Tag Archives: USEA American Eventing Championships

Full Day of Dressage Begins 2016 USEA American Eventing Championships

Leslie Law and Sky’s the Limit. Photos ©ShannonBrinkmanPhotography.

Mill Spring, NC – August 31, 2016 – The inaugural Nutrena® USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Land Rover (AEC) at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) kicked off with seven divisions taking their turn in the dressage rings in Mill Spring, NC. With ten hours of dressage capped by an exciting Welcome Party, the first day of the 2016 AEC can be deemed a success.

This is the first championship event the venue has hosted for the discipline of eventing and close to 700 entries will compete in dressage, cross-country, and show jumping throughout the week, culminating the seasonal efforts of riders from across the country. Competition will highlight Beginner Novice through Advanced divisions, as well as the “Sounds of Nashville Concert” presented by Coca Cola® featuring country music stars Julia Coles and Mitch Rossell on Saturday, September 3, starting at 6:30 p.m.

Professional’s Choice Training Horse

Without a single dressage score above a 26.1 in her competition history, the skies were truly the limit for Sky’s the Limit, owned by Tracey Corey, in the dressage ring of the Professional’s Choice Training Horse division. Ridden by Leslie Law, the 6-year-old Westphalian mare (Stravinsky x Desiree) scored a 21.8 to lead the packed division, where each of the combinations sitting in the top 25 all scored sub-30.

“I am pleased with the way she handled it all quite honestly because she is inexperienced and it is quite an occasion to walk in there,” said Law. “Apart from her actually putting down a really good performance, I was delighted with her temperament. She makes my job very easy because she has three super paces and a super temperament. She is very laid back, so it really is about her education at this point and teaching her to be in a better balance and keeping her supple.”

While Sky’s the Limit was all class in the dressage ring, she still is very young. “She has only done three trainings,” continued Law. “I imported her from England last November, and she had done very little. From now on this is quite a big test for her, but it is all good experience.”

Law is an AEC regular and this is his first visit to the Tryon International Equestrian Center. “The venue is state of the art; it is unbelievable,” he said. “It looks like everything has been thought of – the horse walkways, the rings, the restaurants, the bathrooms. The jumps are beautiful; obviously a lot of work has done a lot here to lay down decent ground. There is going to be a lot for them to gallop around that first field. As time goes on it will be excellent.”

Sitting in second place is Tender Bravissimo, owned by Dare to Dream Team, and ridden by Courtney Cooper. The 7-year-old Holsteiner gelding scored a 22.5, while there is a tie for third on a 22.7. Both piloting mares into the top three, Denise Goyeaand aboard Highlife’s Je T’aime, an 8-year-old Oldenburg (Highlife’s Der Dollar x Jeunesse D’or) owned by Madeline Hartsock, and Lynn Symansky and SpectraVET Cohiba, a 6-year-old Wurttemburg (Con Spirito x Lea) sit in a two-way tie for third.

Professional’s Choice Master Training Amateur

Sandra Holden and her own Cano Cristales (Conteur x Hauptstupbuch Konny) made their way to the top of the leaderboard after a strong showing in the Professional’s Choice Master Training Amateur division, receiving a 21.6 to sit in first place heading into cross-country Thursday. The pair, who traveled from New York, has been working on their connection and communication, specifically in their transitions leading up to the event.

“We were having some trouble with our walk to trot transitions, from the free walk to the medium walk and then the trot. I couldn’t get it on the mark and it felt like he just couldn’t get on the aids. I worked really hard on that with my trainer before we came and on grounds here,” said Holden. “I felt really good about our test. He was with me the entire time and when I came out, usually I think my dressage test is awful, but it was one of the first times that I came out and was satisfied with the test.”

Holden and the 13-year-old Hanoverian have been together for almost seven years and originally the gelding started off as a dressage prospect, never encountering an opportunity to test the waters of eventing before his purchase. Holden, who was just getting started in the sport, found herself quickly attached to Cano Cristales and the pair has been consistently working and winning at Training for the past three seasons.

“He’s turned out to love jumping and we’ve gone from Beginner Novice up to Training. He progressed quicker than I did. This season, I finally feel like we’re ready for the next step. He excels in dressage but it would be a super close call with cross-country. He eats up all of the courses and gets more excited for that than anything in the three phases.”

