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The toothbrush after the last water swept away both the overnight leader, Missy Ransehousen and the overnight second place competitor Stuart Black and left the door wide open for the overnight third place rider Sinead Halpin, who waltzed right through to claim the spoils at the 32 Annual Radnor Hunt International CCI**. (See the picture of Lucia Strini at the left bottom to view this decisive fence.)

Sinead, who lives in Middleburg, Virginia and who rides with Karen and David O'Connor, said that, in the warm up area, Karen had hinted at the chance that had been handed to Senead. Karen said, "I don't think they're in it any more. You don't get a chance like this very often." The David confirmed it when he said, You've got ten seconds to play with." (Sinead and Tommy II are pictured at the right jumping off the big drop at 5b.)

Sinead spoke of her horse, Nancy Neubeiser's Tommy II. He was bought from Cricket Worthen, in April. He came from New Zealand about a year ago. I had a plan to do Fair Hill (the CCI***) with him; but, the partnership is just too new. He's just gotten better and better. He's going to go out tonite and roll in the dirt!"

Sinead continued regarding the last water, "It's a nerve wracking fence.You are chasing down your minute marker - your watch is beeping at you." She and Tommy II missed the time allowed by 2 seconds for .8 of a time fault, which put them in the lead by 11.7 faults.

Mailey Coombs, also from Middleburg, Virginia, rode Copper King LLC's (Gig Harbor, Washington) 10 year old Holsteiner/Thoroughbred crossbred mare Land Hope to second place on a score of 61.4. Land Hope won the award for the highest placed mare. (Mailey and Land Hope are pictured at the left jumping into the first water.)

It was Virginia's day at Radnor as Kurt Martin, of Round Hill, Virginia, rode Wood Work, a 9 year old New Zealand thoroughbred, who belongs to Kurt, Bill and C.S. Martin, also from Round Hill, to third place on a score of 62.5.

Kurt said, "The rain is the reason I am sitting here right now. If you can ride a double clear when the conditions are difficult . . ." Kurt gave all the credit to his horse, "I've had him for three years. He just will never say 'No'! He's known the entire weekend what he's going to do. He runs the show." (Kurt and Wood Work are pictured at the right in the first water.)

Lucia Strini, who ran one of four double clears Cross Country, moved from twenty-first after Show Jumping to fifth after Cross Country with Addis Abba, took home three different prizes to Plain Dealing Farm, in Scottsville, Virginia - the highest placing Young Rider Trophy; the Best Conditioned Horse Trophy; and the Best Young Horse Trophy. (Lucia and Addis Abba are pictured at the left below at the most decisive fence of the competition, the last element of the last water.)

Many riders praised Course Designer Tremaine Cooper, the Course Designer, who reshaped the Cross Country after Radnor received 5 inches of rain in 36 hours during the course of the competition. Sinead Halpin said, "When I came out of Show Jumping I was handed a (new) course map. It turned out to be a really good course."

Tremaine, ever self effacing, said, "It was a group effort. Morgan (Rowsell, the Course Builder) did a lot of the grunt work. We put down lots of stone dust (3/4 inch crushed granite) before hand. We didn't have to add too much once the competition started."

Perhaps the least lucky competitor award should go to Bonnie Mosser and Happy Valley, who finished the Cross Country on a score of 53.5, easily good for second place, and then failed the post Cross Country Veterinary Examination, which took place approximately 90 minutes after each horse and rider crossed the Finish Line.

Once again Radnor pulled off the impossible! Tropical Storm Tammy had them on the ropes. A change of schedule, HUGE team effort, and 32 years of experience defeated old Tammy and her five inches of rain and another Radnor is in the history books - this one will not soon be forgotten!

The Top Ten Finishers in the CCI** Were:

1. Sinead Halpin, Tommy II - 49.7 (.8 time XC)
2. Maley Coombs, Land Hope - 61.4 (.4 time XC)
3. Kurt Martin, Woodwork - 62.5 (DCXC)
4. Sara Kozumplik, Somerset - 63.8 (8.4 time XC)
5. Lucia Strini, Addis Abba - 66.4 (DCXC)
6. Melissa Hunsberger, Expedience - 68.0 (DCXC)
7. Sally Cousins, Center Field - 68.9 (6.8 time XC)
8. Makendra Palm, All Star Secter - 72.3 (DCXC)
9. Tara Ziegler, Buckingham Place - 72.7 (3.2 time XC)
10. Eric Dierks, Vincent Vega - 72.8 (11.6 time XC)

35 competitors ran Cross Country
25 competitors finished
4 competitors ran double clears, all were in the top ten
6 competitors finished with jumping faults
2 competitors were eliminated
8 competitors retired
2 horses were eliminated at the Final Veterinary Examination
12 competitors who completed Show Jumping did not run Cross Country (including Kate Ditchey, who had been in second place)
6 competitors were eliminated or retired in the Show Jumping
1 competitor withdrew before Show Jumping