This article orgiinally published at www.useventing.com.

Despite some lovely tests by proven pairs on the second day of dressage competition, Sharon White maintains her lead from Thursday with Wundermaske in the Advanced division of the Adequan USEA Gold Cup/PRO Tour Series at Millbrook Horse Trials in Millbrook, NY. Buck Davidson performed a personal best with Sherrie Martin and Cassie and Carl Segal’s Copper Beech, laying down a score of 26.6 to tie for second with longtime student and last year’s division winner Laine Ashker and Anthony Patch.

Friday’s competition was interrupted by a severe thunderstorm late this afternoon, which sent everyone scrambling for shelter. The Intermediate dressage resumed after a delay of over one hour and the Beginner Novice cross-country will be rescheduled to Sunday.

Sharon White thought the rain would make the cross country track absolutely perfect on Saturday and she is looking forward to seeing how Wundermaske copes with the track after having worked hard this year on desensitization. Buck Davidson believes that Tremaine Cooper’s Advanced track will make an impression. “It’s a much harder Advanced then last year. It’s definitely going to be a challenge,” he said.

Reigning champion Laine Ashker aboard her experienced campaigner Anthony Patch was cautious about her chance of a repeat win. “I’m going to let Al set the pace. He’s an older horse and prefers a fast pace. I need to find the right balance to keep him where he’s comfortable.”

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