the Saumur CCI3*, visit http://www.saumur.org/cci/accueil-gb.html.

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

Eventing/H.T., USEF

Payne Maintains Top 10 Position after Influential Cross Country Day at the Saumur CCI3*

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Saumur, France – As anticipated, Pierre Michelet’s technical cross country track proved extremely influential on Saturday at the Saumur CCI3* as the leaderboard saw a great shake-up. Of the 69 competitors to start the second phase of competition, 45 completed, including Land Rover Competition Grant recipients Doug Payne and Crown Talisman, who maintained their top 10 position heading into the show jumping.

Payne (Apex, N.C.) and his own and Larry and Amelia Ross’ 11-year-old Holsteiner/Thoroughbred gelding cruised around the 29-obstacle track without jumping penalties to finish 17 seconds over the optimum and add 6.8 time faults to their fourth place dressage score. The winners of the 2014 Jersey Fresh CIC3* stand on a two-day total of 50.2 in seventh place.

“Tali was again exceptional on a very challenging course. (He) warmed up great and headed out on course strong as ever and improved as the course progressed and finished up very strong. During the last few minutes on course he still had energy to spare,” said Payne of his horse’s performance on Saturday. “I can’t express how proud I am with Tali and how thankful I am to have the support of Larry and Amelia Ross, the entire Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team, and of course my family and wife Jessica. I wouldn’t be here without all of their help.”

Payne will be the lone U.S. representative in Sunday’s show jumping after Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp (East Sussex, United Kingdom) incurred trouble at fence five with Deborah Halliday’s Fernhill by Night electing to retire and save the 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse for another day.

France’s Luc Chateau held his dressage lead with Propriano de l’Ebat to stand on a two-day total of 39.2, and is followed by compatriot Maxime Livio with Qalao des Mers two points behind in second on 41.2. Australia’s Christopher Burton climbed three places on the strength of a faultless round to lie third after the cross country with Graf Liberty on 46.

By Helen Murray

To learn more about the Saumur CCI3*, visit http://www.saumur.org/cci/accueil-gb.html.

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

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

US Sends Two in the Top 10 Following Dressage at Saumur CCI3*

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Doug Payne and Crown Talisman (Eric Knoll)

Land Rover Competition Grant Recipient Payne Lies Fourth

Saumur, France – The rain that has plagued much of the week at the Saumur CCI3* continued on Friday but the two U.S. entries were undeterred as they slotted into the top 10 at the completion of the first phase. Land Rover Competition Grant recipient, Doug Payne, leads the American effort standing fourth heading into the cross country, with Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp lying eighth after the dressage.

Payne (Apex, N.C.) and his own and Larry and Amelia Ross’ Crown Talisman earned a mark of 43.4 from the Ground Jury of Alain James, Sandy Phillips, and Catherine Agaesse for their accurate, expressive test. The winners of the CIC3* at Jersey Fresh two weeks ago head out onto the Pierre Michelet designed cross country within five points of the leaders.

Looking towards the 29-obstacle track, Payne believes Michelet has set a demanding track that will test accuracy from start to finish but believes his 11-year-old Holsteiner/Thoroughbred is up to the task.

“I’m very happy with the course. I think it suits Tali well,” stated Payne. “If you’re off your line at any of these combinations or fail to get their eye on the next element soon enough you’ll absolutely have trouble.”

Halliday-Sharp (East Sussex, United Kingdom) produced a consistent test with Deborah Halliday’s Fernhill by Night to a score of 46.6 to be within striking distance after the dressage. She will look to utilize the 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding’s ground covering stride and scopey jump to climb the leaderboard over the remainder of the weekend.

France’s Luc Chatea and Propriano de l’Ebat lead the field after the dressage on a score of 38.8 and are closely followed by day one leaders, Andrew Hoy and Cheeky Calimbo of Australia in second on 39.2, the French combination of Maxime Livio and Qalao des Mers head onto the cross country in third place with a score of 41.2.

Halliday will be first for the U.S. on Saturday setting out at 3:14pm CEST and Payne follows an hour later at 4:18pm CEST.

By Helen Murray

To learn more about the Saumur CCI3*, visit http://www.saumur.org/cci/accueil-gb.html.

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

Competitions, Eventing/H.T.

