Thursday’s cross-country phase turned the $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final leaderboard on its head at the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds, with dressage leader Laine Ashker tumbling out of contention and a new pair rising to the top ahead of Friday night’s show jumping finale in Rolex Stadium.
Boyd Martin and Shanroe Cooley Seize the Lead
Boyd Martin, fresh off his trip to the World Championships in Aachen, produced the class of the field aboard Shanroe Cooley, jumping clear and posting just 8.8 time faults – the fastest round of the day. Having sat third after dressage on a score of 31.3, that foot-perfect trip was enough to vault the pair to the top of the leaderboard heading into the final phase.
Maya Clarkson and Katie Lichten Keep the Pressure On
Maya Clarkson and her own Maks Mojo C moved up into second place, with less than a single show jumping rail separating them from Martin at the top – setting up a nail-biting finish in Friday’s showdown. Katie Lichten and Hickstead Musterd also jumped their way into podium contention, rounding out the top three overnight.
Overnight Leader Ashker Slips to 12th
It was a dramatic reversal of fortune for Laine Ashker and Lovedance, who had led after a near-flawless dressage test on 28.1. A costly 20 penalties on course dropped the pair from first all the way down to 12th, effectively ending their hopes of the Adequan Champion title.
Boyd Martin’s second ride, Fetiche Des Rouges, who sat fourth after dressage, also picked up 20 penalties on cross-country, sliding the combination back to 15th place. It’s a stark contrast to Martin’s fortunes with Shanroe Cooley, underlining just how much cross-country day can reshape a championship.
What’s Ahead
The $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final concludes Friday, Aug. 28, with the show jumping finale under the lights in Rolex Stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park. With the top of the leaderboard separated by less than a rail, the destination of this year’s Adequan Champion title is expected to go down to the wire.
Live streaming coverage continues via Horse & Country, with commentary from Frankie Thieriot Stutes and Jon Holling.