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The young upstart competitions Poplar Place (offered a CIC** and a CIC*) last weekend and The Fork next weekend (with $30,000 in CIC-W*** prize moneey as well as Gold Cup Series at Advanced and Intermediate levels), with their good money prizes, certainly did their part to cut into the Advanced entries at the old standby the Morven Park Spring Horse Trials. Competitors also are staying south longer. At the same time, the number of entries at the Intermediate and Preliminary levels remain unaffected.

Nonetheless, Morven made up in quality what it lacked in quantity as Kelli Temple, who rides internationally for Canada, and Paris led throughout Saturday's phases. Paris had what is becoming his habitual elegant and accurate Dressage test and managed to hold the lead in spite of two rails and a time fault in the Show Jumping. (Kelli and Paris are pictured at the right.)

Mara Dean and Nicki Henley had a lovely test for second spot after Dressage on 28.0; but blotted their copy book with three rails down for a drop to sixth place on a score of 40.0.

Australia's Boyd Martin and Ying Yang Yo, who have now been in the United States for three weeks, preparing for the Rolex CCI****, had a steady Dressage test for 32.5 and third place. They left the colored poles in place in the Stadium while picking up 3 time faults for a two phase score of 38.5 which kept them in third place. (Boyd and Ying Yang Yo are pictured below at the left in the Show Jumping Phase.)

Ying Yang Yo is a lovely mover. He and Boyd put together a much more polished test than they had done at Southern Pines two weeks ago. Boyd said, "We are going to drop back to Intermediate at The Fork (next weekend) at Phillip's suggestion. Phillip says that is about the time that horses who have shipped from Australia tend to flatten out. We will try to save him for Kentucky."

Advanced Results After Dressage:

1. Kelli Temple, Paris - 27.5
2. Mara Dean, Nicki Henley - 28.0
3. Boyd Martin, Ying Yang Yo - 35.5
4. Mara Dean Jos Ambition - 36.3
5. Phillip Dutton, Lucky Stripe -37.5
6. Steve Bradley, UN - 38.8
(19 competitors)

Only three horse and rider combinations had double clears over Tremaine Cooper's Show Jumping course. Jan Byyny Thompson and Task Force made the most of their double clear to rise from a tie for seventh after Dressage to second place after two phases, on a score of38.4. Task Force is aiming for the Kentucky CCI****. (Jan and Task Force are pictured at the right.)

Tying for seventh place proved lucky on this April Fool's Day. Wendy Bebie and Phoenix also climbed up the score board to fourth place on the strength of a one time fault Show Jumping round.

Phillip Dutton jumped two of the three Show Jumping double clears. August Vetterino's Amazing Odyssey slipped into fifth place. Phillip's other double clear was with Mrs. Annie Jones' Handyman Hughie.

Advanced Results After Dressage and Show Jumping:

1. Kelli Temple, Paris - 36.5 (8 jumping, 1 time SJ)
2. Jan Thompson, Task Force - 38.4 (DCSJ)
3. Boyd Martin, Ying Yang Yo - 38.5 (3 time SJ)
4. Wendy Bebie, Phoenix - 39.4 (1 time SJ)
5. Phillip Dutton, Amazing Odyssey - 39.6 (DCSJ)
6. Mara Dean, Nicki Henley - 40.0 (12 jumping SJ)
(19 Competitors) Mara and Nicki Henley are pictured at the left above.)

The Cross Country starts Sunday morning at 8 AM (7 AM to thee and me) with Preliminary. (Don't forget to set your clocks ahead tonight - and "NO!" this is not an April Fool's Joke!)

Intermediate should start around noon and Advanced at about 2:30 PM.