Mara Dean pulled off a pillar-to-post victory in Florida's Red Hills International CIC***-W at Tallahassee at the weekend, which was the first leg of the HSBC FEI World Cup Eventing series.
Riding her veteran 15-year-old Irish-bred Nicky Henley, who was coming back into competition after sustaining a tendon injury at the 2007 Pan-Am Games, Virginia-based Dean held off the serious challenge of Phillip Dutton riding Truluck, fourth at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials last year.
 Mara Dean and Nicky Henley on the cross-country.
Phillip Dutton and Truluck finished second.
Mara Dean and Nicky Henley © StockImageServices.com/FEI |
Dean now stands an excellent chance of capturing part of the $US180,000 prize-pot which will be shared by the 15 most successful riders across the 12 events 2010 FEI World Cup Eventing accumulator series.
Dean, who has waited patiently for her horse's return to form, also might consider the forthcoming first leg of the HSBC FEI Classics, the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event next month, but says: "Nicky Henley doesn't owe me anything. It would be nice, but I'll do whatever is best for him. It's just so nice to have him back."
Dean led the dressage with a score of 42.6 from Dutton, going on to post a clear cross-country round for 9.2 time penalties over the course newly designed by locally-based Hugh Lochore, who has taken over from Captain Mark Phillips.
"It wasn't an easy course for him because of the twists and turns. He's a strong horse, but this was easily one of my best rides on him. He was looking for the flags and was really genuine and adjustable - for him!" Dean said.
Lochore has been principle builder at Red Hills for 10 years, giving up his native Scotland to settle in the area, where he has married a local girl. He commented: "Mark Phillips involved me from the outset and has been instrumental in developing the courses to world class. He's left me with a good feeling for what can be achieved with this venue."
Will Coleman on Nevada Bay moved up five places to third with the fastest cross-country (6.4 penalties). Ten riders completed this phase, with 3 eliminated and 2 withdrawn.
Dean added a jumping rail down and 4 time penalties in the final phase, but was lucky that, although Dutton had jumped clear, he'd accumulated 5 time penalties.
The jumping course, designed by Fuzzy Mayo, who has been in the trade for 41 years, was challenging, with tight turns, differing terrain - Will Coleman was the only rider not to incur time penalties - and plenty of atmosphere as a good crowd lined the arena, anxious to spot clues for Kentucky.
Dutton commented: "It's good for us riders to get the experience and be in front of a crowd and on a galloping stage. The arena creates quite an atmosphere with the crowd surrounding it. This is a wonderful event."
"My win hasn't sunk in," Dean said. "I'm just so thankful to have the horse back. Winning a 3-star is amazing. Not in my wildest dreams did I think I'd be back here."
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