In a fairytale finale to an exciting weekend at Plantation Field International Horse Trials, Pacific Northwest superstars Maya Black and Doesn’t Play Fair have won the star-studded CIC3* division, jumping clear on cross country and coming home with just 3.6 time penalties to win on 52.5. Buck Davidson and U.S. World Equestrian Games team horse Ballynoe Castle RM, the sentimental favorites to win this weekend, jumped clear with 7.6 time penalties to slip down to third place on a score of 55.3, with his stablemate Copper Beech moving into second place on 52.9 with one of just two double clear trips in the division. Boyd Martin and fellow U.S. WEG team horse Trading Aces, who looked full of running today, finished fourth on a score of 56.1 with 4.8 time penalties, with Caitlin Silliman and Catch A Star jumping clear with 4.8 time penalties to finish in fifth place on a score of 60.6. Caitlin and “Hoku” had unfinished business at this event after a mishap in the water complex this year, which thwarted their trip to Boekelo CCIO3* in the Netherlands. Since then, Caitlin and the mare have been on a comeback tour, and when a friend asked me on Thursday to make a pick a top finisher in the CIC3*, I said Caitlin. We couldn’t be happier for her. Sharon White and Wundermaske finished sixth with 11.6 time penalties in one of their final prep runs before the Pau CCI4* next month, and she had an unfortunate runout with her other ride, Under Suspection, at the brush corners at fence 12, which caused the most trouble by far in this division. Erin Sylvester and No Boundaries finished in seventh place on 66.6 with a fast trip on 7.6 time penalties and looked very much in the zone at the final water complex, and Tik Maynard and the lovely mare Sapphire also had a fantastic trip to finish on 67.2 with 9.2 time penalties. Boyd Martin and Steady Eddie, Maggie’s sleeper pick for the weekend, finished in ninth place was a smooth trip and 67.2 time penalties, and Caroline Martin and Quantum Solace round out the top 10, with mom Sherrie Martin whooping and hollering when she crossed the finish line clear with 68.7 penalties. Just two pairs made the time: Buck with Copper Beech and Tim Bourke with Luckaun Quality. The brush corners at fence 12 caused the most trouble by far, with at least six pairs having runouts there by my count. Thirty-five pairs jumped clear, a large percentage of the 51-horse field. Dasha Ivandaeva and Autorytet and Jimmie Schramm were eliminated on course due to one too many refusals. Nora Battig and Steppin’ Out were the only combination to retire on course. Nilson Moreira de Silva and Maggie and Helen Hayn and Aqua Tom fell one after the other at fence 15, the new footbridge, where led to lengthy holds on course. All the horses and riders involved are OK. We’ve just wrapped up the awards and press conferences for the CIC3*, CIC2* and Advanced division, which Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda won in dominant fashion. I have much more to bring you from Planation Field, so stay tuned for much more from the Best. Event. Ever.
In a fairytale finale to an exciting weekend at Plantation Field International Horse Trials, Pacific Northwest superstars Maya Black and Doesn’t Play Fair have won the star-studded CIC3* division, jumping clear on cross country and coming home with just 3.6 time penalties to win on 52.5. Buck Davidson and U.S. World Equestrian Games team horse Ballynoe Castle RM, the sentimental favorites to win this weekend, jumped clear with 7.6 time penalties to slip down to third place on a score of 55.3, with his stablemate Copper Beech moving into second place on 52.9 with one of just two double clear trips in the division. Boyd Martin and fellow U.S. WEG team horse Trading Aces, who looked full of running today, finished fourth on a score of 56.1 with 4.8 time penalties, with Caitlin Silliman and Catch A Star jumping clear with 4.8 time penalties to finish in fifth place on a score of 60.6. Caitlin and “Hoku” had unfinished business at this event after a mishap in the water complex this year, which thwarted their trip to Boekelo CCIO3* in the Netherlands. Since then, Caitlin and the mare have been on a comeback tour, and when a friend asked me on Thursday to make a pick a top finisher in the CIC3*, I said Caitlin. We couldn’t be happier for her. Sharon White and Wundermaske finished sixth with 11.6 time penalties in one of their final prep runs before the Pau CCI4* next month, and she had an unfortunate runout with her other ride, Under Suspection, at the brush corners at fence 12, which caused the most trouble by far in this division. Erin Sylvester and No Boundaries finished in seventh place on 66.6 with a fast trip on 7.6 time penalties and looked very much in the zone at the final water complex, and Tik Maynard and the lovely mare Sapphire also had a fantastic trip to finish on 67.2 with 9.2 time penalties. Boyd Martin and Steady Eddie, Maggie’s sleeper pick for the weekend, finished in ninth place was a smooth trip and 67.2 time penalties, and Caroline Martin and Quantum Solace round out the top 10, with mom Sherrie Martin whooping and hollering when she crossed the finish line clear with 68.7 penalties. Just two pairs made the time: Buck with Copper Beech and Tim Bourke with Luckaun Quality. The brush corners at fence 12 caused the most trouble by far, with at least six pairs having runouts there by my count. Thirty-five pairs jumped clear, a large percentage of the 51-horse field. Dasha Ivandaeva and Autorytet and Jimmie Schramm were eliminated on course due to one too many refusals. Nora Battig and Steppin’ Out were the only combination to retire on course. Nilson Moreira de Silva and Maggie and Helen Hayn and Aqua Tom fell one after the other at fence 15, the new footbridge, where led to lengthy holds on course. All the horses and riders involved are OK. We’ve just wrapped up the awards and press conferences for the CIC3*, CIC2* and Advanced division, which Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda won in dominant fashion. I have much more to bring you from Planation Field, so stay tuned for much more from the Best. Event. Ever.