Phillip Dutton Tops CCI**at Jersey Fresh

Olympic veteran Phillip Dutton (USA) jumped from fifth place to first with a flawless performance on Sportsfield Candy in the final show jumping phase to win the CCI** at the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event (JFI), presented by BW Furlong & Associates on Sunday. Dutton and his Irish Sport Horse also had a clear go on the cross country course on Saturday to finish on their dressage score of 48.8 penalties.

“He was good, he’s a really careful horse,” said Dutton of the 9-year-old gelding. “He needed to do a CCI** for qualifications. I’ve had him at CIC*** all spring so this was a step down a little bit from what we have been doing, but I think it was a great experience for him. I am pleased for the horse in particular because he is quite talented.”

Sportsfield Candy won the Top Scoring Irish Draught Horse Award presented by the Irish Draught Horse Society of North America and his owners Dave and Patricia Vos won the Owners Award, sponsored by the Horse Park of NJ. Dutton’s groom, Emma Ford, earned the Equifit Grooms Award.

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Local rider Holly Payne Caravella and Bruisyard Hall were second with 50.3 penalties. This is the first CCI2* for the Thoroughbred and Payne Caravella was thrilled with his runner up finish. “He is definitely still a little green but he was super. I couldn’t be happier,” said Payne Caravella. As the highest placed Thoroughbred, Bruisyard Hall was also presented with the Jockey Club TIP Award given to the Thoroughbred that has gone on to another career after competing on the racetrack.

Will Faudree (USA) and Hans Dampf were third with 51.4 penalties. Hans Dampf was honored with the Best Conditioned Horse Award, presented by Horseware Ireland. “He felt great this weekend. I’m starting to figure out how to ride him in the show jumping, which has been a little bit of a struggle this Spring. We’re starting to have a line of communication,” said Faudree. “He’s a phenomenal horse. He’s an incredible jumper, he’s very competitive and he’s very earnest about everything that he does. I am trying to solidify the partnership because I think he will be a very valuable horse for the US in the future.”

Riding in reverse order of merit in the final phase, Dutton was fifth from last in the order of go. Faudree, going sixth from last, had already gone clear. Lexi Scovil (USA) and Charleston VI knocked down a rail giving her a final score of 52.7. Tamra Smith and Lagos star were in third after cross country, but had two knockdowns and finished sixth with 55.1 penalties. Payne Caravella had a chance at the win with a dressage score of 46.3, but had a rail moving her behind Dutton with one left to go. As the overnight leader, Frankie Thieriot-Stutes (USA) was the last to go and had one rail in hand to claim victory, but she had two rails down at the triple combination along with two time faults to finish fifth on Chatwin with 54.5 penalties.

Other special awards included the Best Turnout Award, sponsored by Jen Bateman given to Colleen Rutledge (USA) and Roulette. Tamra Smith and Lagos Star won the Closest to the Optimum Time Award, sponsored by Animo. The pair finished their cross country run just two seconds off the optimum time on Saturday.

The Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event/Horse Park of New Jersey is a 501(c)(3) Not-For-Profit, Charitable and Educational organization that relies on sponsors, volunteers and members to sustain operations. Further information about JFI is available at www.jfi3d.com. Further information about the Horse Park is available at www.horseparkofnewjersey.com.