Virginia Riders Prepare for 2010 World Equestrian Games-Millbrook trials a tough test for three-day eventers
Submitted by: Betsy Burke Parker
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Email Address: betsy(at)virginiaequestrian.com
Date Added: 8/18/2009
MILLBROOK, NEW YORK -- At last week's Millbrook Horse Trials north of New York City in the Hudson Valley, it was like Virginia's old home week, with nearly a dozen Commonwealth-based competitors in the event.
Olympic veteran Karen O'Connor traveled north from her base in The Plains to win the competitive advanced division aboard Olympic partner Mandiba.
Mandiba edged into first from the very start with a solid dressage score of 31.3 to lead into cross-country. O'Connor steered the young bay sporthorse around the testing course with confidence, bounding through the difficult water complex and handling the bank question late on the course with ease. They posted one of only five double-clears of 26 competitors.
Mandiba jumped double-clear in show jumping to finish on his dressage score, winner by nearly four points over Will Faudree on Pawlow.
Bluemont-based Leslie Law was third on Fleeceworks Mystere Du Val, with Berryville's Sharon White fourth with Rafferty's Rules. Marshall-based Allison Springer was eighth on Destination Known, with former O'Connor student Becky Holder 11th on Olympic partner Courageous Comet. Springer was also 17th aboard Arthur, and Marshall rider Dustin Craig finished 20th on Nap For Sycamore.
Advanced level riders are preparing for next summer's World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky. It will be the first time the championships will be held in the U.S. Seven disciplines are featured: three-day eventing, show jumping, dressage, reining, vaulting, endurance and driving.
In Millbrook's intermediate divisions, O'Connor won section A on Allstar, beating Law and Private Heart by less than two points, with Law winning section B on Evening Shade; O'Connor was third with Rocket.
Photos by Betsy Burke Parker
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