Americans Ready for Saumur CCI3*

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Doug Payne and Crown Talisman (USEF Archive)

Saumur, France – The Saumur CCI3* is set to host some of the top international eventing combinations, May 22-25, in France’s picturesque countryside. Doug Payne has traveled from his North Carolina base to the prestigious competition on a Land Rover Competition Grant, and looks to impress with the ever-improving Crown Talisman.

Payne (Apex, N.C.) and his own and Larry and Amelia Ross’ 11-year-old Holsteiner/Thoroughbred gelding make their second CCI3* start this weekend after collecting fourth-place honors at The Dutta Corp Fair Hill International to close out their 2013 campaign. The pair has enjoyed a strong spring season, earning a fourth-place finish in the CIC3* at the Cloud Eleven~Gavilan North LLC Carolina International in March, and two weeks ago winning the CIC3* at Jersey Fresh before leaving for France.

Joining Payne in the 73 horse field is compatriot Elisabeth Halliday (East Sussex, United Kingdom), who will ride Deborah Halliday’s 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Fernhill by Night.

Both U.S. competitors will perform their dressage tests on Friday with Halliday going down centerline at 10:35am CEST and Payne at 2:05pm CEST.

To learn more about the Saumur CCI3*, visit http://www.saumur.org/cci/accueil-gb.html.

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

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

Faudree and Little Produce Top Ten Finishes at Saumur CCI3*

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Will Faudree and Andromaque (Shannon Brinkman)

Saumur, France – Clear rounds were at a premium Sunday at the Saumur CCI3* as 34 combinations went forward into the show jumping. Only three competitors, including winner Bill Levett, were able to produce faultless trips over Pierre Michelet’s demanding track. The U.S. entries of Will Faudree, Marilyn Little and Hannah Sue Burnett each incurred eight faults over the course, as all three Land Rover Competition Grant recipients dislodged two rails.

Faudree (Hoffman, NC) and Jennifer Mosing’s Andromaque entered the final phase in fourth place following a spectacular trip around the cross country on Saturday. In the show jumping, the 12-year-old Irish Thoroughbred mare faulted at fences six and 10A to move down one place. The talented pair finished in fifth on a score of 55.8.

“She tried very hard and looked great this morning. She’s naturally a very careful horse, so I’m not too concerned about it in the future,” said the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games veteran of Andromaque’s performance on Sunday. “I just need to apply what I learned this weekend going forward.”

Faudree also realizes the importance of competing in Europe and facing different challenges as the U.S. prepares for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games next year in Normandy.

“The rails are quite light and spindly over here; you can’t even breathe on them. We need to be prepared for that in the future.”

Little (Frederick, MD) and Raylyn Farms Inc. and Phoebe and Michael Manders’ eight-year-old Wurttemburger gelding RF Smoke on the Water were able to maintain their eighth place position despite incurring eight faults. The 2012 USEF National CCI3* Eventing Reserve Champions lowered the heights of fences eight and 11 to finish on a total of 60.

First to jump for the U.S. on Sunday were Burnett (The Plains, VA) and Jacqueline Mars’ 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Harbour Pilot. The 2011 Pan American Games Team Gold and Individual Silver medalists finished in 26th place on a score of 91.4 after rolling poles at the second and eighth fences.

Buck Davidson (Ocala, FL) and Sherrie Martin’s The Apprentice were also competing at the Saumur CCI3* on a Land Rover Competition Grant but were eliminated on Saturday’s cross country for not properly jumping fence 18B before continuing on course.

Australia’s Levett claimed victory at the prestigious French competition finishing on his dressage of 42.6 with Shannondale Titan.

To learn more about the Saumur CCI3*, visit: http://www.saumur.org/cci/accueil-gb.html.

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

By Helen Murray

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T.

Faudree and Little Faultless at Saumur CCI3* to Hold Top 10 Placings Following the Cross Country

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Will Faudree and Andromaque (Shannon Brinkman)

Saumur, France – The Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team had a mixed day Saturday at the Saumur CCI3*, as Pierre Michelet’s winding track proved influential. Land Rover Competition Grant recipients Will Faudree and Marilyn Little saw themselves climb up the leaderboard on the strength of double clear rounds. While Hannah Sue Burnett and Buck Davidson, who are also competing on Land Rover Competition Grants, experienced hiccups on course but saw their horses earn valuable experience at the prestigious French competition.

