October 11, 2014–The exciting cross country day proved to be an influential one at the Military Boekelo CCIO3*. The Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team went to task over Sue Benson’s challenging track, having some great moments on Saturday in Boekelo, The Netherlands. Unfortunately, a day of mixed fortunes meant that the Land U.S. team was out of the running in the Nations Cup leaderboard.
USEF Land Rover Competition Grant recipients Clark Montgomery (Wiltshire, UK) and Loughan Glen, an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Jessica Montgomery, Kathryn Kraft, and Holly and William Becker, tackled the course with ease, even in the muddy going. The pair had a slight deviation on course between the last two fences, resulting in the ground jury assessing 20 penalties to the pair, for which there may be further review in the morning. Currently, Montgomery and Loughan Glen sit in 30th place with a score of 64.0 which reflects the 20 jumping faults and 18.80 time penalties.
Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp (East Sussex, UK) had a fantastic round with Deborah Halliday’s Fernhill by Night, incurring 17.20 time penalties. She and the 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding stand in 32rd place with a score of 65.10.
Tiana Coudray (Ojai, Calif.) and her own and Jatial Ltd’s Kinnordy Rivaldo were off to a good start but ran into trouble at the first water complex. She elected to retire after having two refusals with the 12-year-old Warmblood gelding at 10A.
“Clark and Loughan Glen had a lovely round. The horse jumped exceptional well and they had been communicating fine until the end when Glen shot left, but otherwise he was good all the way round. Liz was good, she rode to plan and had a great go today. Tiana’s horse is one that she has only competed a few times so they will improve.” Coach David O’ Connor said.
Thomas Carlile (FRA) and Sirocco du Gers lead the field heading into the final phase on a score of 42.50, while New Zealand sits atop the Nations Cup leaderboard with a score of 165.20.
Find out more information about the Military Boekelo CCIO3* here.