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In a final outing before shipping to Athens for the Olympic Games, Americans took the top eight places in the Section 2 Advanced at The Gatcombe Festival of Eventing, in England, today.

Kim Severson and Linda Wachtmeister's Winsome Adante recorded the top score of 28.5 to pip Darren Chiacchia, who rode Timothy Holekamp's Windfall 2 to a score of 29.6, 1.1 faults adrift of the leaders. Both Kim and Darren are named to the Team for Greece. (Kim and Winsome Adante are pictured at the left in the Dressage Phase of the Mandatory Outing at the Horse Park of New Jersey, in July.)

David O'Connor and Outlawed, from the USEF's List of Alternates for the Athens Games, placed third on a score of 32.6., just .2 of a fault ahead of Amy Tryon and My Beau, who scored 32.8.Amy is named to the Team for the Games.

None of the Americans in the top eight intend to run Cross Country, much to the relief of British competitors, who stand no higher than 9th.

Advanced Section 1, was somewhat more realistic, as John Williams will likely run Sloopy Cross Country. This pair currently stand third on 33.7, just 3.9 faults behind the leaders, Jo May (GBR) and Faeri Vision (29.8). John and Sloopy are headed for the Burghley CCI****. Marie Ryan (GBR) and Sparrow Hall (33.3) are in second place.

The British Open Championship, the headline competition at Gatconbe begins tomorrow, Saturady, August 7th.

Standings, Section # 1:

1. Jo May (GBR), Faerie Vision - 29.8
2. Marie Ryan (GBR), Sparrow Hall - 33.3
3. John Williams (USA), Sloopy, 33.7
4. Claire Phillips (GBR), Capuchin - 33.7
5. Louisa Brassey (GBR), Plantagenet of Rushall - 33.9
6. Bill Levett (AUS), Norwegian Connection - 34.4

Standings, Section # 2:

1. Kim Severson (USA-T), Winsome ADANTE - 28.5
2. Darren Chiacchia (USA-T), Windfall 2 - 29.6
3. David O'Connor (USA-A), Outlawed - 32.6
4. Amy Tryon (USA-T), My Beau - 32.8
5. John Williams (USA-T), Carrick - 34.3
6. Heidi White (USA-A), Northern Spy - 35.0
7. Will Faudree (USA- A), Antigua - 35.6
8. Jan Thompson (USA-A), Task Force - 35.7

Other American Scores (placings unknown):

Amy Tryon (USA-A), Poggio II - 38.2
Julie Richards (USA-T), Jacob Two Two - 43.2

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Gatcombe Festival of Eventing Preview

The five named members of the American Olympic Team as well as the five Alternates are all entered to run in Advanced Section # 2 at the Gatcombe Festival of Eventing, which will take place at Gatcombe Park, the property of The Princess Royal, at the weekend..

Gatcombe hosts The British Open Championship, with 60 entries (no Americans), as well as two Advanced Sections.

Three Americans are entered in Advanced Section I (64 entries) and are expected to compete in all three phases:

107 - Cindy Rawson and Ashdale David's Way (Cindy and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Futh's Ashdale David's Way are pictured at the right jumping into the second water at the Burghley CCI****, last September, where they finished 12th.)
109 - John Williams and Sloopy
131 - Cindy Rawson and Halavadream

Eleven Americans are entered in Advanced Section II (81 entries), most of the Olympic Team and Alternates are expected to do only a combined test (Dressage and Show Jumping).

234 - Julie Richards and Jacob Two Two (T)
235 - Amy Tryon and My Beau (T)
236 - John Williams and Carrick (T)
237 - Will Faudree and Antigua (A)
238 - Darren Chiacchia and Windfall 2 (T)
239 - Kim Severson and Winsome Adante (T)
240 - Jan Thompson and Task Force (A)
241 - David O'Connor and Outlawed (A)
242 - Heidi White and Northern Spy (A)
243 - Amy Tryon and Poggio II (A)

215 - Abigail Lufkin and Better I Do It are also entered in Section II and are expected to compete in all three phases.

One American is entered in the Intermediate Championship:

393 - Aimee Mowbray and Hulla Baloo VI

No members of the British Olympic Team are entered at Gatcombe as they will ship to Athens on August 7th.

The Americans will have one final gallop on Sunday, August 8th, before shipping from England to Athens, on August 10th.