United States Eventing Association

Allentown, NJ - May 15, 2016 - Ryan Wood (AUS) and Powell led from start to finish to take the championship title in the CCI*** at the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event (JFI), presented by BW Furlong & Associates on Sunday with a score of 46.0 penalties. Boyd Martin (USA) riding Welcome Shadow finished second and won the Gladstone National OpenTrophy as the leading US rider with 46.3 penalties. Canada's Jessica Phoenix was third with 49.2 penalties on Bentleys Best.

This was the first CCI*** victory for Wood and the first time Powell ever competed in a CCI*** which made the clear show jumping round on Sunday all that more impressive.

"He was fresh as a daisy, he had a good night's sleep," said Wood of the 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding. "He warmed up great and and went in there and jumped his heart out. It's such a special event to win. Ilona (English) bred him and is local here and is a big supporter of Jersey Fresh, so it's pretty awesome to take the title."

As the owner of Powell, Ilona English of Summit Sporthorses was presented with the Owner's Award, sponsored by the Horse Park of New Jersey. English was also the breeder.

Jessica Phoenix and Bentley's Best. Shannon Brinkman Photo.

The scores among the top three were so tight, there was no margin for error. A rail down in show jumping meant losing the title. Riding in reverse order of merit, Phoenix went fourth from last in the order and put the pressure on the remaining riders with a clear round.

"I'm really, really, proud of that horse," said Phoenix. "He's a green horse and this weekend I feel like he really came into his own. He put in three solid phases and really he couldn't have picked a better weekend to do that."

Boyd Martin and Welcome Shadow. Shannon Brinkman Photo.

Phillip Dutton (USA) and Indian Mill were next and had two rails dropping them down to fifth with 54.3 penalties. Dutton had a better round on Z, going clear and moving up from eighth to fourth on 52.4. Martin's clear round on Welcome Shadow secured the US title, but he needed Wood to make a mistake in order to take the championship, but Wood and Powell were flawless.

A host of additional awards were presented to the CCI*** competitors. Phoenix and Bentleys Best won the Best Condition Award, presented by Horseware Ireland. Madeline Backus and P.S. Arianna won the Best Turnout Award, sponsored by the Fabulous Horse. Caroline Martin and Spring Easy won the Closest to the Optimum Time award, sponsored by Animo. Spring Easy also was presented with the Top Scoring Irish Draught Horse Award presented by the Irish Draught Horse Society of North America and Martin won the Markham Trophy Young Rider Award, sponsored by the Horsemen's Outlet. Andrea Baxter and Indy 500 won the Jockey Club TIP award given to the Thoroughbred that has gone on to another career after competing on the racetrack. Meghan O'Donoghue, who competed in the CIC***, won the Sportsmanship Award and a special volunteer award was presented to Carey Williams.

CCI**

Phillip Dutton and Sportsfield Candy. Shannon Brinkman Photo.

Olympic veteran Phillip Dutton (USA) jumped from fifth place to first with a flawless performance on Sportsfield Candy in the final show jumping phase to win the CCI** at the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event (JFI), presented by BW Furlong & Associates on Sunday. Dutton and his Irish Sport Horse also had a clear go on the cross country course on Saturday to finish on their dressage score of 48.8 penalties.

"He was good, he's a really careful horse," said Dutton of the 9-year-old gelding. "He needed to do a CCI** for qualifications. I've had him at CIC*** all spring so this was a step down a little bit from what we have been doing, but I think it was a great experience for him. I am pleased for the horse in particular because he is quite talented."

Sportsfield Candy's owners, Dave and Patricia Vos, announced today they plan to donate the prize money to the college fund set up for Philippa Humphrey's daughter, Millie.

Local rider Holly Payne Caravella and Bruisyard Hall were second with 50.3 penalties. This is the first CCI2* for the Thoroughbred and Payne Caravella was thrilled with his runner up finish. "He is definitely still a little green but he was super. I couldn't be happier," said Payne Caravella. Will Faudree (USA) and Hans Dampf rounded out the top three finishign on 51.4 penalties.