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Both the CCI** and the CCI *** were Festivals of Falls. In the CCI ** only sixteen of the thirty-one starters, or 55%, finished the day. In the CCI***, twenty-seven of forty-four, or 63% finished.

Fortunately most crashes ended in nothing more than wounded egos. Nadeem Noon, however, was taken off by ambulance after a fall at fence 16ab, the Whiskey Barrels and Arrow. (A report on Nad's condition will follow when it becomes available.) Phillip Dutton had a ass over tea kettles fall with Bullet card at the coffin, in the two star. Fortunately he was thrown clear and able to walk the mare home himself as well as ride a double clea, r in the CCI***later in the day

Multiple Olympian and World Championship Medalist Jimmie Wofford, stated that the worst ever had been the World Championships at Punchestown (IRE), in which he had won the Bronze Medal with a fall. Only Mary Gordon-Watson (GBR), the Gold Medalist, and the Silver Medalist Richard Meade (GBR) and one other finished with out falls. 24 out of 27 who started Cross Country had falls.

Jersey Fresh did not come close to that record.

The most talked about problems occurred at the new "Bridge" at the Lexus Water. (This fence is pictured in these pages in the Dressage Report.)The first horse in the CCI*** fell after jumping over the barrels off the bridge. The second and third horses pecked badly, nearly dislodging their respective riders - Buck Davidson and Mike Winter. Immediately thereafter, the Ground Jury consulted together and removed the fence from the course.

Course Designer John Williams explained the situation with the "Bridge."

"Shane Doyle (a Driving person) claims to have built the Water Jump. The only part he did build was not to my specifications. I'll take the blame for not picking up on his error. He built a clear span over 30 feet. I wanted it supported in three places so it felt like real ground. Having it a clear span (without supports), gave it a spring board effect. The horses' front feet (in the bounce) land and leave as the hind feet land and there is a rebound effect. The rebound kick caused the hind end to go up in the air - it caused the hind end to over rotate.

(The picture at the left above shows Buck Davidson and Hyperlite landing in the water having over rotated.)

The second picture of Buck and Hyperlite shows the result of the over rotation. It was due only to Buck's skill as a rider and his skickability that he was able to avoid a fall.)

(Editors Note: A full series of Buck's sensational save will appear later this week when time permits.)

"The officials were absolutely right to remove the fence from the course, Williams continued."

"He's (Shane Doyle) a very quiet smooth talking person. On first impression you think you can put your faith in him. He let all of us down in every way he could have."

"I was hoping that the structure Morgan (another course builder) added was going to take the bounce out of it (the bridge).

"There are other theories as to why (the bridge caused so much trouble). - the flatness of the water and the color of the water - horses might have thought they were landing on ground. The bounce distance was a bit long."

In addition, John added, "The course designer is not in complete control. It was handed over to the Officials who took away the options (that John had originally had in the course.) The Ground Jury felt that a bounce into water was a question that they (the three star riders) should all be able to answer."

Phillip Dutton, multiple Olympic Team Gold Medalist, leads the CCI*** with Amazing Odyssey on a score of 48.70. (Phillip and Amazing Odyssey are pictured at the right jumping one of the jetties in the Lexus Water.)

Buck Davidson stands second on Hyperlite (49.50), one of the horses who actually jumped the Bridge before it was removed from the course, is in second place having had approximately 10 seconds removed from his time because of the problems caused to Buck and Hyperlight by the bridge.

Karen O'Connor is in third place with Joker's Wild on 62.20. "I am thrilled with the way he went," Karen said.

There were two double clears on Cross Country in the CCI*** - Phillip, the leader, and Susie Beale with Majestic Bear, who is in 7th place.

The Top Eight in the CCI*** are:

1. Phillip Dutton (AUS), Amazing Odyssey - 48.7
2. Buck Davidson, Hyperlite - 49.5
3. Karen O'Connor, Joker's Wild - 62.2
4. Bonnie Mosser, Draco - 64.0
5. Will Faudree, Wild Frontier, 65.0
6. Kim Severson, Maguire, 66.4

* * * * *

Stephen Bradley, recently the winner of the Foxhall Cup CCI***, rode Jane Sleeper's New Moon to a 14.3 fault lead in the CCI**. Steve said that Jane rode and trained with both Bruce Davidson and Donnan Sharp.

"I had a jump lesson with Bruce on Monday and a dressage lesson with Donnan on Tuesday. I tried to just stay out of the way and let him (New Moon) do his job." (Steve and New Moon are pictured at the left jumping into the water at the Lexus Water.)

Regarding the CCI** course, Steve remarked, "I was actually surprised it cause as much trouble as it did."

There were three double clears on the CCI** Steeplechase and Cross Country.

The Top Six in the CCI** Are:

1. Stephen Bradley, New Moon - 46.6
2. Melissa Silverman, Center Stage - 60.9
3. Rebecca Brown, Twinkle Toes - 61.2
4. Adrienne Iorio-Borden, Better I Do It - 62.2
5. Sharon White, Ronaldo - 66.6
6. Danny Warrington, Discover The Power - 69.8

* * * * *

It was lights out for Lynn Coates--Holmes and Irish Midnight, who fell upon landing after the log into water on the CCI** course.

Both Lynn and Irish Midnight got up and walked off, ready for another dawn.