Ruth Bley and Spartacus D’L’Herbage, a 10-year-old Selle Francais gelding, are currently sitting in second place heading into cross-country after earning a 23.4, while Nanette Shumaker and La Cosa Nostra, a 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Kevekka, rounded out the top three with a 24.6 for third. The Professional’s Choice Master Training Amateur Division sets out on the course Thursday between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Broadstone Beginner Novice Amateur

Adding another sub-thirty score on the leaderboard was Lauren Chumley and Nikolas (Novalis T x Capina Mia). Melissa Dowling’s 5-year-old Sport Pony put his best hoof forward to earn a 27.3 in the Broadstone Beginner Novice Amateur division.

Chumley is a full-time dressage trainer with “an annoying eventing habit,” and “Niko” was bought to be a dressage horse, so no one was surprised to see her atop the leaderboard. This pair competes at Second Level, schools Third Level at home, and is aimed at the dressage regionals in just two weeks’ time.

Lauren Chumley and Nikolas
Lauren Chumley and Nikolas

She balances her double life to get the best of both worlds. “Oh, God. I think I need it. I love dressage; don’t get me wrong. I just think the eventing keeps you brave,” she laughed. “I think six days a week of dressage in a ring is a lot, and I’ve always loved eventing, so I think it’s really good to get them out of the ring. It makes them braver. It makes them smarter, and I think it keeps their minds fresh.”

Following Chumley is Mr. Mitchel, a 4-year-old Irish Sport Horse owned by Stephen Blauner and ridden by Doug Payne, as the pair sit on a 28.3. Susan Thomas and Tango were the final members to round of the top three after dressage. Tango is a 13-year-old Paint gelding owned by Leslie Allen and will head into the second day of competition with 30 penalty points after the first phase. The Broadstone Beginner Novice Horse division starts the day Thursday on the cross-country track at 8:00 a.m.

Professional’s Choice Training Amateur

When Anna Kristen Paysinger entered the AEC with her 8-year-old Oldenburg mare, Lusitana (Linton x Espersica), she wasn’t expecting to be sitting in the press conference following the first phase of the Professional’s Choice Training Amateur division. Paysinger and “Luna” earned a 25.0 to lead the 37 entry strong division.

“The biggest thing with my mare is keeping her relaxed,” said Paysinger. “She definitely has it in her if she stays quiet. She likes jumping better than dressage, so dressage has been a little bit hard, but she is coming along. She is pretty much a cross-country machine, so if I can just steer correctly and put my leg on she should be fine. Show jumping might be a bit tricky because of the atmosphere in the arena.”

Paysinger rode as a kid, competing at Novice on a Connemara pony, but only returned to the sport four years ago after an extended break to go to college, medical school and complete her residency. A recent move to Aiken, SC to be closer to family while working night shifts as an E.R. doctor has given her the time to come back to eventing. “I started my mare in tadpole and she was a green 5-year-old, so we have just been chipping away at it.”

A mere .9 points behind Paysinger is Nicole Carolan and her own Topgun, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood (Buskhill Gunnar x Wait for the Will), who she took the ride back from Sinead Halpin in May of this year. Rounding out the top three is the 8-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, Sapphire Storm (Orchard Park x Sailor’s Gold), owned and ridden by Patricia Hidalgo who scored a 26.4.

Preliminary Horse

The Preliminary Horse division saw Dana Cooke and Kingfisher Park’s FE Mississippi (Cassini II x Vorbuch) ride into the lead in a very competitive division. The 6-year-old Wurttemburg mare barely snuck into first, besting the second place score by .1 points.

Cooke, who rides with Canada’s Chef d’Equipe Clayton Fredericks, was pleased to see their dressage score reflect recent tune-ups on the flat. “We’ve been working on getting her a lot stronger. I had lessons with Clayton in the last couple of days that helped but the pieces all together,” she explained.

Though she wouldn’t choose a favorite, if she could, this mare might be it, and for good reason too. Cooke has big plans for her future, stating, “She’s such a cool young horse. She’s got the best brain out of any horse I’ve ever ridden. This mare is aiming for the one-star in Ocala, and then eventually being on the Canadian team. That’s the ultimate goal.”

With only a small gap in the scores, Cooke will need to keep an eye on her watch Thursday, as Allison Springer and Lord Willing (Lord Z x Legende IX) are hot on their heels. The Lord Willing Syndicate’s 8-year-old Holsteiner sit on a 25.3 going into cross-country, while Boyd Martin finished the day in third with Barry, a 7-year-old Thoroughbred owned by Windurra USA. The Preliminary Horse division starts on course Thursday at 3:20 p.m.

