Boyd Martin and Master Frisky (Shannon Brinkman Photo)

Elkton, Md. – Quick, clear trips were the order of the day over Derek di Grazia’s CCI tracks on Saturday at The Dutta Corp Fair Hill International. In the CCI3* Boyd Martin lengthened his lead, while in the CCI2* Great Britain’s Victoria Jessop holds the overall lead but it is Julie Richards that heads the USEF National Two Star Championship title hunt.

Martin (Cochranville, Pa.) and Stephen Blauner’s 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Master Frisky maintained their dressage lead with an efficient trip over the 27-obstacle track, collecting just two time faults. After two phases the combination leads the CCI3* and The Dutta Corp/USEF National Three-Star Eventing Championship field on a score of 45.4.

“He’s a pretty green horse but he tried very hard the whole way around. I’ve always known he’s a great horse and real trier and I think he could be something really special,” said Martin of Master Frisky.

Standing second are Jennie Brannigan (West Gove, Pa.) and Nina Gardner’s 12-year-old Irish Thoroughbred gelding Cambalda on a score of 48.2 after incurring 1.2 time faults. Caitlin Silliman (Cochranville, Pa.) and her own 14-year-old Holsteiner mare Catch A Star added .8 time faults to rise to third overall on a score of 52.0.

Richards (Newnan, Ga.) and Asa Cooper’s 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Urlanmore Beauty were one of 15 CCI2* combinations to jump clear and in the time over Di Grazia’s 23-obstacle track and stand as the top-placed Americans in second place overall. The pair head into the show jumping on a score of 43.0, just 1.7 points behind leaders and Jessop and Desert Mystery who lead on 41.3.

“He’s a real big Irish guy and you’re never sure how they’re going to handle it, and you never know if they’re going to step up but he did and I’m thrilled,” said two-time Olympian Richards.

Standing in third place overall is Kim Severson (Charlottesville, Va.) and The Cross Syndicate’s seven-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Cooley Cross Border, who maintained their score of 43.6 with a faultless round.

Dressage leaders Matt Brown (Petaluma, Calif.) and Happenstance collected 20 jumping penalties and 16.4 time faults to stand 49th on a score of  76.50 heading into the show jumping.

To learn more about the 2014 The Dutta Corp Fair Hill International visit; https://fairhillinternational.com/fh-fair-hill-international-home-page/