Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot (Shannon Brinkman Photography)
Burnett (The Plains, Va.) and Jacqueline Mars’ Harbour Pilot put in valiant efforts in their CHIO Aachen debut. They posted the top dressage score for the U.S., a 45.60, and had a single rail down in show jumping to start cross-country on a total of 49.60. The pair confidently took on the Rüdiger Schwarz-designed track, jumping clean and crossing the timers 15 seconds over the optimum time of 6:38 to finish on a total of 55.60 as the top-ranked American in 11th place.
Riding as the team anchor, Dutton (West Grove, Pa.) rode David Garrett’s Indian Mill to a score of 50.00 in the dressage phase. The pair had an unlucky end to their show jumping round, dropping three rails and posting a two-phase score of 62.00. Out for redemption on cross-country, Dutton expertly guided the gelding around the tough track and cruised through the finish in 6:31. They recorded the fastest time of the day as one of only two combinations to go inside the time and added nothing to their total to finish on 62.00, placing 17th.
Kieffer (Middleburg, Va.) and Mars' Landmark's Monte Carlo entered the final day as the leading American following strong performances on day one. In dressage, Kieffer got an excellent performance out of the gelding, scoring 48.90, and went foot perfect in show jumping. The pair got a strong start on cross-country, but had a run out at the skinny brush at 22a in the STAWAG complex, adding 36.80 in penalties and finishing on a total of 85.70.
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, but had an unfortunate go in show jumping, knocking three rails to start the final day on 60.60. On cross-country, the pair ran into trouble at the triple brushes in the Turkish Airlines complex. The gelding jumped in boldly and missed the second part of the combination at 11b. They added 42.40 penalties to their score to end on 103.00.
Both Burnett and Kieffer were 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.
Complete team results
Complete individual results
Further information about eventing at CHIO Aachen
The U.S. is also being represented this week at CHIO Aachen in dressage, driving, and show jumping. Thursday evening the Hermès U.S. Show Jumping tied for the Silver medal with France in the Mercedes-Benz Nations Cup. The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team won the Silver medal on Saturday in the CDIO5* and also clinched the inaugural FEI Nations Cup™ Dressage series. The U.S. Driving Team is in second place after the first phase, competition continues Saturday with the marathon phase, and concludes on Sunday with the cones. Find out more on USEFNetwork.com.
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