Lexington, Ky.—April 27
For the second year in a row, Will Coleman led the victory gallop for the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S, taking the top spot this year aboard Off The Record. He went into show jumping with one rail in hand, which he used when “Timmy” ticked a rail in the double to finish on a score of 33.0.
Coleman’s first Fédération Equestre Internationale competition with Timmy, a 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Arkansas—Drumagoland Bay, Ard Ohio), was also at the Kentucky Horse Park, back in 2015. Since then they became the first U.S. pair to win the Aachen CCIO4*-S (Germany) in 2021 and represented the U.S. at the 2022 FEI Eventing World Championships (Italy), where they finished seventh. They were third in this event last year, behind Coleman’s winning mount Diabolo and Boyd Martin on Commando 3, who currently sits second in this year’s Defender Kentucky CCI5*-L.
Their long partnership started with “humble beginnings,” Coleman said. “He was a pretty hearty young horse but always displayed a real knack for the cross-country, and I think that’s what kept us going with him. He’s not the most natural in the other phases, but he has an incredible work ethic. I think as our relationship improved and we started to find a little more harmony in how we were communicating, he started to really blossom, and he’s really been a joy to have. He sort of has his own style, but his character is really, I think, what makes him a good horse.
“He’s been a horse that has often been a bridesmaid in my barn,” Coleman continued. “If I have two horses at an event, I often have Off The Record be my first to go, because he’s such a reliable cross-country horse. He’s sort of like an old shoe; I just know him so well, I get a great feel for the course. So being in that position a lot, he doesn’t often get to come home as the winner. But this weekend, he was kind of my only horse here in this competition … He’s just a sensational boy, and I’m really pleased that he gets a chance to kind of wear the crown this weekend. He’s more than deserving.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Despite needing that rail he had in hand, Coleman said he was quite relaxed before show jumping, even taking a nap, and thoroughly enjoyed the whole weekend.
“I thought Steve Stephens built a fabulous track. I think it’s important that every day matters at a three-day event, and the show jumping designer has a lot to do with finishing it off on a good note, and I thought he set a really great test for the four-star class. I thought it was an exciting day, and I just enjoyed every minute of it,” he said.
Phillip Dutton picked up 0.4 time penalties on Possante to finish second (33.9), and he also jumped clean with Denim, but 1.6 time penalties dropped them to fourth.
“Obviously we all earmarked this event early on this year,” Dutton said. “This is the one we’re all aiming for, so it’s kind of a relief to be setting up here and having a good result here. It’s kind of ironic: My best jumper is Denim, and he’s the one who moved back down because I was too slow on the round.
“I couldn’t be more pleased with Possante, the way he jumped,” he continued. “Show jumping hasn’t been easy for us, and I’ve got to thank [Olympic show jumper] Lauren Hough who’s been helping me through thick and thin with him. It’s not always a gradual improvement—it’s the ups and downs—and she’s been incredible.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Canadian Jessica Phoenix put in one of six double-clear rounds on her Paris Olympic partner Freedom GS (38.0) to take third place. It’s Phoenix’ fifth podium finish in a four-star this year after taking first and second at The Event at TerraNova (Florida) and first and third at the Ocala International Festival of Eventing (Florida).
After the Olympics last year, Phoenix doubled down on her dressage work with the help of Ashley Holzer, which she said had proved to be incredibly beneficial.
“It just really feels like the communication with all of my horses has gotten so much better, so I’m incredibly thankful for that,” she said. “They’ve always been really strong for show jumping day; Freedom GS, it’s one of her favorite phases.”
The Chronicle is on-site at the Kentucky Horse Park with two reporters to bring you everything you need to know at coth.com, so you don’t have to miss a minute of the action. You can find all of our coverage from the week here. You can also follow along on Instagram and Facebook. Be sure to read our May 23 issue for more in-depth coverage and analysis of the event.
