Alison Springer Retains Lead; Tension Mounts for Final Day of Show Jumping
KALISPELL, MONT. (July 23, 2011) -- Four-time Olympian Phillip Dutton calls the cross-country competition the "heart and soul of Eventing." At The Event at Rebecca Farm, the sinuous, 4-mile cross-country course is a true showcase, featuring over 150 obstacles, four water complexes, and a new miniature "wild west town" where horse and rider jump through a saloon doorway. But, ultimately, cross-country riding is designed to test the courage, boldness, confidence, and stamina of both horse and rider.
Nearly 8,000 spectators enjoyed a beautiful and sunny day second day of competition, and for the elite CIC*** competitors, Allison Springer maintained her strong lead in first place on her horse Arthur. Hawley Bennett-Awad moved up one spot into second riding Gin N' Juice owned by Linda Paine, and Buck Davidson with Ballynoecastle RM, owned by Carl Segal rounded out the top three.
"The footing was great and the course really rode like it walked; there were no surprises. I went for a gallop this morning because Arthur has been beside himself with excitement," said Springer, from Upperville, VA. "It is so stunning to be here and look at the mountains all around. I didn't realize until I went to warm up how many spectators there were. Holy cow - there were a lot of people out there. And everyone is so friendly and helpful."
Buck Davidson said his horse enjoyed the festive atmosphere and large crowd. "It's always exciting on him," he said. "He is 11 years old and has been to Hong Kong and all over the world. Everything seems to go better when there are a lot of spectators." Buck is also standing in second place in the CCI** division with All the Aces owned by Nancy Bissenger.
"My goal was to come out and make time," said Bennet-Awad. "Ginny was foot-perfect and very bold at that first water. It was easy for her. Crowds are her thing. She hears the crowd applause and she just goes. She's like a little Ferrari. Hearing the crowd today when we went through the big water was so cool."
In cross-country competition, horses must clear each obstacle. If the horse refuses to jump or pass through the obstacle, such as water, they are penalized by 20 faults and riders may only have three stops on course. If they fall, riders must stop and are eliminated from the competition. Riders must be able to complete the course within an optimum time calculated by measuring the distance of the course against a predetermined speed. If a rider comes in over optimum time, they incur a time penalty.
The final day of The Event at Rebecca Farm begins tomorrow, July 24 when the show jumping competition takes to the three arenas from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CCI*** riders will begin competing at 2:50 p.m. Show jumping is a big and colorful event that is not over until the last jump has been cleared. The jumping test is run in reverse order of the standings and the main objective is to prove that the horses have retained their suppleness, energy, and obedience. Four penalties are assessed per dropped rail and riders must complete the course within the time allowed.
Looking to the show jumping, Davidson, who competed here for the first time last year said that the course, designed by Richard Jeffery, is one of the toughest he's jumped. "It's a difficult course with big jumps in a small ring. Plus, the crowd on the hillside feels like it's on top of you - it's a bit of a tense atmosphere."
"Buck is right," said Bennet-Awad. "This is one of the toughest show jumping courses in the world. Tomorrow is going to be very interesting. A rail or two will make a huge difference. Last year one rail cost me $4000."
"It's going to be a good, tough show jumping," said Springer. "This is exactly why I came."
For more information, visit www.rebeccafarm.org. For live results, visit http://eventingscores.com/eventsr/rebecca/ht0711.
Top 10 CIC***standings after cross-country:
Allison Springer, Arthur, 39.4
Hawley Bennett-Awad, Gin N' Juice, 49.4
Buck Davidson, Ballyneocastle RM, 50.4
Heather Gillette, Our Questionnaire, 52.8
Barbara Crabo, Eveready II, 55.8
Carl Bouckaert, Cyrano Z, 56.8
Joe Meyer, Snip, 58.2T
Alexandra Slusher, Last Call, 58.2T
Jolie Wentworth, GoodKnight, 59.2
Sharon White, Rafferty's Rules, 63.0
Montanans in the Top 10:
CCI1*
Brynn Meuchel - Kalispell, 9th.
Open Intermediate
Cindy Marvin - Kalispell, 10th.
Jr. Open Preliminary
Ashlynn Meuchel - Kalispell, 10th.
Jr. Open Training
Briana Patyk - Lakeside, 9th.
Lindsay Ross - Missoula, 6th.
Sr. Open Training
Julie Goodwin - Montana City, 7th.
Kim Liddell - Columbia Falls, 9th.
Braun Lowry - Kalispell, 8th.
Sr. Open Novice A
Tammy Yost-Wildin - Boyd, 7th.
Sr. Open Novice B
Rachel Ambrose - Missoula, 10th.
Sr. Open Novice C
Frank Sweeney - Whitefish, 3rd.
Jeff Goodwin - Clancy, 6th.
3-Day Training
Jeannine Pukas - Lakeside, 8th.
