Monica Spencer and Artist have put in a cracker cross country round at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event to finish the day in fourth place after adding just .8 time to their score.

The Derek di Grazia-designed CCI5*-L course threw everything at the riders, with a particularly tight time. Just two combinations came home clear and inside time shooting both into the top six. Even leader Tom McEwen (GBR) and JL Dublin added, topping up their dressage score by four to finish on 28.6 penalty points. Sitting in second is still Yasmin Ingham (GBR) aboard Banzu du Loir on 31.6, with Oliver Townend (GBR)on Cooley Rosalent in third on 31.8 and Monica on 32.7.

“I was definitely happy to be sitting on a New Zealand thoroughbred,” she said. “You had to keep hunting for that time the whole way round. The course had everything in it. You had to fight the whole way but Max (Artist) was a champ.”

The horse had kept answering every question, putting his ears through the flags and galloping on, despite losing a front shoe at the second fence. “That made it a bit slippery on the turns but he just kept trying. He loves to gallop and while he is not a naturally brave horse, he is very willing.” The grounds had been absolutely perfect.

Joe Meyer and Harbin moved into the top 20 with their clear jumping effort. They added 9.2 time to finish the day on 49.6 in 17th.  Joe was “super pleased” with Harbin. “It is his first 5* and he rocked it. We had a few time faults but it was still pretty awesome.” 

Just five combinations picked up jump faults, but the bulk of the field added time. Four retired on course, with two eliminated, leaving 26 in the field.

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SCHEDULE

Event

USA Time

NZ Time

Jumping – 1st Group

Sunday 2.00pm

Monday 6.00am

Jumping – 2nd Group

Sunday 3.00pm

Monday 7.00am

Tim Price and Jarillo. File Photo. Photo Credit Libby Law Photography

Tim Price remains the best of the Kiwis at Saumur Complet, in France, sitting in ninth place aboard Jarillo after coming home clear in the cross country but adding 3.2 time for an end-of-day tally of 31.8 penalty points. James Avery and Dallas 13 did exactly the same for their 33.2 score while Jonelle Price and Senor Crocodillo were clear but added 12 time for their 41 penalty point effort. Jonelle and McClaren sit on 54.6 with Tim retiring Happy Boy during the cross country.

Sebastien Cavaillon (FRA) and Elipso de la Vigne lead the field on 23.4, having added nothing to their dressage score, with Louis Seychal (FRA) and Bakar de l’Ocean LA sit in second on 27.2 and Astier Nicolas rounding out a host country trifecta aboard Alertamalib’or on 27.9. Just seven of the 43 combinations today came home clear and inside time, with three eliminations and four retirements.

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THE HORSE DETAILS:
Artist (by Guillotine out of Maxamore who is by Volksraad) – owned by Monica and Andrew Spencer
Harbin (by Verglas out of Rainbow City who is by Rainbow Quest) – owned by John, Gay, Ruth and Joe Meyer and Theresa Foote)
Happy Boy (by Indoctro out of W.Amelusina 17 who is by Odermus) – owned by Susan Lamb, Therese Miller and Tim Price
Jarillo (by Dantos out of Fiorilla who is by Alicante) – owned by Lucy Allison, Frances Stead and James and Rachel Good
Diachello (by Diarado out of Viser Cholin who is by Chello I) – owned by Kent Gardner and Jesse Campbell
Senor Crocodillo (by Connor 48, out of Marni who is by Exorbitant XX) – owned by Alexander and Joseph Giannamore and Jonelle Price
McClaren (by Clarimo out of Toni I who is by Landjunge) – owned by David and Karie Thomson
Dallas 13 (by Dimaggio) – owned by David and Karie Thomson

By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison
Photos by Shannon Brinkman