October 8, 2022 
“Sometimes his mind gets a little bit over-exuberant. He gets a little excited and then is shocked when things don’t actually go to plan,” said Sharon White, 48, of West Virginia.
White is talking about her very relatable 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding, Claus 63, who has no fear of looking too eager. The pair was first down the centerline in Friday’s dressage phase for the CCI4*-L Morven Park International Horse Trials in Leesburg, VA, and this time his exuberance set them on top with 29.0 points. They maintained the early lead, and head into Saturday’s cross-country phase as the pair to beat.
“I will say, I didn’t see it coming that I would still be on top at the end of the division. I was pretty pleased with that, and I am really pleased with Claus. He was very focused and with me this morning,” said White.
As motivated as he is to do the job, it is a little bit depending on the time of day. Evidently, he is not a morning horse.
“That’s the hardest thing with him, just keeping him focused. It was an early morning for him and a little bit chilly. That’s not ideal for him, but he was just wonderful.”
“It’s about trying to keep him settled; that’s really the word. He gets very, very keen to go do a job. He hates making a mistake, so he’s a little bit emotional about the whole thing.”
The gelding is still new to the 4* level, having competing previously in the CSI4*-S in Unionville in September and the CSI4*-S in Lexington in March where they finished 17th. This time last year, they placed second at Tryon in the CSI4*-L, but are still working their way towards consistent results.
On Saturday, they will contest the Derek di Grazia (USA) designed cross-country course, and White is optimistic about their chances.
“I think [the course] is absolutely beautiful. Derek is just a master of the craft of course design. With all of the rain that we’ve had, the ground is ideal. The course looks absolutely proper. There’s plenty, plenty to do,” White explained.
“It’s actually a little bit refreshing seeing some big galloping tracks after being at Pratoni. My horses are green four-star horses, but I’m looking forward to it.”
The course at the FEI Eventing World Championships in Pratoni were designed by Uliano Vezzani (ITA), and was noted for its complexity. Veteran horses, who are typically accustomed to settling into the galloping lines of the course, never found the opportunity. So at large, it was the greener horses in the field which excelled in Italy.
Currently behind White is Tokyo Olympic athlete Tamie Smith (USA) and 11-year-old mare Solaguayre California on 29.3 points. World number five William Coleman (USA) and 10-year-old gelding Chin Tonic HS are in third by a hair with 29.4 points.
“I think it’s pretty beefy. It’s a nice four-star. I think it’s stout, but at the same time, I feel like everything is there to sort of be read by the horses,” said Coleman of the upcoming cross country phase.
“I don’t think [Derek’s] out to trick you or doing anything like that. It’s a typical Derek course. It sort of walks big and inviting, but you have to be thinking the whole time because he’s good at catching you out.”
