Saturday, May 10 - Cross Country Day

Amy Tryon, a native of Washington State and member of past US Olympic and World Championshiup teams with Poggio II, leads the CCI*** at the New Jersey Horse Park after the Cross Country phase.

Amy rode Leyland to the fastest Cross Country time over a course designed by John Williams. Leyland picked up a mere 1.6 time penalties for 4 seconds over the optimum time and a two day score of 54.0. (Amy and Leyland are pictured at the right jumping the brush before the first water.)

Sara Dierks, who trains with Vaugh Jefferis, a former World Champion for New Zealand, ran the second fastest Cross Country with Somerset II for 2.4 time faults - 6 seconds over the optimum time and a two day total of 54.8 and second place. (Sara and Somerset II are pictured at the left below jumping the skinny after the last water.)

The third fastest time belonged to Canada's Mike Winter and Wonderful Will. They completed the course 10 second slow for 4.0 time faults and 60.1 - good for third place. (Mike and Wonderful Will are pictured at the right below jumping the barrels into the last water.)

A total of nine competitors finished within 23 seconds of the time allowed. These included: Buck Davidson/ Ballynoe Castle - 6.8 time for fourth place; Ashley Adams/Vaunted - 5.2 time for sixth place; Phillip Dutton/Loose 'N Cool - 4.8 time for seventh place; Jessica Phoenix (CAN) - 4.4 time for 8th place; Hawley Bennett (CAN)/Splendorofthesun - 9.2 time for tenth place; and Karl Slezakt (CAN)/Showdown - 7.2 time for sixteenth place. (Time faults are added to a riders Dressage score accounting for the discrepency between the above time faults and placings.)

The over night leader Leslie Law (GBR) with Fleeceworks Mystere du Val dropped to 20th with a refusal at the Dock in the Water and 26.8 time faults.

The following release was promulgated by the Organizing Committee:

"The Organizing Committee of the Jersey Fresh CCI*** regrets to announce that the death of David O'Connor's horse Tigger Too, ridden by Lauren Kieffer, at Fence 28 on the cross country course today.

"The FEI Investigative Panel has been convened to review the facts surrounding the incident."

(The Investigative Panal had been named to include David O'Connor, Marilyn Payne and Mark Weissbecker; however, since David's horse was involved, he was excused.)

Karen O'Connor, who had been second with Allstar and third with Mandiba after Dressage, was eliminated for three refusals with Allstar and dropped to ninth with Mandiba with 19.6 time faults XC.

CCI *** Results after Cross Country:

1. Amy Tryon, Leyland - 54.0 (1.6 time XC)
2. Sara Dierks, Somerset II - 54.8 92.4 time XC)
3. Mike Winter (CAN), Wonderful Will - 60.1 (4.0 time XC)
4. Buck Davidson, Ballynoe Castle RN - 60.5 (6.8 time XC)
5. Allison Springer, Destination Known - 60.8 (11.2 time XC)
6. Ashley Adams, Vaunted - 61.1 (5.2 timw XC)
7. Phillip Dutton, Loose 'n Cool - 61.5 (4.8 time XC)
8. Jessica Phoenix (CAN), Expolring - 62.0 (4.4 time XC)
9. Karen O'Connor, Mandiba - 64.6 (19.6 time XC)
10. Hawley Bennett (CAN) - 67.0 (9.2 time XC)
(30 finishers from 37 starters)

The over night leader Leslie Law (GBR) with Fleeceworks Mystere du Val dropped to 20th with a refusal at the Dock in the Water and 26.8 time faults.

The following release was promulgated by the Organizing Committee:

"The Organizing Committee of the Jersey Fresh CCI*** regrets to announce that the death of David O'Connor's horse Tigger Too, ridden by Lauren Kieffer, at Fence 28 on the cross country course today.

"The FEI Investigative Panel has been convened to review the facts surrounding the incident."

(The Investigative Panal had been named to include David O'Connor, Marilyn Payne and Mark Weissbecker; however, since David's horse was involved, he was excused.)

Karen O'Connor, who had been second with Allstar and third with Mandiba after Dressage, was eliminated for three refusals with Allstar and dropped to ninth with Mandiba with 19.6 time faults XC.

CCI** Results after Cross Country:

1. Maya Black, Kejsarinna - 47.7 (DCXC)
2. Carol Kozlowski, Take Time - 48.9 (2 time XC)
3. Phillip Dutton, Risk Taker - 50.0 (DCXC)
4. William Coleman III, Twizzel - 50.4 (1.2 time XC)
5. Phillip Dutton, Bailey Wick - 50.6 (DCXC)
6. Andrea Leatherman, Revere Road - 54.6 (DCXC)
(26 finishers from 39 starters)

Editor's Note: Your reporter will be travelling from the New Jersey Horse Park to Unionville, PA on Sunday afternoon/evening. The final results will be posted Sunday evening; but, pictures and a full report will not be av ailable until late Monday morning.