Ariel Grald on Diara, one of only six to complete the course, won the CCI4S at Plantation Field
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- By Staff Writers
UNIONVILLE, Pa.--As tropical storm Ophelia brought a torrential downpour to the area, Ariel Grald on Diara won the CCI4-star as one of only six that completed the course at Plantation Field International on Sunday, Sept. 24.
Ariel Grald on Diara (Photo by Amber Heintzberger)The Plantation Field International CCI4S concluded with the cross country phase, and the final standings were nearly a matter of “last one standing” as a number of riders decided to opt out: of 38 competitors, only six completed the CCI4-star and 20 withdrew before the start of cross country.
Grald on Diara was one of the last to tackle the course, and, despite the horrendous weather, jumped clean with 20.8 time faults to move into the win.
Caroline Pamukcu on HSHS Vamonos, who was13th after dressage and was clean in the show jumping on Saturday, moved up to second overall.
Third place went to Canadian Colleen Loach on FE Golden Eye, and New Zealander Monica Spencer, who’s here in the US preparing for the Maryland 5-Star, finished fourth with Artist after adding 32.8 time faults.
“The ground was holding up really well through the morning and then it kept raining, and I think that was the last straw for a lot of people," said Grald. "Honestly that worked in my favor because I was still able to find the good ground for the take-off at a lot of jumps."