Faudree (Hoffman, NC) and Jennifer Mosing’s Andromaque produced a foot perfect round over the testing track to rise four places and head into the show jumping in fourth place. The classy 12-year-old Irish Thoroughbred mare never looked in doubt of a fast, clear trip as she effortlessly answered every question asked of her.

“She was amazing; she was just pure class the whole way around. She just left the start box and I never had to kick her once,” said Faudree. “She locked onto everything and was just fabulous. It was fun the whole way around and it was an honor to be a part of it.”

The Jersey Fresh International Horse Trials CIC3* winners maintained their dressage score of 47.8.

Marilyn Little and RF Smoke on the Water (Shannon Brinkman)
Marilyn Little and RF Smoke on the Water (Shannon Brinkman)

First on Michelet’s course for the American contingent was Little (Frederick, MD) and Raylyn Farms Inc. and Phoebe and Michael Manders’ RF Smoke on the Water. The eight-year-old Wurttemburger gelding made light work of the 28 obstacle course, jumping faultlessly to cruise through the finish nine seconds under the time. The 2012 USEF National CCI3* Eventing Reserve Champions head into Sunday’s show jumping on their dressage score of 52 in eighth place.

“Smoke was fantastic; he was totally on his game from the first fence. He was full of confidence and went out feeling like King Kong and came home well,” said Little. “I think I was far more concerned about the course than he was. He read them (the corners) beautifully. He’s only an eight-year-old but he marched around there like he was 12.”

Burnett (The Plains, VA) and Jacqueline Mars’ 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Harbour Pilot set off on course looking to improve on their 11th place following the dressage. However, a refusal early on at the corner at 6B meant the 2011 Pan American Games Team Gold and Individual Silver medalists incurred 20 penalties. Burnett now stands 30th on a score of 83.4 after also collecting 14.8 time faults.

The final U.S. entry of the day was Davidson (Ocala, FL) and Sherrie Martin’s The Apprentice. The pair was in the midst of a clear round until the nine-year-old Oldenburg gelding was deemed not to have gone through the flags jumping the corner at 18B. Davidson continued onto fence nineteen and the combination was subsequently eliminated for not correctly jumping 18B before proceeding to the next obstacle.

Australia’s Bill Levett and Shannondale Titan head into the show jumping as the overnight leaders on a score of 42.6.

The second Horse Inspection begins Sunday at 9am CEST with CCI3* show jumping getting underway at 3:45pm CEST.

To learn more about the Saumur CCI3*, visit: http://www.saumur.org/cci/accueil-gb.html.

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

By Helen Murray

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

Faudree Stands Eighth Following Conclusion of Dressage at the Saumur CCI3*

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Will Faudree and Andromaque (Shannon Brinkman)

All Four Land Rover Competition Grant Recipients Occupy Top 20

Saumur, France – The Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team continued to impress on the second day of dressage at the Saumur CCI3*. On Friday, the U.S. sent Land Rover Competition Grant recipients Will Faudree and Buck Davidson down centerline, with both riders producing solid efforts in the first phase. They head into Saturday’s cross country in eighth and 12th places, respectively.

Faudree (Hoffman, NC) and Andromaque’s classy performance on Friday was rewarded by the Ground Jury of Sandy Phillips, Luciano Cantini and Catherine Agaesse with a score of 47.8. The pair has enjoyed a very successful spring season in the U.S. that has often seen their names near the top of the leaderboard after the first phase and has continued the trend in France.

The 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games veteran was pleased with Jennifer Mosing’s talented 12-year-old Irish Thoroughbred mare on Friday but knows that there is even more to look forward to.

“She was very good; the canter work was right on par with how she has been going and the trot work is coming and there will be more in the future,” said Faudree of Andromaque. “I was very pleased with how she went today.”

Faudree, who is regarded as one of the quickest American riders across the country, is looking forward to Saturday’s test but knows there is a lot to do on the 28-obstacle track.

“The course is very challenging and it’s quite twisty. The combinations are very big and you need to keep coming,” said Faudree. “I’m looking forward to getting out there.”

