Fair Hill International: Smith and Mai Baum Dance to Top of Dutta Corp. Fair Hill International

Source: News Release

Smith and Mai Baum Dance to Top of Dutta Corp. Fair Hill International

Coleman and Tight Lines Takeover Lead in CCI**

Fair Hill, MD - Tamra Smith of Murrieta, CA and William Coleman III of Gordonsville, VA came forward today on young first-timers to take the lead following the dressage portion of the Dutta Corporation Fair Hill International CCI *** and CCI** Championships at the Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area.

In the CCI*** Smith was pleased with Mai Baum's inaugural performance at the CCI*** level, scoring 38.5 penalties with the 9-year-old German Sport Horse gelding owned by Alex Ahearn.

Mai Baum and Tamra Smith on top in the Dutta Corp. Fair Hill International CCI***

"He was phenomenal, he was great," said Smith. "He's just getting better and stronger and I am really pleased with how he felt. I had one little bobble, my second change [of lead] wasn't clean, but other than that everything else was super."

Jessica Phoenix, Ontario, CAN thought Pavarotti, owned by Don Good, gave her a wonderful birthday present with an "amazing" performance in dressage. The pair stands less than a point behind the CCI*** leaders Mai Baum and Tamie Smith with 39.2 penalties.

"He was amazing. It is so much fun riding that horse," said Phoenix. "He is an incredible, competitive horse and I love every minute of riding him. Being able to do this on my birthday was really special. I was trying as hard as I could to catch Tamie and we almost did."

CCI** leader Coleman thought the hard work leading up to Fair Hill paid off scoring 42.5 penalties on Tight Lines, the 8-year-old grey French Thoroughbred owned by the Conair Syndicate.

"It was probably the best test I have ever done on this horse. We've been working really hard on his dressage," said Coleman. "The horse looks the best he's ever looked and I couldn't be happier with him today. We had two tiny mistakes but he honestly did a great test and I was really proud of him."

William Coleman III and Tight Lines take over lead of CCI**

Peter Barry, Quebec, CAN riding his own Oldenburg gelding Long Island T is currently second with 44.5 penalties.

Phillip Dutton of West Grove, PA stands third in both the CCI** and CCI***. His CCI** mount Z has 45.3 penalties and Mighty Nice stands on 43.5 penalties in the CCI***. Even though Mighty Nice is a seasoned eventer, this is the first time competing at the Dutta Corp. Fair Hill International. He is looking forward to taking the Irish Sport Horse on the cross country course Saturday.

"It's going to be a good educational course for him. He's obviously done a few CCI**** before, but I think it's a great track and good fitness test. Fitness is going to play a part probably more so than a lot of the other courses we do, so that's also educational for all the horses and riders and I am looking forward to the day."

Coleman observed that the CCI** horses may find designer Derek DiGrazia's cross country course challenging: "You walk around and it starts out and I think everyone probably feels pretty good about the beginning and then it just kind of builds and builds and builds and at the last third, there are two or three very significant questions. With younger up and coming horses that you are going to see in the CCI** I think it is going to be important that the riders keep their horse on their game as they finish."

The exciting Cross Country phase begins at 9:15 a.m. on Saturday with CCI**. The CCI*** is scheduled to begin after lunch at 1:40 p.m.

In the William T. duPont, Jr. Main Arena, the United States Eventing Association (USEA) 2015 Young Event Horse East Coast Championships culminated on Friday.

Lynn Symansky of Middleburg, VA and SpectraVET's Cohiba were crowned the 5-year-old champions with a final score of 82.38 points, moving up two places from their first day's ranking. Symansky was impressed with her mare's performance on the final day and is looking forward to their future.

SpectraVET Cohiba and Lynn Symansky crowned USEA Young Event Horse East Coast 5-year-old Champion

"I didn't quite know what to think about it going in because she's just run one novice but she is a superstar, with a great brain and I just couldn't have been happier today," said Symansky. "I think she can be a fantastic horse for the future, so we are really excited to see what happens."

