UNIONVILLE, Pa.--US Olympic Eventing Team member William Coleman on Diabolo leads the Plantation Field International $40,000, CCI4-S with a steady and accurate dressage test, scoring 23.9.
Will Coleman on Diabolo (Photo by Amy Dragoo Photography)Boyd Martin on Tsetserleg TSF is second on 27.9, and Michael Nolan on Carrabeg Hulla Balou is third on 28.2.
A total of 37 horses competed in this division.
“He did all the little things well," said Coleman. "He walks well, his halts were excellent and we were accurate in the trot. His changes were the best he could do. They were clean, just not as well balanced as we’ve been trying to do. The ring is difficult, it’s on quite a grade. Some of the movements are a challenge on flat ground and even more I have to be pleased with him.”
Though Diabolo traveled to Paris for the Olympics, he did not compete.
He returned to the United States and won the USEA Advanced Title at the American Eventing Championships.
“He just continues to improve," said Coleman. "I couldn’t be happier with the horse and how he’s going. I’m pleased with his progress and how confident he seems to be getting. He’s not the finished article just yet, but we continue to chip away. Maryland will be his first five-star, which will be a big test, but I feel like he’s ready.”
“THE CROSS COUNTRY course looks great" said Coleman. "Hats off to Jeff Kibbie and Derek di Grazia and the team here. Conditions have been challenging without much rain but they’ve put a lot of effort into it. Jamie Hicks has really improved the ground here over the years, and as riders we’re all appreciative of that.”
Coleman is also riding three less experienced horses this weekend,
“The other three are a greener bunch but they’ve been good too," he said. "They’re all newer horses for me, I’ve had them all for a little under a year. There are two 6-year-olds. The Pellegrini Family owns Fox Como. He’s a lovely Swedish-bred horse, competing in the Two-Star, and another 6-year-old, Honest Man; this will be his third event. Fahrenheit Addict, in the Three-Star, is owned by the Broussards, and he’s a lovely horse, I’ve had him about 10 months and I’m just patiently producing him.”
Martin's farm Windurra is located in Cochranville, Pa., not far from Plantation Field.
“All of the horses went really well," said Martin. "It’s a tricky ring because there’s a lot of electricity and atmosphere and it takes real finesse to get a good test out of them. I was pleased with Tsetserleg and Commando 3; they both did good tests with room for improvement. Miss Lulu Herself got a little hot and couldn’t contain herself, but they’re all in good shape for tomorrow’s show jumping.”
“Cross country looks like typical Plantation," said Martin. "A strong course, a good challenge, and hats off to the organizers to getting the footing in good shape.”
Martin has been riding at Plantation Field since its inaugural event in 2009.
“It’s a phenomenal event," he said. "I can’t think of a better competition to prepare the horses for Maryland. It emulates a championship and the terrain is a good test of the horses’ fitness.”
The event continues tomorrow with cross country for the one through three-star divisions and showjumping for the CCI4-S.
On Sunday, the four-star horses and riders take to cross-country while the other divisions wrap up the competition in the show jumping arena.
Live scores can be found at https://evententries.com/#LiveScoresC3QAZNwTzL9pQcAHDGxblw==