Buck Davidson and The Apprentice (Shannon Brinkman)
Buck Davidson and The Apprentice (Shannon Brinkman)

The final U.S. entry to complete the dressage was Davidson (Ocala, FL) and Sherrie Martin’s impressive nine-year-old Oldenburg gelding The Apprentice. The pair scored 50.2 to lie just outside the top 10.

Davidson, Team Gold and Individual Bronze medalist from the 2011 Pan American Games, will use his wealth of championship experience over Pierre Michelet’s course on Saturday as he looks to produce a clear effort with the highly regarded gelding.

Fellow Land Rover Competition Grant recipients Hannah Sue Burnett (The Plains, VA) and Marilyn Little (Fredericksburg, MD) completed their dressage tests Thursday and stand 11th and 17th, respectively, after the completion of the dressage. Burnett and Jacqueline Mars’ Harbour Pilot head onto the cross country on a score of 48.6 while Little and Raylyn Farms Inc. and Phoebe and Michael Manders’ RF Smoke on the Water will leave the start box on a score of 52.

Kitty King of Great Britain and Zidante hold the lead following the first phase on a score of 41.8.

Cross country for the CCI3* gets underway at 3pm CEST.

To learn more about the Saumur CCI3*, visit: http://www.saumur.org/cci/accueil-gb.html.

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

By Helen Murray

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

Burnett and Little Stand Second and Fifth Following First Day of Competition at the Saumur CCI3*

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Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot (Shannon Brinkman)

Saumur, France – Competition officially kicked off Thursday at the Saumur CCI3* with 17 combinations performing their dressage tests. U.S. entries and Land Rover Competition Grant recipients Hannah Sue Burnett and Marilyn Little rose to the occasion as they propelled themselves into the top five following the first day of competition.

Burnett (The Plains, VA) and Jacqueline Mars’ Harbour Pilot were the penultimate combination of the day but proved worth the wait as they scored 48.60 to lie in second place overnight. The 2012 USEF National CCI3* Eventing Champions have repeatedly shown a proficiency in the first phase when the stakes are at their highest and once again produced high quality work on Thursday.

“He was really good. We’ve been a little inconsistent this spring, so I rode him quite a bit this morning because he has been quite exuberant at his last two competitions. But he was all business from the first ride and went right in the ring and was rideable,” said Burnett of the 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding. “In hindsight I could have gone for it a little bit more in the trot but the canter and changes were very good.”

Looking towards Saturday’s cross country, Burnett believes Course Designer Pierre Michelet has built a demanding track.

“The course is good; it’s big and pretty technical. There are six combinations of three-strides,” said the 2011 Pan American Games Team Gold and Individual Silver medalist. “I was impressed the first time I walked it but I’ve walked it a couple more times and it keeps looking better.”

Marilyn Little and RF Smoke on the Water (Shannon Brinkman)
Marilyn Little and RF Smoke on the Water (Shannon Brinkman)

Little (Frederick, MD) and RF Smoke on the Water were the first U.S. entry of the day before the Ground Jury of Sandy Phillips, Luciano Cantini and Catherine Agaesse, immediately setting a standard for the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team. Raylyn Farms Inc. and Phoebe and Michael Manders’ eight-year-old Wurttemburger gelding put in a polished effort to stand in fifth place on a score of 52. Heading into the jumping phases the 2012 USEF National CCI3* Eventing Reserve Champions will look to display the form that earned them runner-up honors in the CIC3* at the Red Hills International Horse Trials.

Leading the Saumur CCI3* field following day one is Geoffroy Soullez of France with Madiran du Liot*HN on a score of 46.80.

Fellow Land Rover Competition Grant recipients Will Faudree (Hoffman, NC) and Buck Davidson (Ocala, FL) round out the U.S. effort at the Saumur CCI3* tomorrow as they perform their dressage tests. Faudree will ride Jennifer Mosing’s Andromaque at 10:45am CEST, while Davidson and Sherrie Martin’s The Apprentice perform their test at 2:00pm CEST.

To learn more about the Saumur CCI3*, visit: http://www.saumur.org/cci/accueil-gb.html.

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

By Helen Murray

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T.

Land Rover Competition Grant Recipients Eye Top Placings at Saumur CCI3*

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Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot (Shannon Brinkman)

Lexington, KY – The Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team looks to close out the spring season on a high note as four talented combinations are set to contest the Saumur CCI3*. Now in its 27th year, the prestigious French competition runs May 23-26. A total of 46 combinations will start in the CCI3*, including American entries Hannah Sue Burnett, Buck Davidson, Will Faudree and Marilyn Little, who have all received Land Rover Competition Grants to contest the Saumur CCI3*.

