Old Salem Farm Spring Grand Prix Week 2

The Grand Prix during the second week of the Old Salem Farm Spring series, like Week 1, was designed by Alan Wade and held during the day on the new sand international arena at the OSF Venue. It was a CSI4* versus the CSI3* held Week 1. We'll provide some analysis of this week's class and some overall thoughts comparing the two weeks.  

We saw a total of 45 faults (meaning a rail or refusal) in Round 1.  There were 31 competitors so each entry averaged 1.42 faults.  13% of the class jumped Clear in Round 1.   

Interestingly, while the average faults per entry is similar to last week where the 33 competitors averaged 1.42 faults, the percent clear last week was twice as high (27%).  (Simply, many more horses had just a single rail this week.)  A likely factor: the time allowed played a significantly greater role this week; more than half the class incurred at least one time fault (just 3 entries did last week).      

The most faulted obstacle Week 2 was a Combination-Out Oxer, (Vertical-Oxer combination).  This jump was responsible for 18% of faults in Round 1.  

The next most faulted jumps were the A element of the same combination (16%) and the related liverpool vertical immediately following this combination (13%).  

In total, the Double Combination at 10AB was responsible for a third of Round 1 Faults.  In comparison, the Triple Combination caused relatively little trouble - accounting for just 11% of faults.

If we compare both Grand Prixs, both classes utilized a Triple Combination and one Double and Combinations were clearly a key driver of faults!  A combination element was the most faulted jump both weeks.  All combination elements combined accounted for 57% of Faults Week 1 and 44% Week 2.   (Both are significantly higher than the average for Combination Faults in a High Performance Class which we are seeing around 37%.)

The class was won by Mclain Ward on HH Azur.