Novice Horse

Plain Dealing Farm’s Cooley Daydream is only 5 years old and in only her fifth event, she belied her age and experience, scoring a 24.3 to lead the Novice Horse division with Lucia Strini. The Irish Sport Horse mare by Chacoa is normally ridden by Lucia’s sister, Benita, but Lucia took the ride over for the AEC.

“She was really good,” said Lucia. “This is definitely the most atmosphere she has been in, so when she got here yesterday she was all kind of wide-eyed. I was just really happy that she went in [the dressage] and stayed calm. She was really well-behaved, and I was just really happy with her score.”

“I really like bringing on the younger horses, so when we got her for Benita we knew that I might help along with the process,” Lucia explained on why she took over the ride temporarily.

“She is really bold and she loves cross-country, but with the derby field it will be about making sure she knows which jump she has to jump,” continued Lucia. “It is beautiful, but it is definitely a lot to look at. She did some show jumping in Ireland so should be pretty comfortable in the atmosphere there.”

Ashley Phillips with Bayani Slade, a 7-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (Doneraile Court x Klagenfurt), and Dominic Schramm with Stormy Crain’s 6-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Cooley Renaissance Man (Eurocommerce Washington x Storm) are tied for second on a 25.3.

Preliminary Amateur

Ruth Bley made her journey across the country from California well worth it, as she sits atop the pack in the Preliminary Amateur division with Rodrigue Du Granit. The 11-year-old Selle Francais gelding (Robin II Z x Delight Gree) earned a 27.2 looking forward into the cross-country phase in first place. Nita Sanfilippo and Alarmabull are just behind Bley, as the 9-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (Hook and Ladder x Shesabull) scored a 28.5. Randa Sorzano and Pleasant Rendezvous, 9-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, earned a 30.5 for third place.

To learn more about Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), please visit www.tryon.com.

About the AEC

The Nutrena® USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Land Rover is the pinnacle of the sport for the national levels. Held annually, this event draws together the best competitors from across the country vying for national titles from the Beginner Novice through the Advanced level. This year’s AEC is being held at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, NC from Wednesday, August 31 through Sunday, September 4.

Leslie Mintz & Shelby Allen for USEA/Carly Weilminster for TIEC

2014 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Champion: World Equestrian Brands’s Buck Davidson

Buck Davidson. (Photo courtesy of Mike McNally)

Tyler, TX (October 1, 2014) – Equipped with his favorite tack from World Equestrian Brands, Buck Davidson flew over jumps and glided across the dressage arena at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships in Tyler, Texas. His outstanding performances throughout the intensive competition resulted in the title of 2014 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Champion. World Equestrian Brands, the popular tack distributer that has sponsored Davidson for over 10 years, congratulates him on his latest success.

Davidson jumped double clear over the daunting course in the $40,000 2014 Adequan Advanced USEA Gold Cup Final division of the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships, presented by VTO Saddlery, on Saturday, September 27. His score of 39.6 earned him first place in the championship’s most prestigious division, which the humble eventing champion credited to his mount Petite Flower (owned by Caroline Martin). “Flower did what she always does and gave me her 110% in show jumping, and I just tried to stay out of her way,” Davidson commented. Davidson’s skill in coaching riders was as apparent as his riding abilities during the Gold Cup Final division — his student Laine Ashker came in second place, scoring better than every other rider except for Davidson himself.

With several wins already under his belt this year, Davidson also gave a stellar performance on the opening day of the competition, September 25. He and Quasar, an Oldenburg owned by Ann Clements, seemed to move on air through their dressage phase of the Merial Open Intermediate division. The pair’s score of 30.4 helped bring them to second place in the division.

Virginia-based tack distributer World Equestrian Brands was cheering Davidson on throughout the weekend, and is thrilled with his final results. “Buck is a longtime supporter of World Equestrian Brands products, and he rides all his horses in our Amerigo, Vespucci, Mattes, and Equilibrium Products,” said Robin Moore, CEO of World Equestrian Brands.

