Kim Severson could win dressage on a donkey, but of course Royal Venture is no donkey. The Australian Thoroughbred put in a magnificent test—accurate and flowing with invisible transitions to take the lead (39.5) three quarters into the dressage at the Rolex Kentucky CCI**** in the morning on April 28.
No other rider was able to break into the top five in the morning. Mara Dean and Nicki Henley still stand in second place, Becky Holder and Courageous Comet in third, Stephen Bradley and From in fourth and Donna Smith and Call Me Clifton in fifth.
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The British riders also rode solid tests. Leslie Law and Shear L’Eau—who moved to the United States this year—are tied for sixth (48.2) with fellow countryman Polly Stockton, riding Tom Quigley.
Law presented Shear L’Eau at his best and was deadly accurate, but lost a few points in his flying changes and bobbled his last halt. Tom Quigley’s tremendous gaits earned him points from the start, but he got tense in his walk.
Jessica Heidemann and French Twist moved into ninth place with a steady test. Gina Miles also had a good test aboard McKinlaigh, showing excellent extended trot but a cautious extended canter. McKinlaigh is such a big mover that Miles had to borrow Jonathon Holling for the first jog because she couldn’t keep up with him.
Nathalie Bouckaert Pollard rode a cautious test with West Farthing, at times getting over-collected. Karen O’Connor had excellent trot work with Upstage, but he anticipated his flying changes and lost the canter rhythm at times.
Bonnie Mosser and Jenga didn’t ride their best test. Mistakes like halting too soon and breaking to trot before the fourth change, kept her from her usual excellent scores.
Bruce Davidson Sr. withdrew Little Tricky after his tense and anticipatory dressage test yesterday, but he still has a ride on Jam. Cathy Wieschhoff chose to withdraw before her dressage test with Ocotillo.
Jan Thompson was all set to go with Task Force when she fell schooling him over fences before the competition started and scratched before the horse inspection.
