Rock Solid Victory: Kozumplik and Rock Phantom Haunt the Competition at Bouckaert Farm

Bouckaert Farm CCI4*-S | October 2024 | Qualifier 2

This picturesque venue, set in the hills of Georgia, provided a stunning backdrop for the second US Equestrian Open Qualifier. We will be back twice more before the series completes. This weekend, fans enjoyed a mix of seasoned competitors and emerging talents, with Bouckaert’s terrain (and Marc Donovan's showjumping track) ensuring a true test. 

Top Performances and Key Moments:

Winner: Sara Kozumplik (USA) and Rock Phantom

• • Dressage: 32.1
  • Show Jumping: One down (4 penalties)
  • Cross Country: 12.4 penalties added
  • Final Score: 48.5
  • Final Place: 1st

Fresh off a win in the CCI3*-S at Morven Park, Sara and Rock Phantom were ready to test themselves again at Bouckaert. In a pre-cross-country interview, Sara spoke passionately about the venue and how much she looked forward to giving it her all, despite Rock Phantom’s recent neck surgery recovery. “I’m not going to be hanging about,” she declared, determined to put her foot down and show what her horse could do. And that’s exactly what she did, powering through the cross-country course with a brilliant combination of speed and skill, ultimately securing her second consecutive international win. A special weekend for Sara was topped off by her former ride Ziggy - ridden by Janelle Fleming who manages Sara's barn, taking a podium place with a career best performance.  Watch Sara’s interview from Friday night here - and stay tuned, she joins us on the Review Show this week. 

2. Christina Henriksen (USA) and Cisco's Calor Z

• • Dressage: 36.5
  • Show Jumping: One time penalty (0.4 penalties)
  • Cross Country: 12.8 penalties added
  • Final Score: 49.7
  • Final Place: 2nd

At Morven Park in the CCI3*-S a couple of weeks ago, Christina delivered a controlled and composed performance (this horse is a top cross country horse) with Cisco's Calor Z, and finished second to Sara and Rick Phantom. While this may seem like an identical result, the big difference is that this time, Cisco's Calor Z has stepped up a level. It was his first time at CCI4*-S level and will we expect (ratings are generated every Tuesday by EquiRatings) secure their best career performance rating to date. Holding her own among seasoned competitors, Christina’s performance left her just behind Sara, and her steady, intelligent ride through all three phases earned her valuable points toward the Open leaderboard.

3. Janelle Fleming (USA) and Fly Me Courageous ("Ziggy")

• • Dressage: 39.1
  • Show Jumping: One down (0 penalties)
  • Cross Country: 13.6 penalties added
  • Final Score: 56.7
  • Final Place: 3rd

Janelle Fleming’s podium finish with Ziggy is perhaps the stand out performance - with a personal best finishing score for this pair at the level. 

Once ridden by her mentor, Sara Kozumplik to a top 20 finish at Kentucky CCI5*, Ziggy has been on a remarkable journey. Janelle played a key role in Ziggy’s rehabilitation after a serious injury and has since brought him back to competition at the highest levels. As Sara cheered from the sidelines, Janelle and Ziggy’s steady cross-country phase earned them third place, marking a major milestone in their journey together.

This weekend's competition highlights:

• Sara Kozumplik’s Determined Drive: Sara’s pre-cross-country interview revealed her strategic yet determined approach, speaking about the course’s challenges and her horse’s comeback from surgery. Determined to “put her foot down,” she delivered a thrilling performance, keeping fans on edge as she clinched her second win of the season.

• Christina Henriksen’s Career Milestone: Christina’s performance with Cisco’s Calor Z marks an important step in her journey at the four-star level. With poise and precision, she handled each phase confidently, sealing her best-rated performance yet and putting her in a strong early position on the overall series leaderboard.

• The Emotional Journey of Janelle and Ziggy: Janelle Fleming’s third-place finish with Sara’s former 5* horse, Ziggy, is a story of resilience, dedication, and mentorship. From rehabilitating Ziggy to making her mark at Bouckaert, Janelle’s journey with Sara by her side has captivated fans and showcased the deep bonds - often behind-the-scenes - within the sport.

• Phillip Dutton’s Unexpected Exit: Phillip’s technical elimination brought drama to the event, reminding fans of the unpredictable nature of eventing. As the pre-competition favorite, and a 57% favourite going into the final phase, his exit reshaped the competition, with Sara and Christina seizing the opportunity to claim top points.

Looking Ahead: With two qualifiers complete, attention now shifts to the next event at TerraNova (November 13th-17th), where riders will aim to accumulate more points and strengthen their series standing. With an estimated 200+ points needed to claim the US Equestrian Open title, consistency and resilience will be essential.

Stay Connected: Fans can stay updated on the US Equestrian Open Series by following US Equestrian on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.