Competition began with a special combined test on Friday at the Brook Ledge Great Meadow International (GMI), presented by Adequan®. Lauren Kieffer on Veronica, owned by Team Rebecca LLC, topped the seven horse-and-rider combinations who participated in dressage, the first of two phases of the optional combination test. The horses participating were among those named to the nominated entry for the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for the FEI World Equestrian Games Tryon 2018 (WEG).
“Veronica was great, she is such an old pro,” said Kieffer of the 16-year-old Dutch warmblood mare. “It was her first time in back in the dressage ring since Badminton and she did really well. I’m really happy with her.”
Kieffer was also third on her other mount, Vermiculus, owned by Jacqueline Mars. Boyd Martin stands in second place on Christine Turner’s Tsetserleg.
On Saturday, the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ gets underway. The Brook Ledge Great Meadow International has the distinction of holding the only North American leg of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ series outside Europe. World class riders representing teams and individuals from Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Switzerland and the United States will compete.
Earlier on Friday, a horse inspection was held for the FEI competition. The purpose of the inspection was to evaluate the horse’s “fitness to compete” in the event. All 46 horses presented were accepted. Canada’s Lisa Marie Fergusson was the first to present. She will be competing on her own Honor Me and she is excited to once again ride for her country.
“It is amazing to be back,” said Fergusson. “We have an amazing team, great horses, positive riders and in a WEG year, it is really exciting.”
Spectators were also treated to a polo exhibition featuring riders from the Great Meadow Polo Club, Beverly Equestrian Polo Team and Greenhill Winery & Vineyards Polo Team. Eventers David O’Connor, Ema Klugman and Clayton Fredericks made celebrity appearances on each of the teams.
The FEI Nations Cup™ dressage competition begins on Saturday morning. Show jumping will take place in the afternoon. The GMI culminates on Sunday with the popular cross country phase.
For a complete list of results click here.
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