Tag Archives: Will Faudree

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Kentucky Three-Day

Michael Pollard (USA) Leads the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event after Dressage Day One

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1st place – Michael Pollard (USA) riding Mensa G.

(USA, 24 April 2014) Michael Pollard (USA) riding Mensa G, Thursday 24 April 2014, is the current leader after Day One of the Dressage phase, with Will Faudree (USA) riding Pawlow in 2nd place, and Doug Payne (USA) riding Crown Talisman in 3rd place, at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, in Lexington.

Results after Dressage Day 1:

1. Michael Pollard/Mensa G (USA) 49.5
2. Will Faudree/Pawlow (USA) 49.8
3. Doug Payne/Crown Talisman (USA) 51.2
4. Marilyn Little/RF Demeter (USA) 51.3
5. William Fox-Pitt/Seacookie TSF (GBR) 51.5
6. Sinead Halpin/Manoir De Carneville (USA) 51.7
7. Emily Beshear/Here’s To You (USA) 52.2
8. Phillip Dutton/Trading Aces (USA) 52.5
9. Sarah Bullimore/Reve Du Rouet (GBR) 52.7
10. Bruce (Buck) Davidson Jr/Petite Flower (USA) 54.2

Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing Current Contender

Andrew Nicholson (NZL) has travelled to the Kentucky Horse Park as the new Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing ‘live contender’ and the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event defending champion. This follows the news announced on 23 April 2014 that last year’s winner of the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, Jonathan Paget (NZL), has officially been disqualified following a “partial decision” by the sport’s governing body Tribunal. As a result of Paget’s disqualification Andrew Nicholson and Avebury have now been promoted and are the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials 2013 winners.

All eyes are now on Nicholson to see if he can repeat the form he demonstrated in 2013, by winning the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, which will put him one competition away from the coveted USD$ 350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing Prize. Nicholson is competing in Kentucky on his grey gelding Avebury.

Quotes from Michael Pollard (USA) (link to audio of full post-event press conference below):

Q. Michael – tell us about today.

I just wanted to have a good start. I’m sure that tomorrow there will be some great combinations and I’m probably not likely to stay in the lead but at least it’s a competitive start.

Q. Michael – at this moment feeling good about Saturday?

It’s a four star, so it’s going to be hard for everybody but I’m riding a very good horse and I’m feeling good about my preparations and so it’s just about treating it like another event and doing my best.

2nd place - Will Faudree (USA) riding Pawlow
2nd place – Will Faudree (USA) riding Pawlow

Quote from Will Faudree (USA) (link to audio of full press conference below):

Q. Will – how was your test?

He is a very experienced horse and has been at this level or a while now. All in all he stayed very rideable throughout the test and overall I was happy with him.

Quote from Doug Payne (USA) (link to audio of full press conference below):

Q. Doug – so you won’t be back here on Saturday. Can you tell everyone why?

Unfortunately not; I hope and pray that ultimately I will be back here again in years to come. I have to first thank my owners and Land Rover for my grant as without them I would not be here. Being that I was entered here at Rolex I think it was especially for this horse who is a little bit more excitable and potentially could be affected by atmosphere there is no better place to go and compete than here to see how we measure up, and ultimately I know for sure that he [Crown Talisman] will be better off for today’s competition. A long story short: we are going to withdraw and go to Jersey fresh in the three star there and then Saumur for the three star there.

Copyright Free Audio

3rd place - Doug Payne (USA) riding Crown Talisman
3rd place – Doug Payne (USA) riding Crown Talisman

Click on the following link for copyright free audio of the post-event Press Conference after Dressage Day One with the top three placed riders:
http://po.st/E5RwLk

For more information on the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and full Results/Leaderboard, please visit www.rk3de.org.

Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing

In 2001, Rolex created the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. This trophy is awarded to the rider who manages to win the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials and the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials event in any consecutive order. Until now, only British rider Pippa Funnell has managed this staggering achievement, winning the title in 2003.

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Competitions, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Show Jumping

Land Rover US Eventing Team Sits in Sixth with Coudray in Tenth Individually at Aachen CICO3*

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Will Faudree and Pawlow (Shannon Brinkman)

Aachen, Germany – The fifth and final discipline hosted at the 2013 CHIO Aachen kicked off Friday, with many of the top eventers from throughout the world going head-to-head. Two of the three phases of CICO3* competition were held as elite combinations performed their dressage tests and went to task over a demanding show jumping track.

The U.S. will head out onto Saturday’s cross country in sixth place with all to play for. The four Land Rover Competition Grant recipients represented the U.S. admirably on Friday in Aachen’s electric atmosphere.

Dressage

Competition in the Aachen CICO3* began early Friday morning in the Deutsche Bank Stadium with 42 combinations completing their dressage tests. At the conclusion of the dressage, the U.S. stood in sixth place in the team standings but within striking distance on a score of 133.4. Germany held the early lead with a team total of 109.4, Australia stood second with a score of 120.2, and third place was occupied by the Swedish team on a score 123.60.

Leading the effort in the first phase for the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team was 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games veteran Will Faudree (Hoffman, NC) and Jennifer Mosing’s Pawlow. The 14-year-old Irish Thoroughbred has completed many of the world’s most prestigious CCIs and demonstrated his experience with one of his best tests to date on Friday. The talented combination scored 40.6 and stood 13th following the dressage.

