Aachen, Germany – The Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team of Matt Brown, Hannah Sue Burnett, Phillip Dutton, and Lauren Kieffer put forth strong efforts in day one’s dressage and show jumping phases at the Aachen CICO3*. Led by Chef d'Equipe David O’Connor, the team will move forward to day two’s cross-country phase in sixth place on a total of 159.10 penalties. The leaderboard is topped by Australia on a total of 139.80, followed closely by New Zealand on 142.20 in second, and Great Britain on 142.50 in third.

Leading for the U.S. team after two rounds is Kieffer (Middleburg, Va.) and Jacqueline Mars' Landmark's Monte Carlo. Kieffer got an excellent dressage performance out of the gelding, scoring 48.90, and went foot perfect in show jumping to sit in 14th place.

“I am thrilled with Landmark's Monte Carlo and the whole team,” said Kieffer. “He [Landmark's Monte Carlo] put in as good of a dressage test as he can at the moment. He was accurate, obedient, and really good in the atmosphere so I am tickled. I am also thrilled with how he show jumped. He has a ton of scope, but hasn’t been in an atmosphere like this before and can sometimes have a nervous rail or two, so to jump clear around here is great. We still have a really serious job to do tomorrow, but we will go out and give it a good crack and try to be a good leader for the team.”

In the morning’s dressage phase, Burnett (The Plains, Va.) turned in the best score for the U.S., a 45.60 aboard Mars’ Harbour Pilot, in the pair’s CHIO Aachen debut. With a rail down in show jumping, the pair moves forward on a total of 49.60 in 21st place.

Also making a first-time appearance at Aachen, Brown (Cochranville, Pa.) and Blossom Creek Foundation's Super Socks BCF laid down a solid dressage test for a score of 48.60. The pair had an unfortunate go in the main stadium, knocking three rails in show jumping to head into cross-country on 60.60 in in 39th place.

Riding in the anchor position, Dutton (West Grove, Pa.) guided David Garrett’s Indian Mill to a score of 50 in the dressage phase. The pair also downed three rails, adding 12 faults to its total for a two-phase score of 62 to put them in 38th place.

Both Burnett and Kieffer are aboard mounts that were bred and are owned by Mars, a great testament to the level of support and dedication from American owners and breeders that U.S. riders are fortunate to benefit from.

Speaking to the uniqueness of having two homebred horses on the same team, Kieffer said, “It’s fantastic to have the support of someone like Ms. Mars. Not that we needed it, but it is a validation of our breeding program. Hannah and I have been working and riding together for 11 years, which makes it so exciting and fun to ride on a team together. There are even more homebred horses coming up that show just as much, if not more, talent. Hopefully we will keep having events like this.”

Complete results

Cross-country gets underway Saturday at 10:00 a.m. local time.

Further information about eventing at CHIO Aachen

The U.S. is also being represented at CHIO Aachen in dressage, driving, and show jumping. Following day one of team competition for dressage and driving, both U.S. teams lie in second place. Thursday evening the Hermès U.S. Show Jumping tied for the Silver medal with France in the Mercedes-Benz Nations Cup. Find out more on USEFNetwork.com.

The USEF International High Performance Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, USOC, and USEF Sponsors and Members.