Roncoroni rallies for Britain
Two of Britain’s riders score strong results, but the team end up third of three in the US Nations Cup
NICKY RONCORONI finished in fourth place individually with Watts Burn to secure the best British result at the only Nations Cup leg held outside Europe.
The 12-year-old Irish sport horse gelding, owned by Lorna McWilliam and Nicky’s mother Janey, added 4.4 cross-country time-penalties to his dressage score to finish on 53.
“Any faults that I’ve ever had with him have been because he’s been too enthusiastic,” said Nicky. “I’ve got a bit braver about letting him run and jump and not trying to dominate him too much. He’s as honest as the day is long. He’s always straight between the flags.”
Britain finished third of the three teams, behind the home nation and Canada. Cross-country day did not go to plan from the start, with US-based Brit Justine Dutton falling with Jak My Style at the second water complex as the first pair on course. Jak was unhurt, but Justine suffered a collapsed lung and several broken bones in the fall and was transported by ambulance to Inova Fairfax Hospital. As H&H went to press on Monday, she was expected to remain in hospital for a couple of days.
Matthew Heath and One Of A Kind, the next pair out for the team, were also eliminated on Mike Etherington-Smith’s course. The 12-year-old British-bred gelding, owned by Hazel Livesey, had three refusals at fence nine, a brush corner in the main arena.
“I really didn’t have his brain [focused] in the main arena from the very start, but you have to learn about the bad things to be able to improve them,” said Matt.
“It has been a fantastic opportunity to be able to come to the States to compete.”
Britain’s fortunes turned when Emily Llewellyn and Emirati Nightsky jumped clear with 8.8 time-penalties in the horse’s third start at three-star level. The eightyear-old Dutch gelding, owned by Camilla Harries, received a late call-up to the team alongside Jak My Style when Ben Hobday and James Sommerville’s rides Mulrys Error and Talent were withdrawn.
“I tried to stay really laid-back,” said Emily, who finished ninth. “I knew that my being under pressure being on the team would for sure translate to him. I think he dealt with the whole week like a total pro.”
Led by team manager Philip Surl, a British team competed at The Plains for the second consecutive year and praised the venue.
“It’s an absolute treat to have the all-weather surface for the dressage and showjumping,” said Nicky. “I think it’s got to the stage in the sport that it’s almost a necessity to have that.”
HOME SIDE RIDER REPEATS WIN
JENNIE BRANNIGAN won the inaugural CIC3* at Great Meadow in 2015 with Cambalda and clinched a repeat win to lead the US Nations Cup team to victory. The 15-year-old Irish sport horse gelding, owned by Nina Gardner, added 1.6 cross-country timepenalties to finish on 49.8 — the only sub-50 finishing score in the field.
Having last competed on a US team at Boekelo in 2012, Jennie described it as “an honour to get to ride for your country”.
The US team led wire-to-wire in the Nations Cup and swept the top three individual podium placings courtesy of Jennie, Lynn Symansky (Donner, second) and Phillip Dutton (I’m Sew Ready, third). The US team added 12.4 penalties after dressage to win on 151.5, 17.1 points ahead of Canada.
Britain widened their lead in the FEI Nations Cup standings with 410 points. Germany sits second with 300 points, ahead of the US with 180 points.