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Four out of the six leaders in the CIC-W*** have represented the United States at an Olympic Games. Darren Chiacchia, the overnight leader with Dr. Timothy Holekamp's Trakehner stallion Windfall, was a member of the 2004 Athens Bronze Medal Team. He and Windfall presented one of their patented classic rides to lead the pack by 6.2 faults. (Darren and Windfall II are pictured at the right.)

Kim Severson, also a member of the Athens 2004 Bronze Medal Team as well as the Individual 2004 Olympic Individual Silver Medalist, rode Plain Dealing Farms Royal Venture to a score of 40.0. Royal Venture has an excellent walk and his flying changes were as smooth as glass. (Kim and Royal Venture are pictured at the left below.)

Mara Dean, who rode in the Atlanta Olympic Games, in 1996, as an individual, stands in third place with Good Stuff on 45.6.

California's Gina Miles, who has ridden McKinlaigh at the World Cup Final; but, has never ridden at an Olympic Games, had a test with scored 46.6 for fourth place.Their performance clearly did not please Robert Dover, the multiple time Grand Prix Dressage Olympian, and Dressage coach to the Eventing Winter Training List and/or WEG hopefuls, as he schooled Gina and McKinlaigh unmercifully after they had left the arena.

The second half of the CCI-W*** Dressage begins at 8:00 AM on Friday.

Former Olympians also hold down the top three places in the CIC*** (for the Gold Cup Series).

Canada's Kelli Temple and Paris, who also led the Dressage at the Morven Park Horse Trials last weekend, rode another dandy test for a score of 40.0 and the overnight lead. (Kelli and Paris are pictured at the right below.)

Phillip Dutton, twice an Olympic Team Gold Medalist, stands in second place with Lucky Stripe, on a score of 47.2.

Mara Dean, third in he CIC-W*** with Good Stuff also stands third in the CIC***, this time riding Jos Ambition.

The second half of the CIC*** begins at 8:35 AM on Friday.

Interestingly, the two Sections were interspersed in the same Dressage arena and both were judged by Jo Young, of Canada and Brian Ross of the USA.

CIC-W***:
(after 18 of the 38 entries have completed their Dressage)

1. Darren Chiacchia, Windfall II - 33.8
2. Kim Severson, Royal Venture - 40.0
3. Mara Dean, Good Stuff - 45.6 (Mara and Good Stuff are pictured at the left.)
4. Gina Miles, McKinlaigh - 46.6
5. Amy Tryon, Woodstock - 49.7
6. Becky Holder, Courageous Comet - 50.3

CIC***, Gold Cup Series:
(after 21 of the 45 entries have completed their Dressage)

1. Kelli Temple (CAN), Paris - 40.0
2. Phillip Dutton (AUS), Lucky Stripe - 47.2
3. Mara Dean, Jos Ambition - 48.1

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An Editorial - The Fork, First Impressions

The Fork, whose owner and host is Jim Cogdell, certainly shows signs of never having hosted a large scale Horse Trial with competition at the Advanced, Intermediate and Preliminary levels.

The areas around the Dressage arenas have been graded; however, the newly planted grass has barely broken through the ubiquitous red clay. There is a serious dirth of gates - in fact there are none at all. The unfortunate runner who picks up Dressage scores to take them to the scorers, had to climb two four plank fences to pick up the Advanced Dressage score sheets and one four plank fence to pick up the Intermediate Dressage Score sheets.

The Advanced Dressage arena is not flat. There is a crown at "E", though that crown is not as bad as the one in the warm up area.

There was neither coffee nor food available in the vendor/Trade Fair area at anytime on Thursday. There are promises that things will be better on Friday. We shall see.

To be fair, this reporter has not seen a single fence on Captain Mark Phillips' Cross Country courses, built by Eric Bull. Perhaps a bit of a walk 'round on Friday will improve the outlook. Cross Country is, after all the heart of Eventing.

