Becky Holder hasn’t had the year she expected with Can’t Fire Me. The 15-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (Fire Maker – Dipped in White) has only run three events all year.
Holder’s Rolex Kentucky plans were sidelined when she injured her ankle in the spring, followed by “Teddy” sustaining a hoof injury last fall that was slow to grow out. As a result, they were forced to cancel their summer and fall plans entirely.
Today, however, they lead a competitive field at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships, presented by VTO Saddlery, in the $40,000 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Final on a score of 31.2.
“We’ve been battling the regrowth (of the hoof) all this year,” said Holder of Palmetto, Ga. “We’ve had a very quiet season. I kept thinking if I can’t go to a big three-day, what can I do? The AEC seemed like a good goal event to work towards.”
West Coaster Matthew Brown of Petaluma, CA, is making a trip east, stopping off in Texas along the way. His horse Super Socks BCF performed well today, puting in a true effort with a few green/young horse bobbles.
“I couldn’t be happier,” said Brown. “He had a couple of mistakes – he broke stride in extended trot – but I have to keep reminding myself he’s just eight, and this is his first year at the Advanced level. I’m really excited with this horse. There’s a lot to him.”
The 2013 Adequan USEA Gold Cup champions, Laine Ashker and Anthony Patch, are in a good position to defend their title. They currently sit in third place on a respectable score of 33.4, overcoming the odds since Ashker (Richmond, Va.) spent the night in the hospital last night.
Before discussing her test today, she said, “We should rewind and go back to my night last night. Something came on – we’re not sure if it was a stomach bug or food poisoning – and I was in the hospital all night. That made for a character building experience!
“Today, I got to the barn and rode ‘Al’ and made sure I could stay on and keep my crackers down,” she laughed. “I thought, ‘as long as I can stay in the arena I will be happy.’ Long story short, I was more than happy.”
All three riders commented the time on Captain Mark Phillips’ twisty cross-country course would be a challenge to make, and all have a healthy respect for the questions they will face tomorrow.
“I didn’t make the time last year, and he’s usually pretty good on the time,” said Ashker. “I’m going to go for a quick round, but a safe round, and definitely aim for a horse with enough steam for the next day.”
Buck Davidson is leading the Merial Open Intermediate division on Quasar, a 7-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Quasar Quasar – Fanessa) that Davidson only began riding this year.
“Everyone is so thrilled to be here and do the Championships. It’s a fun atmosphere,” said Davidson. “It is great to see the younger kids and lower level riders watching the Advanced divison – and it’s just as much fun for us to go watch their fun and excitement that they have. At the end of the day that’s why we do this sport and it’s great to get back to the joy of riding the horses.”
Christina Henrickson from Long Mount, Colo., balances life as a psychiatric nurse and a rider, and the hard work paid off today. She and Princess Pavan, an 8-year-old Hanoverian mare Henrickson has developed herself, scored a 27.8 in the Sr. Preliminary Amateur division.
“It’s my first time here. We qualified last year but I had started a new job and couldn’t come, so this is my first AEC,” said the 28-year-old. “The facility is great, the footing is great, and I can’t wait to go out tomorrow and see how she goes on a championship course.”
Fifteen-year-old Kelsey Holmes posted the best dressage score of all divisions that ran today (Junior Training / 21.4), and on a new horse to boot. She and Heart of Gold SE, a 7-year-old Holsteiner by Cathalido, have only been partnered for a few months and qualified for the AEC separately. She bought the mare from her trainer, Jennifer Wooten – it is just their fifth show together.
“It’s nice because Jennifer walks the courses with me,” said Holmes of Malibu, Calif. “When we walk together, I make sure I’m really listening to her advice and it’s so nice to have that input. I’m very cautious; my other horse is very straightforward, but with this horse I have to be careful with all the fences. I think I know her pretty well, but I will definitely be riding cautiously but still aggressively.”
Tomorrow, the Advanced, Intermediate, Preliminary and Training divisions will tackle Captain Mark Phillips’ championship cross-country course, and the remainder of the divisions will complete their dressage.
The 2014 Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships and the 2014 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Championships would not be possible without the following sponsors: Nutrena, VTO Saddlery, Adequan, Merial, Broadstone Equine Insurance Company, Devoucoux, Standlee, Charles Owen, Fleeceworks, Point Two Air Jackets, Professional’s Choice, Dubarry of Ireland, WeatherBeeta, The Chronicle of the Horse, Omega Alpha, Auburn Laboratories Inc., Smartpak, Dever,Theraplate, Stackhouse Saddles, Equine Art by Julie, Flair, CWD, Equine Art by Julie, RevitaVet, Grand Meadows, Ovation, Eventing Training Online, Back on Track, the City of Lindale Texas, and more.
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