For live results from the 2009 Fair Hill Internation CCI2* and CCI3*, click here. Scroll down for the CCI3*.
The
Fair Hill International CCI2* and CCI3* Three-Day Event is the largest and most important Eventing competition in the United States this Fall. The top riders, whether they will admit it or not are all looking ahead to the
Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games next summer, they know that a good weekend at Fair Hill will set them up perfectly for a good Spring, and thus a coveted spot on the Team. Eventing Nation will cover all the weekend's action, which gets underway when Dressage starts Thurday. A few thoughts:
The first horse inspection (Wednesday) saw quite a few holds, and a few horses being eliminated. One competitor texted me that "over 20 horses were held and around 4 were spun." In my opinion, the FEI should consider giving
yellow cards for getting spun (eliminated) at a first inspection. I understand the pressure riders feel from all sides, and I understand that sometimes horses step on a rock or twist an ankle right before the jog. But, competitors and vets need to be responsible enough not to present a questionable horse before the competition even starts. Cross-Country is hard enough on these horses without asking them to compete while sore or lame.
Speaking of Cross-Country, I hear the CCI3* XC is extremely tough this year. One rider told me the track is "extremely long" and said it "doesn't let up." Look for technical elements late on the course to cause lots of run-outs as tired riders struggle to rebalance tired horses.
Just over 70 horses are entered in the CCI3* and 80 in the CCI2*, the vast majority competing for the US. These numbers suggest an improving depth of talent in the US, a very encouraging sign. A lot of young talent has the opportunity to make a name for themselves over the next few days.
Check out
this Fair Hill XC map. The CCI*** is 5700m long, which, off the top of my head, is about 3.54181 miles. The average speed of 570m/min is about 21mi/hr, which should be a cake-walk, considering that Secretariat ran the 1.5mi 1973 Belmont Stakes in 2.4minutes, which is an average speed of 36mph. "AND HE IS MOVING LIKE A TREMENDOUS MACHINE!" (1:42)
After reading all the stories, you get the news out in a not completely serious manner, but its not lol funny except riverdancing. I think I was reading it too much for the comedy and ridiculousness, which wasn't there as much as I thought it would be. But...its kinda hard to be as ridiculous as i thought because no news would get across, or no one would take you seriously. But overall, it is very well done, it gets the new across, and its not a total bore (I actually read it all!!!). Keep it up!!!