Saturday, March 11 - Cross Country Day

Phillip Dutton, who resides in West Grove, Pennsylvania, laid down a patented Dutton ride with Mrs. Annie Jones' The Forman, whose accomplishments include a second place at the Land Rover Burghley CCI****, in England, last September. Most recentlyThe Foreman was named The Chronicle's Horse of the Year for 2005. A mere 2.8 time faults for 7 seconds over the time was the fastest run over Red Hills twisty course. Phillip has ridden on two Olympic Gold Medal Teams for Australia. (Phillip and The Foreman are pictured at the right jumping the huge corner at the Rolex Kentucky
CCI****, last April.)

Great Britain's Leslie Law, the reigning Olympic Individual Gold Medalist, is newly transplanted to the USA. He and his Olympic ride Shear L-'Eau have had things all their own way at horse trials, up until now. They have won Sections at Rocking Horse Winter I, II and III. At Red Hills they met Phillip Dutton for the first time and though the British pair was tied for first place after the Dressage Phase, their 16.8 time faults over the Captain Mark Phillips' designed cross country course dropped them to second place. (Leslie and Shear L'eau are pictured at the left below trotting up at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton CCI****, last May.)

Jonathan Holling, of Ocala, Florida, has been on the verge of knocking on the door for several years. Saturday he and Lion King II had the fifth fastest Cross Country run for 15.2 time faults. This good run added to a fifth place Dressage finish moved Holling into third place. The five fastest Cross Country trips were turned in by Phillip Dutton and The Foreman (2.8 time); Phillip Dutton and Connaught, currently placed 9th (7.2 time); twice World Champion Bruce Davidson and Jam (13.2 time), currently placed 10th; Ian Roberts, a Canadian Olympian in Athens (14.8 time), currently placed 12th; and Holling. (Jonathan and Lion King II are pictured below at the right crossing the water after The Loons at the Fair Hill International CCI*** last October.)

Bobby Costello had a bad fall and was transported by helicopter to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. He is said to be in good condition. Wild Delight, Bobby's horse, is said to be uninjured. (Bobby took an unexpected helicopter ride. Please see picture below at the left courtesy of the Tallahassee Democrat.)

Darren Chiacchia, a member of the US Olympic Bronze Medal Team at Athens, in 2004, had the misfortune of breaking a rein before the Dolphin fence. He was able to dismount and tie up the rein in order to finish; however, the repair work cost him and Windfall II, co- leaders after Dressage, 44.8 time faults to drop out of contention in the CIC-W***, a competition which they had won in 2004.

Interestingly, Dutton and Law are not only first and second in the CIC-W*** but also they are first and second in the CIC**.

The Leaders' scores at Red Hills are posted below.

CIC-W ***:

1. Phillip Dutton (AUS), The Foreman - 51.2 (7) 0 2.8 = 54
2. Leslie Law (GBR), Shear L'Eau - 43.7 (1-T) 0 16.8 = 60.5
3. Jonathan Holling, Lion King II - 49.9 (5) 0 15.2 = 65.1
4. Gina Miles, McKinlaigh - 52.2 (9) 0 16.4 = 68.6
5T. Heidi White, Northern Spy 51.5 (8) 0 17.2 = 68.7
5T. Karen O'Connor, Upstage 48.3 (4) 0 20.4 = 68.7
7. Jan Byyny Thompson, Task Force - 54.8 (11) 0 16 = 70.8
8. Mara Dean, Nicki Henley - 47.3 (3) 0 24.8 = 72.1
9. Phillip Dutton, Connaught 65.2 (20-T) 0 7.2 = 72.4
10. Bruce Davidson, Sr., Jam - 62.6 (16) 0 13.2 = 75.8
11. Imtiaz Anees (IND), Freetown - 57.7 (13-T) 0 19.2 = 76.9
12. Ian Roberts (CAN), Napalm - 62.9 (17) 0 14.8 = 77.7

15. Darren Chiacchia, Windfall II - 43.7 (1-T) 0 44.8 = 88.5
(45 competitors)

CIC**:

1. Phillip Dutton (AUS), Lucky Stripe - 50 (2) 0 1.6 = 51.6
2. Leslie Law (GBR), Another Garrison - 51.6 (3) 0 7.6 = 59.2
3. Mara Dean, Jos Ambition - 48.4 (1) 0 11.2 = 59.6
(49 competitors)

Advanced:

1. Karl Slezak, Foxwood Spencer - 35.8 (5) 0 14.4 = 50.2
2. Laine Ashker, Eight Saint James Place - 45 (15) 0 6.8 = 51.8
3. Phillip Dutton, Handyman Hughie - 38.3 (7) 0 13.6 = 51.9
(16 competitors)



Open Intermediate:

1. Jennifer Libby, Draco 30.3 (2) 0 12 = 42.3
2. Clarissa Wilmerding, Mystry Man II - 27.8 (1) 0 15.2 = 43
3. Ian Roberts, Amelia 44.7 (7) 0 8 = 52.7
(12 competitors)

Open Preliminary-A:

1. Kate Luce, Tia Lusso - 27.1 (1) 0 8.8 = 35.9
2. Selena O'Hanlon, Peanuts - 36.3 (10-T) 0 3.2 = 39.5
3. Jessica Hampf , High Society III - 36.7 (12-T) 0 6.8 = 43.5
(25 competitors)

Open Preliminary-B:

1. Kyle Carter, Rainbow Chasing - 31.7 (5-T) 0 6 = 37.7
2. Clark Montgomery, Up Spirit - 27.9 (1) 0 11.2 = 39.1
3. Karen O'Connor, Mandiba - 29.2 (2) 0 12.4 = 41.6
(25 competitors)