Henley House Stables’ 15-year-old Hanoverian gelding has had top finishes at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Bridgestone and the Pau CCI4*, but this is his first attempt at Holland’s showcase CCI3*.
“He was good,” said Martin after his ride. “It wasn’t his best test but he went in there and handled the atmosphere and put in a workmanlike test.”
Zara Phillips leads the way for Great Britain at the halfway point with Lord Lauries on a score of 40.6.
The remaining two team members, Tamra Smith on Mar de Amor and Michael Pollard on DV8, will perform their dressage tests on Friday when Martin will also ride his second horse, Otis Barbotiere. Martin, who was the highest placed U.S. rider at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, heads a three horse U.S. Nations Cup team.
“The American team is grouping well and tomorrow should be an exciting day of dressage,” said Martin.
The riders inspected the cross country course and with 110 starters in the field, Martin felt that the time will be influential.
“The track is a testing twisty course,” said Martin. “It will require fast riding between fences to get close to the time.”
Live results are available here: http://janssen.sportcg.net/2011/boekelo/leaderboard01.html.
Follow the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team here: http://usefnetwork.com/featured/EventersinEurope/.