Elkton, Md.—Oct. 16

Throughout the weekend Marilyn Little’s mares RF Demeter and RF Scandalous swapped places on top of the leader board at the Dutta Corp. Fair Hill International CCI***, and today it was the greener RF Scandalous who took home the win after jumping a clear round over Sally Ike’s track.

Rf Scandalous led after dressage, and “Demi” took over the lead after a double-clear cross-country round yesterday, but she dropped a rail in the first part of the triple combination today giving her the runner up spot.

Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous. Photo by Lindsay Berreth.

Hannah Sue Burnett and Under Suspection jumped clear to move into third and Phillip Dutton was close behind in fourth with I’m Sew Ready and fifth with Mr. Candyman. There were 14 clear rounds in all.

“I really couldn’t have had a better day with those two,” said Little. “Scandalous was lovely out there. She came back [after cross-country] a little tired. I was thrilled with her effort and the heart that she showed today. She really stepped up and showed what a horse she is and what an exciting horse she is for the future.”

Little was thrilled to take home the win in front of “Kitty’s” owners, Jacqueline Mars, Phoebe and Michael Manders and Robin Parsky, even if she thought it was Demi’s weekend.

“Demi, truthfully I thought it was Demi’s weekend, and it’s just the way the chips fell, but she’s just as deserving and truly an incredible horse and an incredible partner, and she has made my time in eventing so special and I owe her everything,” she said of the mare, owned by Mars, Raylyn Farms and Patrick White.

Demi also won the fitness award, which meant a lot to Little as she’s had to rethink her fitness plan with the mare after having a fall on course at the Rolex Kentucky CCI**** in April.

Marilyn Little and RF Demeter. Photo by Lindsay Berreth.

“We planned her schedule a little bit more carefully. She didn’t have that advantage [of more runs] so I really had to step it up and not just train on the hills,” said Little. “She’s had the opportunity to be at Mrs. Mars place in Ocala so there it’s not as much hillwork as it is at High Acre in Virginia where it’s very steep terrain, and she works quite well on that.

“I also went to Packy McGaughan’s facility. He’s put in a new gallop, and he was kind enough to let me come and use it and incorporate a lot of fences into her gallops, which I think helped with her confidence and her overall relaxation when she left the startbox,” she continued. “I think it worked out pretty well. She wants to be a very careful horse, and we need to make sure she feels as strong as she possibly can on Sunday morning, not just get through Saturday well. I think that’s going to be a real key going forward, and I’m excited to see that it worked out.”

Hannah Sue Burnett and Under Suspection. Photo by Lindsay Berreth.

Burnett’s been getting to know “Pippy” at the upper levels this since season getting the ride on her for owner Mary Ann Ghadban.

“I was pretty excited to show jump Pippy today,” she said. “She’s a really fantastic jumper and gives me a lot of confidence in the ring. I know that if I cluck at her at the base if I’m a little wrong she’s going to take care of it and try really hard. She really proved that today. She was fantastic.”

Phillip Dutton and I’m Sew Ready. Photo by Lindsay Berreth.

Dutton took over the ride on I’m Sew Ready for owner Kristin Bond, who’s pregnant with her second child. He’d competed “Jackson” before when Bond was pregnant with her first child.

“Kristin’s done most of the work. She’s expecting again so I get the honor of carrying on with his career a little bit,” said Dutton. “He jumped spectacularly today. He didn’t excite me too much in the warm up and as soon as he jumped fence 1 I knew he would have a good round because he was trying really hard. It’s pretty unique when the horse goes through what they do yesterday and then get out there next day—really you can tell they’re trying really hard. It’s a pretty cool feeling.”

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