With content from Eventing Nation
With content from Eventing Nation
The rolling hills of Loch Moy Farm in Adamstown, MD, played host to the Maryland International & Horse Trials and the USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships over the weekend of July 5-7, 2024. It was an exciting time as Canada’s young eventing combinations put all of their hard work and fundraising to the test.
In its second year hosting the Maryland International, the horse trials and competitors battled the heat with temperatures in the high 30’s. Riders and grooms worked hard to keep their horses cool.
Lisa Marie Fergusson and Honor Me
Photo: Erin Gilmore Photography
With an incredible cross-country run, Lisa Marie Fergusson and her long-time partner, Honor Me (Brynarian Brenin AP Maldwyn x Royal Chocolate), climbed the leaderboard to take first place in the CCI4*-S division. The 18-year-old Thoroughbred/Welsh Cob cross, affectionately known as “Tali,” started the weekend in ninth place but finished strong on a score of 75.1, earning their first win at the 4* level.
Jessica Phoenix, who is headed to Paris as a member of Team Canada’s eventing squad wasn’t far behind with Sara Irving’s 11-year-old 2013 gelding Aeronautics (Two Step Salsa x Silver Ghost). The pair finished third in the 4*-S on a score of 78.7. Phoenix then followed that up with another third-place finish in the CCI3*-S with Melissa Boutin’s 12-year-old Trakehner Obeah Dancer GS (Humble GS x Buddenbrock).
Jessica Phoenix and Obeah Dancer GS
Photo: SDH Photography for Erin Gilmore Photography
After her win and as the USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships entered their final phase, Fergusson shared some sound advice with the younger riders. “Go out and remember that you do this for fun,” she said. “Go out and enjoy the moment and have a sense of humor. Focus on getting a little bit better and keep chipping away.”
Mégane Sauvé and Nuance
Photo: Erin Gilmore Photography
Mégane Sauvé took that advice to heart. In her first time competing at the 3* level, and the only Canadian in the field, Sauvé and her own 10-year-old Thoroughbred mare Nuance won the Young Rider CCI3YRC-S division on a score of 46.9. In the CCI2YRC-S division, the only two Canadian combinations Chelsea Lowe with Donna Pledge’s 2017 Irish Sport Horse Fernhill Malito Park (Malito De Reve x Don Juan de la Bouverie) and Saffron Klotz with her own 2015 Irish Sport Horse Ballingowan Clarity (Sibon W x Master IMP) finished second on 35.3 and third on 35.4 respectively.
In the CCI One Star Young Rider Championships Olivia MacLeod with her own Watch Me Skip Away finished on a score of 46.3 for 9th place and Avery Tallman and her BDE Olympic Royale took 10th on a score of 46.8.
Chelsea Lowe and Fernhill Malito Park (right), Saffron Klotz (left)
Photo: Erin Gilmore Photography
The USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships offer young riders an international-level eventing experience. All riders who participated are to be congratulated. Their hard work, dedication, and passion for the sport of eventing are the promise of a great future for Canada. So many have surrounded the group and should be recognized including coaches, supporters, sponsors, and everyone whose efforts and commitment made the trip possible.
Special thanks to Canadian National Eventing Team athlete and Chef d’Equipe Kendal Lehari for her guidance and management of our talented young team whose leadership has been instrumental in nurturing and developing these exceptional athletes.
For those who wish to continue supporting the young riders, donations are still welcome to help cover some remaining expenses associated with these competitions. Please visit the U25 2024 fundraising page at https://inspireme.fund/project/82/.
For a full list of scores from the weekend visit: https://evententries.com//#LiveScores