A strong contingent of U.S. horses and riders are set to compete in FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing competition this weekend at the Military Boekelo-Enschede CCIO3*, October 11-14. The team of Jennie Brannigan, Phillip Dutton, Jon Holling and Clark Montgomery are competing at the premiere Dutch competition as part of the Land Rover Competition and Training Grants program.
Boekelo, the sixth and final competition in the inaugural FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing series, will host teams from 12 nations, with the U.S. drawing fifth in the order. Additionally, all competitors are vying for top Individual honors in the field of 112.
Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda
Brannigan (West Grove, PA) is a well-known competitor on the U.S. scene having collected top placings on both the East and West Coasts. She will ride Nina Gardner's 10-year-old Thoroughbred cross gelding, Cambalda, in the Nations Cup competition. The pair won the CCI3* at the Galway Downs International Three Event in 2010. They prepared for Boekelo by placing second in the Advanced division at the 2012 Richland Park Horse Trials in August prior to finishing 11th in CIC3* competition at the Plantation Field International Horse Trials during the third weekend in September.
Earlier in the summer, Dutton (West Grove, PA) competed at his fifth Olympic Games representing the U.S. in London. He will use all of his vast experience, including winning two Olympic Gold medals for Australia, in Holland riding Tom Tierney's Atlas. Dutton and the eight-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding were fourth at the 2012 Volvo Bromont CCI3* Three Day Event in June. In September, they completed the CIC3* at Plantation Field in fifth place.
Holling (Ocala, FL) heads to Boekelo looking to cap-off a banner season with Constance Ann Holling's Downtown Harrison. In April, Holling and the eight-year-old Trakehner/Thoroughbred gelding placed second in the CIC3* at the Fair Hill International Horse Trials. In June, the pair travelled to Canada and won the 2012 Volvo Bromont CCI3* Three Day Event amongst a competitive field.
The final member of the U.S. squad, Montgomery (Kennett Square, PA) benefitted from Land Rover Competition and Training Grants, spending the summer training and competing in England with his Nations Cup partner Loughan Glen. Holly Becker and Kathryn Kraft's nine-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding has already scored many top placings in his bourgeoning career. The pair won the 2011 Bromont CCI3* in June before travelling to England utilizing a Land Rover Competition and Training Grant to compete at the 2011 Fidelity Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials placing fifth. Montgomery and Loughan Glen head to Boekelo after winning the Advanced division at the 2012 Plantation Field International Horse Trials.
Additionally, he will ride his wife Jessica Montgomery's the 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Universe at the Military Boekelo-Enschede.
Dutton will lead off the American effort as the second horse in the arena Thursday morning at 9:07am local time and Montgomery will ride Loughan Glen at 2:00pm local time. Brannigan and Holling will be the final U.S. team members to compete on Friday. Montgomery will also ride Universe Friday afternoon.
Article: USEF Communications Department
Photo: Picsofyou.com
