The final day of competition took center stage at The Dutta Corp. Fair Hill International CCI in Fair Hill, Maryland. Sally Ike’s show jumping course was big and forward riding in both the CCI*** and CCI** Fall Championships. Winning the USEF CCI*** Fall Championship with a double clear show jumping round was Marilyn Little with RF Scandalous. In the CCI** Fall Championship Jennie Brannigan was foot perfect in show jumping to hold onto her lead and was crowned as the USEF CCI** Fall Champion.
Little with both horses, RF Demeter and RF Scandalous, were in fine form going into the final show jumping phase. Jumping a clear round aboard RF Scandalous, who initially led the field after dressage, cemented the duos lead and won top honors in the USEF CCI*** Fall Championship with a score of 46.30. Little’s second ride of the day, RF Demeter, had an unlucky rail dropping the pair from first to second ending with a 48.60. With rails causing problems for the top horse-and-rider combinations, Hanna Sue Burnett piloted Under Suspection to a clean round to move them up to a third place finish with a score of 49.60.
“I really couldn’t of had had a better day with those two,” said Little. “Scandalous was lovely out there. She showed what an exciting horse she is now and for the future.” Commenting on her ride on Demi, Little observed, “I truthfully thought it was Demi’s weekend.” She smiled, “It’s just the way the chips fell but she’s just as deserving and is truly an incredibly horse, partner, and has made my time in eventing so special.”