Podium finishers Roadrunners, Team KPF and Trelawny Trailblazers. Photo © Maddy Lima / MLSJ.
Press release from Major League Show Jumping
U.S. rider Cathleen Driscoll, 30, wasted no time in proving her recent call-up to the Desert Horse Park Roadrunners was a strong acquisition for the team. The sixth leg of Major League Show Jumping called CSI Greenwich home for Friday's 5* Team Competition at Greenwich Polo Club in Connecticut.
The Roadrunners have been steadily climbing the ranks with two podium finishes in recent weeks, including a win at MLSJ Ottawa. They now sit second in the season standings.
Driscoll joined the squad during the transfer window that closed earlier this week, and made her debut with Flotylla, a 12-year-old Polish Sport Horse mare (Alvaro 121 x Bajou du Rouet) a fruitful one. Teammate Mclain Ward characterized Driscoll as one of his strongest speed rivals, which is high praise coming from the two-time U.S. Olympic team gold medalist and world no. 8.
Driscoll rose to the occasion by clinching gold in a four-way jump-off against Team KPF, Trelawny Trailblazers and Spy Coast Spies. Their time came in at 43.78 seconds.
Cathleen Driscoll & Flotylla. Photo © Maddy Lima / MLSJ.
Kaitlin Campbell (USA) returned to the Roadrunners this week for the first time since the start of the season, and posted a first round without jumping faults but two on the clock aboard Castlefield Cornelious, a 12-year-old Oldenburg stallion (Cornet Obolensky x Contender). Ward and First Lady, a 10-year-old Oldenburg mare (Don Diarado x Lordanos) had only a single rail in the opening round to help their team to victory.
The U.S. trio of Natalie Dean riding Dotcom D’Authuit, Kent Farrington on Landon and Alison Robitaille aboard Oakingham Lira claimed silver after Dean clocked the second fastest jump-off of the day in 44.09 seconds.
The Trelawny Trailblazers still sit atop the team standings, and another podium finish helped them retain their lead. Ireland's Darragh Kenny and Conor Swail piloted Chic Chic and Casturano, respectively, while Nayel Nassar (EGY) was aboard El Conde.
The sixth leg of MLSJ action continues at CSI Greenwich this weekend, culminating with the CSI Greenwich 5* Grand Prix at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Words from the podium
Then