Holling (Ocala, FL) and Constance Ann Holling’s Trakehner/Thoroughbred gelding were just shy of a double clear round. They jumped flawlessly, but came in just over time and ended with 1 fault. “I was really thrilled with [Downtown Harrison],” said Holling. “Other than possibly shaving a second off a turn, he was pretty exceptional out there today.” Downtown Harrison’s performance helped Holling jump up the leaderboard twenty-five places and finish the Event in 31st position overall.
The other two U.S. horse and rider combinations also helped themselves and the team with good show jumping performances. Jennie Brannigan (West Grove, PA) and Nina Gardner’s Cambalda ended up with an eight fault round Sunday and finished 46th overall. Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen bounced back from a setback on the cross country course Saturday with a four fault round in the show jumping ring. Holly Becker and Kathryn Kraft’s nine-year-old Irish Sport Horse Gelding improved by sixteen spots in the final standings and finished 55th overall.
On his second horse, his wife Jessica’s Universe, Montgomery (Kennett Square, PA) was the highest placing American. He and Universe knocked down a lone rail Sunday and with those four faults finished on a total score of 61.00 in 22nd place overall.
The Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team finished with a total score of 212.40. Germany, New Zealand, and France remained 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respectively. Germany’s total score was 149.
For complete Nations Cup standings click here.
“It’s kind of a funny situation,” said Jon Holling, regarding his finish, and the team’s. “We come over here, and we’re pleased with the performance, but we want to be competitive.” Holling and all four members of the Land Rover U.S. Eventing team were competing at Boekelo as part of the Land Rover Competition and Training Grants program. FEI Nations Cup eventing is relatively new and the team experience, one made possible by the Land Rover grants, was an invaluable one. “I hope it sticks around,” continued Holling, referring to the Nations Cup format, “and becomes and even bigger deal.”
The fourth member of the U.S. team, Phillip Dutton, was eliminated after a fall on the cross country course Saturday.
No U.S. athletes were involved, but there was drama atop the individual leaderboard Sunday. Germany’s Michael Jung entered the day with a rail to spare over New Zealand’s Andrew Nicholson, but the resilient Kiwi, riding Quimbo, put the pressure on with a clear round. It turned out to be a little too much for Jung and Halunke FBW. They looked unbeatable heading into the day, but an eight fault round dropped them to 2nd and gave Nicholson and Quimbo the win.
For full show jumping results and the final individual leaderboard, go to http://janssen.sportcg.net/2012/boekelo/leaderboard01.html.
For more information about the Boekelo CCIO3*, visit: http://www.military-boekelo.nl/.
Follow the 2012 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team here.