Leesburg, Va. – Oct. 3

The upper levels headlined a crisp fall day at the Morven Park Horse Trials. Sharon White and Cooley On Show captured the win the advanced-A division, while Meghan O’Donoghue and Palm Crescent were the winners in the advanced-B division.

Morven Park was named host to a new CCI4*-L this year, but due to COVID-19 restrictions, organizers postponed the inaugural four-star until 2021, as well as other planned FEI divisions. Even so, it’s a busy weekend with novice through advanced divisions running.

Thirty-three pairs tackled Tremaine Cooper’s advanced course, and none made the optimum time of 7 minutes.

There were three rider falls (Jennie Brannigan from Ibella, Meg Kepferle from Anakin and Alex Reed from On Broadway) and one horse fall (Caroline Martin’s Danger Mouse). Kepferle was taken by ambulance to be examined. No other injuries were reported. Three pairs retired after refusals.

The day took a somber turn when Allie Sacksen’s longtime partner Sparrow’s Nio collapsed and died in between fences. Sacksen was not injured in the fall.

You can view a photo gallery from the advanced and three sections of intermediate below. Be sure to pick up the Oct. 19 issue of the Chronicle of the Horse for more from Morven Park.

Full results.