While we are eager to jump right into all the excitement that Kentucky year will bring, we have been following some of our Kentucky-bound pair as they make their week-long practices and preparations.
The final arrangements for horse and rider combinations making the trip to Kentucky this year were completed at the Orlando International Festival of Eventing and Fair Hill International, as well as options for 4*S, 3*L, and perhaps a 5* CT.
Ocala’s 4* saw a strong showing from Caroline Pamukcu, who finished first with the rider and The Baltodano Family’s HSH Double Sixteen ( Robin Des Pres – Azaria ) and 4th with the rider and Derek Strine’s HSH Tolan King ( Tolan R – Porter Rhodes Dam ). After a distinct show leap and cross country round, HSH Double Sixteen rose to the top, while HSH Tolan King had one rail but also successfully jumped cross country. After an unusual 60 sanctions at TerraNova in March, Karl Slezak and his own Pan-Am support Hot Bobo (VDL Arkansas – Taneys Leader ) finished in second place. Sharon White finished in third with Shirsheen Ice ( Beowulf — Candy Copper, by Regal Sting XX ), owned by herself, Beth Lendrum, and Kathleen Neuhoff. Sharon and “Wolfie” added just time to the dressage report, an impressive comeback at the 4* level!
Additionally, Orlando even had a strong Advanced CT team that was almost entirely made up of Kentucky-bound pairings. The CT provided riders with the opportunity to test out their plan and change any extra details before starting the approaching 4* or 5* as a last prep weekend before Kentucky week. We saw Colleen Loach and WEG mount FE Golden Eye ( Goldfever I – Cascade, by Contendro I ), owned by herself, Amanda Bernhard, and Maureen Lemay, secure the Advanced CT win, and will see them in the 4* later this week. We’ll also see second place finisher, Leslie Law with Jackie and Steve Brown ’s Lady Chatterley ( Connor 48– Jucy, by Mytens XX ) in the 4*, and third place finisher Sharon White with her own Claus 63 ( Catoo—Tina II, Levisto ) in the 5*.
For couples traveling to Kentucky, Fair Hill also provided CT choices. We saw Ema Klugman with the Bronte Beach Syndicate’s Bronte Beach ( Verdi TN – Dalphine, by Chopin ) in the 5* CT, heading into “Bronte’s ” 5* debut. In the 4* CT, we see Savannah Fulton with Nelson Warnell’s Cash Point ( Cash and Carry – Up To Date 15 ) and Cassie Sanger with her own Fernhill Zoro ( Verdi– Oronia 2, by Voltaire ) and her own Redfield Fyre ( Canabis Z – Tiona ), all heading to the 4* in Kentucky this week.
Beyond the Kentucky homework, Fair Hill gave users the chance to maintain breeding horses in the pursuit of their 2024 goals. In the CCI3*S, there were twenty-two horse and rider combinations, with Rio de Janeiro ( River Dancer – Vanilla Ice ) winning after clear show jumping and cross-country competitions. This was Rio de Janeiro’s second win at the levels, the first in 2022 at River Glen with Nicholas Beshear. Ariel Grald with Anne Eldridge’s Isla de Coco ( Cascadello – U-Lotti, by Guardus Limbus ) came in second, with Jennie Brannigan and Nina Gardner’s Kismet ( National Anthem – Ularinka, by Krack C ) in third.
Good luck to all making their way to Kentucky, and those who are continuing on towards another 2024 objectives!
