Sophie Click and Tarantino 54 Take the Lead in CCI3*-Short at Aspen Farms

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aspen Farms Horse Trials, Yelm, WA, June 11, 2022

Sophie Click and her 9-year-old Oldenburg gelding Tarantino 54 (pictured above) delivered a double clear show jump round in the Tack Room Too Arena at Aspen Farms Horse Trials in Yelm, WA to move from second to first in the CCI3*-Short.

“He’s green, so every outing I think I learn a little more,” said Click, who transitioned Tarantino to his eventing debut in 2020. “He was outstanding today. I’m very happy with him.”

Looking ahead to cross-country tomorrow, Click’s primary focus is on producing a confident run.

“Ultimately he is green,” she said. “I would rather him jump all the jumps and feel really good about it than be super quick. I want it to be a confident run for him, and I will do my best to do that.”

In the CCI3*-Short, Marc Grandia and Campari FFF, owned by Team Rebecca LLC, moved up to second and Kayleen Crowley and Whiskey Up, owned by Patricia Crowley, moved up to third, both thanks to double clear show jump rounds.

In the CCI2*-Short, Karen O’Neal and Clooney 14, owned by Annika Asling, delivered a clear round to hold on to the overnight lead on a score of 26.4.

“He was very good out there,” said O’Neal. “He was listening and was super rideable. All the distances came up easily. I had to go out a little on the strides as his stride is so big. He was brave; he was confident; he jumped with power.”

In Open Intermediate, Stephanie Cooper and Sketchy Past had one rail but held their overnight lead on a score of 36.2. They are followed closely by Meika Decher and Archie McPhee on 36.6 who moved up four places thanks to being the only double clear show jumping round in the division.

“Show jumping is not my best phase,” said Cooper. “But it was a good ride today. I had good help. It’s an awesome show.”

Cooper feels confident going into cross-country on Sunday, despite the wet conditions. “The course looks fantastic,” she said. “They made the footing so good–no concerns. It’s going to be a great day!”

Tommy Greengard and Leonardo Diterma, owned by Andrea Pfeiffer, jumped clear with just one time fault to hold their lead in Open Preliminary. Sara Sellmer and Quantum II are second, and Amy Silvera Olsen and Metropolitan are third.

In Preliminary Rider, Amy Haugen and Ebenholtz maintained the lead on their dressage score 0f 25.3.

“I feel lucky to have such a good horse,” said Haugen. “He is honest in all three phases, but I think show jumping is his favorite. He saved me on a couple of sketchy distances. It was a really fun course. He felt great.”

“I tend to go slow,” said Haugen regarding their chances on tomorrow’s cross-country course. “It’s our second Preliminary back after having time off having a couple of babies. I’m getting my nerve back. It looks like a lot of fun. I hope I do him proud tomorrow!”

OVERNIGHT LEADERS:

You can see the complete scores at Startbox Scoring, here.

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* Photos provided by show photographer Cortney Drake Photography.