We are through dressage in the latest US Equestrian Open of Eventing qualifier in the CCI4*-S at Tryon International and underway with the headlining CCI4*-L division as just a few pairs got their tests out of the way ahead of tomorrow’s conclusion.
I’ll have a much more expansive report for you tomorrow at the conclusion of 4*-L dressage, but for now here’s a quick look at who’s in a good standing early on:
CCI4*-L
Mia Farley and Invictus. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
Just six of the 15 pairs in the 4*-L did their dressage on Thursday afternoon; we’ll see the rest beginning at 12:05 pm EST on Friday (and you’ll be able to watch live on Horse & Country here). Our Ground Jury this week is headed up by Bea di Grazia (USA), joined by Seppo Laine (FIN) and Richard Baldwin (GBR).
Mia Farley continues to build her partnership with Karen O’Connor’s Invictus, coming fresh off a podium finish in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S at Defender Kentucky two weeks ago. Mia and “Sammy” shaved a couple points off of their Kentucky score to hold a 30.0 in the early going.
Tamie Smith and Jump To Day D. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
Tamie Smith rode Jeanne Shigo’s Jump To Day D to a 32.0, good for second today, in the horse’s first 4*-L effort.
Arielle Aharoni and Cooley Baltic Sea. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
Arielle Aharoni and Cooley Baltic Sea (who’s also moonlighted in the jumper ring with Arielle as she’s become quite the two-sport wonder over the last few seasons) slot into third in the early going on a score of 34.3 — a personal best at the level.
We’ll see the bulk of the division on Friday, and some notable names to watch in this phase include Phillip Dutton and Denim, Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Conner, and Lauren Nicholson with Landmark’s Jungles Gold.
US Equestrian Open CCI4*-S Qualifer
Tamie Smith and Danito. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
The 30-strong CCI4*-S qualifier with leaderboard points and qualification on the line for October’s US Equestrian Open of Eventing Final at Morven Park completed dressage today, and it’s Tamie Smith with her veteran partner, Ruth Bley’s Danito, taking a sizable lead with a 19.5 earned from judges Bea di Grazia (USA), joined by Seppo Laine (FIN) and Richard Baldwin (GBR). Danito came out of the startbox at Kentucky in the 4*-S two weeks ago feeling a bit more unridable than typical, so Tamie opted to call it a day and reroute. The week’s off to a great start, as she’ll have just over nine seconds of time in hand on Saturday’s cross country over second-placed Lucienne Bellissimo and Dyri (23.2).
Lucienne Bellissimo and Dyri. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
Dyri is another who missed out on what could have been a very competitive Kentucky 4*-S showing after a mild colic scare kept him home for that week. He’ll had a slight score advantage over Kentucky 5* champion Will Coleman, who’s brought out his Aachen-winning partner, Off the Record, for a run this weekend and scored a 27.1 for third in the first phase.
Will Coleman and Off the Record. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
The next we’ll see of this division is Friday afternoon for show jumping, which will begin at approximately 2:30 pm. The 4*-S will conclude with cross country on Saturday morning around 10:15 am EST.
I’ll be back with more tomorrow evening, but for now you can use the links below to catch up and get set up to watch live beginning Friday!
Tryon International Three-Day Event (NC): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Schedule] [Scoring] [Live Stream] [Volunteer]
