Will Faudree and Sarah Pyne’s Quintessential are currently leading the CIC*. They topped the Plantation Field International (Unionville, Pennsylvania), so maybe they’re an easy favorite. Photo by Kieran Paulsen.

Zick Zack and Elinor MacPhail O’Neal are tied for second place, and they are putting chestnut mare haters to shame. Photo by Kieran Paulsen.

The other half of that second-placed tie is Boyd Martin on Contestor. Photo by Kieran Paulsen.

Leslie Law and QC First Class won the CIC* at Red Hills International (Florida) earlier this month. They were in first place after dressage at Carolina but picked up 2 time faults on cross-country. Photo by Kieran Paulsen.

Janelle Phaneuf and Strattonstown Lewis took this water jump with enough ease and style that they might be at home in a hunter ring after all. Photo by Kieran Paulsen.

West Coast wonders Jordan Linstedt and Peter Parker were picture perfect in the gelding’s  first CIC*. Photo by Lindsay Berreth.

Abby Maude was all smiles as she and Toby The Coal Man bounced through the last water element with feet to spare. “He got a little bold,” Maude agreed with a laugh. Photo by Kieran Paulsen.

Briggs Surratt’s mount stood out in the field both for his coloring and his breeding. Bright Star is a British Sport Horse, so Anglophiles eat your hearts out. Photo by Kieran Paulsen.

Phillip Dutton and The Manager managed just fine through a water complex that tripped a few pairs up. They’re currently fifth on their dressage score. Photo by Kieran Paulsen.