United States Eventing Association

This past weekend the Coconino Classic 3-Day Event hosted another successful SmartPak Equine USEA Training Three-Day in Flagstaff, Arizona. With 15 divisions ranging from Pre-Comp to Intermediate-Preliminary, seven riders competed in the Training Three-Day.

Out of the seven riders who entered the T3D, six completed the event. Catherine Ruggiero and The Aviator, a 15-year-old Appendix Quarter Horse Gelding, finished at the top of the pack with a score of 27.5. Catherine and “Ben” were in first place after dressage and held the lead throughout the event by adding no jump or time faults to their initial score.

“Our partnership of over seven years really shined throughout the phases of endurance day,” Catherine said. “And our trust in one another allowed our performance to go above and beyond our expectations.”

According to Catherine, all phases of the T3D were picture perfect. However, her favorite phase was the steeplechase.

“My favorite and best part of the T3D was the steeplechase,” Catherine said. “Ben and I soared over each fence with ease and excitement. It was a nice change from just doing the cross-country.”

Catherine was awarded an array of other prizes in addition to her first place ribbon. For her T3D win at Coconino, Catherine took home a Five Star Tack Bridle, a SmartPak Wellfleet Halter and engraved lead, a pair of FITS Breeches, and a $200 Point Two Gift Certificate. She was also entered in a drawing to win a Stackhouse Saddle, a year’s supply of SmartPaks, and a Fleeceworks Saddle Pad Set. While Catherine has a lot to be proud of, she gives her long time partner half of the credit.

“I could not have asked for more from my boy,” Catherine said. “Ben is one of a kind with a big heart and our performance was one of our personal bests. I couldn't imagine doing it without a more incredible animal.”

Finishing the weekend in second place was Bailey Moran and Corocotta de la Galerna. The pair added no jump or time penalties to their dressage score of 32.9. Bailey and Corocotta held onto second place for the entire event.

Rounding out the top three places at the Coconino T3D was Manuela Propfe and Brewer’s Bay. Manuela and Brewer’s Bay were tied for sixth place after dressage with a 35.7, but quickly moved up the ranks. The pair added only one time penalty to their dressage score in stadium, and ended the weekend in third place with a final score of 36.7.

Coconino Horse Trials included a Novice Three-Day in addition to the traditional T3D. Out of the six riders who competed in the N3D, only three completed the event. Thamar Draper and her nine-year-old Appendix Quarter Horse, Ire Lark, won the Novice Three-Day. They added nine time penalties to their dressage score, finishing on a 36.7. Janet Taylor and Zarpazo climbed out of their forth place seat in dressage, adding only four jump and one time penalty to finish in second on a score of 38.6. Rounding out the list of N3D completions was Nicole Musmanno and JHN Imogen. The pair sat in second after dressage, but had to settle for third place after eight jump faults left their score at a 39.4.

This Series would not be possible without the support of: Title Sponsor: SmartPak Equine; Presenting Sponsor:Stackhouse Saddles; Silver Level Sponsor: Fleeceworks; Legacy Sponsor: Five Star Tack; Platinum Sponsor: Point Two; Elite Sponsor: FITS