by Heather Wallace for Equine Info Exchange
Boyd Martin has accomplished something that no other rider in North America has done in the last 10 years, sweeping three of four FEI divisions in one international event. A record was broken and history made, at the 16th-annual Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event held May 10-13, 2018 in Allentown, New Jersey.
Each spring the triathletes of the equestrian world compete in the lush green fields of the Horse Park of New Jersey at Stone Tavern in Monmouth County, New Jersey. This year Jersey Fresh is a qualifying event for the FEI World Equestrian Games, which will be held September 11-23rd in Mill Spring, North Carolina at the Tryon International Equestrian Center.
Riders from the United States, Canada, Australia, Great Britain, Ireland, Brazil, and Switzerland enjoyed the spring weather while competing in two days of Dressage, one day of Cross Country and one day of Show Jumping.
This year, JFI3D featured some new features, including a record-breaking 150 competitors in the CIC3* division; 10 new Cross-Country jumps; and new footing in the arenas.
The Divisions
Four divisions were the focus of the three-day event: CIC2*, CIC 3*, CCI2* and CCI3*.
CIC (Concours International Combiné) and CCI (Concours Complet International) are two different types of competitions in eventing, which are generally referred to as short-format and long-format divisions. These are defined usually by the number of obstacles for horse and rider to jump.
The star ratings refer to intermediate (2*) and the advanced level (3*).
Jersey Fresh is one of only five CCI3* events held in North America, and commonly is the final qualifying event for the US Eventing team in the United States. This year a record 150 competitors were scheduled to compete in the CIC3*.
Dressage
Performed in the newly-renovated Grand Prix Arena, American Boyd Martin ranked in first place for three of the four divisions: CCI2* with On Cue; CCI3* with Long Island T; and CIC3* with On Cue. (Will Coleman rode Soupcon du Brunet to place first in the CCI2*.)
Cross Country
For the second year in a row, Captain Mark Phillips designed the Cross Country courses, along with the Horse Park of New Jersey’s own Mark Rowsell as the Co-Designer for the 2* course. With the support of Dr. Brendan Furlong, the 3* course had the addition of 10 new jumps that debuted on Saturday.
The riders were unable to beat the optimum time of 10 minutes, 10 seconds, and as a result the fastest riders were able to climb in the rankings: Boyd Martin held first place in the CCI3* on Long Island T, and second place on Ray Price.
The course was incredibly challenging, especially at the Jersey Shore water obstacle: the difficult skinny combination resulted in a number of run-outs on the island.
While some riders were unable to complete the course due to refusals or falls, all riders and horses returned home safely. Many riders improved their overall rankings due to their quick riding on the course, including Brazilian Nilson Moreira da Silva on Magnum’s Martini, and American Cornelia Dorr who jumped clear on Louis M.
Show Jumping
Mothers' Day (May 13th) dawned overcast and rainy for the final day of Jersey Fresh. This year the show jumping course was designed by Chris Barnard.
The Results
CCI2* had 17 pairs: the winner was Boyd Martin riding On Cue.
CCI3* had 19 pairs: the winner was Boyd Martin on Long Island T.
CIC2* had an astonishing 52 pairs: the winner was Anna Loschiavo on Prince Renan.
CIC3* had 30 pairs: once again, the winner was Boyd Martin, this time on Kyra—who jumped beautifully, despite the pounding rain.
Boyd Martin swept three of four divisions in show jumping, riding back-to-back throughout the day, amidst pouring rain and cool temperatures.
In summation: New Jersey was the location for the setting of a new record in international evening, when Boyd Martin won overall in three divisions. This was the first time in a decade that this has occurred on American soil. The Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event showcased some of the best equestrian athletes in the world, who are preparing now for the FEI World Equestrian Games later this year.
About the Author: Heather Wallace is a Certified Equine Sports Massage Therapist (ESMT), Certified Canine Massage Therapist (CCMT), and Aromatherapist working diligently to reveal to the world the benefits natural therapies for animals through both hands on work and writing in her award-winning blog, Bridle & Bone.
Heather is also the Content Manager for EquineInfoExchange.com and a regular writer for a number of publications including Equine Info Exchange, Sidelines Magazine, and Holistic Horse Magazine. Her first book, Equestrian Handbook of Excuses, was a 2017 Literary Selection for the Equus Film Festival. Available for preorder now is her second book, Confessions of a Timid Rider, which details her insights about being an anxiety-ridden but passionate equestrian. In her spare time, of which she has little, she spends her time with her husband, three children, two dogs, and pony.
Find out more about Heather Wallace in our section on Business Services - Writers.
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