Throughout the winter and spring the four combinations representing the U.S. in France have benefitted from Training Sessions with USEF Eventing Team Coach David O’Connor. Prior to leaving for Saumur, combinations had the opportunity to train with O’Connor at Jacqueline Mars’ High Acre in The Plains, Virginia.

Burnett (The Plains, VA) brings her 2012 USEF National CCI3* Eventing Champion, Harbour Pilot, to Saumur for her first European competition. The pair is no stranger to success on the international stage having earned Team Gold and Individual Silver medals at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. Most recently, Jacqueline Mars’ 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding earned third place in the CIC3* at the Jersey Fresh International Three Day Event.

Joining Burnett in France is her Gold medal-winning teammate from the 2011 Pan American Games, Davidson. The Ocala, Florida resident has a wealth of experience having represented the U.S. three times at international championships. He heads to France on top form having claimed the 2013 Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Eventing Championship at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover. Davidson will ride Sherrie Martin’s nine-year-old Oldenburg gelding, The Apprentice, at the Saumur CCI3*. The pair completed its 2012 season with a fifth place finish in the CCI3* at the Galway Downs International Horse Trials.

Will Faudree and Andromaque (Stockimageservices.com)
Will Faudree and Andromaque (Stockimageservices.com)

This week in France, Faudree (Hoffman, NC) and Jennifer Mosing’s talented Andromaque will look to showcase the form that has propelled them to numerous top finishes already this spring. Two weeks ago at the Jersey Fresh International Three Day Event, the 12-year-old Irish Thoroughbred mare scored a wire-to-wire victory in the CIC3*. The pair began its 2013 campaign by earning wins in Advanced divisions at the Pine Top Spring Advanced Horse Trials and Southern Pines.

“It is really exciting to be here in France. Andromaque feels fantastic,” said Faudree. “We got to walk the course this morning and it looks fun and challenging. I just hope this weekend goes well and all goes to plan.”

Little (Frederick, MD) has a wealth of international experience in the jumper ring having represented the U.S. on numerous Nations Cup teams and in recent years has also ascended the eventing ranks. In Saumur she will ride Raylyn Farms Inc. and Phoebe and Michael Manders’ RF Smoke on the Water. The pair finished its 2012 season earning Reserve Champion honors behind Burnett in the USEF National CCI3* Eventing Championship held at the Dansko Fair Hill International CCI. In March of 2013, the eight-year-old Wurttemburger gelding earned second place honors in the CIC3* at the Red Hills International Horse Trials.

Competition officially gets underway Thursday with the first half of competitors performing their dressage tests. On Thursday Little will ride at her test at 3:58pm CEST and Burnett at 4:28pm CEST, while on Friday Faudree will go down centerline at 10:45am CEST and Davidson at 2:00pm CEST.

To learn more about the Saumur CCI3*, visit: http://www.saumur.org/cci/accueil-gb.html.

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

By Helen Murray

Competitions, Eventing/H.T.

USEF Announces Land Rover Competition Grants for Saumur CCI3*

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Lexington, KY – The following horse-and-rider combinations have been awarded Land Rover Competition Grants to compete at the Saumur CCI3* in France, May 22-26, 2013.

The following four combinations will receive Land Rover Competition Grants (listed in Alphabetical Order):

Hannah Sue Burnett (The Plains, VA) on Jacqueline Mars’ Harbour Pilot.
Harbour Pilot is a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding.

Buck Davidson (Ocala, FL) on Sherrie Martin’s The Apprentice.
The Apprentice is a nine-year-old Oldenburg gelding.

Will Faudree (Hoffman, NC) on Jennifer Mosing’s Andromaque.
Andromaque is a 12-year-old Irish Thoroughbred mare.

Marilyn Little (Frederick, MD) on Raylyn Farms Inc. and Phoebe and Michael Manders’ RF Smoke on the Water.
RF Smoke on the Water is an eight-year-old Wurttemburger gelding.

To learn more about the Saumur CCI3*, visit: http://www.saumur.org/cci/accueil-gb.html.

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