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Bettina Hoy, (- she of the famous Athens Olympic Games dispute over having gone through the Start Line Twice after the bell had rung in Show Jumping -)who is in the lead for Germany said,"I was very pleased with Ringwood Cockatoo and seeing all the German flags." Regarding the Cross Country course she said, "It's a true championship course. He's put lots of questions in front of us.The going is obviously very soft at the moment. ( - Due to plenteous rain -) They will do whatever they can . . . (to improve the course.)

Ingrid Klimke, who finished second at Badminton last May, said of Sleep Late, "He's quite a fast horse. You have to be very precise." (Ingrid and Sleep Late are pictured at the left above.)

Andreas Dibowski who is tied for third with Kim Severson, spoke in German and referred to notes - not a usual proceedure.

Kim said, "There's a lot to do out there The problems are spread around the course. You have to ride right to the end."

The Results afte Dressage Are:

1. Bettina Hoy (GER-TEAM), Ringwood Cockatoo - 36.50
2. Ingrid Klimke (GER-TEAM), Sleep Late - 39.10|
3T. Andreas Dibowski (GER-Indiv), FRH Serve Well - 40.90
3T. Kim Severson (USA-TEAM), Winsome Adante - 40.9 (Kim and Winsome Adante are pictured at the right.)
5. Zara Phillips (GBR-TEAM), Toytown - 41.70
6. Megan Jones (AUS-TEAM), Kirby Park Iris Jester - 44.10
7. Clayton Fredericks (AUS-TEAM), Ben Along Time - 44.40
8. William Fox-Pitt (GBR-TEAM), Tamarillo - 45.00
9. Karen Donckers (BEL-TEAM), Gazelle de la Brasserie - 45.20
10. Donna Smith (NZL-INDIV), Call Me Clifton - 45.40
11. Frank Ostholt (GER-TEAM), Air Jordan 2 - 46.90
12. Nicholas Touzaint (FRA-TEAM), Hidalgo de L'Ile - 47.00

Other Results of Interest:
22T. Heidi White (USA-TEAM), Northern Spy - 50.40
24. Amy Tryon (USA-TEAM), Poggio II - 50.70
25. Phillip Dutton (AUS-INDIV), Connaught - 51.7
29. Jan Byyny (USA-INDIV), Task Force - 53.30
30. Kelli Temple (CAN-INDIV), Paris - 53.70
44T. Karen O'Connor (USA-INDIV), Upstage - 59.80
52. Ian Roberts (CAN- INDIV), Napalm - 62.60
53T. Will Faudree (USA-TEAM), Antigua - 63.30
53T. Carl Bouckaert (BEL-TEAM), Rampant Lion - 63.30
67T. Werner Geven (NED-TEAM), Esker Riada - 69.80
(72 competitors completed their Dressage on Thursday and Friday.)

(Kim is pictured at the left at the Press Conference.)

* * *

Germany's Bettina Hoy, riding Ringwood Cockatoo, forged to the lead on Friday morning laying down a fabulous test for the German Team for a score of 36.50. This is the duo who finished second at the Luhmuhlen CCI**** earlier this season. Thus far, Bettina has the only score in the thirties. (Bettina and Ringwood Cockatoo are pictured at the right. Notice the size of the studs/caulks Bettina and the other riders on this page are using.) Bettina is now 4.4 faults ahead of her countryman, Andreas Dibowski who rides as an individual.

Zara Phillips, the daughter of Captain Mark Phillips, the US coach, and his first wife, Anne, The Princess Royal, had a grand test on the lovely chestnut Toytown who had excellent flying changes and the best walk seen thus far in Stadium 2, in which the Eventing Dressage takes place. (Zara and Toytown are pictured at the left below. Notice that Stadium 2 has covered seating, which, considering the amount of rain that has been falling, is great for spectators.)

Sadly, such praise cannot be given to either Karen O'Connor and Upstage, who rides as an individual for the USA, or to Will Faudree who rides Antigua in the American Team. Karen's score was 59.80. Will's was 63.30.

Karen said, "I rode him this morning at 7 AM and he was incredible. He started hearing things the minute he went in the ring. At the trot his neck was too short and that's why they killed him there." (Karen and Upstage are pictured below at the right, in a picture which illustrates exactly what Karen talked about, although it is at the canter.)

Karen continued regarding Saturday's Cross Country Course, "I have a very fast horse so I can take a couple of the long routes," and regarding the American competitors, "It's a great group of people. There is such support from everyone!"

Will lost the correct lead on a counter canter and could not get it back thereby also losing the flying change that follows at the center line. That's a lot of good marks down the tubes!

Will said, "I thought I had him in the beginning; but, from the walk on he became more aware of the applause (from Stadium 1 which is very close to Stadium 2, in which the Eventing Dressage is taking place). It's very disappointing to get all the way here and know you can - - - - (do well)- - -. I rode the horse I had today and I'm looking forward to tomorrow." (Will and Antigua are pictured at the left below.)

(On a personal note, Ted went on a course walk with Greg Tryon, Amy's husband. Ted reports, "Greg gave an excellent course walk for about fifteen people. He was very knowledgeable and did an excellent job.")

Jack Le Goff, formerly the coach of the American Eventing Team, respected Eventing judge, and a rider himself at the 1960 Olympic Games, in Rome, Italy, said of this year's Cross Country Course, "This is the best course I've seen in many, many years, and I've been to eleven Olympic Games.

"The first ten fences are straight forward. I hope (the riders don't) fall into the trap and go too fast at the beginning. It is a real Four Star. It will give a good horse enough to think about!"