Cross-country announcer Charles Pinnell said it best: it was a “picture-perfect Saturday here in Aiken, South Carolina.” The FEI divisions got underway promptly at 9:30 with the CCI2*-S taking on Chris Barnard’s show jumping track and the CCI3*-S taking on Helen West’s cross country course.
The CCI3*-S saw some shifts in the leaderboard, however, Tamie Smith (USA) was able to hold onto her lead with Ruth Bley’s Danito, after adding only 9 seconds of time to finish on a 31. Madison Temkin (USA) and Fernhill Bertus also held onto second place, finishing on a 32.2. Caroline Pamukcu (USA) and HSH Sebastian climbed seven places to finish in third on a 33.9, adding just one second of time to their score. Katie Malensek (CAN) hung onto her 4th-place position riding MRF Qwlkstep. Boyd Martin and Mo Chroi, who were originally in 3rd, unfortunately took a tumble at 7A. Boyd didn’t ride in the CCI4*-S, but he was reportedly uninjured and on his way back to Pennsylvania.
In the CCI4*-S, Lucienne Bellissimo (GBR) and Horse Scout Eventing LLC’s Dyri held their lead to finish on a 27.7, one of only two double-clear rounds. She said, “Dyri I came here with the goal of trying to win, and he started as well as he finished today. He was class everywhere and really liked how attacking the course was, credit to Helen West. I’m so happy for Dyri, he deserved a good win and to make the time.”
Alexandra Knowles (USA) and Montpellier Scais moved up to second place to finish their weekend on a 35. She also navigated LS Crown Royal around the four-star to finish on a 48.8 to end in thirteenth place. Knowles shared, “That was a really nice opportunity for me to see how it was riding and how the distances were so when I went out on Montpellier, which was only his second four-star, I knew a bit more about the track. I knew to put the pedal down and I knew there was an opportunity to move up. I kind of put his feet to the fire. It’s definitely the fastest I’ve run him and he was all business. I can’t even describe how proud of him I am. This was the first time he came out and I was like let’s go win this.”
Aiken rider Waylon Roberts (CAN) and Andrea McAllister’s Fernhill Salt Lake were the first double clear of the day and the only other combination to make the time besides Bellissimo and Dyri. They finished in third place on a 36.1. Roberts also rode two other horses successfully over Helen West’s track. He finished eighth with Slieve Callan Alpha and eleventh with Chevalier. He noted, “I couldn’t be more excited for all three of them. The course rode so smooth. I think Helen did a fantastic job. It was challenging enough at times, but then it wasn’t over the top, because we’re still early in the season preparing for four-long formats. I thought it was just a great day of sport.”
Roberts was asked about his next plans for his horses. He said, “This was a big day getting these three MERs [Minimum Eligibility Requirement] at the level. Now all three of them are qualified to go four long. I think the plan is going to be to go show jump at Progressive Show Jumping [in Aiken] on the grass in a couple of weeks and then aim them at the four-long at Tryon. Then we have the Bromont four-long in our back pocket.”
It was a good weekend in the office for Allie Knowles (USA). In addition to finishing second in the CCI4*-S, she topped the CCI2*-S podium with Tip Top Quality. Meaghan Marinovich-Burdick (USA) and Cooley Mr. Murphy moved up to second place and Katie Lichten (USA) and Fast Company finished in third. Canadians rounded out the top 5, with Katie Malensek and Civento 4th, and Kendal Lehari 5th riding License to Chill.
Marinovich-Burdick also finished first in the CCI1*-S with her own Excalibur O’ Donoghue. Hayley Frielick (AUS) and Dunedin LB Muze were second and Carly Seus (USA) and EHF Casiro Royale edged up to third place.
Results here.
~ with files from Stable View
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