And just like that, it is time for the Morven Park International! The prestigious event will take place Thursday, October 6, and run through Sunday, October 10 in Leesburg, Virginia. This is the event’s second year offering the CCI4*-L division, in addition to their CCI4*-S, CCI3*-S, and CCI2*-S divisions. That’s not all! The historic grounds at Morven Park will also host national divisions at the Novice, Training, and Preliminary levels.
The CCI4*-L Field:
While the field is primarily U.S. riders, we will have two Australian pairs (Ema Klugman and Bronte Beach Z and Ryan Wood and Cooley Flight), one Canadian pair (Kendal Lehari and Audacious), and one pair representing New Zealand (Joe Meyer and Harbin) contesting the CCI4*-L.
Fresh off their silver medal performance at the 2022 FEI Eventing World Championships, Will Coleman has one entry in the CCI4*-L with Chin Tonic HS and Tamie Smith has two in the CCI4*-L : Elliot V and Solaguayre California.
The Dutch Warmblood is the most popular breed amongst the field this time around with five entries of Dutch origin. The Holsteiner comes in second with four entries and the Irish Sport Horse in third.
Coming into this weekend’s competition off of wins are Marc Grandia and Campari FFF who placed first in the Advanced at Aspen Farm just last month, Lexi Scovil and Chico’s Man VDF Z who also added a first place finish at the Advanced level to their competition report last month at the Tryon Fall Horse Trials, and Will Coleman and Chin Tonic who are very fresh off of a win in the CCI3*-S at Stable View Oktoberfest just a few weeks back.
There are four horses moving up to the CCI4*-L level for the first time this weekend: Kendal Lehari’s Audacious (ridden by Lehari), Ryan Wood’s Cooley Flight (ridden by Wood), Rebecca Brown’s Dasset Choice (ridden by Brown), and Shannon Lilley’s Ideal HX (ridden by Lilley).
The oldest horse in the field is Kevin Keane’s 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Millfield Lancando ridden by Booli Selmayr. The youngest is owner/rider Doug Payne’s 8-year-old German Sport Horse gelding Camarillo.
Riders who made the trip from coast-to-coast to compete at Morven this weekend are Marc Grandia of Washington and Tamie Smith of California. While not coming from the West Coast, Dani Sussman of Colorado and Rebecca Brown of Texas both had mighty long hauls to make their way to Virginia for the event.
The USEA is hosting a CCI4*-L Owners, Riders, and Grooms Reception at the Davis Mansion on Thursday, October 6, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Please RSVP to events@morvenpark.org.
The Facts:
Sue Ockendon is the Technical Delegate with Gail Fox assisting.
Muffin Pantaze is the President of the Ground Jury.
Derek di Grazia, USA is the cross-country course designer for the four-star divisions with Jeff Kibbie assisting.
Chris Barnard is the show jumping course designer.
We all do our best to respect ourselves and believe in our abilities, but sometimes it can be a bit harder than we might expect. As a matter of fact, it’s been proven that we respect and believe in others more than we respect and believe in ourselves!
The United States Eventing Associations’ (USEA) Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) is pleased to announce the dates and location of the upcoming 2024 ECP Symposium. The annual ECP Symposium, which is held in the southeast to accommodate the migration of eventers for the winter season, will be hosted at ...
