As the last pair on the wait list, Waylon Roberts and his mount Kelecyn Cognac almost didn’t get to compete at the CCI2* competition at the Dutta Corp. Fair Hill International this past weekend. As a last minute addition to the field, they did not disappoint. With a stellar performance they remained on their dressage score of 48.7 and placed fourth in a field of 114. Not an easy feat as only eight horse/rider combinations managed to stay on their dressage score. Waylon had the two top Canadian placings as on his other mount Bill Owen, he placed 26th. He also had the distinction of being the only foreign rider to crack into the top five as the Americans dominated the top spots on the leaderboard in the CCI2*.

Patience and grace = Sportsmanship Award

It was a last minute decision to enter Kelecyn Cognac in the CCI2* at Fair Hill as Waylon sent their entry in ten days prior to the competition. After the first jog-up he was still on the wait list. He was joking around at the barn that he would be the first person to not get into Fair Hill. Despite all the hassles of being in limbo on the wait list, Waylon remained patient, rode to a top place finish, and was awarded the Sportsmanship Award. “I was a good sport about being wait listed and didn’t get worked up about shipping my horse all over the place. My mom is more happy about the Sportsmanship Award than my placing I think” said Waylon.

Waylon is pleased with his Fair Hill results and is focusing on bigger goals now. “I am very excited about Kelecyn Cognac. It has been a long time since I had a horse that I felt like I could do well with at upper levels. This is my personal best finish, my personal best dressage score at a two star and definitely my best result to date,” said Waylon. He has declared for the Pan American Games with both Kelecyn Cognac and Bill Owen. Waylon’s partnership is not new with Bill Owen, who he owns with his mother, Kelly Plitz. However, his first ride on Kelecyn Cognac was a mere eight weeks ago. Heidi White owns Kelecyn Cognac and sent the horse to True Prospect Farm for training. After Philip Dutton consulted with her, she offered the ride to Waylon. “When he arrived at the farm he struck me as a horse that I could get along with. I am very thankful that Heidi has given me this opportunity,” said Waylon. Kevin McNab formerly rode Kelecyn Cognac and they did not have an ideal show jumping record together. However, Waylon’s clear round at Fair Hill proves show jumping is no issue for this new partnership.

Indoor Eventing prep
Hopping on Ellie Luther’s mare, Fair Fiona, right after the CCI2* victory Gallop, Waylon took a crack at the $3,000 PRO Bareback Gambler’s Choice competition and he was the winner. No shock there, if you have ever seen him win the Indoor Eventing competition at The Royal Winter Fair. Waylon has won that class seven times out of the the eight years that the class has run. He is planning to compete there again November 7-8, 2014. With the Indoor Eventing approaching Waylon said, “The bareback jumping was good practice for The Royal.”

Father and son aiming for Pan Am Games
Success at Fair Hill and The Royal Indoor Eventing runs in the ‘Roberts family’. Waylon’s dad, Ian Roberts, finished 7th on Faolan in the CCI2* at Fair Hill last year. Ian also has been runner up at The Royal but has not yet been able to beat Waylon in the class. It is rare for a father and son to be in contention to ride on a team together and both Ian and Waylon have declared for the 2015 Pan American Games. With some great results, they are both strong contenders. Ian was 14th in the CIC2* at Plantation Field International Horse Trials last month where he stayed on his dressage score like Waylon just did at Fair Hill. Waylon said, “I don’t want to jinx anything but dad and I have a real dream about being on a team together.”

Waylon’s Facebook page

Canadians results at the Dutta Corp Fair Hill International

CCI2*

• Waylon Roberts on Kelecyn Cognac: 4th
• Waylon Roberts on Bill Owen: 26th
• Callie Evans on Glendening Avis: 29th
• Emilie Cleminson on Winnie Wonka: 40th
• Lauren Clark on Coolum XV: 49th
• Colleen Loach on Qorry Blue D’Argouges: 50th
• Julie Clark on Cool Disguise: 51st
• Sean McIntosh on Wild T’Mater: 52nd
• Diana Burnett on Bonner’s Chief II: 56th
• Sable Giesler on Evil Munchkin: 59th
• Jamie Kellock on Don’t Blink: 61st
• Dasha Ivandaeva on Autorytet: retired
• Lindsay Mahon on Playtime: retired
• Holly Jacks on More Inspiration: retired
• Kyle Carter on Cooley Nothing Better: retired
• April Simmonds on Impressively Done: eliminated

CCI3*

• Rachel McDonough on Irish Rhythm: 32nd
• Kyle Carter on Conhay’s Courage: technical elimination
• Kendal Lehari on Totally Frank: retired
• Cody Sturgess on Imperial Melody: rider fall

Fair Hill International Three-day Event [Website]  [Results]