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Steady rain over night did nothing to improve the going in spite of the fact that the crew did everything in their power to put stone dust on the take offs and landings.

Riders were most concerned about the steeplechase course which was holding in the morning. Kim Severson's first ride Maguire pulled both front shoes before he got to the third fence on the 'Chase. The crew got to work on that facet of the course, putting down stone dust. The take offs and landings were rolled at the lunch break, which made for an improvement in the afternoon.

Three horse and rider combinations finished on their Dressage scores. The first to do so was the first horse of the afternoon, Mrs. Annie Jones' The Foreman, ridden by Phillip Dutton (AUS). (Phillip and The Foreman are pictured at the right jumping into the water at The Head of the Lake.) Phillip rode three horses and therefore was first out in the morning. He commented that the footing did improve as the day went on.

The Foreman stands tied for third with Phillip's third ride Shannon Stimson's Nova Top, who also finished on his Dressage score. Both have scores of 51.2.

Phillip's first ride, Bruce Duchessois' Hannigan, picked up .8 of a time fault on the Cross Country to finish on 55.2 for 5th place.

Phillip spoke about his horses, "It was a bit of an unknown with Hannigan (the first out of the morning). The round was a little slower in the morning." Immediately after his ride, Phillip was interviewed in the Vet Box. He said of Hannigan, "I'm sorry I'm winded. This horse is not into galloping fast. I had to ride him hard."

Regarding The Foreman, Phillip said, "He is the greenest of the bunch. This was his first Four Star,." and of Nova Top, "I had a little bit of a life coming out of the water. They are all nice horses and I am lucky to have them.

The third horse to go double clear and finish on his Dressage score was Linda Wachtmeister's Winsome Adante, last year's winner and Kim's Olympic Individual Silver Medal ride. They are in first place on their Dressage score of 38.2. (Kim and Winsome Adante are pictured at the left jumping the second duck in the Head of the Lake.)

Kim was asked to comment on their partnership and she answered, "One of my grooms says, "You can just see that you are thinking the same thing that he is thinking." Kim added, "I always tend to be up on the clock. I tried to make myself slow down; but, I am always nervous about the time and I didn't slow down much." Kim and Dan finished 15 seconds inside the time allowed of 11 minutes 2 seconds.)

Great Britain's Leslie Law added 4.4 time faults on Cross Country to his Dressage score of 46.0, to stand alone in 2nd place riding Coup de Couer. Rolex was the 11 year old's first Four Star. "I was pretty pleased with him. He possibly got a bit tired after the one but last fence. I had to nurse him up the hill. I look forward to having him for the future. He'll be a possiblity for the European Championships. He'll be going to the selectors now." (Leslie and Coup de Coeur are pictured at the right jumping out of the water at The Head of the Lake.)

At the Press Conference, one reporter asked the "gentlemen" (Leslie and Phillip) to comment on how good Kim was. Leslie Law, the reigning Olympic Individual Gold Medalist replied, "Well she is the Silver Medalist!" Leslie's comments were met by laughter and applause.

Phillip stated, "Her and Dan are a great combination of our sport. They'll go down in history that way."

Andrew Hoy's pursuit of the Rolex Challenge apparently ended at the Lexington Bank, five from home, when his 2004 Burghley winner Moonfleet fell over the second of a double of thatched cottages. Andrew does stand 7th with Yeoman's Point.

Windfall, Darren Chiacchia's Team Bronze Medal ride at Athens, was eliminated at the second Veterinary Examination, in the 10 Minute Box.

Amy Tryon and Poggio II Teammates of Darren's on The Olympic Bronze Medal Team, had a run out at Fence 16, The Shelter and Stumps, for 20 faults and a drop to 14th place.

The Top Eight after Cross Country Are:

1. Kim Severson, Winsome Adante - 38.2 (Finished on Dressage Score)
2. Leslie Law (GBR), Coup de Couur - 50.4 (4.4 time faults XC)
3T. Phillip Dutton (AUS), The Foreman - 51.2 (Finished on Dressage Score)
3T. Phillip Dutton (AUS), Nova Top - 51.2 (Finished on Dressage Score)
5. Phillip Dutton (AUS), Hannigan, - 55.2 (.8 of a Time Fault)
6. Jan Thompson, Task Force - 56.2 (8.0 Time Faults)
7. Andrew Hoy (AUS), Yeoman's Point - 56.8 (.8 of a Time Fault on S'chase)
8. Karen O'Connor, Upstage - 64.6 (11.2 Time Faults)