Canadian eventers competed at the Plantation Field Horse Trials in Unionville, PA USA from September 19-21 in the CIC3*, CIC2* and CIC1* divisions.
Tik Maynard, a British Columbia native currently residing in New Jersey, USA, was the top placing Canadian rider in the CIC3* division. Riding Sapphire, Richard Maynard’s 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, the pair earned 54.0 penalties in dressage, good for 12th place before heading into show jumping where one rail dropped them to 16th on a score of 58.0. Maynard and Sapphire added just 9.2 time penalties on Michael Etherington-Smith’s cross country course to finish with a final score of 67.2 and in eighth place overall.
“Plantation said they wanted to put on the best event ever and they did. They had challenging course design that rewarded good riding, top-notch facilities and most of all an exciting atmosphere,” said Maynard, who was competing in his fist three star with Sapphire. “Sapphire is so stoic and amazing. She jumped like a champion. We had a lot of Canadian riders at Plantation and it was special for me to feel part of team Canada at this event.”
Following in 16th place were Cody Sturgess of Port Perry, ON and Imperial Melody, his 11-year-old Thoroughbred mare who finished on a score of 75.2. Close behind with 75.3 penalties in 18th place was Kendal Lehari of Uxbridge, ON and Totally Frank her nine-year-old Thoroughbred gelding.
In the CIC2*, Sable Giesler of Powassan, ON led Canadians finishing 11th in the division riding Evil Munchkin an 11-year-old Holsteiner she co-owns with Munchkin Syndicate 1. The pair finished on their dressage score of 54.2. Finishing the competition in 14th place on their dressage score of 56.0 was Ian Roberts of Port Perry, ON aboard Faolan, Kelly Plitz’s 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding.
Competing in the CIC1* division, Jordan Thompson of Courtice, ON and Femme Fatale, her seven-year-old Selle Francais mare, finished in 12th on the scoreboard with 56.5 penalties. The pair earned a dressage score of 52.5, had a foot perfect performance over cross country and added four faults in show jumping round for a final score of 56.5 penalties.
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