Australian rider Ryan Wood and Powell led the Jersey Fresh three star from start to finish. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
Tragedy struck the Jersey Fresh International Three Day Event Saturday. May 14 when British rider Phillipa Humpreys died after a fall on the cross country course.
Jersey Fresh officials issued this statement: “It is with deep regret that we announce that rider #52, Philippa Humphreys, 33, suffered fatal injuries in a fall at fence 16, the table, on the cross country course of the CCI3* at the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event. Humphreys, a British citizen living in Rockford, Michigan, was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in nearby Hamilton, NJ, where she was pronounced dead by the attending physician. Her horse, Rich N Famous, was uninjured.
"All of us connected with the Jersey Fresh International are deeply saddened by today's tragic news and we extend our condolences to Philippa's husband, Peter, and to her entire family," said Dan Wunderlich, Chairman of the Jersey Fresh Three-Day Event.
Later, Rusty Lowe, FEI safety officer for Jersey Fresh, released the following statement in a press conference: “Philippa Humphreys experienced a rotational fall at fence 16, a table, at approximately 12:38 p.m. today. When she went down, a bystander nurse close by immediately went to her aid and initiated CPR. Medical staff was dispatched immediately and arrived within 45 seconds. Resuscitative measures were taken and Advanced Life Support was given.
“She was attempted to be resuscitated on the scene and was transported to a local trauma center, where she was pronounced dead approximately one hour later. The medical staff that was on duty here today did a tremendous job and gave a heroic effort to attempt to treat and resuscitate Philippa. Unfortunately, her injuries were severe enough that she could not be resuscitated.”
Three Star
Officials decided to continue the event which was won by Australian rider Ryan Wood, who had led from start to finish to take the championship title in the CCI*** with a score of 46.0 penalties. Boyd Martin, Cochranville, PA riding Welcome Shadow finished second and won the Gladstone National Open Trophy as the leading US rider with 46.3 penalties. Canada's Jessica Phoenix was third with 49.2 penalties on Bentleys Best.
This was the first CCI*** victory for Wood and the first time Powell ever competed in a CCI***.
Powell’s owner and breeder, Ilona English of Summit Sporthorses in Ringoes, NJ was presented with the Owner's Award, sponsored by the Horse Park of New Jersey.
Riding in reverse order of merit in show jumping on Sunday, Phoenix went fourth from last in the order and put the pressure on the remaining riders with a clear round. Phillip Dutton, West Grove, PA, and Indian Mill were next and had two rails, dropping them down to fifth with 54.3 penalties. Dutton had a better round on Z, going clear and moving up from eighth to fourth on 52.4. Martin's clear round on Welcome Shadow secured the US title, but he needed Wood to make a mistake in order to take the championship, but Wood and Powell were flawless.
A host of additional awards were presented to the CCI*** competitors. Phoenix and Bentleys Best won the Best Condition Award, presented by Horseware Ireland. Madeline Backus and P.S. Arianna won the Best Turnout Award, sponsored by the Fabulous Horse. Caroline Martin and Spring Easy won the Closest to the Optimum Time award, sponsored by Animo. Spring Easy also was presented with the Top Scoring Irish Draught Horse Award presented by the Irish Draught Horse Society of North America and Martin won the Markham Trophy Young Rider Award, sponsored by the Horsemen's Outlet. Andrea Baxter and Indy 500 won the Jockey Club TIP award given to the Thoroughbred that has gone on to another career after competing on the racetrack. Meghan O'Donoghue, who competed in the CIC***, won the Sportsmanship Award and a special volunteer award was presented to Carey Williams.
Two Star
Olympic veteran Phillip Dutton jumped from fifth place to first with a flawless performance on Sportsfield Candy in the final show jumping phase to win the CCI**on Sunday. Dutton and his Irish Sport Horse also had a clear go on the cross country course on Saturday to finish on their dressage score of 48.8 penalties.
"He was good, he's a really careful horse," said Dutton of the 9-year-old gelding. "He needed to do a CCI** for qualifications. I've had him at CIC*** all spring so this was a step down a little bit from what we have been doing, but I think it was a great experience for him. I am pleased for the horse in particular because he is quite talented."
Sportsfield Candy won the Top Scoring Irish Draught Horse Award presented by the Irish Draught Horse Society of North America and his owners Dave and Patricia Vos won the Owners Award, sponsored by the Horse Park of NJ. Dutton's groom, Emma Ford, earned the Equifit Grooms Award.
Holly Payne Caravella. Gladstone, NJ, and Bruisyard Hall were second with 50.3 penalties. This is the first CCI2* for the Thoroughbred and Payne Caravella was thrilled with his runner up finish. "He is definitely still a little green but he was super. I couldn't be happier," said Payne Caravella. As the highest placed Thoroughbred, Bruisyard Hall was also presented with the Jockey Club TIP Award given to the Thoroughbred that has gone on to another career after competing on the racetrack.
Will Faudree (USA) and Hans Dampf were third with 51.4 penalties. Hans Dampf was honored with the Best Conditioned Horse Award, presented by Horseware Ireland. "He felt great this weekend. I'm starting to figure out how to ride him in the show jumping, which has been a little bit of a struggle this Spring. We're starting to have a line of communication," said Faudree. "He's a phenomenal horse. He's an incredible jumper, he's very competitive and he's very earnest about everything that he does. I am trying to solidify the partnership because I think he will be a very valuable horse for the US in the future."
Riding in reverse order of merit in the final phase, Dutton was fifth from last in the order of go. Faudree, going sixth from last, had already gone clear. Lexi Scovil (USA) and Charleston VI knocked down a rail giving her a final score of 52.7. Tamra Smith and Lagos star were in third after cross country, but had two knockdowns and finished sixth with 55.1 penalties. Payne Caravella had a chance at the win with a dressage score of 46.3, but had a rail moving her behind Dutton with one left to go. As the overnight leader, Frankie Thieriot-Stutes (USA) was the last to go and had one rail in hand to claim victory, but she had two rails down at the triple combination along with two time faults to finish fifth on Chatwin with 54.5 penalties.
Other special awards included the Best Turnout Award, sponsored by Jen Bateman given to Colleen Rutledge, Frederick, MD and Roulette. Tamra Smith and Lagos Star won the Closest to the Optimum Time Award, sponsored by Animo. The pair finished their cross country run just two seconds off the optimum time on Saturday.
A college fund has been established for Philippa Humphreys’ 6-month-old daughter, Millie. To donate go to https://www.youcaring.com/millie-elizabeth-humphreys-570323.