Two 11-year-old first-time five-star horses excelled in the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event dressage today for US riders, putting in the best tests of the day aside from Yasmin Ingham’s.
The final competitor, Will Coleman, scored 25 with Hyperion Stud’s Chin Tonic to move into fourth. A beautiful horse and a super mover, the Holsteiner by Chin Champ showed some quality work as well as moments of greenness and tension.
“It’s a much higher level of technicality at the five-star and he still has room to improve in that department,” said Will. “Everything comes very quick in this test and he needs to be a little better, a little sharper, and be available a little bit quicker.”
Liz Halliday-Sharp has claimed fifth with her equally promising young ride Miks Master C, owned by Ocala Horse Properties and Deborah Palmer, who received a mark of 26.9.
Liz said: “He’s an amazing horse and when you’re on a horse this world class you sort of you want it all to happen all at once, so I had dreams of going in and getting a very, very, very low score, which I thought he was extremely capable of – and he is capable of – but this is the biggest atmosphere he’s ever seen. He got a little bit keen, a little bit strong, and we just had to kind of work through the best that we could.
“But I have so much belief in him and he is capable of all the things so I’m still thrilled with him.”
Liz gave a shout out to Miks Master C’s breeder, Laurie Cameron, who also bred Sydney Solomon’s ride Early Review CBF, who followed her into the arena.
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Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.
