Marilyn Little and RF Demeter Photo courtesy Allie Conrad
Marilyn Little, U.S. Eventing Team rider and international show jumper won her first event of the season at the Carolina International CIC3* with Team Demeter's 12 year old Oldenburg Mare RF Demeter (Rubin-Royal x Patricia).
The pair climbed from 8th place after dressage (46.2) to 5th place on the overnight leaderboard going into cross country following a clear show jumping round. It was the pace of the cross country and the mare's quality that prevailed when she returned inside the time (one of only two riders to do so) to win her first event of the season on 46.2.
Little was naturally delighted with the mare's performance; "This is an incredible beginning for our team coming into a very exciting year. Once again Demeter has shown herself to be an amazing competitor, regardless of whether the event is the first of her season or the last."
Raylyn Farms, Inc. & Michael & Pheobe Manders eight year old Wurttemburg gelding RF Smoke on the Water (Samos x Zuchtbuch Rapaula - Rapaulo) also finished in the ribbons in the CIC3* climbing from 22nd place after dressage with a score of 53.7 to finish in eighth place on 58.5.
"It was a thrill to have 'Smoke' back in competition, and though he was somewhat enthusiastic at the beginning of the weekend, his performance in his debut run for 2014 was brilliant," added Little.
Buck Davidson took second place riding Ballynoecastle RM and Michael Pollard riding Ballingowan Pizazz were third
Will Faudree won the CIC1* riding Riesling de Buissy and Ariel Grald took the CIC2* riding LBF Oleagh's Image. Australia’s Ryan Wood riding McLovin was fourth in this class while Boyd Martin didn’t have such a good weekend, breaking his shin bone which will no doubt put him out of Rolex Kentucky
