Caroline Pamukcu won the Maryland International CCI4*-S this past weekend (June 26-29), with high hopes to repeat her performance at CHIO Aachen next week. She took home the blue ribbon on Saturday in the division, sponsored by Triple Crown Feed, with She’s The One, owned by Mollie Hoff and Sherrie Martin, on a score of 45.2.
“I’m super pleased with the day today,” Pamukcu said. “I’ve been working hard with my coaches. I’ve been training with Samantha St. Jacques in dressage, and then my longtime friend, coach, and mentor Anne Kursinski in the show jumping.”
Having competed in France at the 2024 Olympics, it’s fair to say that Pamukcu has ridden on some world-class courses. Local to Loch Moy Farm, Pamukcu got to try something new – a course on her home turf, designed by Andrew Heffernan. The optimum time proved extremely influential with the new course– no one in the four-star division finished inside the time.
With hot weather hovering over Maryland, many riders prioritized getting their horses home safely over speedy cross-country rounds. The show schedule was also adjusted to end earlier in the day to avoid the worst of the heat.
“They did an amazing job with the footing. This time of year, it’s so difficult to keep galloping and keep the horses fit — especially with the rain,” Pamukcu said. “Andy Heffernan did an amazing job with the course. He followed a different track this year. I thought it flowed quite nicely. He asked good questions, and it was very interesting because a lot of the questions were very forward-riding, which actually suited the course.”
Canadian Lisa Marie Fergusson and her own Trinity ThankQ finished in second place with a score of 51.4. Jennie Brannigan rounded out the top three on a score of 54.4 with Tim and Nina Gardner’s Connery (Conrato x Hocaponta, by Lauries Crusador). Fergusson also placed 10th in the CCI3*-S, sponsored by Land Rover West Columbia/Defender, riding Ratheoin Quality Imp, her eight-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding. That division was won by Isabelle Bosley, who held onto the lead across all three phases with Karen Martin’s Connor.
Lisa Marie Fergusson with her second-place spoils, and on course with Trinity ThankQ. (Erin Gilmore Photography)
Jennie Brannigan was on the podium once again in the CCI2*-S, sponsored by The Baldwin Group, winning with her own Royal Scandic. Brannigan also claimed the low score of the day with 29.4.
Winning the CCI1*-S, sponsored by Overhead Door of Frederick, was FEI rookie Raelyn Snyder and her own American Thunder (Chief) with a score of 33.6. Chief and Snyder have a unique story: Snyder has a strong background in vaulting and runs a vaulting team in Florida, while Chief is an OTTB who is partially blind in one eye after an incident with a nail as a youngster.
On Sunday, the USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships wrapped up at Maryland International. Maya Clarkson and her own Maks Mojo C had their comeback moment this weekend, winning the CCI3*YRC-S on a score of 36.8. After her horse Maks underwent some surgeries on his neck earlier this year, Clarkson took a break. Competing here was Maks biggest performance since the surgery – and he exceeded all of Clarkson’s expectations.
Chelsea Lowe and King Edward of Barrells led team Canada to 2nd place in the CCI2*YRC. (Erin Gilmore Photography)
“I’m just so thrilled for him,” Clarkson said.”It’s really the icing on the cake that he won the championship, I’m so happy that he feels so much better. He felt the best he ever has this weekend. He was amazing. He tried so hard for me, as he always does. I’m really just happy with him and how good he feels and looking forward to the future.”
Kate Bell and her own FE Velvet Black were crowned champions in the CCI2*YRC-S, finishing with a score of 33.4. Top Canadian in this division was Chelsea Lowe riding King Edward of Barrells, finishing just off the podium in 4th with 39.6pp. In the team standings, Canada captured the silver medal thanks to strong performances by Lowe, Avery Tallman with BDE Olympic Royale, Emma McHugh riding Imperial and Saffron Klotz aboard Ballingowan Clarity.
The CCI1*YRC-S was arguably the most competitive division in the USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships. Going into the show jumping phase, none of the leaders had a rail in hand, with only fractions of a point separating the top three. Charlotte Schaef laid down a double clear show jumping round to secure the title of champion with her own Tinraher Diamond, finishing the weekend with a final score of 31.6. Canada’s Laena Good and Summer Bay also had a double-clear show jumping effort to place 4th.
Full results here.
~ with files from Nation Media LLC