And those that got in were treated to great weather (between hurricanes) and great competition.
When a show produces an 80-percent ride in the first hour of competition, an 82 percent in the last hour of competition, and a truckload of 70s in between (from five different judges), there’s some kind of magic going on.
“I really think it’s the footing,” said judge Carol Bishop. “The horses carried their warm-up dynamics into the ring with them because nothing changed. Horses don’t like footing changes.”
Judge Mary Lewis agreed.
“The horses in my ring would be a little tentative in the first corner, and then relax and go all out,” she said. “They realized the footing wasn’t hard or slippery.”
And senior judge Joan Humphrey was surprised to see so many FEI rides on grass, unusual for a nationally recognized dressage show. But Pinehurst isn’t ordinary grass. The sand-based “old root” polo field was mowed at a (longer) 3.5-inch length and aerated three times before the show. It’s the turf that Pinehurst golf is world famous for, maintained by experts, and as international footing consultant Dan Kuhn says: “Turf is king.”
High Scores
Nancy Sharpless’ 80-percent test on Saturday with her 4-year-old Toblerone should have easily captured the training level high score trophy. But Lynn Leath of Chapel Hill, beaming with excitement, said she thought she might have topped it Sunday afternoon with d’Artagnan. Minutes later the scoring office erupted with the news: 82.307 percent.
“He was so good,” Leath said. “And after we finished, the judge said, ‘That was a great test.’”
The junior riders were standouts at Pinehurst, with both quantity and quality in the youth ranks. Amanda Paris, 13, outscored her senior counterparts with a 71.5-percent ride on her Thoroughbred gelding Granddad’s Fault for the training jr/am championship.
At first level it was Jennifer Hicks, 17, and her flashy pinto gelding S’more Art (72.2 percent) claiming the honors.
Rarely are 70-percent scores seen at second level, often referred to as the “pit of despair.” But Jenna Schneider, 19, of Wake Forest, and her Guinness made it look easy for the second level open championship. “It was Jenna’s first try at second level,” said trainer Becky Blikslager. “Her mom and sister traveled to the show to watch, which made it even more special!”
Yet another junior claimed a high score trophy: Jami Edwards and her Nero posted a 71.6 at fourth level for the upper level jr/am division.
The amateurs are going to picket for their own divisions next year. They were beat out again at third level by Margie Boyd, 17, of Camden, S.C., with Hirsch Jaeger (66 percent). Boyd also topped the dressage seat equitation, a large class of juniors who appeared glued to their saddles.
Harriet Peterson of Lynchburg, Va., judged Pinehurst 2003 and vowed to return with horses. Not only did she top the open first level (75.9 percent) with Deborah Carwile’s 7-year-old Friesian Pier B, but also claimed the musical freestyle class (70 percent) before a crowd of 100 appreciative spectators. The wine and cheese party was the bait with freestyles providing the entertainment.
Finally a senior rider broke through the junior stronghold at fourth level. Robin Brueckmann and her Richmond earned the high score title with a 70.6, but not without a dilemma. The pair also posted a 73.8 percent at third, but could only claim one prize.
“What a terrible problem,” Brueckman quipped. “I think maybe I’ll keep him.”
Lauren Jump and her 14-year-old Danish Import Juri Gagarin were undefeated over the weekend to claim the FEI championship (68.5 percent) and the FEI Musical Freestyle (71 percent). This partnership has developed a fluid harmony that is both a pleasure to watch and tough to beat on the scoreboard.
Local Riders
Although the local riders just missed winning championships, solid scores and individual classes were claimed.
In the win column, Sidley Payne topped the FEI Intermediate I class with Attention, a Danish gelding owned by DK-USA Sporthorses.
Also at FEI, Michele Lobsinger won the test of choice with her Irish bred Able Sportsfield in a CCI* test.
Lorie Kinney posted a big score at FEI Intermediate on her Applause (65.7) for second place. Barbara Simpson made the jump to second level with Tamelia, claiming a first and second with solid tests. And Cindy Paules was a star with General Grant, topping a large first level class with a 70-percent ride.
Junior rider Stephanie Gibson of Vass placed second in a 12-horse training class in her dressage debut with Risky Business. At the same level, Heather Hamilton, 15, and Diana Simpson, 13, both placed in large classes with Helen of Troy, and T.S. Elliot, respectively. Fred McCashin was in the ribbons every time out with two horses, Mosquito and Private Pilot. His best result was a 67.9 on Sunday at training level with Private Pilot. Cathy Joesten has been eventing her mare Galleria, but the pair grabbed a third (66.2) in an 18-horse open first level.
Beth Daniel and Mozart placed at fourth, and Mary Beth McLean was in the ribbons with her greenies. Scores were so high, she posted a huge 77.9 percent with Jamie McDevitt’s Freedom at training level, only to earn a second place.
Meredith Weiner and Rico Letto M won the Sylvia Miller Memorial Trophy for the high scoring adult amateur at third level. Weiner trains here at McLean’s Masterpiece Farm in Southern Pines.For complete results,http:/home.pinehurst.net/
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