Allison Springer and her own Arthur were the first on course during the CIC3* cross-country competition at the Red Hills Horse Trials in Tallahassee, Florida, but their comparatively quick round moved them up from third to first by the end of the day.
“You always wonder how things are going to go,” Allison said. “It’s nice to be able ask other competitors.” Her plan was to “just go out there and do it,” and Arthur’s scope and big stride made easy work of the course. Springer and Arthur will have no rails in hand heading into show jumping.
Boyd Martin and his WEG mount, Neville Bardos, were sixth after dressage, but the pair moved up to second after cross-country with just 7.6 time penalties. “It was a tough, testing course,” Martin admitted. “Luckily the horse I was riding has been around a bit now, and he’s quite experienced so I felt like I had a pretty cruising round.”
Martin has been conservative with Neville’s speed since WEG, but allowed the Thoroughbred gelding to gallop on at his own pace today. Martin recognizes the challenges of designing a good course on the undulating Red Hills terrain. While course design requires finding a middle ground between challenging and safe, “you want to be competitive, but not at all costs.”
Uncharacteristically strong, cold winds presented an extra challenge to competitors during the dressage phase of competition at the Red Hills Horse Trials in Tallahassee, Florida, the first event of the 2011 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series.
Phillip Dutton and Susie Beale’s 14-year-old Oldenburg mare Isabella II performed a quiet, accurate test to beat out several other experienced pairs in the Adequan Gold Cup CIC3* division. Heading into cross-country, Dutton will strive to maintain the pair’s dressage score of 43.9 to stay ahead of Karen O’Connor and Joan Goswell’s Mandiba, just two-tenths of a point behind. Allison Springer and her own Arthur also put in a solid score of 45.3, putting them in a close third place after dressage.
The Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series, now in its eighth year, includes seven events from across the country, giving top horse and rider combinations the chance to win prizes and cash throughout the season, as well as picking up leaderboard points. The top pair at the end of the Series takes home a check for $20,000. Learn more about the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series.
It’s only fitting that the winner of the first event of the 2011 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series would be decided on the final moments of the competition on Sunday afternoon, drawing out the nail-biting excitement to the very last jump. Overnight leader Allison Springer must have breathed a huge sigh of relief to cross the finish line with all the rails still neatly in their cups, solidifying her victory at the prestigious Red Hills CIC3*.
Without having a rail in hand heading into the final phase, Allison and Arthur won the event by just 1.3 points ahead of Boyd Martin and Neville Bardos. Michael Pollard and Icarus, Selena O’Hanlon and Colombo, and Leslie Law and Rehy Lux all finished third through fifth, respectively, also posting double-clear rounds.
For her win in the CIC3*, a delighted Allison earned a year-lease on a fancy new Mercedes SUV, and even took it for a victory spin around the arena. Allison also earned a bevy of prizes from the Adequan USEA Gold Cup series as well: $500 in cash, 7-dose box of Adequan, a 3-month supply of SUCCEED, and a pair of Nunn Finer American Style open front boots. Second placers Boyd Martin and Neville Bardos take home a 7-dose box of Adequan as well as a pair of the Nunn Finers boots.
The final of coverage from the Red Hills Horse Trials in Tallahassee, Florida. Chris provides coverage today of the final day with many of the winners. Take a listen….
Eventing Radio Episode 125 by Bit of Britain – Show Notes and Links:
Three days of coverage from the Red Hills Horse Trials in Tallahassee, Florida. Chris provides coverage today of the Cross Country with the top name competitors. Take a listen….
Eventing Radio Episode 124 by Bit of Britain – Show Notes and Links:
Thank You: Thank you to the organizers of the Red Hills Horse Trials for inviting us to cover the event live. Tune in live on Sunday from 5 – 6 pm Eastern.
News: The Eventing Radio Show and HORSES IN THE MORNING live from Rolex Kentucky 3DE: April 27 – May 1, 2011
Three days of coverage from the Red Hills Horse Trials in Tallahassee, Florida. Chris provides coverage today of the Dressage with the top name competitors. Take a listen….
Eventing Radio Episode 123 by Bit of Britain – Show Notes and Links:
Thank You: Thank you to the organizers of the Red Hills Horse Trials for inviting us to cover the event live. Tune in live on Saturday and Sunday from 5 – 6 pm Eastern.
News: The Eventing Radio Show and HORSES IN THE MORNING live from Rolex Kentucky 3DE: April 27 – May 1, 2011
Phillip Dutton and Course Designer, Hugh Lochore, join me this week to tell us what we can expect at next year’s Red Hills Horse Trials. Hawley Bennett reviews a successful Galway Downs event in California following her win in the Open Intermediate division. Listen in…
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