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Showing posts with label Southern Pines Horse Trials. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Southern Pines Horse Trials. Show all posts
Not withstanding the toll of the advanced cross country on Saturday, both Michael Pollard and Clark Montgomery managed to lead from start to finish winning the Advanced divisions at Southern Pines II Horse Trials.
Michael Pollard & Jude's Law
Clark Montgomery & Loughan Glen
With weather looming both riders had clear show jumping rounds in their respective divisions over a tight show jumping course built by Marc Donovon. Both Jude's Law and Loughan Glen looked full of class and well recovered after Saturday's beefy cross country test. Clark and Michael are both looking forward to their spring plans with Jude's Law slated to prep at The Fork and possibly Jersey Fresh and Loughan Glen aimed at The Fork and the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event. Becky Holder and Can't Fire Me and Kristin Schmolze and Ballylaffin Bracken finished 2nd and third respectively after Michael in the Advanced-A division. Will Faudree and Pawlow placed second behind Clark in the Advanced-B division followed once again by Becky Holder this time with Courageous Comet.
Tremaine Cooper's cross country courses definitely took a bite out of competitiors in the early going of the Intermediate and Advanced divisions at Southern Pines with both water complexes proving tricky. After a slew of falls at the Duck Pond, fence 11, on the Intermediate course the fence was removed but not before both Phillip Dutton and Boyd Martin got a chance for an early morning swim along with several other riders.
The third element, the bank to the skinny out of the large water complex on the advanced course for a time seemed confusing to horses who just seemed unable to read the question well. But riders soon figured out that a really forward aggressive ride was absolutely necessary to negotiate the questions involved. In Advanced-A Michael Pollard had a super ride all the way around on Jude's Law and remains as the overnight leader with Holly Payne and Madeline moving into second after the little mare took on the robust course and didn't let it bother her in the slightest. Sadly, she studded herself and will not be able to continue on for show jumping. Advanced-B leader Clark Montgomery continued a marvelous run with Loughan Glen that seemed almost effortless at times. This pair really is a combination for the future. Will Faudree has a rough morning on his early rides but gave Pawlow a very positive ride to negotiate all aspects of the course well and stands in second place going into the final phase.
Arden and Il Vici
Young Rider Arden Wildasin, won $1,000 in bonus contingency money the SSG " Go Low For The Dough" promotion on her horse IL Vici in the intemediate division wearing her SSG Eventer gloves. She was super excited to win and thought her horse was just amazing today. With no riders inside the time in the Advanced division the SSG bonus contigency money will rollover and increase to $1,500 for Sunday's final Advanced show jumoing round.
Southern Pines also welcomed a large crew of Operation Homefront families from nearby Fort Bragg. The added to the atmosphere, cheering on horse and riders cross country and later came to meet riders and horses in stabling. Thanks to Boyd Martin, Clark Montgomery and Sinead Halpin and super groom Lindsey Taylor for being part of the fun!
Lindsey with Remmington and Friends!
Riders with some of the Fort Bragg Crowd
Sunday's schedule includes the Preliminary, Intermediate and Advanced show jumping rounds with the additional entertainment of a parade of local hounds and the PRO Race & Ride Relay featuring riders racing on stick horses and relaying off to juniors who will jump a course. The teams were autioned off last night at the Britches & Bling Party and $2,000 was raised in support of Operation Homefront North Carolina!
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.