Kelli Temple of Round Hill, VA finished second on Metallica, owned by Kara Angulo and Charlotte Hogg, scoring 82.36 points, just .02 points behind SpectraVET Cohiba. Temple was pleased with the Holsteiner mare, commenting on her boldness at the water jump.

"I thought she was fantastic, I couldn't really have asked her for more," said Temple. "She just was incredibly brave. She jumped halfway across the end when she dropped into the water. She was very careful and just really, really great and I'm just so pleased with her."

Kelli also sings her praises about the Young Event Horse program. "What's so great about this program is that you see the three of us and all the others that are riding at the upper level bringing their horses along from the beginning. This is how eventing used to be. I think that it's really great to see that partnerships are developed right from the beginning as 4- and 5-year-olds and that people are going back to training their own horses. I think that's really the foundation of the sport and it's the direction that I would like to see it go."

Will Coleman and Don Dante, owned by Team Rebecca, were third scoring 81.96 points in the highly competitive field of 34 starters.

Jennie Brannigan of West Grove, PA and Luna, owned by Nina Gardner, won the four-year-old division with a score of 78.39 points. Brannigan, who was fourth following the first day of competition, was delighted with her mare and surprised at their victory.

4-year-old Champion Luna and Jennie Brannigan

"I was thrilled with how she jumped today. The mare's a great jumper. From the second I laid eyes on her... I just have loved her and she's always been very natural and bold to the jumps," said Brannigan. "I didn't think I was going to win, I was completely shocked when Brian [O'Connor, the announcer] said that in the ring, that was really cool. She just jumped around like a champ. I was thrilled."

Lacey Ogden and Cooley Renegade also improved their performance going from sixth to second scoring 77.50 points.

"It was really brilliant. He's a fantastic jumper," said Odgen. "It's really fun to watch him progress because he definitely was greener at the beginning and by the end he walked around like he's done it for a while so it was great to come off with a bunch of confidence at the end of it and go, well maybe I do have a training horse for next season."

Doug Payne of Apex, NC had a bit of difficulty going to one of the fences on Quantum Leap, owned by Susan and Dave Drillock, but the pair still managed third scoring 77.49 points. Payne believes it was because of the philosophy of the Young Event Horse program.

"I had the most epic miss to the rolltop... Then he jumped really well after that," laughed Payne. "The program itself and the means of which they judge it I think is really valuable at this stage of the game because basically I don't think they held that against him. I think ultimately watching how the horses respond and learn from it is really important. I think it is a very good thing that they have that viewpoint because in the end they are still babies and they have plenty of time to get things together."

Visitors to the Dutta Corp. Fair Hill International Festival in the Country can once again look forward to the fashionable Country Shops, which feature over 40 vendors selling tack, jewelry, artwork, pet needs, exceptional apparel and fine gifts for the approaching holiday seasons. The VIP Tent offers fine dining, while visitors seeking a more casual snack or meal will find pubs around the Fair Hill grounds serving classic Maryland crab cakes and other treats. Local band John & Friends will be appearing at the food court during lunch on Saturday, sharing a taste of old-time Appalachian music. On Sunday, the Riverside Carnival Band, one of the mid-Atlantic's leading New Orleans jazz bands, will be performing throughout the day.

The always popular Kid's Corner is located just inside the main gate, offering a variety of activities for the younger set. Mike Depuy returns with his Art and Sport of Falconry demonstration on Saturday, including several live birds of prey. Miniature horses will be performing on Saturday, courtesy of the DelMarva Miniature Horse Club.

The crowd-favorite canine demonstrations will be highlighted with some new and exciting opportunities for dog owners. Dog Agility demonstrations and free mini-lessons will be offered Saturday and Sunday. Frisbee dogs are returning this year. The Appalachian Air Canines Frisbee dog club will run three games on Saturday up by the VIP tent.

The Dutta Corp. Fair Hill International Festival in the Country benefits Union Hospital of Cecil County, in Elkton, MD. The hospital, whose mission is to enhance the health and well-being of the residents of Cecil County and its neighboring communities, has been caring for area families and neighbors for more than 100 years.

For more information on this year's Fair Hill, including how to purchase tickets and complete schedule information, please call (410) 398-2111 or visit www.fairhillinternational.com.