Individually, U.S. captured the top three places. Jennie Brannigan of Reddick, Fla., captured her second individual title, having won previously in 2015. Second place went to Lynn Symansky of Middleburg, Va., and six-time Olympic veteran Phillip Dutton of West Grove, Pa., finished third.
A large crowd turned out for the cross country phase at the only North American leg of the FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing competition outside Europe. This year, cross country course designer Mike Etherington-Smith reversed the direction and order of the fences from the previous year to generate interest for both the competitors and spectators. The riders respected the course with 22 of the original 28 starters completing the competition.
The U.S. team consisted of Symansky, Dutton, Brannigan and Boyd Martin. All had respectable results, though for Brannigan the day was unforgettable, winning individually and securing the victory for the U.S team. Riding Nina Gardner's Cambalda, the pair came into the final day in fourth place and catapulted to the top spot incurring only 1.6 time faults for a three-phase score of 49.8 penalties.
"The first time I came it was so exciting because it earned me a spot as a traveling alternate for the Pan Am Games, which was quite special to me," said Brannigan. "It's such an honor to get to ride for your country and "Ping" has been an incredible horse in a lot of ways and is wonderful to me. I really appreciate him stepping up to the plate."
Overnight leader, Canada's Jessica Phoenix was very nearly unseated from Don Good's Pavarotti at the Jet Linx Launch narrow brush. She quickly recovered to finish clear adding 12.4 time faults for a cumulative score of 56.4 penalties and sixth place.
"I think it was a really exciting weekend for Canada," said Phoenix. We almost all got personal bests this weekend, which was great for us. It's fun every day to show up for work."
Teammate Selena O'Hanlon was one of only three horse and rider combinations to go double clear on Foxwood High, owned by John and Judy Rumble, scoring 54.9 penalties. Waylon Roberts and Kelecyn Cognac, owned by Anthony Connolly, had the quickest trip of the day finishing on a double clear in a time of 6:21 to end with 57.3 penalties. Anchor rider Lisa Marie Fergusson rode her own Honor Me to a clear round with just two time penalties for a final score of 71.5 penalties.