The first day of the 2011 Nutrena/USEA American Eventing Championships, presented by Bit of Britain, was the perfect start to the competition week at beautiful Chattahoochee Hills owned by Carl Bouckaert in Fairburn, Georgia. Rain early this week improved the footing and dropped the temperature to a comfortable low-70s average with nice cloud coverage for upper-level dressage on Thursday.
Fans have come to expect an impressive dressage test from Allison Springer and Arthur, and the pair didn’t disappoint today. They led the USEF National Advanced Horse Trials Championship by three penalty points, earning a 27.9 from the judges. Despite spooking a couple times in the ring, Allison managed to keep her very fit 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse focused on the job at hand.
“He has such good strength now and throughness in his back,” Allison said. “He was a lot calmer today...he felt fantastic. He’s a real gift of a horse to sit on.”
Emily Beshear and Here’s To You lay in second place behind Allison and Arthur. A consistent, relaxed test earned them a 30.9.
Rounding out the top five in the division following the dressage were Barbara Crabo and Eveready II, Buck Davidson and Ballynoecastle RM, and Doug Payne and Running Order. Less than ten points separated the top ten after dressage.
Allison Springer Retains Her Lead Following the Cross Country
The top five standings in USEF National Advanced Horse Trials Championship remained the same after cross-country. Allison Springer and Arthur had springs in their legs, bounding easily over the championship course. “We had a bit of fun. He was certainly fresh and he ate up the distances,” she said. “At the water it was my plan to do the six to the three but he is so adjustable and easily did the seven to the four.”
The fantastic footing helped riders float over the ground, and the course called for riders to be bold and accurate. Nine pairs out of 18 easily made the time, and 14 pairs jumped clear. Just one rail separates the top four heading into the final phase.
Barbara Crabo and Eveready II (Photo by the USEA)
Crabo and Eveready II Leave All the Rails in Place to Claim Victory
Barbara Crabo and Eveready II won the USEF National Advanced Horse Trials Championship on their dressage score of 32.4. Crabo and Everday II moved up to the number one spot after yesterday’s leaders Allison Springer and Arthur added a rail and four time penalties, dropping them to fifth and opening the number one spot. “Today he was full of himself jumping really big and he saved me in a few spots.” Crabo laughed when she said she would use some of the money she won to pay a few bills. Next stop for Eveready II is the CCI3* at Galway Downs and the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Bridgestone in the spring.
Buck Davidson on Ballynoecastle RM moved up from fourth to take reserve champion honors finishing on their dressage score of 32.8. The number three spot for the championship went to Doug Payne aboard Running Order, the pair moved up from fifth, scoring a 34.8.
For full results please visit; http://www.chatthillseventing.com/