This article was originally published at www.useventing.com.

Laine Ashker downplayed her chances of a winning the Advanced at Millbrook Horse Trials for the second year in a row all weekend, but she and Anthony Patch remained cool under pressure and rode a beautiful show jump round to defend her title in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup/PRO Tour Series. With less then two points separating Ashker from Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Cubalawn, she knew she needed to jump a clear round to win, as Dutton had flawlessly piloted both Fernhill Cubalawn and Fernhill Fugitive around the course.

“I was definitely nervous,” said Ashker of Henrico, Va. “But I was able to control my nerves and Al was amazing.” Ashker is planning to take the 15-year-old off-the-track Thoroughbred to the Adequan Gold Cup Final at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships in Texas, where she also took top prize last year, and hopes her back-to-back success will continue.

Ashley MacVaugh won the Open Intermediate A Division with longtime partner Fernhill Can Do when Boyd Martin dropped two rails aboard SBF Cortez to relinquish the lead and finish in second place. Sarah Cousins and Ideal Contini won the Open Intermediate B Division, holding onto the top spot over Sarah Kozumplik Murphy and Catchascatchcan.

The inaugural $1,000 PRO 4-Bar Show Jumping Challenge was great fun for spectators to watch and listen to with exuberant commentary provided by Boyd Martin. Ryan Wood cleared 4’11” with David Hopper Inc.’s Storm Warning to win the prize.

It was an emotional day at the Millbrook Horse Trials with Silva Martin presenting the Charles Owen Equestrian Memorial Award to Courtney King Dye. King Dye spoke very poignantly about how much the award meant to her and the Riders4Helmets Campaign, and how honored she is to have been presented the award by Silva Martin.

A special tribute and moment of silence was also observed for Sharon Weber, Sharon White’s longtime owner and friend who tragically passed away unexpectedly last night. Sharon Weber was the 2013 PRO As You Like It Owner’s Award recipient and had chosen the Millbrook Horse Trials to receive the prize money that comes with the award.