Cross-country at The Event at Rebecca Farm provided what is often demanded during armchair discussions of what’s best for eventing’s future. But talking about challenges that are firmly at the standard of each international level is different than navigating them. FEI course designers Jay Hambly (CAN) and Bert Wood (USA) posed tough challenges today, especially at the CCI4* and CCI3* levels. Several developing partnerships confirmed new capabilities and several pairs went back to the barn — often prematurely — with lots to work on for next time.
Challenging as they were, the courses were praised by riders and officials as fair and flowing. The footing received rave reviews, too, with one rider describing it as “like a cloud out there.”
Crowds filled Rebecca Farm’s famed Spectator Hill and spread out along the courses’ many prime viewing areas. The Vendor Fair was busy with potential future eventers enjoying free pony rides and families taking in the beauty of the venue and the horses and riders pursuing their passion on its beautiful stage.
CCI4*-L – James Alliston and HMR Rolan Lead with Wide Margin
California-based James Alliston has two-plus rails in hand for Sunday’s show jumping to earn a 4th CCI4*-L Championship here. He and Anna Nicholas’ HMR Rolan almost made the time – a remarkable feat unto itself at Rebecca Farm.
Rolan’s big stride and brave nature were especially helpful at the 23ACBC water complex, where taking the direct option shaved off important seconds. Of the 12 pairs in the CCI4* L and S divisions, only two tried it and only Alliston made it. “I thought if he was going well, I’d do it,” he said. “I think it was definitely one of those rider frighteners but the horses don’t quite see it that way.”
“Jay Hambly and Bert Wood did a great job, and I loved the course,” Alliston continued. “I loved the flow of it — it encouraged horses to keep a good gallop and to enjoy the course.”
Alliston and Rolan’s 3.2 time penalties put them on 33.8, taking over the lead from Alyssa Phillips and Rockett 19, whose 16.4 time penalties brought them to a 44.7. “I learned that he has the fight and the will for this, but he got a little tired in the middle of the course.” Phillips believes the area’s 3,000’ elevation takes its toll on stamina, too.
The third pair in this field, Gabby Dickerson and Casalto jumped clear to accomplish their goal of establishing themselves at the level.
CCI4*-L show jumping takes place Sunday at 3:15 pm Mountain time.
CCI4*-S – Julie Wolfert and SSH Playboy Take The Lead
Julie Wolfert had been “kind of laughing” about predictions that she and SSH Playboy would win the division because of their speedy track record in previous events. “My horse hasn’t run at this level in 15 months,” she explained. Playboy is coming back from a broken fetlock that could have ended his career. To be here, let alone in the CCI4*-S lead, stirred emotions. “I cried when we crossed the finish line…I cried when I was icing him,” Wolfert said. “A year and a half ago we almost had to put him down.”
Wolfert wasn’t trying to uphold her speedy reputation. “My plan was to let him pick his pace,” she said. “He went out there pulling me to every jump. He didn’t miss a beat, he answered every question. I was just trying to hold on!”
This Kansas City-based pair has ample leeway, on a 47.5, over runners-up Erin Kellerhouse and GWF Bon Vivant. Kellerhouse took full responsibility for poor presentation of 17C that resulted in a 20-penalty glance-off. She was otherwise thrilled with “Pierre’s” performance. She has developed the 11-year-old since he was 4 and is thrilled by his latest demonstration that he can easily handle the next level up. (Pierre’s stablemate Ringwood Adios Amigos is another long time in-development horse for Kellerhouse: she’s in 4th with him.)
Overnight leaders Karen O’Neal and Clooney 14 were the other pair to try the direct option at the late-course water complex (17ABCD on the 4S*). But it didn’t go well, dropping them into a distant 3rd standing.
Only five of nine CCI4*-S starters crossed the finish line. There were two rider falls, one retirement and one horse fall. Happily, no major injuries.
CCI4*-S show jumping starts Sunday at 2:50 Mountain time.
CCI3*-L Sarah Ertl and Redwood Quality Jump into Lead
Today was “mind blowing” for University of Kentucky student Sarah Ertl. She’s produced the 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse Redwood Quality over five years and taking the lead is a highpoint. Doing his first CCI3*-L, the horse had many places where trust in his rider carried the day, Ertl said. Especially the big bank to wedge at 19AB. “Neither of us could see that chevron behind the trees after the bank until the last stride. He asked me where we were going and having him jump it just felt really good.” They enter show jumping on a 36.1.
James Alliston is thrilled with Arnell Sporthorse’s Made by Leontine EB’s minimal time penalties. They’re 2ndon a 37, followed by Renee Kalkman and Flame Eternal.
Only these three, of nine starters, finished the course. There were four retirements, one withdraw and one rider fall.
CCI3*-L stadium jumping starts Sunday at 1:40 pm Mountain time.
CCI3*-S – Chris Talley and FE Marco Polo Keep Their Lead
Chris Talley and FE Marco Polo kept their solid overnight lead, applying their 4* experience to make an apparent cake walk of this track. They go into the Chris Barnard-designed show jumping finale in Ring 1 on a 30.3. James Alliston and Berry made a huge jump into 2nd with 5.6 time penalties to stand on a 38.7. Alyssa Phillips’ Centerfold learned a lot over the course, answering every new challenge and adding just 9.6 time penalties to end on a 38.7.
Twenty-one horses left Rebecca Farm’s cowboy-booted start box and 15 finished in this division. Five were eliminated and there was one rider fall.
The CCI3*-S show jumping starts Sunday at 1 pm Mountain time.
CCI2*-L Helen Alliston and Fary Prince
After delivering horses to her husband and Alliston Equestrian partner James all morning, Helen Alliston made the most of her turn by riding client Hulme Equestrian’s homebred Fary Prince into the lead on their 27.1 dressage score. Their progress together was interrupted by a Helen injury last summer, and today signaled they’re right back on track.
“I thought Bert Wood did a really good job,” she said of the course. “It was no walk in the park.” The 7-year-old British Sport Horse is “a lovely horse who knows to be calm when he has a dressage saddle on and that he can have fun when the jump saddle is on.”
Alliston and Fary Prince don’t have any rails in hand over the three pairs behind them. Madyson Hsue and ISO Cambria move into second on their 28.6 dressage effort; Bec Braitling and MBF Braxy V are third on their 29 dressage performance, followed by Sara Sellmer and Sportsfield Supernatural with a 29.9.
CCI2*-L show jumping starts Sunday at 11:10 am Mountain time.
CCI1*-L – Madeline Backus and P.S. Sir Balinor Keep the Lead
Colorado-based Madeline Backus and her 6-year-old homebred Trakehner P.S. Sir Balinor stay on their 24.4 dressage to maintain the lead going into show jumping. They have a rail-plus in hand over Amber Birtcil and Oxford K’s 30.2 and Sarah Kruger and Twain’s Fireflight’s 30.4.
CCI1*-L show jumping starts Sunday at 9:30 am Mountain time
