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We started the weekend off with the CCI4*-S dressage here at Woodside International Horse Trials. With 15 riders taking part in this competitive division and twelve points separating the field after dressage, the pressure is on for show jumping and cross-country.
Tamie Smith has taken the early lead, placing first on Ruth Bley's Danito (Dancier x Wie Musik), an 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding, and second on Judith McSwain's Fleeceworks Royal (Riverman x Marisol), an 11-year-old Holsteiner mare.
Tamie Smith shares thoughts on her rides at Woodside International:
Erik Duvander, who is on site this weekend, has been working closely with Smith on keeping her horses supple, soft, and fine-tuning everything in preparation for her CCI4*-Ls in these upcoming weeks.
Coming in .30 behind Smith in third was Erin Kellerhouse on her own Woodford Reserve (Tinaranas Inspector x Laharns Laughton), a 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding. Kellerhouse has produced this horse up the levels and their relationship continues to shine through. "Ian [Stark] worked with me for him to be a little bit more up and not be so strict about him being deep anymore. He was kind of testing me a couple of times but after that I felt like he was good and smooth,” Kellerhouse stated. Still green at the level "Woody" improved throughout his test showing he is one to keep an eye out for. The division rounded out with top competitors Derek di Grazia, Lauren Billys, and Amber Levine leaving no room for mistakes in these final two phases.
With dressage and show jumping taking place tomorrow it promises to be a competitive, action-packed day. Make sure to follow along with all the excitement on our Facebook and keep up with live scores on EventEntries.com.
