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Kelli McMullen Temple and Paris had led since Thursday, in fact they led until Fence # 5 - the bug-a-boo fence along with its companion, Fence # 6 - The Crescent Brushes. These fences together caused more than nine separate faults. Kelli and Paris had a glance off and Kelli decided that would be the end of Paris' Jersey Fresh run and retired after successfully negotiating the troublesome fences.

Linden Wiesman and Trooper Tobin, second over night, made it a little further; but, this pair had a crashing fall at Fence 11 b, the second of the Hay Racks, incurring mandatory Elimination.

This left it to David O'Connor and Dunstan Celtic, third after Dressage, to break the "overnight leader jinx" and break it they did! David and Dunstan Celtic ran a beautiful double clear to take over the lead late in the day on a score of 46.0. David ran fourth from the last horse. Perhaps it could be said thad David and the Australian import had used up all their bad luck last year at Fair Hill. (David and Dunstan Celtic are pictured at the left, slightly off their line in the water - an illustration of the Reigning Olympic Champion's grit and determination.)

Emilee Libby, who was the sixth runner of the day, with Cahir had led throughout the long hot day on their Dressage mark of 47.6, until David pipped her by 1.6 faults.

Emilie said, "He (Cahir) did Radnor last year. He's just like a regular little kid. We're going to shoot for young riders. I can't move up to Advanced because I'm not old enough." (Emilie and Cahir are pictured at the right at The Carriage House, Fence # 19..)

Clark Montgomery, who lives in Marshall, VA, and rides with the O'Connors, is in third place. He and the chestnut gelding Silent Faith rose from sixth place after Dressage, on the strenghth of their double clear Cross Country. Clark's parents came from Texas to cheer their son on. (Clark and Silent Faith are pictured below at the left at the Trakehner, Fence # 12.)

Rebecca Simmons is in fourth place riding the Irish Cob Guinness. "I couldn't have asked any more of him. I was a little worried about his fitness. I was up on my minite markers at the beginning of the course, so he was able to slow down a bit at the end. Hopefully he can jump clean (on Sunday).

The top six after the Endurance Phase are:

1. David O'Connor, Dunstan Celtic - 46.0
2. Emilee Libby, Cahir - 47.6
3. Clark Montgonery, Silent Faith - 47.8
4. Rebekah Simmons, Guiness - 48.6
5T. Sally Cousins, Tell Me Why - 49.6
5T. Sally Cousins, The Mistress II - 49.6 Less than one rail separates the top six competitors.

Show Jumping is Scheduled for 11:00 AM Sunday.

Your intrepid reporter will begin the journey back to Lexington, KY immediately after the Presentations. The winner' name will be posted on this site Sunday evening. The complete Show Jumping story, with pictures, will not be available until Tuesday.

Thursday, May 13th, and Friday, May 14th, Dressage

Thirty-three horses did their Dressage on Thursday. The following three horse and rider combinations were in the lead after the first day:

1. Kelli McMullen Temple, (CAN), Paris - 44.6
2. Sally Cousins, The Mistress II - 46.8
3. Emilee Libby, Cahor - 47.6

Thirty-six horses did their tests on Friday. None were able to equal Temple and Paris. Linden Wiesman came closest riding Trooper Tobin. This pair scored 45.0, .4 of a fault adrift of the over night leaders.

Next came the reigning Olympic Individual Champion, David O'Connor, who rode Dunstan Celtic, the horse who broke David's wrist and ankle last October, when he fell at the Fair Hill International CCI***. (David and Dunstan Celtic are pictured at the right.) Their forward and precise test scored 46.2, good for third place, just 1.6 faults behind the leaders.

Your intrepid reporter did not arrive at the Horse Park of New Jersey, from Lexington Kentucky, until noon time on Friday, hence only two pictures of horses placed in the top ten are available.

The top 10 after two days of Dressage are as follows:

1. Kelli Temple McMullen (CAN), Paris - 44.6
2. Linden Wiesman, Trooper Tobin - 45.0
3. David O'Connor, Dunstan Celtic - 46.2
4. Sally Cousins, The Mistress II - 46.8
5. Emilee Libby, Cahir - 47.6
6. Clark Montgomery, Silent Faith, 47.8 (Clark and Silent Faith are pictured at the left.)
7. Rebekah Simmons, Guiness - 48.6
8. Mike Winter (CAN), King Pin - 48.8
9. Sally Cousins, Tell Me Why - 49.2
10. Curtis Barbour, Gundy Park - 51.2

The exact starting time for Phase "A", of the Endurance Day had not been decided at 4:15 PM, on Friday. It will very likely be either 8:30 AM or 9:00 AM, on Saturday.