MILLBROOK- The Millbrook Horse Trials, held July 27, 2023 to July 30, 2023, in Dutchess County, NY wrapped up the first two days of competition with the upper levels taking to the dressage phase at Riga Meadow at Coole Park Farm, and the lower levels heading out on the cross country course across the road.
In the advanced division, Woods Baughman and C’est La Vie 135, a 15-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Contendro I—Anette, Aarking xx) took the lead on a sore of 25.7. With a heat advisory in the Millbrook area, Baughman said that the big, black gelding was feeling the effects of the weather and was less energetic than usual. “He’s a really fun horse; at home he’s normally pretty terrible to ride but he really knows his job. I usually work on suppleness and keeping him feeling good in his body. At shows he’s like a different horse and all I really have to do is guide him.” Baughman has been working with German dressage coach Bettina Hoy on improving his performance in the first phase.
For the cross country competition, hot temperatures would be to Baughman’s advantage, as “Contendro,” as he calls C’est La Vie at home, tends to be strong and hard to handle in the cross country phase.
“He’s a bit of a beast,” said Baughman. “ We’ve tried everything. I’ve been working with Will Faudree on adjustability and he’s helped me with cross country technique, managing rather than trying to control the horse, trying to regulate him and take advantage of his unreal athleticism.”
They’ll be heading to the American Eventing Championships in Kentucky next, and will plan their fall season depending on their performance there and at the Plantation Field horse trials in September.
Baughman is also competing Kamara in the Open Intermediate A and is currently tied for 7th place (32.3).
Baughman’s coach, Will Faudree, holds second and third places in the advanced division riding Pfun, a 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding…
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