Saturday, October 21 - Cross Country Day

When Mara Dean and Nicki Henley, the overnight leaders had a refusal at fence four, The Broken Log, and retired, the door was opened for Jonathan Holling and Lion King II who marched right through and took over the lead on the strength of a double clear Cross Country run.

Jon said, "I knew it was not going to be a Dressage show. I knew there would be shifting. When I got through fences # 12 and # 13 I knew I was all right. I thought on my first horse (Direct Merger) I had lost a shoe and he had all his shoes. I thought Lion King had his shoes and he had lost a shoe at the bounce before the second water." (Jonathan and Lion King II are pictured at the right jumping the Foundation Drop.)

Regarding Lion King II, Jon said, "Things have really come together in the last year and a half. He deserves all the credit!'

Holling spoke about the course, "Derek (di Grazia, the Course Designer) knows how to test accuracy boldness and scope." He continued, "I don't know the plans for Lion King. Right now I am thinking about Show Jumping. David O'Connor has been helping me with my Dressage. David's been great. He has helped me with my mental approach. I went to the World Cup (final, in Malmo, Sweden several weeks ago). I missed at two narrows early on. I am glad I could get it right here. I'm thinking about my horse and jumping my round."

Phillip Dutton, a three time winner at Fair Hill, stands in second place with Mrs. Annie Jones' and Shannon Stimson's Tru Luck. Phillip said of Tru Luck, "He's as nice a horse as I have had for a while. His Dressage can improve. This course rode quite hard. I was working all the time. It was quite hard to get the time." (Phillip and Tru Luck are pictured at the left jumping the Doublw Brush.)

Gina Miles, of Creston, California, is in third place with McKinlaigh, who has run at Fair Hill previously where he and Gina won the Amanda Warrington Award for the best first timer. " I brought him here to be sure he was healthy after he bled at Kentucky. The first three minutes (of the Cross Country course) are power packed. Captain Phillips helped us. I was a few seconds down at half way. The last bit was down hill and had not many fences. We made up some time there. It will be a nail biter tomorrw," Gina said, referring to the fact that Holling has a fence in hand but a mere 1.4 faults separate second, third, fourth, and fifth. (Gina and McKinlaigh are pictured at the right in the Dressage phase where they finished fifth. They moved up two places on the Cross Country.)

The last horse on course, New Moon, ridden by Buck Davidson, fell at the second to last fence. He was exhaused and did not get up for a very long time - probably longer than ten minutes. However, New Moon did get up in due course.

The Statement from the President of the Veterinary Commission. Catherine Kohn, VMD, issued at 2:45 PM on Sunday, October 22nd, read as follows:

"The horse New Moon, ridden by Bruce Davidson, Jr., fell while negotiating obstacle #25 on the cross country course. The horse rested on the ground for about 15 minutes on the landing side of the fence. He then got up easily and was bathed and cooled for 15 minutes before being transported in the MSPCA ambulance to the CCI stables. He was resting comfortably last evening and is doing well today."

CCI*** Results After Cross Country:

1. Jonathan Holling, Lion King II - 50.9 (DCXC)
2. Phillip Dutton, Tru Luck - 55.2 (DCXC)
3. Gina Miles, McKinlaigh - 55.6 (.8 0f a time fault XC)
4. Jan Byyny, Waterfront - 56.4 (4 time faults XC)
5. Darren Chiacchia, Better I Do It - 56.6 (2 time faults XC)
6. Bruce Davidson, Jam - 60.4 (DCXC)
7. Kristin Bachman, Gryffindor - 62.0 (DCXC)
8. Kristen Bond, Fleeceworks Blackout - 64.8 (DCXC)
9. Dorothy Crowell, Radio Flyer - 67.8 (.4 of a time fault XC)
10. Jane Sleeper, UN - 68.7 (.4 of a time fault XC)
11. Loreen Kay, Russian - 69.8 (12.8 time XC)
12T. Julia Steinberg, Mr. Big, 70.2 (DCXC)
12T. Missy Ransehousen, Critical Decision - 70.2 (10.4 time faults XC)

Totals for Cross Country:

7 double clears
23 without jumping faults
40 finishers
20 DNF's

Editor's Note: I spent most of my time at the Aqueducts, the Dansko Garden, in the main arena, and the Foundation Drop. I every case, I found knowledgable, hard working, fence judges and area stewards. At the latter, the fence judges had comfortable portable chairs in which they never sat. I commented, "Those chairs don't get much use." The answer came back, "We try to keep it fair for everybody."
Constant raking of the top of the drop as well as the paths to the two skinnies and judicious applications of stone dust did keep it "fair for everybody", whether they went first of the day or last of the day.

I was reminded, once again, that without these hard working volunteers there would be no Cross Country. Fair Hill International has a terrific crew, many of whom return every year. Let's all take a moment to silently, or vocally thank the Cross Country volunteers.

One more thing, those of us who are members of the press have a fabulous trio at the Press Tent - Ann, Beth, and Troy work tirelessly to help out with EVERY request, whether it be for scores, or start times, or heat in the tent. Thank you guys! We couldn't do it without you!

Cora Cushny, Editor