 |
|
|
|||
|
|
Both noted that the line of fences 6, 7 and 8, which was a vertical of red planks to the twenty-foot water jump to a Liverpool oxer of white poles, was most tricky. "There are six or seven strides from the vertical to a very wide water, then to the Liverpool, where the horse will be tempted to look down at the water," Hansen said. He proved quite the prognosticator, as it seemed that any rider who had to really push or over-ride to the water was then unable to collect their horse sufficiently to keep from catching a rail at the Liverpool. Only four riders went clean in the first round. They were Margie Engle on Hidden Creek's Perin, Leslie Howard on Priobert de Kalvarie, Schuyler Riley on Ilian and Norman Dello Joio on Glasgow. After a lunchtime break, the exhibitors returned to jump the same course once more. Some of the horses and riders seemed to have benefited from the first round, perhaps reconsidering strategy. Others appeared a bit taxed or weary, as they struggled to keep up rails or stay within the time allowed, a brisk seventy-five seconds that did not permit any dawdling on course.
With time on course the deciding factor between riders with equal faults, Leslie Howard aboard the Belgian warmblood gelding Priobert de Kalvarie wound up the winner for the day. Allison Firestone on Casanova took second and Norman Dello Joio on Glasgow were third. However, in overall standings going into the final three trials next weekend, Lauren Hough on Clasiko is leading the way with a three-round total of a mere four faults. Ray Texel and Lexicon are second with five faults and Beezie Madden and the consistent black stallion Judgement are tied for third with Nicole Shahinian-Simpson and her stallion El Campeon's Cirka Z, both with eight faults. Rounding out the top placings are five combinations tied for 5th with 12 faults each--Molly Ashe and Kroon Gravin, Engle and Hidden Creek's Perin, Howard and Priobert De Kalvarie, Texel and Fleur, and McLain Ward and Viktor. As he heads to the Oaks with two solid horses, Ray Texel reflected on Palacios' course. "It's all about finesse," he said, noting that he didn't find the course too difficult or technical, adding, "I think Leo's courses are always good for both the riders and the spectators because it's easy to see who the better riders are, who is up to the test." When asked what his plan is as he prepares for next week, Texel paused, smiled, and said, "I'm just going to stay focused and keep on target."
Full results can be found at: http://www.uset.com/archive/classes.cfm?showID=1021
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
