Buck Davidson sat in a familiar position after two phases of the CCI3* triathlon at The Event at Rebecca Farm. That position, unfortunately for him, was second place.

But after years of coming oh-so-close to claiming the top prize at the 15-year-old competition, Davidson rode Copper Beach cleanly through the show jumping course on Sunday and slipped past Hannah Sue Burnett and Under Suspection by less than a point to win his first championship at Rebecca Farm.

“It was a great weekend and to have my friends right here next to me is great,” Davidson said while seated next to Burnett and third-place rider Hawley Bennett-Awad.

“It’s really good to finally get over being second at this place. I’m sorry guys, but it’s great.”

Davidson, who guessed he’s finished as the runner-up as many as four times in his career at The Event, came into Sunday trailing Burnett by the slimmest possible margin, one-tenth of a point. Taking the penultimate ride in show jumping, he completed the course without knocking free any post on any fence although he did incur a three-point time penalty. Burnett came next and when her horse knocked free a post on the eighth of 12 jumps, it locked up the win for Davidson.

“I hate losing, everybody hates losing, but I wouldn’t rather lose to anybody else,” Burnett said.

Saturday, Burnett suffered a scary fall in the cross country phase atop a different horse, Cooley Dream, before bouncing back to ride Under Suspection cleanly into the lead. While she did not suffer any major injuries in the fall, Burnett said she was feeling the effects of the crash on Sunday.

“My mare was great today,” Burnett said. “I was a bit sore, I wish I could have ridden her a bit more forward … but I was still really proud of her. She tried great and I didn’t give her my best ride.”

Davidson’s winning total score was 48.7 points, just under Burnett’s 49.6.

Bennett-Awad had the most emotional journey of the weekend and claimed third place with a score of 57.9. The Canadian-born rider was on Jollybo, a horse she owns, and was returning to the CCI3* class for the first time since losing her ride on a horse she did not own, Gin and Juice, two years earlier.

“If you had told me two months ago I’d be at Rebecca (Farm) with a three-star horse I would have said ‘no way,’” she said. “I’m back and it feels really good.

“Everything just came together and I’m back in my happy place and I can’t believe it.”

Mackenna Shea, just 23 years old, won the CIC3* division, riding Landioso. She, like Davidson, was in second place entering Sunday and incurred just one penalty to edge her coach, Tamra Smith and Dempsey, 58.4-58.6 for the title.

“I came down (with) Tammy (Smith) four years ago when she broke her leg at this event to work for her and she’s changed my riding completely and my horse completely,” Shea said. “To be able to watch her show jump Dempsey clean and be in the ring with her at the same time, it’s a cool feeling to be able to share that with someone.”

Once cursed by second place finishes, Davidson actually won twice on Sunday, first picking up the championship in the CCI2* division aboard Halimey. Kalispell’s Kim Liddell and Eye of the Storm finished fifth in the CCI2*.

Heather Morris and her horse Get Rowdy won the CCI1* title.

A total of 603 horses competed at the four-day showcase.

Full results are available at www.eventingscores.com.

The Event at Rebecca Farm

Sunday

Final Results

Top six riders paid

(rider, horse, points)

CCI1*

1. Heather Morris Get Rowdy 43.3

2. James Alliston Sunsprite Madeira 46.7

3. Amber Levine Otter Pop 49.5

4. Emilee Libby Jakobi 49.7

5. Lauren LoPiccolo Diego 51.0

6. Bonner Carpenter Get Busy 51.1

CCI2*

1. Buck Davidson Halimey 43.2

2. James Alliston RevitaVet Elijah 48.8

3. Kevin Baumgardner Wembley 56.9

4. Arden Wildasin Il Vici 60.2

5. Kim Liddell Eye of the Storm 61.2

6. Gina Miles Contalli Di Revel 61.5

CIC3*

1. Mackenna Shea Landioso 58.4

2. Tamra Smith Dempsey 58.6

3. Bunnie Sexton Rise Against 61.0

4. Amber Levine Carry On 61.3

5. Barb Crabo Eveready 66.9

6. Bonner Carpenter Basco 69.2

CCI3*

1. Buck Davidson Copper Beach 48.7

2. Hannh Sue Brnett Undr Suspection 49.6

3. Hawly Benntt-Awad Jollybo 57.9

4. James Alliston Parker 63.5

5. Ellen Doughty-Hume Sir Oberon 70.6

6. Andrea Baxter Indy 500 100.9