Davidson is proud to ride in equipment made by the four major equitation brands that World Equestrian Brands offers: Amerigo, EA Mattes, Vespucci, and Equilibrium. “Like in every sport, the fine details always make all the difference,” Davidson explained. “I love the way Amerigo saddles fit my horses, and I always feel secure. The Equilibrium Airlite Cross-Country boots are awesome, and my horses benefit in a huge way from their Massage Pad. Hands down, when it comes to meeting the needs of my horses and me — which at this level is very demanding — the World Equestrian Brands products get it done.”

To learn more about World Equestrian Brands and its top-quality tack manufactures, visit www.worldequestrianbrands.com or call 1-888-637-8463.

Robin Moore
World Equestrian Brands
rmoore@worldequestrianbrands.com
540-264-0154

Davidson and Petite Flower Earn USEF National Open Horse Trial Championship Title

Buck Davidson and Petite Flower (Shannon Brinkman Photo)

Tyler, Texas – Clear rounds were the order of the day at the Texas Rose Horse Park over Richard Jeffrey’s testing show jumping track at the 2014 USEF National Open Horse Trial Championship held as part of the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships presented by VTO Saddlery. Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team veteran Buck Davidson proved why he is regarded as one of the best in the game guiding Petite Flower to the only fault-free trip of the division to earn the 2014 National Title and have his named added to the Jack Le Goff Trophy.

Davidson (Ocala, Fla.) and Sherrie and Caroline Martin’s 12-year-old Thoroughbred mare stood fourth after the dressage on a score of 34 and maintained that position heading into the show jumping as a result of jumping clear on the cross country adding only 5.6 time faults. With their immaculate performance on Saturday afternoon the 2013 Galway Downs International Three-Day Event winners finished on an overall total of 39.6 to earn victory by one point.

Earning Reserve Champion honors were Lainey Ashker (Richmond, Va.) and her own 15-year-old Thoroughbred gelding Anthony Patch. The 2013 champions were the final pair of the afternoon to jump, looking to retain their title but it was not meant to be as a single rail came down meaning they finished on a score of 40.6.

Mathew Brown (Sebastopol, Calif.) and Blossom Creek Foundation’s eight-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, Super Socks BCF, earned third-place honors as they too had a single rail down to finish on a score of 41.3.

By Helen Murray

To learn more about the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships presented by VTO Saddlery, visit: http://useventing.com/aec.

Ashker Flies to the Head of the Field at 2014 USEF National Open Horse Trial Championship

Tyler, Texas – Friday’s cross country at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships presented by VTO Saddlery proved extremely influential as the leaderboard of 2014 USEF National Open Horse Trial Championship experienced a great shake-up. With the quickest trip of the day over Capt. Mark Phillips’ impressive track, Lainey Ashker and Anthony Patch flew to the head of the field.

Ashker (Richmond, Va.) and her own 15-year-old Thoroughbred gelding traveled to the Texas Rose Horse Park looking to retain the National Title they earned in 2013. The CCI4* veterans demonstrated their vast experience at the Advanced level to jump clear over the 26 obstacle course and collect 3.2 time faults. They will head into the show jumping in the pole position on a score of 36.6.

“I couldn’t have asked him to be any more on his A-game. Having ridden this course last year I knew that time was a factor. Having said that, I threw my watch out the window and rode the horse I had underneath my saddle,” said Ashker. “Al answered every question with ease and came home full of running and I couldn’t be any happier with today’s performance.”

Matthew Brown (Sebastopol, Calif.) and Blossom Creek Foundation’s eight-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, Super Socks BCF, maintained their second place position from the dressage as they too jumped faultlessly. The 2014 winners of The Event at Rebecca Farm CIC3* head into the final phase less than a point behind the leaders on a score of 37.3 after collecting 4.8 time penalties on the cross country.

Jonathan Holling (Ocala, Fla.) and Team Rebecca, LLC’s 10-year-old KWPN gelding Zatopek B stand third, after picking up 4.8 time penalties in a clear jumping round on Friday, on a two-day total of 39.1

By Helen Murray

To learn more about the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships presented by VTO Saddlery, visit: http://useventing.com/aec.

Holder and Can’t Fire Me Storm to Early Lead in 2014 USEF National Open Horse Trial Championship

Becky Holder and Can’t Fire Me (Shannon Brinkman Photo)

Tyler, Texas – The 2014 USEF National Open Horse Trial Championship got underway Thursday afternoon at the Texas Rose Horse Park with 12 horse-and-rider combinations performing their dressage tests. Becky Holder and her veteran, Can’t Fire Me, seized the early lead with a near flawless performance in the championship being held in conjunction with the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series Final at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships presented by VTO Saddlery.

