The $32,000 FEI 1.45m Time First Round presented by Fidelity Investments followed in the afternoon, with 23 horse-and-rider combinations representing six countries vying for top honors over Wade’s 15-effort course. Samuel Hutton (GBR) returned to the winner’s circle once more with AS Farms USA Inc.’s 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding WKD Toronto (Tornesch x Carnaval Drum), tripping the timers on the fastest clear time of 58.98 seconds.
“Brianne’s (Goutal-Marteau) horse had a really big stride,” Hutton said. “I saw her go, and she did one less than me down one of the lines. I don’t actually know my horse that well yet; this is only my second show with him, but he was really good. He’s quite quick away from the jumps, and he’s great at turning.
“I was hoping our time was enough to win, but I knew there were still a couple of fast ones to go,” he continued. “I didn’t see Mary Rose (Canterbury) go – I was in the other ring walking my horse off – but I heard she went fast. I was keeping everything crossed. It’s really, really nice to be back riding and competing again, and I’m really happy to be in the ring here. It feels great.”
Mary Rose Canterbury (USA) raced around the ring with Zuperman MT (Corporal VDL x Cassiano) toward the end of the order; she and 5C Ranch And Minerals LLC’s 11-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding claimed second in 60.25 seconds. Brianne Goutal-Marteau (USA) posted one of the first faultless rounds in 60.50 seconds and finished third aboard S & L Marlon VD Heffinck (Desir du Chateau x Diabeau van de Heffinck), a 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion owned by S & L Farms.
