hree countries were represented on the podium in Thursday’s $10,000 FEI 3* Two-Phase presented by Old Salem Farm, which saw entries including six riders from the Paris Olympic Games and eight Olympic veterans overall. After representing his nation in Paris this summer, Germany’s Richard Vogel proved the one to beat in his first show at Old Salem Farm, stopping the clock with Levi Noesar (Zirocco Blue VDL) on a double-clear score of 26.78 seconds for the win.
Of the 42 entries representing seven countries in Thursday’s $10,000 FEI 3* Two-Phase, Vogel led the way over Alan Wade’s 15-effort, 1.45m course with his blistering, faultless time of 26.78 seconds aboard MP Sporthorses GMBH’s 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion. Claiming second in 27.10 seconds was Georgina Bloomberg (USA) aboard Copernicus (Camaro M), an 11-year-old Swedish Warmblood stallion owned by Purple Road LLC. Great Britain’s Grace Debney rode Boheme De La Roque (Kannan GFE), Temple Equestrian LLC’s 13-year-old Selle Français mare, to a third-place finish in 27.33 seconds.
“It’s my first time here, and we were just trying to have a nice entry class to get into the show,” Vogel said. “Levi did a very good job. He was clear in both phases and took the win, so I’m very proud about that. Phenyo (Van Het Keysersbos) also did well; he had one down, but I’m very happy with both horses.
“Both horses felt good today, so I think I’ll ride both in the 1.50m qualifier tomorrow,” he added. “Then Levi, since he’s only eight, will do the Saturday class, and Phenyo will do the Grand Prix on Sunday. It’s very nice here (at Old Salem). The weather has been beautiful, and the riding conditions are super. I love the general atmosphere, and I’m very happy to be here.”
Other jumper highlights included a blazing victory by Cristian Hacker of Wellington, FL, riding CSH Equine LLC’s Cocaine De Riverland in the $3,000 1.40m Junior/Amateur Jumper (0/0/34.113). Mark Bluman (COL) earned his second consecutive win with Cavall Holdings LP 5986799’s Masai LS in the $4,000 1.35m Open Jumper (0/0/29.289), where he also secured second place aboard Daniel Bluman’s Cocolina V.V. (0/0/29.784).
“These are two horses where it’s actually my first time showing them,” Bluman said. “They were first and second today, so it’s a great start. I was looking forward to being competitive and getting to know them a bit better. We’ll see what we do during the rest of the week. The one mare (Cocolina) is from my cousin, Daniel, so hopefully we get to produce her and see how far she can get. The other horse (Masai) is from a Mexican owner who wants him sold, so hopefully we can find him a home soon. His wins yesterday and today were a good start.”