Photo credit: I(mpac)t Studio Photography.
U.S. Olympic veteran Will Coleman rode his longtime partner, Obos O'Reilly, to the win in the Advanced division of the MARS Essex Horse Trials at historic Moorland Farm in Far Hills, NJ June 21-23. Coleman finished cross country with no jumping and 6.40 time penalties for a three-phase score of 42.10 penalties on his 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse.
Following Thursday and Friday's heavy rains, course designer Morgan Rowsell shortened the cross country course to 19 fences to ensure optimum conditions for the competitors. "The course rode great," said Coleman. "I think Morgan did an excellent job with the tracks and I think he deserves a lot of the credit." The first day of competition was postponed from Friday to Saturday due to footing concerns.
Missy Miller and Quinn catapulted from 30th place in the Advanced Division dressage to second with a final score of 59.80 penalties.
Local rider Megan Kepferle of Long Valley, NJ was third riding Anakin with an overall score of 61.50 penalties. Finishing fourth was Canadian Olympic veteran Jessica Phoenix with a score of 62.90 on Watson GS.
Two-time U.S. Olympic veteran Boyd Martin led throughout to win the Preliminary Essex Division riding Luke 140. The Cochranville, PA resident scored 22.90 in dressage, added 3.20 time faults in the cross country phase and had a single rail in show jumping to finish with a score of 30.10 penalties.
Cornelia Dorr and Daytona Beach 8 moved up from seventh to second. After incurring only four time penalties in cross country, the pair jumped clean in show jumping to finish with a score of 31.10. Olympic veteran Will Coleman and Steam Engine steamed their way into third, moving up from 11th by going clean cross country and having just a single rail down in show jumping for a final score of 33.80.
More than 5,000 spectators attended the third edition of the MARS Essex Horse Trials. A Classic Car Show featuring the MARS No. 18 M&M'S® Toyota car drew a record 500 cars spanning several decades. Angela Greer and Ken Alutin held their wedding ceremony on the top level of the racing tower. Following the ceremony, the couple and their guests watched the cross country competition at their tailgate reception.
For three decades, the famed Essex Horse Trials was a major highlight on the equestrian calendar, attracting top American and international competitors as well as thousands of fans. The event was originally conceived in 1968 by the Haller Family at Hoopstick Farm. Proceeds from the event benefit the Greater Newark LifeCamp in nearby Pottersville, which provides an enriching summer day camp experience for approximately 300 Newark-area youths for six weeks during July and August.
Moorland Farm, a picturesque 230-acre property, provides the breathtaking setting for the event's current edition. It is the home of the annual Far Hills Race Meeting, a nationally prestigious steeplechase race meeting held each October.