“I was very happy with him in dressage. He was very rideable,” said Faudree of his experienced mount. “I made a mistake in the beginning but we were able to patch it together. I was pleased with his mark but I know there is still more to come so I am looking forward to getting there.”

Tiana Coudray (Ojai, CA) rode in the second spot for the U.S. with Jatial Inc.’s 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse Ringwood Magister. The 2012 Olympic Games veterans performed their trademark accurate dressage test which was only marred by a mistake in the first half pass. They headed into the evening’s show jumping on a score of 43 in 20th place.

“I was really, really happy,” said Coudray about her dressage test. “It’s amazing when you have a 43 in dressage and are well down on the scoreboard. I couldn’t be happier with my horse.”

Riding Raylyn Farms Inc. and Phoebe and Michael Manders’ RF Smoke on the Water, Marilyn Little (Frederick, MD) slotted into 28th place with a score of 49.8. The 8-year-old Wurttemburger gelding continues to mature each time down centerline and showed great potential for the future on Friday morning.

Clark Montgomery (Wiltshire, UK) and Universe had the unenviable task of being the first competitors in the ring but were undeterred in their effort. Jessica Montgomery, Carole Montgomery, Janet Higgins, and Elizabeth Smith’s 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding was rewarded with high marks for his trot work to finish the first phase on a score of 50.6 to stand 31st.

Following the completion of the dressage, Germany’s London Olympic Games Individual Bronze medalists Sandra Auffarth and Opgun Louvo led the individual standings on a score of 31.8.

Jumping

The jumping phase of the competition was held Friday evening in the Main Stadium. Many horses seemed to be affected by the noisy atmosphere as rails were routinely coming down over Frank Rothenberger’s 12-obstacle course. The U.S. team remained in sixth place with a two-phase total of 141.4 going into Saturday’s cross country. When the phase was over, the U.S. team remained in sixth place with a score of 141.4 going into tomorrow’s final phase. Germany maintained their lead on a score of 113.4 while Great Britain moved into second place on the strength of tidy jumping on a total of 132.6 and Australia fell to third with a 133.2.

Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister (Shannon Brinkman)
Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister (Shannon Brinkman)

Coudray and Ringwood Magister were the top U.S. performers and had one of 15 clear rounds. While the Irish Sport Horse gelding was quite strong, Coudray kept him organized and on task to remain on their dressage score of 43.0, moving them up to 10th place.

“I am thrilled,” proclaimed Coudray about her jumping round. “We have been playing with bits and I was trying new bit today since the large stadium encourages the horses to get strong. He jumped fantastic and handled the atmosphere great.”

Faudree rode Pawlow masterfully as the gelding took in his surroundings in the expansive arena. Unfortunately the pair had one rail at the penultimate fence, 11C, moving them down to 18th place with a score of 44.6.

“I was happy. He jumped fantastic,” said Faudree. “I was anxious to jump clear through the triple and tipped too much with my body and he just tapped the back rail [of the oxer]. Overall, it went well and I am looking forward to tomorrow.”

RF Smoke on the Water was also feeling fresh in the Main Stadium. Little used her show jumping expertise to keep the gelding rideable, having one rail at fence three. The pair sits in 29th place with a score of 53.8.

Montgomery and Universe were the first combination in the arena and unfortunately had four rails over the course. The pair, regarded for their tidy jumping, experienced a disrupted warm-up before the show jumping following the completion of the Tank & Rast-Preis – Jump & Drive. They look to return to form on Saturday. They sit on a score 66.6 in 39th place heading into tomorrow’s cross country.

Germany’s Auffarth and Opgun Louvo remained in the lead with a double clear round to stay on their dressage score of 31.8.

Montgomery will be the first rider out on cross country at 10:00am CEST followed by Little at 11:20am CEST. Faudree will leave the start box at 11:44am CEST followed by Coudray at 12:16pm CEST.

Learn more about the Aachen CICO3* here.

Follow the 2013 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

Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Events, Olympic Games, USEF

Little-Meredith Withdraws RF Rovano Rex; Will Faudree and Andromaque Named to the USEF Short List for the US Eventing Team for the 2012 Olympic Games

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Lexington, KY – Marilyn Little-Meredith has withdrawn Raylyn Farm’s RF Rovano Rex from the USEF Eventing Short List for the 2012 Olympic Games. The horse has been withdrawn for veterinary reasons.

“I am incredibly grateful to the USEF Selection Panel for their faith in RF Rovano Rex and myself, and for the honor of our inclusion on the Olympic Short List for 2012,” said Little-Meredith. “Unfortunately, I believe it is in the best interest of my wonderful partner to save him for another day, though I wish everyone all the luck on the road to London. The US is so fortunate to have such a talented and driven group of horses and riders to represent our sport in London, and these riders are equally as fortunate to have an unparalleled support system in place as provided by the USEF.”

With the withdrawal of RF Rovano Rex, the USEF Selectors named Will Faudree and Jennifer Mosing’s Andromaque to the Short List. The 11 horse/rider combinations named to the Short List will fly to the UK on Monday June 18th. They will contest the Barbury Castle International Horse Trials June 27 – July 1, following which the team will be named.

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