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In the Adequan® USEA Gold Cup Advanced Final, Tamra Smith of California, maintained her impressive lead riding Alexandra Ahearn, Ellen Ahearn, and Eric Markell’s 2006 German Sport Horse gelding Mai Baum (Loredano x Ramira) despite adding 1.6 time penalties on cross-country. The pair now sit on a 28.0.
“I literally wanted to cry going through the finish flag,” said Smith. “It’s been such a long patient road to get him back to this level. He was unbelievable. He’s the best horse in the world, and I’m just so fortunate to be sitting on him. I was chancy out there, I was cutting turns and lines to save time so that I didn’t have to go so fast. I got him to one jump and asked for a big one, and he just took off and was like ‘I got you mom.’ It felt so good to have him back.”
Jordan Linstedt and Revitavet Capato. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.
Smith and Mai Baum were the fastest of the day with none of the eight starters making time, but the second-placed pair also managed to make it into the single digits. Jordan Linstedt and Revitavet Capato (Contendro x Annabelle), Barbara and Gary Linstedt’s 2003 Hanoverian gelding added just 4 time to sit on a score of 31.5. Smith also holds in third aboard Judith McSwain’s 2009 Holsteiner mare Fleeceworks Royal (Riverman x Marisol) on a 42.4.
Intermediate
Heather Morris and Charlie Tango. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.
Heather Morris and the Team Express Group, LLC’s 2008 Irish Sport Horse gelding (Shannondale Sarco St. Ghyvan x Our Queen Bee) Charlie Tango, jumped around the cross-country course double clear, to continue to lead the Intermediate division and stay on their dressage score of 25.8.
“The cross-country course was just beautifully done by Tremaine [Cooper] and his crew,” said Morris, “so my hat goes off to them for a job well done. The rain that we had last night made the footing absolutely perfect, it was really, really nice so the horses were quite quick.”
The Intermediate division rode through their dressage phase on Thursday, but inclement weather shut the event down on Friday before the group could run cross-country. Despite the day off from competition, Morris stated that Chuck felt better than ever when he ran early Saturday morning. “Not running yesterday wasn’t a hindrance,” she said. “I’m sure it helped the footing and the horses were fresh to go this morning. It was so good for the horses to be able to run on amazing footing today, so we are really happy.”
Bella Mowbray and En Vogue. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.
Californian Bella Mowbray and Ruth Bley’s En Vogue, a 2005 Hanoverian mare (Earl x Laurena), crossed the finish line under the time allowed to stay on their score of 30.5, followed closely by Julie Wolfert and her own 2011 Thoroughbred gelding, Iowa Lot of Money (Fusaichi Pegasus x Lion N Cheatin), on a 33.1.
Both Advanced and Intermediate competitors wrap-up their weekends tomorrow morning with the Intermediate show jumping at 8:30 a.m. and the Advanced following at 9:40 a.m.
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About the USEA American Eventing Championships
The USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) is the pinnacle of the sport for the national levels. Held annually, the best junior, adult amateur, and professional competitors gather to vie for national championship titles at every level from Beginner Novice to Advanced. This ultimate test of horse and rider draws hundreds of horses and riders from around the country to compete for fabulous prizes, a piece of the substantial prize money, and the chance to be named the National Champion at their respective levels. This year, the USEA American Eventing Championships will be held August 29-September 2, 2018 at the Colorado Horse Park in Parker, Colorado. Click here to learn more about the USEA American Eventing Championships.
The USEA would like to thank the following sponsors for their support of the USEA American Eventing Championships: Presenting Sponsors: Nutrena Feeds; Gold Cup Advanced Title Sponsor: Adequan; Platinum Sponsor: Devoucoux; Gold Level Sponsors: Charles Owen, Standlee Hay, Merck Animal Health, Parker Equine Insurance; Silver Level Sponsors: VTO Saddlery, Mountain Horse; Bronze Level Sponsors: SmartPak, Dubarry, The Chronicle of the Horse, Stackhouse and Ellis Saddles, Auburn Laboratories, FITS Riding, CWD, Ovation, Acuswede, and Equipparel; Contributing Level Sponsors: Nunn Finer, RevitaVet, Emerald Valley Natural Health, CrossCountry App; Prize Level Sponsors: Ride Safe, GumBits, Equus Magnificus, Scoring Chix, Ride Heels Down, C4 Belts, A Little Pet Vet, ChubbyCov LLC, The Jockey Club, Absorbine, Arenus Animal Health, Equestrian Athlete Camps at the U.S. Olympic Training Center.
About the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series
The 2018 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series features 11 qualifying competitions throughout the United States at the Advanced horse trials and CIC3* levels. The qualifying period begins August 2017 and continues through August 2018 with the final taking place at the 2018 USEA American Eventing Championships at the Colorado Horse Park in Parker, Colorado, August 29 – September 2, 2018. Riders who complete a qualifier earn the chance to vie for $40,000 in prize money and thousands of dollars in prizes and the title of Adequan USEA Gold Cup Champion in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Final Advanced Division. Click here to learn more about the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series.
The USEA would like to thank Adequan, Standlee Hay Company, Nutrena, Merck Animal Health, Parker Equine Insurance, and FITS for sponsoring the 2018 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series.
