Marilyn Little’s Big Fair Hill International Win

The 2016 Dutta Corp. Fair Hill International Champion Marilyn Little & RF Scandalous

Marilyn Little is no stranger to the Fair Hill International and has found her self in the ribbons of both the CCI2* and CCI3* on several occasions. However, the prestigious championship rosette and The Fair Hill Bronze have eluded her… until this year when she took home not only the championships, but the reserve championship as well.

The Maryland native, hailing from Frederick, started out this year’s Dutta Corp. Fair Hill International CCI3* strong, earning a 41.5% with the 11 year old Oldenburg mare RF Scandalous to take the lead after the first day of dressage. Marilyn and RF Scandalous, owned by Phoebe and Mike Manders and Raylyn Farms Inc., won double gold medals at the 2015 Pan American Games. Marilyn stated at the Thursday evening press conference, “This is the first three-start test that I’ve done on her in a year. So this feels good and it’s a pleasure to have her here.”

On Friday, Marilyn showed that she has a stable full of quality horses when she scored a 44.6% with her longtime four-star partner RF Demeter, owned by Raylyn Farm, Jacqueline Mars and Pat Witte. The pair moved into second place behind RF Scandalous heading into Saturday’s cross-country phase.

Marilyn and RF Scandalous were the fifth pair out onto Derek di Grazia’s three-star track and made it around with no troubles. They did add 4.8 time faults to their dressage score but remained in the lead. That is until Marilyn set out in the afternoon aboard RF Demeter. “I thought Demi was good from start to finish. She was focused and looking for the fences,” Marilyn said during Saturday’s press conference. “I had a moment at the second water where she got a little slow but she picked herself up and off she went. That’s just her experience and heart. She gave me a great run round.”

The 14-year-old Oldenburg mare jumped around clean and inside the time to move into first place ahead of RF Scandalous by just over one point. RF Demeter was later awarded the Fitness Award for being the best-conditioned three-star horse.

The ground jury at the final horse inspection accepted both mares Sunday morning and Marilyn rode RF Scandalous first in the middle of the division. The mare was spot on, leaving all rails in their cups and finishing inside the time. This secured at least the reserve championships for Marilyn. Rails began to fall as the top ten jumped around Sally Ike’s course, shaking up the standings quite a bit.

When Marilyn entered the ring with RF Demeter, she was only 1.7 points ahead of RF Scandalous and five points ahead of Hannah Sue Burnett and Under Suspection, who moved up into third place after jumping double clean. RF Demeter jumped brilliantly around the most of the course but knocked a rail at the first element of the triple combination. With the one rail falling, RF Demeter had to settle for the reserve while her stablemate RF Scandalous moved back into first for the win. “I really couldn’t have had a better day with these two,” Marilyn said smiling at the final press conference.

Also completing the CCI3* this year from Maryland were Colleen Rutledge (Frederick), Savannah Fulton (Finksburg) and Lillian Heard (Poolesville). Colleen and Escot 6 moved up in the standings after jumping double clean to finish in 22^nd place. Savannah and Captain Jack had a near miss coming into the triple but recovered well to only have that one jump down. They finished in 29^th place overall. Lillian and Arundel finished in 30^th place after having three rails drop.

Grace Fulton earned the 2016 CCI2* Young Rider Reserve Championship

Grace Fulton Earns 2* Young Rider Reserve Championship

Grace Fulton of Finksburg impressed everyone with her nearly flawless first FHI appearance. Grace rode Wild Orange for Sharon White to a 61.4% on the second day of dressage to sit in 36^th place. The pair ran around the CCI2* course like old pros jumping clean with 12.8 time faults. They moved up to 19^th place after cross-country and stayed there when one rail fell in show jumping. Grace ended up not only being the top Marylander in the division, but the second highest young rider earning the 2016 Young Rider Reserve Championship.

Cary Chavis of Washington, DC also was competing at the FHI for the first time this year. He and his own Game On had a rough start scoring a 72.7% on the first day of dressage to sit in 43^rd place. They jumped clean on cross-country moving up to a tie for 27^th place with 14 time faults. Even with two rails dropping in show jumping, the pair moved up to 26^th place overall.

This year’s CCI2* was won by Jennie Brannigan of Pennsylvania riding Stella Artois. The pair scored a 44.5% in dressage to sit in second place and then moved into first after jumping clean and inside the time on cross-country day. They jumped double clean again in show jumping to win on their dressage score.