Becky
Holder Gets a Winning Dressage Score for a Birthday Present on the First Day of
Dressage at the 2008 Rolex Kentucky CCI****
By Joanie Morris
Lexington, KY - Becky Holder and Courageous Comet made it very clear
from the first moment ‘Comet’ set foot in the Shelia C. Johnson Arena
at the Kentucky Horse Park that they meant business in the dressage. And business
on the day of Holder’s 39th birthday meant a winning dressage mark
on the first day of dressage at the 2008 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented
by Farnam.
“I’m absolutely over the top,” said Holder
about leading the event, which also serves as the 11th USEF National CCI****
Championship. “It’s my birthday and it is a very, very good birthday
present.” In an impressive display of movement and accuracy
they stormed to the lead with a score of 39.3 (to match her new age), more then
10 points clear of second placed Stephen Bradley and Brandenburg’s
Joshua who finished on a score of 50.7. Holder, from Mendota
Heights, MN, rode confidently throughout her test and was rewarded by the ground
jury for her stellar effort. Holder’s favorite part of her test was the improvement
in her lateral work. “I really liked the canter half passes
and I like the extended canter,” said Holder. “All the lateral
work was better than he normally does. He loves the crowds at KY he really, really
does.” Comet, who is owned by Becky’s husband Tom,
is a 12-year-old Thoroughbred gelding. A former racehorse, Comet was stakes placed
in New York on the racetrack before turning to eventing, a career in which he
has also found tremendous success. Fifteenth at The Land Rover
Burghley Horse Trials in 2006 after a 13th place finish at Rolex Kentucky Three-Day
Event earlier that year, Comet most recently won the Advanced at the Southern
Pines Horse Trials in March 2008. He has continued to improve throughout the build-up
to this year’s CCI****. Nearly white, Comet also has plenty
of personality. “He loves his tongue to be played with and
he can be really grumpy in his stall,” said Holder. “He likes
to spook at the rail in the dressage arena and skip over the harrow marks in the
ring. He didn’t do that today but he thought about it.” Another
former racehorse, Brandenburg’s Joshua, was the fifth horse in the
ring and put in a very solid effort. Ridden by 1996 Rolex Kentucky CCI*** winner
Stephen Bradley, ‘Josh’s’ test showcased dynamite
halts. Owned by Southern Edition Farm, Josh was a member of the gold medal winning
team at the Pan American Games in 2003. “I was really, really
happy with Josh and hindsight being 20/20 I should have been braver and ridden
more forward,” said Bradley of the 13-year-old gelding. “He was
rideable throughout the whole test and our score is a personal best for us, so
I’m really pleased.” Bradley will also ride From,
a 15-year-old Russian Thoroughbred, tomorrow afternoon. “I’m
excited about From,” said Bradley who lives in Leesburg, VA. “He’s
a little wound up still so it is good he goes late in the day and I’m excited
to ride him.” Rounding out the top three is Canadian Olympic
veteran, Mike Winter riding Kingpin. Dressage resumes Friday
morning at 10 a.m. Three-time USEF National CCI**** Champion Kim Severson leads
things off with Tipperary Liadhnan. For complete results, please
see www.rk3de.org. ENDS For more information, please
contact Joanie Morris at jmorris@usef.org.
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day,
was Becky Holder with her gray gelding Courageous Comet. This pair achieved three
scores in the seventies (74.07, 72.59, and 74.81, which came to a total score
of 39.3.) Becky was the only competitor to get any score in the seventies.
(Becky and Courageous Comet are pictured at the right.) 
Steve
Bradley with Brandenburg's Joshua stands second on his score of 50.7 from this
morning. He commented, "I am very excited! I've worked real hard the last
six months He's reached a whole new level of rideability."
Australia. This pair placed third in the Advanced Horse Trials at Rocking Horse,
in Florida earlier this year. (Cammy and Kirby Park Irish Jamie are
pictured
at the right.)
