A good day in the saddle

Leave it to someone from Big Sky Country to steal the spotlight away from some of those better-known riders.

"Clean and fast," said Martha McDowell of Billings after her cross country ride on Gaelic Marriage, a 14-year-old Irish thoroughbred gelding.

"It felt like it was a nice Saturday afternoon ride."

Well, not quite. This one had plenty of speed thrown in, not to mention 25 challenging jumps and a couple water obstacles all situated around a hill overlooking the 3,600-meter course that was covered with nearly 8,000 appreciative fans on a perfect day for eventing.

McDowell and Gaelic Marriage posted the fastest time for CIC 3-star riders - 6 minutes and 16 seconds - in The Event at Rebecca Farm on Saturday. Three-star riders must complete the course in 6:15.

McDowell was penalized .4 for being a second over the time limit.

"Sometimes he's kind of grumpy when he's in the stall,' McDowell said of Gaelic Marriage.

"But when you open the door on Saturday it's like ‘Ta-da. Well, today is the day.'"

McDowell said her horse was very "cool, calm and collected" in the start box.

After that, it was McDowell and Gaelic Marriage at their best.

"We go fast," she said.

"I don't have to kick him. He goes.

"He's smart," she added.

"He pricks his ears ... he has a plan. It's not just me riding him. He has enough experience.

"He's big and powerful. He loves cross country."

It's also McDowell's favorite discipline.

McDowell called the Western Town, a new course edition this year, "super creative and fun. You jump out through the saloon doors."

She also enjoyed having Jurassic Park follow as the next obstacle.

McDowell's performance bumped her up six spots to 11th place overall heading into the final event today - show jumping. She tied for the 17th best score during Friday's dressage competition.

"The dressage was OK," McDowell said.

"It's been better in the past.

"The saddle slipped forward," she said during dressage.

"It made him a little (uncomfortable)."

Still, McDowell is in good position heading into the final day.

"I would be very pleased," she said of finishing in the top 10.

"With the caliber of riders and horses, I would be very pleased.

"It feels like I'm (competing) in my backyard even though I'm 7 1/2 hours away," she added.

McDowell is in her third year of 3-star level competition. McDowell and Gaelic Marriage have competed in eight 3-star events.

"I can't remember," McDowell said of where she placed at The Event last year.

"I had a lot of penalties in show jumping. I've been working real hard on show jumping."

McDowell said her best overall finish at The Event was a seventh place in the 2-star competition.

Allison Springer and her horse Arthur continue to lead the standings. She has a 10-point advantage on Hawley Bennett-Awad, who is competing on Gin N'Juice.

Competition begins today at 8 a.m.

Visit www.rebeccafarm.org for more information.

CIC***Standings

Top 10

After Cross Country

Allison Springer (Arthur) 39.4

Hawley Bennett-Awad (Gin N' Juice) 49.4

Buck Davidson (Ballyneocastle RM) 50.4

Heather Gillette (Our Questionnaire) 52.8

Barbara Crabo (Eveready II) 55.8

Carl Bouckaert (Cyrano Z) 56.8

Joe Meyer (Snip) 58.2T

Alexandra Slusher (Last Call) 58.2T

Jolie Wentworth (GoodKnight) 59.2

Sharon White (Rafferty's Rules) 63.0

-----

Montanans in the Top 10

CCI1*

Brynn Meuchel - Kalispell, ninth.

Open Intermediate

Cindy Marvin - Kalispell, 10th.

Jr. Open Preliminary

Ashlynn Meuchel - Kalispell, 10th.

Jr. Open Training

Briana Patyk - Lakeside, ninth.

Lindsay Ross - Missoula, sixth.

Sr. Open Training

Julie Goodwin - Montana City, seventh.

Kim Liddell - Columbia Falls, ninth.

Braun Lowry - Kalispell, eighth.

Sr. Open Novice A

Tammy Yost-Wildin - Boyd, seventh.

Sr. Open Novice B

Rachel Ambrose - Missoula, 10th.

Sr. Open Novice C

Frank Sweeney - Whitefish, third.

Jeff Goodwin - Clancy, sixth.

3-Day Training

Jeannine Pukas - Lakeside, eighth.