Allentown, N.J.—May 13

Will Coleman and Off the Record were the first to go this morning in the CIC**, and they couldn’t be beat, scoring 43.3 penalties in the dressage at the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event. Hannah Sue Burnett is second with 45.7 penalties on Cooley Dream, and Boyd Martin is third with 46.1 penalties riding Tsetserleg.

Will Coleman and Off The Record. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

This is the first CIC** for Off the Record, but Coleman was pleased with how his young horse performed.

“He was good, he’s a young horse, he’s only seven, and this is his first CIC**. I was pleasantly surprised with how he did,” said Coleman of the Irish Sport Horse gelding. “He can do a good test but for the first time at this FEI Level I thought he performed pretty well. He’s still got a long way to go, but he has a lot of nice qualities.”

Competitors in the CIC will show jump tomorrow morning, then head to cross country on Saturday.

Coleman believes that show jumping and the John Williams designed cross-country course might be a challenge, but one that Off the Record can handle. 

Hanna Sue Burnett and Cooley Dream. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

“He’s a good jumper, but his rideability is not quite as smooth as I would like, so jumping in the ring could be a little difficult for him but we’ll see how he goes. He can certainly jump a clear round, but we’ll have to wait and see.

“Normally he is very good on cross-country,” continued Coleman. “He’s a brave horse, I walked around [the course] this morning and John [Williams] has a couple of difficult angles and turns that might pose a little bit of a challenge for him, but I’ll just try and be there for him where he needs me.”

Caroline Martin and Effervescent maintained their overnight lead in the CIC*** with a dressage score of 50.0 penalties. Kylie Lyman stands second with Sacramento on 52.3 penalties, and Jessica Phoenix is slightly behind with 52.7 penalties on Abbey GS for third.

Entering cross-country, Ryan Wood and Powell hold the top spot in the CCI*** with 43.6 penalties and Frankie Thieriot-Stutes leads the CCI** with 44.5 penalties on Chatwin.