Once the rattling wind and rain of last evening abated and a new day of placid skies lifted over Rebecca Farm west of here, it was time for the 28 HSBC FEI World Cup competitors to test their own calm and patience in the dressage event -- and three Olympians rose to the top. Dressage is designed to test obedience and the harmony between horse and rider.
Karen O'Connor and Mandiba, owned by Joan Goswell, performed an accurate and relaxed test to take the lead with a score of 44.2, while Phillip Dutton and Truluck, owned by Rebecca Broussard and Ann Jones, landed in a close second with 45.8. Rounding out the top three was Mara Dean and High Patriot, scoring 47.4.
"Mandiba has really matured, has become very confirmed in the flatwork, and a lot of fun to ride," said O'Connor. "I was feeling the fruition of a lot of years of work. And it was becoming easier than it ever has - and that is a very fun moment."
Karen O'Connor was once ranked the number one lady rider in the world and has held the U.S. Female Equestrian athlete of the year title ten different times. She won the team silver medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, the team bronze at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and was a member of the 2008 Olympic team in Beijing.
Dutton said that he was pleased with Truluck. "When you come to a place like Rebecca Farm where there is a bit of atmosphere, it is a good stepping stone for him. There are ways to improve, but I really feel that he's getting better and I'm getting better."
Karen O'Connor and Mandiba
Dutton is a native Australian now riding for the U.S. Dutton represented Australia on two Olympic gold medal-winning teams. A resident if the U.S. since 1992, he became a citizen in 2006 and has represented the U.S. since 2007 in Pan American and Olympic games.
"High Patriot got a little wound up watching the cross country, but we went into the ring and did the work," said Dean, who also commented that her horse has been very fresh and loving the cooler Montana weather. "He has matured so much since Kentucky. His canter work has really improved."
Dean is a consistent four-star level rider who competed as an individual in the Olympic Games in Atlanta and has represented the U.S. in the Pan American games.
All of the riders were complimentary of Rebecca Farm. "This is comparable to what you would see in Europe and the best of the east coast," continued Dean. "It's also amazing to go into town and everyone knows who we are."
"This is the world stage, but it feels like a community event," agreed O'Connor, noting that even waitresses at local restaurants would ask for their bib numbers so they could watch for them on the course. "There have been a lot of key people who have made this happen. Sarah Broussard Kelly really went to bat for us to help the riders from the East Coast fly here this year."
On Tuesday, O'Connor was one of the nine riders who arrived at Glacier Park International Airport with 18 horses, marking the first time since 1962 that competitors from the East Coast have flown to an event in the West.
"This is one of the greatest venues I have seen," said Dutton, who also arrived on the airplane, bringing along three horses, all of whom he rode today. "To find a facility like this in the middle of summer is unheard of. The Event is run in a really professional way and is really good for the horses. The next step will be for the European riders to come here."
Looking to the cross country stage tomorrow, the riders spoke about the course designed by Captain Mark Phillips, one of the leading designers in the world for equestrian courses. Cross country is designed to test endurance with horses running long distances at high rates of speed. It also tests courage, boldness, confidence, and stamina of both horse and rider.
Phillips redesigned the nine cross country courses that include three water complexes and 150 different jumps. One special feature this summer is the "key hole" jump at the water complex, where horses in the Advanced and three-star divisions jump through a hole of brush hanging from a frame.
"The keyhole is always quite a spectacular thing because the horse and rider burst through," said Phillips. "It also creates an element of uncertainty, which will make this a bit more difficult. If the horse is not quite certain enough or lands a little short through the keyhole, then it has to think how to solve the rest of the puzzle."
Day 2 of the HSBC FEI World Cup at Rebecca Farm begins tomorrow, July 24 when the cross country phase happens all day from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. for all FEI Levels and National Horse Trial Levels. World Cup riders will compete on the course from 11 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. The Show Jumping phase happens on Sunday for all levels from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Top 10 results after Dressage:
Karen O'Connor, Mandiba, 44.2
Phillip Dutton, Truluck, 45.8
Mara Dean, High Patriot, 47.4
Tiana Coudray, Ringwood Magister, 49.2
Hawley Bennett-Awad, Gin N' Juice, 49.6
Buck Davidson, My Boy Bobby, 51.2
Kristi Nunnink, R-Star, 51.6
Beth Temkin, Jude's Law, 51.8
Sara Mittleider, El Primero, 53.2
Phillip Dutton, Inmidair, 54.6