Holder (Palmetto, Ga.) has claimed the Open Horse National Title twice before and looks to add her name to the Jack Le Goff Trophy for a third time this weekend. The 2008 Olympic Games and 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games veteran has put herself in a good position to do just that after riding Phil and Melissa Town and Tom Holder’s 15-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, Can’t Fire Me, into lead on a score of 31.2.

Holder was pleased with Can’t Fire Me throughout the test and felt that, with the exception of a mistake in the medium trot, they earned all the marks they set out to get.

“It certainly was the test we’ve been schooling and training for. It has a lot of walk work and turn on the haunches but he was great; he had two really clear walk pirouettes and two clean changes with just one bobble in the medium trot,” said Holder. “He was right on the mark throughout and really let me ride him through the corners, and we didn’t leave too many points on the table.”

Laying less than a point behind Holder in second place are Mathew Brown (Sebastopol, Calif.) and Blossom Creek Foundation’s eight-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, Super Socks BCF. The Event at Rebecca Farm CIC3* winners stand well within touch of the lead on a score of 32.5.

Reigning champions Lainey Ashker (Richmond, Va.) and her own 15-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, Anthony Patch, head out onto the cross country in third place with a score of 33.4.

USEF National Open Horse Trial Championship competition continues Friday as riders head out on Capt. Mark Phillips’ cross country track. Jonathan Holing (Ocala, Fla.) and Meghan Richey’s Proper Timing will be first on the Advanced course at 4:18pm local time.

By Helen Murray

To learn more about the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships presented by VTO Saddlery, visit: http://useventing.com/aec.

Talented Field Lines Up for USEF National Open Horse Trial Championship

Lainey Ashker and Anthony Patch won the National Title in 2013 (Leslie Threlkeld/USEA)

Tyler, Texas – Eventers from across the United States will descend upon the Texas Rose Horse Park to contest Beginner Novice through Advanced level competition at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships presented by VTO Saddlery held September 25-28, including a field of 12 talented combinations looking to earn top honors in the 2014 USEF National Open Horse Trial Championship held as part of the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series Final.

Lainey Ashker (Richmond, Va.) has traveled to the Texas Rose Horse Park with her own Anthony Patch looking to retain the National Title the pair earned in 2013. Following wins in Advanced level competition at Millbrook Horse Trials and Five Points Horse Trials this summer, they look to peak this week in Texas.

Looking to stand in Ashker’s way are Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team veterans Becky Holder and Buck Davidson. Holder (Palmetto, Ga.) won the USEF National Open Horse Trial Championship in 2010 and 2012 with her Olympic and Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games partner, Courageous Comet, and this weekend aims to add her name to the trophy a third time with Phil and Melissa Town and Tom Holder’s Can’t Fire Me. The pair will look to reproduce its winning performance from last year’s Poplar Place CIC3*, while Davidson (Ocala, Fla.) is set to take a shot at the title with his 2013 Galway Downs International Three-Day Event CCI3* winner, Sherrie and Caroline Martin’s Petite Flower.

Advanced level competition kicks off with the dressage on Thursday, continues on Friday as competitors take on Capt. Mark Phillips’ cross country track, and comes to a conclusion with the show jumping on Sunday.

To learn more about the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships presented by VTO Saddlery, visit: http://useventing.com/aec.

USEF National Advanced Horse Trials Championship Honors Go to Holder and Courageous Comet

Becky Holder and Courageous Comet (Hannah Bennett/USEA Photo)

Fairburn, GA – The Merial Advanced division at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Bit of Britain wrapped up today with the show jumping phase at Chattahoochee Hills. Mark Donovan’s tough course had riders incurring numerous jump and time penalties with just five double clear rounds in the division. Becky Holder (Palmetto, GA) and Courageous Comet had one rail down but held onto their lead to win the Merial Advanced division held in conjunction with the USEF National Advanced Horse Trials Championship with a score of 27.7. Holder had a stellar weekend with her and husband Tom Holder’s 16-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, taking top honors at this year’s Championship as they did in 2010 Land Rover USEA American Eventing Championships.

