The Millbrook Horse Trials Wrap Up

Buck Davidson and Carl and Cassandra Segal's Ballynoecastle RM and Phillip Dutton with Anne Jones' Young Man came away with the Advanced Divisions A and B wins at the 2012 Millbrook Horse Trials. Buck completes a trifecta this year having won the Advanced Division with Reggie in each of the last three years, while Phillip Dutton who flew directly back from London got his first Advanced win at Millbrook.

Young rider, Caroline Martin also has a streak of her own going as she once again claimed the SSG "Go Low For The Dough" Bonus Award at Millbrook in the Intermediate Divisions for being the only young rider or amateur to jump a double clear cross-country round bang on the optimum time with Petite Flower. Laine Ashker talks with Buck, Phillip and Caroline after Saturday's cross-country round:

Saturday night featured the ever popular competitor's party at Millbrook with the addition of riders cheering on the kids during the PRO Kids Horseless Show Jumping. The kids got the pros pretty revved up with Jennie Brannigan, Tik Maynard and Andrea Leatherman getting into the action as well:

Laine Ashker talks with Phillip after his winning round aboard Ann Jones' Young Man:

Charlie Plumb Eventing Sweats It Out

Charlie Plumb, Lizzie Snow and Coal Creek

Hi everyone! The lack of internet connection at my apartment and trying to keep from dying of heat exhaustion has prevented any blogging on my part, but I’m making an attempt to get back in the groove of writing. I believe the last time the CDP Gang was published, it was March and we were gearing up for Southern Pines. Obviously, a ton has happened since then... so I’ll just hit the highlights! 

Charlie’s top student, Lizzie Snow, completed her first ever Advanced horse trials on her wonderful partner, Coal Creek, at Southern Pines II, a course that gave a lot of riders a lot of headaches. Lizzie then finished 10^th in the Advanced division at the Fork Horse Trials, and we had a lot of fun cheering her on! She heads to Young Riders next week and we are all excited for that! Also, Ard Denzil completed his first CIC** at Chattahoochee Hills in May and finished 3^rd, which was VERY fun to be a part of. Ardy is pointing towards Fair Hill this fall and has continued to grow throughout the summer, now resembling the mammoths in the Mammoth and Mastadon exhibit that I attended in Huntsville, Alabama.  I’m not entirely convinced there wasn’t a mammoth in his bloodlines like, way back. The resemblance is unsettling. I don’t know how mammoths jumped, though. It may be worth researching.

Hayley Smith and Charlie in the Vet Box

Our co-barn manager, Hayley Smith, completed her first CIC* (also at Chattahoochee) on Anne Hennessey’s old campaigner, Benwald. Chatt Hills is one of our absolute favorite venues and we always look forward to going there. Speaking of favorite venues, this year was my first time at The Fork and I think my favorite part (I’m sure Hayley would agree) was getting to be neighbors with the Michael Pollard crew and playing with their dogs. You guys probably don’t even remember us, but you are amazing neighbors and we miss Sophie!

Since then we’ve stayed home in Southern Pines, roasted, and complained a lot about the heat. Sportsfield Wildcat has started his career in the USA with two Novice schooling horse trials early in the summer, and we are excited to take him on the road this fall! Hope you all are staying cool and enjoying your summers! See you on the road!

Geriann Henderson Tops Her Weekend In Grand Form at Rebecca Farm

Geriann Henderson and Kingslee took home the win in the PRO Tour Series Advanced Division at the Event at Rebecca Farm. They took three rails in the round, but were given plenty of breathing room by Heather DuBois in second place who also had three rails down. Geriann capped off what she described as an "unreal" weekend with Kingslee who jumped his heart out for her. As both are fairly new to this level Geriann plans to get more experience over the course of the summer and fall.

Kristie Nunnink led from start to finish to capture the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series with her very talented Holsteiner mare R-Star. Kristie credits Bruce Davidson, with whom she has been training over the past winter, with giving her the confidence to really perform well at this level. Florence Miller and Tuscan Sun won the CCI** and Emilee Libby and Nonsensical captured the CIC**.  For full results from Rebecca Farm follow the link.

Rebecca Farm Advanced - Day Two Leader Geriann Henderson

Ian Stark's courses always require commitment and forward riding, and most riders look forward to challenge of his courses although they usually have to deal with nerves when they first view the bold fences that they are faced with on the track. Riders who tackle the questions posed come home feeling like their horses improved all the way through the course and have grown in both confidence and maturity, and this is exactly the kind of feedback that the Scot likes to hear. Saturday the crowds came out to Rebecca Farm to watch riders tackle the cross country course. By the end of the day everyone had been given a true education on the kind of preparation and riding it takes to navigate the courses successfully.

At the end of the PRO Tour Series Advanced Divison, it was Geriann Henderson and her own Kingslee who survived the test unscathed with the only penalty free round of the day to take over first place on their dressage score of a 54.0. The Advanced Division took its toll on the rest of the field with rider falls and technical eliminations. Heather Dubois and Every Wish was the only other pair to complete the course in a division which is much smaller than usual this year. Geriann, who is an amateur from Florissant, Colorado described her round as "unreal, more than I expected"and was so excited that her horse Kingslee handled the course with such ease.

Kristie Nunnink and R-Star continued their fine form to lead the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series in the CIC***division at Rebecca Farm. Tamra Smith and Top Secret, owned by Krystie Bush, also had a penalty free round in the CIC** division to maintain their lead. For full results please click on this link.

PRO Tour Series at Rebecca Farm Day One

Sunrise over XC at Rebecca Farm

The glorious Montana open skies welcome all competitors to the unparalleled venue of Rebecca Farm once again this year. Montana Equestrian Events and the Broussard family always put on an outstanding competition, and although the field is smaller this year due to the large numbers of riders based in the United Kingdom preparing for the Olympics in London, it is sure to be another exiting year at Rebecca Farm with new course changes by Ian Stark.

Yves Sauvignon and Ruth Bley's Sanssouci put in a very steady dressage test to score a 38.7 giving them the overnight lead in the Advanced Division, part of the 2012 PRO Tour Series. Yves was doubly rewarded by also winning $3,500 in the SSG "Go Low For The Dough" promotion. The contingency bonus award had increased substantially when there were no winners at the Bromont Three Day Event in June. The SSG bonus award was not won in the CIC** division, where it is restricted to amateurs, juniors and young riders, which increased the SSG contingency bonus award to $3,000 in the cross country phase for that division.

Kristie Nunnink leads the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Division on a 50.6 with her own R-Star. The hombred 11 year old Holsteiner mare has been a longtime partner for Nunnink and their partnership continues to get stronger and more refined each time they come out. Tamra Smith currently holds the lead in the CCI** with Top Secret owned by Krystie Bush and Jordan Linstedt holds the lead in the CIC** with her own Revitavet Capato.

Rebecca Farm full results and live scoring - link

Photo - Courtesy of Rebecca Farm