FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Saturday, September 18, 2021
On the second day of Aspen Farms Horse Trials in Yelm, WA, Alina Patterson and her dressage-bred Warmblood gelding Flashback (pictured above) delivered a strong performance over the Tin Men Supply Advanced cross-country course designed by Morgan Rowsell to move from third to first. They hold the overnight lead on a score of 44.9 after adding 12.8 time faults to their dressage score.
“It was great,” said Patterson. “The footing held up way better than I expected with the rain, so I was actually able to push a little bit; that was exciting. He was great; the course rode great. He was there for me when I needed him, and I was there for him when he needed it. It was super fun!”
Considering show jumping tomorrow, Patterson said, “He’s usually a pretty good show jumper. We’ve been having a bit of an adjustment at this level–fine tuning some things. I’m excited to see how that pans out tomorrow.”
Sophie Click and her Irish Sporthorse gelding Quidproquo stayed in second after adding 14.8 time faults to an otherwise clear round. Rebecca Braitling and Caravaggio II, owned by Arnell Sporthorses, is third on 54.3.
Marc Grandia and Campari FFF, owned by Team Rebecca, LLC, took over the lead in Open Intermediate. They were the only pair to go double clear, finishing the day on their dressage score of 31.1. Jordan Linstedt and Staccato, owned by Janine Jaro, schooled the first water to add 19.2 time penalities and drop to second on a score of 41.
In Open Preliminary, Anastasia Garza and her 15.1 hand Welsh Cob gelding, Bro A Bryn Gellan Goch, delivered a double clear show jumping round to move from second to first on a score of 25.7.
Of her show jump ride today, Garza said, “It was super! I’m grateful the weather cleared up. We had a great round. The course had a good flow; pretty jumps. I think we’re ready to rock and roll tomorrow! The cross-country course looks like a lot of fun–beautiful designs; the water jumps look beautiful–I’m excited to get my boy out there.”
Charles Campbell and FE Mustang Sally also went double clear in Open Preliminary to move from fourth to second on 26.3. Marc Grandia and Hyacinth are in third on 27.8.
USEA AREA VII CHAMPIONSHIPS
In the Area VII Open Intermediate Championship, Marc Grandia and Sunsprite Seryndipity moved from fifth after dressage to first, thanks to a clear cross-country round with just a handful of time faults. Their overnight score is 41.3.
View this post on Instagram
Karen O’Neal and Clooney 14, owned by Annika Asling, maintained their lead in the Area VII Preliminary Championship, adding just 2.4 time faults–the second-fastest pair in the division. Jordan Linstedt and Lovely Lola added 5.2 time faults to hold on to second on a score of 25.4. Tommy Greengard and Joshuay MBF are third on 26.8.
Julie Williams and her Appendix gelding, Dark Horse, jumped clear on cross-country to hold their lead in the Area VII Training Rider Championships on their dressage score of 24.1. Dark Horse is a ranch-horse-turned-show-horse that Williams has brought along for the past 7 years in eventing and dressage.
“It was beautiful,” said Williams of the training level cross-country course, which included bank elements and corners. “The footing was great. It ran smoothly. Fabulous as always, Aspen is a great place to be. I’m feeling excited for tomorrow’s show jumping; ready to go!”
Tommy Greengard and Leonardo Diterma, owned by Andrea Pfeiffer, are leading the Area VII Open Training Championship on 20.5–the lowest overnight score of the show. Amber Birtcil and Le Top F, owned by Cellar Farm, is in second within one rail, on 23.6.
In the Area VII Junior Training Championship, Lizzie Hoff and her mare HSH Explosion held on to their dressage score of 22.1 for first. Dane Padgett and Cafe Noir remain in second on 23.
The leaders in the three Area VII Novice Championship divisions maintained their lead today after delivering clear cross-country rounds.
In the Area VII Open Novice Championship, Kelsey Horn and the Dutch Warmblood gelding Konnan O, owned by Mark Schreiber, went double clear on cross-country to maintain first. This is the gelding’s first season competing in eventing.
“I thought the course was amazing; I love coming to Aspen,” said Horn. “My round with Konnan was amazing. I was a little nervous coming into it because he was feeling a little overwhelmed by the atmosphere. I went out there and he listened to me and stepped up to the plate.”
Considering tomorrow’s show jumping, Horn said, “I feel excited, but I’m not going to count my ducks before they are hatched. I’m going to take it seriously and be there for him. I think he might be a little overwhelmed in the ring.”
Caroline Hagens and Frequent Flyer Miles are leading the Area VII Junior Novice Championship in a field of sixteen competitors, and Katy Hood and her pony Padric lead the Area VII Novice Rider Championships.
In the Area VII Junior Beginner Novice Championships, Hayden Brown and Cooley Merrywell Mint held their lead with a clear cross-country performance. Isabelle Gellner and Crown Indigo moved from third to second on a score of 29.3.
Sarah Sullivan and Ready or Not Here’s Mouse! also maintained their lead in the Area VII Open Beginner Novice Championship. Her second horse, La Copine, is tied for fifth in the division. Sarah Shear-Starbird and Written in the Stars and Rachel Russell and Sorrento are tied for second on 28.
SATURDAY RESULTS
Results from Saturday are available on Startbox Scoring, here.
You can find additional show coverage on Aspen Farms Horse Trials Facebook page, here and on Instagram @AspenFarmsHorseTrials.
Advanced show jumping begins at 8 a.m. on Sunday; Open Preliminary cross-country starts at 9 a.m. Over $35,000 worth of cash and prizes provided by show sponsors will be awarded to the top finishers tomorrow at Aspen Farms Horse Trials and USEA Area VII Championships.
* Photo by show photographer Cortney Drake Photography
