Stats: age 40, Duvall, Wash.
Coal Creek: dk. b. g., 16.2 hands, 10 years, U.S.-bred Thoroughbred (by Devil On Ice), owned by rider and Kathryn Sullivan, Clackamas, Ore.
In 2008, they won the Dansko Fair Hill CCI*** (Md.). Last year, they won the intermediate at the Northwest Equestrian Fall Gala (Wash.) and were second at intermediate at Twin Rivers (Calif.). This spring, they were sixth in the advanced at The Fork (N.C.), 12th at intermediate at Galway Downs (Calif.) and second in a preliminary at Pine Top (Ga.).
Jimmy’s Prediction: This pair will put up a formidable performance, but somehow I don’t feel it’s their time yet. Amy is in the unenviable position of having two fit sound horses while she’s been struggling with injury and recuperation.
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Leyland: b. g., 16.1 hands, 10 years, U.S.-bred Thoroughbred (Roy—Dream Creek), owned by Elisabeth Nicholson, Metamora, Mich.
This pair won the Jersey Fresh CCI*** (N.J.) in 2008, as well as the Galway Downs CIC*** (Calif.) the following year. Last year, they also finished 13th at Rolex Kentucky, fifth in The Event At Rebecca Farm CIC***-W (Mont.) and 14th at the Land Rover Burghley CCI**** (England). This spring, they were 11th in the advanced division at The Fork (N.C.).
Jimmy’s Prediction: Leyland is a wonderful horse and experienced now at this level. If his jockey were sound and fit, I’d expect them to be competitive for one of the top placings. However, Amy’s skills are a little out of sync. While I expect her to finish in the top 10, I think their results this fall at the World Equestrian Games will show a distinct improvement over their placings here this weekend.
