The usual suspects dominate in the advanced-level dressage, but Gina Fiore is a somewhat-reluctant new leader in the CCI** division.
Eventers have always been a flexible crowd, and the riders at the Jersey Fresh CCI and CIC proved themselves game for a challenge despite the deluge of rain that has saturated the Horse Park of New Jersey during the week prior to the event. While today, May 8, was dry, swampy footing in the outdoor rings meant the dressage phase would have to be contested in the Park’s indoor arena.
“It didn’t affect my horses at all,” said Leslie Law, Bluemont, Va., who is leading the CCI*** on Fleeceworks Mystere Du Val (39.0) and is tied for seventh with Private Heart (52.4). “I did think Mystere du Val might have been a little spooky in there, but he wasn’t. He was super, and it was probably one of his most polished tests all around.”
Jan Byyny and Waterfront claimed the second spot with a solid score of 42.0, with Michael Pollard and Icarus slipping into third with a 44.0. Tory Smith and Bantry Bay V made the trek from California to contest the CCI***, and are sitting just behind the leaders with a 48.4. Buck Davidson rounded out the top five with May I Tell Ya, who scored a 50.8.
Gina Fiore and Feral Errol’s test in the CCI** wasn’t without a few bobbles, but the relaxed and supple frame and movements the horse displayed were enough to put them in the lead with a 46.5.
“My first thought when I trotted into the arena was, ‘Ah, fabulous!’,” said Fiore, Southern Pines, N.C. “It made him a little more ‘up.’ He’s normally kind of quiet, and I think it gave me confidence. He gave me a solid test, and I think today he felt like he was performing and sort of puffed up. There isn’t anything I can fault him for.
“I can’t say I totally love being in the lead,” she added with a laugh. “I like to be a little bit more of a chaser. But I’m extremely happy with today.”
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Karen O’Connor holds both the second- and third-placed spots with That’s Smart and Rocket, who scored a 47.0 and 49.4, respectively. Andrew Palmer and his Trakehner stallion, Stiletto, snuck into fourth with a 49.6, and Emily Beshear on Here’s To You have the fifth spot with a 51.7.
In the new CIC*** division, Mara Dean rode High Patriot to a familiar first-placed ranking with her score of 46.5.
“I was a little concerned, because I didn’t hear about the change to the indoor arena until after I’d ridden him, ” said Dean, Round Hill, Va. “He’s funny about noises and echoes, but once you get on he goes to work. Being in the indoor actually helped him get a bit lighter.”
Will Coleman and Twizzel settled into second place with a 48.1 after a characteristically competitive test, followed closely by Olympic veterans Becky Holder and Courageous Comet (51.0), who had to miss out on the Rolex Kentucky CCI**** after an injury delayed their fitness plans. Tiana Coudray, another West Coast rider, claimed the fourth spot with a 51.5, and India McEvoy and Jumbo’s Jake are just on their heels with a 52.1.
Today’s weather held promise for a good cross-country day tomorrow, with the ample sunshine and breeze noticeably drying out the footing over the course of afternoon.
