A Weekend for the Books

Photo by Leslie Wylie

Over the weekend, I rode 11 horses at Flora Lea Horse Trials in Medford, New Jersey. After competing eight on Saturday, I managed to hitch a ride to New York City with Buck Davison to win the $50,000 Arena Eventing Central Park event with my best mate Schrammo. I then returned to Flora Lea to ride three on Sunday. Many thanks to Debbie and Tony for making it work and my incredible team for being able to orchestrate this.

Flora Lea was a super event giving our young horses a great experience in all phases. Steve and Karri Guy's Lost in Ireland delivered a 2nd place finish in his Preliminary debut. Shannondale Joss also made a successful debut at the level finishing in 9th.

All three Open Training horses finished on their dressage scores. Shannondale Murphy owned by Sarah Hughes brought home 2nd, Atlantic Spring owned by Julia Strawbridge took home 5th, and Gambado owned by Cheryl Gamboney finished in 9th. 

Summit Sporthorses' Ben Nevis finished 3rd in the Training Horse division. Not far behind him was Mary Hazard's Chusinmyconfession in 5th, and Jean-Marie Evingham's Mainstreet Magic in 7th. 

I rode three in the Novice Horse division. Tullabeg Dilson owned by Curran Simpson was 2nd, followed by Summit Sporthorses' Eiffel in 4th, and Amy Peloquin's Shannondale Julius. 

NYC was the highlight of this year, competing under lights in Central Park with a sellout crowd, surrounded by sky rise buildings was an unbelievable experience.It was such an incredible night with amazing energy of a wonderful city.

 

Thanks to my owners, sponsors, and to Sarah Hughes' Alcatraz for giving his best when it counts!