Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team Takes Second Place in SAP Cup CCIO4*-S at CHIO Aachen

Aachen, Germany – The Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team achieved a commendable second-place finish in the SAP Cup CCIO4*-S at CHIO Aachen after the completion of the final cross-country phase today. Germany secured the top spot with an overall team total of 104.9 penalties, while Great Britain settled for third place with 136.60 penalties. The U.S. team showcased their prowess by securing three of the top six positions, and Tamie Smith and Mai Baum delivered an outstanding performance, earning an individual podium finish in third place. The challenging cross-country track, designed by Rüdiger Schawrz (GER), saw 39 completions, but none managed to finish within the time allowed of six minutes and 55 seconds.

Reflecting on the team’s performance, Chef d’Equipe Bobby Costello said, “I’m encouraged because we planned to come here with the strongest possible team that we could field to make a statement to ourselves that Pratoni wasn’t a one-off. It was very strategic, and we came with the expectation of a strong finish, and I’m glad we were able to produce a successful result. Make no mistake, everyone will go away from this competition, even with the good result, knowing that there are still gaps to be filled and areas of improvement, and that’s what makes champions.

Being honest with yourself throughout the entirety of the competition, and regardless of the result, there’s still so much to learn if we want to keep pressing for medals.”

Liz Halliday-Sharp (Lexington, Ky.) and Miks Master C, a 2012 Swedish Warmblood gelding owned by Deborah Palmer and Ocala Horse Properties, were the second combination for the team. Making their Aachen debut, they delivered a great ride, sticking to their initial plan and adding just 4.40-time penalties. The duo finished fifth overall with a final total of 36.50, significantly contributing to the team’s podium finish.

Tamie Smith (Murrieta, Calif.) and Mai Baum were tasked with producing a clear round to keep the U.S. team in contention with Germany, Great Britain, and New Zealand. The seasoned combination rose to the challenge, with Smith expertly guiding the 2006 German Sport Horse gelding owned by Alex Ahearn, Ellen Ahearn, and Eric Markell around the course. They received an enthusiastic cheer from the audience in the Main Stadium and added just 1.6 time penalties to their score, finishing in an impressive third place overall with a score of 33.70.

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Phillip Dutton (West Grove, Pa.) and Z led the charge for the team on the cross-country track. Despite the damp weather creating wet conditions, Dutton and the 2008 Zangersheide gelding owned by Ann Jones, Caroline Moran, David & Patricia Vos, Evie Dutton, Suzanne Lacy, and Thomas Tierney showcased their experience and confidence, finishing with just 5.2-time penalties. The pair secured a sixth-place overall finish with a score of 38.

“It’s really a dream to be on the podium at Aachen, both as a team and individually. He’s a once-in-a-lifetime horse, and it’s a dream to have a competitive score like that against the world’s best, and hopefully there’s more to come,” said Smith of her experience at CHIO Aachen this year.

Unfortunately, the anchor combination, Will Coleman (Gordonsville, Va.) and Off The Record, encountered trouble at the Turkish Airlines complex, which had proven challenging for many combinations throughout the day. The 2009 Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by the Off The Record Syndicate slipped out behind before the first question of the combination, but they managed to find their way through the option. An accidental representation added an additional 20 penalties to the pair’s overall score, resulting in a 38th place finish with a score of 109.30.

Dan Kreitl (Muncie, Ind.) and Carmango competed as the individual combination on the squad, finishing with a total three-phase score of 83.60. Despite adding 20 penalties late in the course, they secured a respectable 35th place overall.

Overall, the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team demonstrated their skill and determination, solidifying their position among the world’s top eventing teams and leaving Aachen with valuable insights to improve and strive for future successes.

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