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While Chris Barnard’s technical show jumping course shuffled much of the CIC3* leaderboard, Phillip Dutton rose above it, jumping clear with Dr. Kevin Keane’s Sportsfield Candy to hold his division lead.
First in the ring, Dutton sailed around the course, making Saturday’s test seem deceptively easy with the 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Condios x Angel of Harlem, by Cruising). They remain on their dressage score of 29.7, which gives the pair six seconds of breathing room on Sunday’s cross country.
“He jumped great — he always does. The course had quite a few shorter distances for him, and being a 17.2 hand horse, that was a little bit of work for us both. He doesn’t ever want to hit a rail, so it’s just a case of trying to get him there in the right balance, and he will do his part,” Dutton said.
A clear round boosted Will Faudree and Pfun into second. Jennifer Mosing & Sterling Silver Stables’ 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Tadmus x Celerina, by Cento) carries a score of 32.3 into the final phase.
“People always say you have a once in a lifetime horse. I had that with Antigua (Faudree’s 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games Partner). Karen Stives said, ‘Don’t expect the next one to fill their shoes,’ but Pfun is very special for me,” Faudree said. “I’ve known him since he was three. There’s always been something special about that horse. He was excited to be back in the big ring. It’s really fun to have him back — no pun intended.”
Mara DePuy piloted Congo Brazzaville C from fifth to third after a faultless show jump round. The 11-year-old KWPN (Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve x Mexico M, by Highline) owned by the rider, David Regamey and Mary Clark Regamey, sits on a score of 32.5.
The CIC3* division sets off on Mike Etherington-Smith’s cross country course Sunday. As of press time, ride times have not been confirmed, but will be available on www.plantationfieldinternational.com.
Anna Loschiavo produced one of four double clear cross country rounds in the CIC2* A division to win the class in the final phase aboard Melanie Loschiavo’s Spartacus Q. She and the 9-year-old Hanoverian (Soleil Q x Laura Q, by Loerke) finished on their dressage score of 28.
“He’s a cross-country machine which has been really fun. He’s unique because he’s got a huge stride, but he’s also easy to compress which you don’t always see,” she said. “Time tends to be a factor here, but he has been feeling phenomenally fit. He kind of blew me away out there because of how fit he is and how easy it felt. He’s so educated now, taking things out of an uninterrupted stride. I think something that saved time was just being able to ride pretty direct, precise lines.”
Kristen Bond was second with Liz Bond’s Enough Already. She and the 10-year-old KWPN (Winningmood van de Arenberg x Zandora, by Landor S) finished on their dressage score of 28.7.
Traveling from California, Emilee Libby and Jakobi, a 9-year-old Belgian Warmblood (Ustinov x Expression, by Coriano) owned by the rider and Linda Libby, took third after a two faultless jumping efforts on a score of 29.2.
Returning this year to defend their title, Lynn Symansky and RF Cool Play closed out a wire-to-wire win of the CIC2* B division. The Donner Syndicate’s 10-year-old German Sport Horse (Condors Champion x Roxana, by Radscha) finished just three seconds over the time to add 1.2 time penalties on cross country for a final result of 24.2.
“He’s a pretty amazing galloper. I wasn’t really trying to chase the clock, and used the good footing to my advantage,” Symansky said. “He always looks for the flags. He’s pretty easy to ride on cross country. He’s genuine, and loves the job.”
Faudree finished second aboard Caeleste, an 11-year-old Holsteiner (Contender x Happygolucky, by Luckylionell) owned by Jennifer Mosing & Sterling Silver Stables. The duo had a double clear round to finish on 25.8.
Boyd Martin and Club Contessa’s Contessa were third. The 9-year-old Holsteiner (Contender x Veritas, by Esteban) picked up 2.4 time penalties for a three-phase score of 27.6.
The one-star competitors were the first to set off on cross country this morning. Mike Pendleton and Sarah Pyne lead the split divisions. Pendleton took over the lead of CIC1* A with Stephen Blauner’s Carlsburg, a 6-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Puissance x Flame and Passion, by Cruising) after adding nothing to their 28.20-point score. Overnight leaders Pyne and her own Quintessential, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Vriend x Touchdown Lady, by Touchdown) are still out in front of the CIC* B division after a foot-perfect cross-country run. They carry 24.3 points to Sunday’s show jumping finale.
Spectators at Plantation Field can get a front row seat to one of North America’s premier competitions all while enjoying a variety of festivities including a Country Fair, Beer Garden, Kid's Korner, and much more. General admission is $20. To purchase tickets, please visit www.plantationfieldinternational.com.
New this year, Plantation Field has partnered with the Retired Racehorse Project to showcase the incredible athleticism and talent of the American Thoroughbred. Don’t miss racing legends face off in the Real Rider Cup, which will be held Sunday during the lunch break in the main arena.
Live Streaming is available through USEF Network.
To learn more about Plantation Field, please visit www.plantationfieldinternational.com.
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