October 12, 2011—More than 100 horses, 77 of which were from the United States, were presented to the Ground Juries Wednesday afternoon at the Dansko Fair Hill International, where 45 horse-and-rider combinations will compete in the CCI3* and 62 in the CCI2*. Three horses were held for re-inspection: Tipperary Liadhnan, ridden by Thailand?s Nina Ligon, and King Billy, ridden by Laura VanderVliet, in the three-star; and Elizabeth Spencer?s Firewater in the two-star. Only Monte Carlo, Ashley Leith?s CCI2* ride, was not accepted. The Dansko Fair Hill International, running October 13-16, once again hosts the 2011 USEF National CCI2* and CCI3* Eventing Championship.
The future of the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team will be on full display this weekend in the autumn fixture CCI, with many riders eyeing important qualifications and strong results heading into 2012. Four riders come to Fair Hill after honing their skills overseas earlier this year thanks to the Land Rover Competition and Training Grants. William Coleman, Phillip Dutton, Will Faudree and Boyd Martin will all be showcasing what they learned while competing in Europe this summer and fall.
Learn more about the Land Rover Grants here:
2011 USEF National CCI3* Eventing Championship
Of the 45 entries in the CCI3* 35 are contesting the USEF National Championship. Martin (West Grove, PA) brings his own Ying Yang Yo, who he rode to second place at the event in 2007. The Australian gelding returns after a few years away from the top level of the sport while he was being competed by co-owner Faye Woolf?s daughter, Eliza. Martin comes to Fair Hill on strong form after having just completed the Boekelo CCI3* on two horses.
?I’m thrilled and excited to be competing in another international event. They have been coming hard and fast all year. It seems like a long time ago since Boekelo,? Martin said. ?I’m pretty psyched to be at Fair Hill with my old partner.?
Learn more about Martin?s performance at the Boekelo CCI3* here:
Dutton (West Grove, PA) will have two chances in the USEF National CCI3* Eventing Championship with Team Rebecca LLC?s Ben and Nina and Tim Gardner?s William Penn. These horses head to Elkton after sixth and eighth places finishes, respectively, at the Plantation Field International Horse Trials CIC3*. The previous weekend, Dutton had a top 15 finish at the Fidelity Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials.
Learn more about the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team?s performance at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials and the Fidelity Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials here:
2011 USEF National CCI2* Eventing Championship
Coleman (Gordonsville, VA) will be among the busiest riders this weekend as he has three of the 42 entries in the CCI2* National Championship. In this division he’ll ride Four Star Eventing Group?s Vancover, top three finisher in the CIC2* at Plantation Field International Horse Trials, in addition to Plain Dealing Farm?s Ideal Contini and James Wildasin and Tivoli Farm?s Cool Connection. Coleman will also contest the CCI3* National Championships with Wildasin?s Twizzel.
Learn more about the Plantation Field International Horse Trials here:
Will Faudree (Hoffman, NC) brings Jennifer Mosing?s DHI Colour Candy to the CCI2* after having spent the summer competing in England. This pair represented the United States at the CIC2* Greenwich Park Eventing Invitational (London Test Event).
?I am looking forward to Fair Hill this year as it is one of my favorite events,? said Faudree. ?I’m very excited about ?Andy? as I think he’s very talented. He?s done a lot this year with outings at the Test Event and this summer in England. I’m looking forward to the weekend and the future. He?s just a seven-year-old.?
Dutton and Martin also have a chance to stake their claims on the 2011 USEF National CCI2* Eventing Championship. They will ride Ann Jones? Young Man and Dana and Mandy Deimer?s Cold Harbor, respectively.