It was a fitting way to end Courageous Comet’s illustrious career as Holder confirmed this was his last upper-level competition. The crowd went wild as Holder and “Comet” crossed the finish line winning the Championship and bringing a very special partnership to a close.

“He (Comet) deserves this. I believe now and have believed for a long time he is the best in his sport,” Holder said. “I appreciate the grooms, vets, trainers, selectors, USEF High Performance Committee, and everyone who has been part of shaping his career. Thanks to all the fans and to those at the Kentucky Horse Park; many of our most memorable moments were on that course and in that stadium.”

Continue reading USEF National Advanced Horse Trials Championship Honors Go to Holder and Courageous Comet

Holder and Courageous Comet Maintain Lead in the USEF National Advanced Horse Trials Championship after Cross Country

Fairburn, GA – The cross country portion of the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Bit of Britain (AEC) took place today for the Merial Advanced division at the lovely facility of Chattahoochee Hills. Making the time on cross country proved to be a challenge on this hot and humid day as almost the entire field incurred time penalties except for two riders. Becky Holder (Palmetto, GA) was one of those riders, piloting Courageous Comet to a double clear round and keeping a firm hold on their first place position in the USEF National Advanced Horse Trials Championship. She confidently rode “Comet,” her & husband Tom Holder’s 16-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, around Hugh Lochore’s championship course, increasing her lead on the rest of the field to 8.7 points.

Laine Ashker (Richmond, VA) rode Anthony Patch, her 13-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, to the only other double clear round of the day moving up from eighth to second place. In the pair’s last start, they finished second in the Advanced division at Millbrook.

Continue reading Holder and Courageous Comet Maintain Lead in the USEF National Advanced Horse Trials Championship after Cross Country

Holder and Courageous Comet Lead the USEF National Advanced Horse Trials Championship

Becky Holder and Courageous Comet (Leslie Threlkeld/USEA Photo)

Fairburn, GA – Competition at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Bit of Britain (AEC) got underway today. With the Advanced division at the AEC also playing host to the USEF National Advanced Horse Trials Championship, stakes were running high. Becky Holder (Palmetto, GA) and her longtime partner Courageous Comet lead the field after scoring an impressive 23.7 on their dressage test, 5.6 points ahead of the rest of the field. “Comet,” a 16-year-old Thoroughbred gelding owned by Becky & her husband Tom Holder, is nearing the end of his upper level career so a top performance here would be a wonderful way to cap off his outstanding record. Holder is also in fifth place in the USEF National Advanced Horse Trials Championship on Can’t Fire Me, a 13-year-old Thoroughbred gelding owned by Phil & Melissa Town & Tom Holder, with a score of 30.7.

Sitting in second place are Jonathan Holling (Ocala, FL) and Downtown Harrison, an 8-year-old Trakehner/Thoroughbred gelding owned by Constance Holling. The pair earned a 29.3 for their nice, flowing dressage test. Holling won the Bromont CCI3* earlier this summer with Downtown Harrison and hopes to find that top form again here. The pair will head to the Boekelo CCI3* this fall with the help of a Land Rover Competition and Training Grant.

Continue reading Holder and Courageous Comet Lead the USEF National Advanced Horse Trials Championship

USEF National Advanced Horse Trials Championship Is About to Begin at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships

Fairburn, GA – The top eventers from across the nation are ready to take part in the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Bit of Britain (AEC). The Championships are taking place at Chattahoochee Hills located in Fairburn, GA from September 6-9, 2012. The Advanced division at the AEC also plays host to the USEF National Advanced Horse Trials Championship. With 19 U.S. entries in the Advanced division competing September 6-8, the Championship will surely be an exciting one with several of the sport’s top names as well as up-and-coming stars.

Becky Holder (Palmetto, GA) will be riding both her talented grey horses, Can’t Fire Me and Courageous Comet, in the division and vying for top honors. Can’t Fire Me, a 13-year-old Thoroughbred gelding owned by Phil & Melissa Town & Tom Holder, recently won the Richland Park CIC3* leading from start to finish with a final score of 44.30. Finishing right on his tail was stablemate and seasoned competitor Courageous Comet, a 16-year-old Thoroughbred gelding owned by Becky & Tom Holder. Holder and “Comet” were the 2010 AEC Advanced Champions and they hope to find success at the championship again.

Continue reading USEF National Advanced Horse Trials Championship Is About to Begin at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships