United States Eventing Association

The final CCI5*-L of the year took place from Oct. 26-29 at Pau in France, and the United States had four riders represented.

Boyd Martin and the Annie Goodwin Syndicate’s Fedarman B, a 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Eurocommerce Washington x Paulien B) finished best of the bunch in eighth on a score of 42.7. They were the only pair to make the time on Pierre Michelet’s cross-country course Saturday, but 11 penalties for a frangible pin was added to their score. They jumped double-clear over Sunday’s show jumping course.

“‘Bruno’ was absolutely fantastic at Pau this week. It was a massive journey getting here,” said Martin. “Many thanks to the USEF who chipped in for our trip through a grant. Many thanks to the Annie Goodwin Syndicate. They’ve supported this horse. He’s such a special animal, and to finish in the top-10 at another five-star is awesome. Looking back on the weekend, there’s still improvement to be made. The dressage is getting better and better. Come next year it should be sub-20. Cross-country he was a freak yesterday. Unfortunately, we had a rail in the cross-country—a little bit my fault; he couldn’t quite understand the jump. It’s frustrating when you look at the scoreboard, but he doesn’t know he had 11 penalties. [In show jumping] he was phenomenal. Bruno jumped out of his skin.”

Watch their cross-country round via H&C TV here:

Young rider Cosby Green has been spending the year in England with Tim and Jonelle Price and her group of horses, and she rode Buck Davidson’s former five-star ride Copper Beach, a 17-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Radolin x Cloverballen) owned by Bel Mar Farm, to a 16^th place finish (71.3). It was the first five-star start for Green. The pair had 11 penalties for a frangible fence on cross-country plus some time faults and picked up 12 penalties in show jumping.

Kentucky-based Allie Knowles and Katherine O’Brien’s 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Ricardo x Princess In Arms) Morswood finish 18^th (73.3) with a clear cross-country jumping round and 16 show jumping penalties. This was the pair’s second five-star completion.

Phillip Dutton and Z, a 15-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Asca Z x Bellabouche) owned by Evie Dutton, Ann Jones, Suzanne Lacey, Caroline Moran, Thomas Tierney, and Dave and Patricia Vos, were in a competitive 12^th place after dressage, but a late 20 penalties on cross-country dropped them down the standings. Phillip withdrew Z before the final horse inspection.

“It was a tough cross-country afternoon at Pau. Unfortunately, Z and I had 20 penalties near the end of the course. I was a bit too aggressive into the combination, so couldn’t make the turn to the B element. Up until then, we were foot perfect,” he said. “I decided to withdraw Z as he was a bit knocked around from cross-country here in Pau. It’s such a shame not to complete, but I feel it’s the right decision for my incredibly brave little partner.”

Catch up on the H&C TV livestream here.

Full results.