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.

Dutton and Faudree Tied For Lead In PRO Tour Series CIC3* At The Fork

Will Faudree and Phillip Dutton laid down the gauntlett and tied for the lead with Pawlow and Mystery Whisper on a 39.6 in the PRO Tour Series CIC3* at The Fork Horse Trials wrapping up two days of dressage. Michael Pollard and Jude's Law, overnight leaders, drop to third in the division before what is expected to be a stiff cross country test for all pairs Saturday.

U.S. Team selectors are out in full force this week and The Fork Horse Trials is providing much to see with the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Competition in the Advanced-B Division, led by Allison Springer and Arthur. In the Advanced-A Division which was scheduled today, Will Coleman is in the lead on a 25.9 with Ideal Contini followed Michael Pollard on Nathalie Pollard's grey mare Schoensgreen Hanni and Jon Holling and Downtown Harrison in third.

U. S. Captain Mark Phillips and Canadian Team Captain David O'Connor both have hands full with all riders on deck and cross country course walks scheduled this afternoon. Spectators have weathered the inconsistent climate changes today, but have been very enthusiastic about the fantastic pairs of horses and riders competing and at least the birds have given up dive bombing the dressage arenas in the cool and windy conditions. Perfect conditions are forecast for tomorrow's cross country with cool weather and sun.

Phillip Dutton is sure to have a smile on his face this afternoon as he has won $2,000 in SSG "Go Low For The Dough" Contingency Bonus Award Money in the PRO Tour CIC3* Division, wearing his much used pair of white SSG Digital gloves. The bonus is sure to be a help in a year when funds needs to be raised for Olympic hopes and international competition. Unfortunately for Will Faudree, who is tied for the lead, he was not wearing the designated gloves.

2012 PRO Tour: Southern Pines II - Day One

Southern Pines II kicks off the 2012 PRO Tour Series and both the weather and the dressage rides were hot today with many top pairs in both Advanced divisions of dressage. Michael Pollard and Jude's Law put in a beautiful test to take the early lead on a 25.30 in Advanced-A. He leads Boyd Martin and Otis Barbotiere by only a slim margin going into Saturday's cross country phase. Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen showed their class, scoring a 24.70 in Advanced-B with Allison Springer and Arthur close behing on a score of 25.90.

Tremaine Cooper's Advanced cross country course looks big and bold and should prove influential to the standings. Announcer, Ed Holloway, interviews the leaders after day one of dressage with a preview of what is to come on cross country tomorrow.