The sight of the huge barn at early morning's light is like a nightmare caused by a Gothic novel. There it sits brooding over The Fork like some huge squatting twenty legged monster. (See picture above right of Kim and Choo Choo Magoo overwhelmed by a portion of the barn. Are those blue squares eyes watching us?) Perhaps it looks less foreboding in the sunset.

Cora Cushny, Editor

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FOR IMMEDIATERELEASE

Contact: Jamie Saults, 732-580-0918

Darren Chiacchia and Windfall II Lead the World Cup Qualifier
at The Fork Farm Horse Trials Following the First Day of Dressage

Norwood, North Carolina, April 6, 2006 - Pan American individual Gold Medalist and U.S. Olympic Team Bronze Medalist Darren Chiacchia held the lead after day one in the CIC-W*** FEI World Cup Qualifier at the Fork Farm Horse Trials, being held as part of BB&T Outdoor Heritage Days Presented by Southeastern Materials, Inc. at The Fork Farm, in Norwood, North Carolina. Chiacchia led with a score of 33.8 penalty points following the first day of Dressage.

Chiacchia and Windfall II, his Olympic mount, were the last to go in the Qualifier and took the lead away from Kim Severson, his 2004 Athens Olympic teammate, who held the top spot for most of the day with a score of 40.0 penalties riding Royal Venture.

“I am very pleased with the score,” said Chiacchia. “The good news is that we received a 33.8 and I know he can still do so much better.”

The list of competitors at The Fork Farm reads like a who’s who in eventing with several Olympians taking part in preparation for the upcoming Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI****, which takes place April 27 – 30.

“This weekend is huge because it is the last chance for most of these horses to compete before Rolex,” said Chiacchia. “I am thrilled to be here. Jim Cogdell has pulled out all the stops and put together a tremendous event. His commitment to the sport is phenomenal.”

Competition in the FEI World Cup Qualifier continues with the second day of dressage on Friday. On Saturday the exciting Cross Country phase is scheduled and the event culminates with Show Jumping on Sunday.

The BB&T Outdoor Heritage Days Presented by Southeastern Materials, Inc. features a weekend of family attractions, including equestrian competitions, outdoor sporting demonstrations with retriever demos, falconry, archery, vintage guns, and educational displays, as well as vendors, concessions, and children's entertainment. Outdoor Heritage Days highlights the increasing popularity of equestrian sport in North Carolina and the trend in many states toward multi-purpose outdoor destinations that draw recreational enthusiasts and serve as a powerful engine for local economic development.

Details on attractions and directions can be found at www.theforkfarm.com.

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OlyOlympic Stars Compete at The Fork Horse Trialss Farm Horse Trials at Outdoor Heritage Days

By Jamie Saults

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The Forks Farm Horse Trials in Norwood, NC, is underway until April 9 as part of Outdoor Heritage Days with a marquee list of riders competing in this world-class event, including five-time Olympic veteran Bruce Davidson, Sr.; three-time U.S. Olympian Karen O’Connor and Pan American Individual Gold medalist, Athens Olympic Individual Silver Medalist Kim Severson,and U.S. Olympic Team Bronze medalists my Tryon, John Williams and Darren Chiacchia. Also participating are some of the brightest new stars in the Olympic sport of eventing.

The Horse Trials at Forks Farm is one of only four events in the United States featuring the chance to qualify for the FEI World Cup Series, where they hope to represent their country in the international spotlight at the World Cup Finals in Malmo, Sweden.

At the national level, the event is part of the USEA Gold Cup Series, a year-long cumulative point race that includes 12 of the most prestigious events in the country. Riders compete for prize money and national standing.

In addition to the equestrian competitions, Outdoor Heritage Days features a weekend of family attractions, including outdoor sporting demonstrations with retriever demos, falconry, archery, vintage guns, and educational displays, as well as vendors, concessions and children’s entertainment. Outdoor Heritage Days highlights the increasing popularity of equestrian sport in North Carolina and the trend in many states toward multi-purpose outdoor destinations that draw recreational enthusiasts and serve as a powerful engine for local economic development.

Details on attractions and directions to The Forks can be found online at www.theforkfarm.com.