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The Jersey Fresh jinx on the overnight leader came into play again in the Show Jumping Phase. David O'Connor, of The Plains, VA, riding Joe Zada's Dunstan Celtic, led after the Cross Country on a score of 46.0. Naturally, the pair Show Jumped last. He never had a fence in hand and, in fact, even that edge would not have helped him as Dunstan Celtic pulled two rails for 8 faults. Their final score of 54.0 dropped them to 7th place.

Sally Cousins, of West Grove, PA, had two horses in the top ten, after Cross Country. The Mistress II and Tell Me Why were tied for 5th place, both with scores of 49.6. The Mistress II, known as Roxanne, jumped first and jumped a double clear, one of only five out of the top twenty to do so over Sally Ike's testing course.

Sally had run The Mistress II at The Foxhall Cup CCI*** four weeks previously, where they were placed 10th after the Dressage Phase and had 1.6 time faults on the 'Chase. Sally retired the mare on Cross Country before the Steps Up, Fence # 25, because she felt the mare had little left in the tank.

As the higher placed horses jumped, The Mistress' score began to look better and better and when Custom Made had his first rail, at the Jersey Fresh Fence, it was clear that Sally would be the winner. (Sally and The Mistress II are pictured at the right above.)

The other four who jumped clean rounds all rose signifiacntly in the standings.

Clarissa Wilmerding and Mystery Man II went from 20th to 15th - there was prize money through sixteenth. Wendy Bebie riding Phoenix went from 16th to 9th. Kyle Carter (CAN) rose from 12th to 6th with Right About Now. Ann Glaus, who came all the way from California, went from 10th to 4th place with her husband's Josh's Bellair. Josh Glaus plays Major League baseball for the Aneheim Angels - he's batting .296 with 11 home runs. He hit a home run against the New York Yankees late last week. Announcer Brian Quinn stated that Ann had hit a "home run" in Show jumping clean and in finishing the competition on her Dressage score.*

Emilee Libby, second overnight, had one rail down but maintained her position with Cahir. (Emilee and Cahir are pictured at the left.) Clark Montgomery also had one rail riding Silent Faith to maintain his third place position. (Clark and Silent Faith are pictured at the right below.)

Sally commented on The Mistress II, "I thought I had a chance as the scores were so close (less than one rail separated the top five), even a time fault would have made a difference. The mare belongs to Trout Walk Farm - Wendy and Danny O'Brien, of Wassaic, NY. I am pleased for them. They have been great supporters." Sally continued, "She (the mare) is quite willing. She is 1/4 Selle Francais and 3/4 thoroughbred. I work very hard to get her fit. The owners might look at either Blenheim, in England, or Fair Hill.

"I loved the (Cross Country) course. What was great was how much care they took of the footing. The crew did a great job here," Sally complimented the Horse Park of New Jersey and the Cross Country Course Designer John Williams.

Williams noted that that 12 to 16 hours had been spent on a tractor aerating both the Steeplechase and the Cross Country courses.

Emilee Libby, of Branchville, NJ, who is only sixteen years old, won the Best Young Rider prize. She will not be eligible to go Advanced until she is eighteen and hopes one day to ride at Badminton. She said of Cahir, "He's going to be a great horse for the future."

Clark Montgomery, who lives in Marshall, VA, said, "This horse (Silent Faith) will be geared to Radnor. He was tired today. He has a lot of Warm Blood in him. That combined with the heat (made him tired)." Referring to the one rail down, Clark continued, "It was just a light rub behind. I probably opened my body too soon. It's great to beat the coach! (Clark rides with David O'Connor.)

Buck Davidson, currently living in Ringoes, NJ, placed 14th on his father's grey mare Jam. Buck was a last minute substitute for Bruce who was taken ill with bouts of vomiting, at the beginning of the competition.

The Prix Veterinaire, for the Best Conditioned Horse, was won by Sarah Hansel's The Quiet Man.

The Grooms Award was won by Katie Strickland, the groom for Ron Zabala (ECU) who won the Best Turned Out Award.

Had there been a Leading Foreign Rider Award, it would have been won by Canada's Kyle Carter riding Right About Now.

The top sixteen finishers were:

1. Sally Cousins, The Mistress II - 49.6 (Sally and The Mistress II are pictured at the right during their Victory Gallop.)
2. Emilee Libby, Cahir - 51.6
3. Clark Montgomery, Silent Faith - 51.84. Ann Glaus, Bellair - 53.6*
5. Sally Cousons, Tell Me Why - 53.6*
6. Kyle Carter (CAN), Right About Now - 53.8
7. David O'Connor, Dunstan Celtic - 54.0
8. Mike Winter (CAN), King Pin - 54.4
9. Wendy Bebie, Phoenix - 56.0
10. Trish Green, Amadeus - 56.8
11. Jennifer Libby, Draco - 56.8
12. Ashley Johnson, Sword Play - 57.6
13. Sarah Hansel, The Quiet Man - 59.0
14. Buck Davidson, Jam - 61.0
15. Clarissa Wilmerding, Mystery Man II - 61.8
16. Lisa Kent, Bouvey - 64.0

* The following appeared on the Sports Section of the Lexington Herald Leader on Tuesday, May 18th, 2004:

"Angels slugger Troy Glaus, a three time All-Star and this year's AL home run leader, will have surgery on his right shoulder Friday and might be sidelined for the rest of the season.

"The 2002 World Series MVP was limited to 91 games last season because of a shoulder injury he sustained while trying to make a diving catch."

eventingetc.com wishes Ann and her husband the very best in each of their up-coming sporting seasons.