It was forty-one degrees at 9:00 AM on Friday, with light rain - not precisely weather condusive to attracting spectators. The rain stopped by mid-morning for which all concerned were more than grateful!

CCI***

The first horse and rider combination to do their Dressage after lunch on Friday were Karen O'Connor and Mandiba, who had run at the Burghley CCI****, in England. Karen had a fall when Mandiba ran out at a Cross Country fence. Karen and Mandiba had a lovely test for scores of 74.0, 75.6, and 71.2 to grab the lead on 39.6, 5.7 faults ahead of the overnight leader, John Williams (42.6). (Karen and Mandiba are pictured at the right at the Burghley CCI****.)

Karen broke her shoulder (actually scapula) and three ribs five weeks ago when she hit a pot hole while riding her motor bike in the dark at the Carolina Horse Park, near Southern Pines. She is not now strapped up and says, "It feels fine!"

"I haven't been in this position (first place) in a while so I am quite excited!" she continued. "I have a tremendous amount of confidence in Derek (di Grazia - the Course Designer). We know that Fair Hill can take a lot of water." Regarding Mandiba, Karen said, "He's going to stay at this level (three star) until I feel he can go on to the next level."

Mara Dean and Nicki Henley had an accurate and pleasant test for scores of 68.8, 72.4 and 71.6 making for a final score of 43.6which was good for third place. Mara and Nicki Henley won at Richland Park, in Michigan, a month ago. (Mara and Nicki Henley are pictured at the left.)

Regarding the course and it's condition in view of the nearly constant rain over the last several days, John Williams, in second place after doing his Dressage on Thursday, said, "The crew here will do everything they can to keep it suitable." Mara agreed saying, "They've put gravel where they need to."

The Top Five in the CCI*** at the End of the Dressage Phase Were:

1. Karen O'Connor (USA), Mandiba - 39.6
2. John Williams (USA), Sweepea Dean - 42.6
3. Mara Dean (USA), Nicki Henley - 45.8
4. Kelly Prather (USA), Ballinkill Glory - 45.2
5. Erica Treis Petersen (USA), Under the Influence - 45.4

At the lunch break, three competitors had scored in the top ten overall: (Their final standings are in parentheses.)

3. (6T) Kristi Nunnink (USA), R-Star - 45.8
5. (10) Nate Chambers (USA), Rolling Stone II - 47.4
8. (15) Bonnie Mosser (USA), Merloch - 49.2 (Bonnie and
Merloch are pictured at the right.)

CCI**

Lauren Kieffer, in third place) spoke of Ultra Tim, "His owner rescued him for $700. He did the CIC at Plantation Field. I don't think he really knows (yet) what's going on. This is my first time at Fair Hill."

The top Five at the End of the Dressage Phase were:

1. Rebecca Howard (CAN), Roquefort - 42.2
2. Leslie Law (GBR), Hugo Fast - 45.3
3. Lauren Kieffer (USA), Ultra Tim - 46.1
4. Kristin Schmolze (USA), Ballylaffin Bracken - 48.1
5T. Kelli Temple (CAN), Veelion - 48.3
5T. Jennie Brannigan (USA), Cambalda - 48.3

At the lunch break only one pair who did their Dressage on Friday morning had made it into the top ten over all:

2. Lauren Kieffer (USA), Ultra Tim - 46.1

Contact: Ann Haller, (410) 392-4613 or ann.haller@yahoo.com

O'Connor On Top at Dansko Fair Hill International Festival In the Country

Spalding Labs/USEA Young Event Horse Championships Showcase Future Talent

By Ann Haller

Fair Hill, MD-October 16, 2009-Back in the saddle and back on top, Karen O'Connor, The Plains, Virginia, and Joan Goswell's 10-year old Thoroughbred Mandiba took the lead in the Dansko Fair Hill International CCI***. O'Connor overtook overnight leader John Williams and his own Sweepea Dean's score of 42.6 with a poised ride of 39.6 penalties. A motor bike accident just five weeks ago has kept Karen out of the saddle but she said the experience on the ground has been useful. "My husband David and Phillip Dutton have been working the horse while I have been a student watching them from the ground. It has given me a better perspective on where Mandiba is right now and what he can do. It's been a while since I've been in this (top) position here at Fair Hill!"

In the CCI**, the last rider of the day, Canadian Rebecca Howard, was rewarded with a top penalty score of 42.2 penalties for her flowing ride on The Fork Stables' Dutch warmblood/Thoroughbred cross, Roquefort. "He's a real worker, he tries so hard. This is his first CCI**. He wasn't bothered going last, I just had to figure out how to keep him warm today." Leslie Law and his own English Thoroughbred, Hugo Fast, slipped to second with a penalty score of 45.3, after leading from the very start of yesterday's dressage competition. Both the CCI*** and the CCI** boast record entries this year, as many rider's look forward to next year's World Equestrian Games.

The cross country competition of the USEF CCI Fall Championships will start at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, beginning with the CCI** division.

The Spalding Labs/USEA Young Event Horse East Coast Championships culminated with top marks awarded for the Jumping Suitability and Potential phase of the competition. In the Four-year old Division, the Swedish warmblood/Thoroughbred Stallion Accolade had the top combined score of 84.65 for the three sections: Conformation and Type, Dressage, and Jumping Suitability and Potential. Owner Hope Thomas and co-owner and rider Dr. Kim Keeton, DVM, were "just tickled" about the stallion's performance this week. "We have been developing him slowly, we really just started him at the first of the year. The Young Event Horse program has really worked for him. We plan to keep him going. He is a good boy around the barn, and has already covered a couple of mares." Dr. Keeton explained, "He's out of a Ribot-bred Thoroughbred mare-he's actually here because of a frozen semen experiment while I was in vet school!" Placing second in the Four-year old division with a score of 80.43 was Sharon Will and Buck Davidson's Oldenburg gelding, No More Rocks, by Noble Champion (Oldenburg) and out of Chestnut Lady, a Canadian Thoroughbred recognized as an Oldenburg Main Mare. Will credited rider Buck Davidson with seeing the potential in "Rocky". "I am breeding for event horses, and I am very excited about Rocky's future. I really want to thank Buck and his staff for all they have done with him." Third place honors, with a total score of 80.38, went to Tim and Cheryl Holekamp's Trakehner mare, Kalamata. By Windfall II (Trakehner) and out of Kossett (Trakehner), this mare received the highest score in the conformation section of the competition.

In the Five-year old Young Event Horse division, Matt Flynn rode the Dutch warmblood, BreakThrough, owned by his parents, Patrick and Kathleen Flynn, to a winning combined score of 80.22. Flynn explained, "This is a great program to showcase young horses. BreakThrough was bred in Ireland, and had done the Four-year old Show Jumping classes over there. We wanted to support the program here. He came to the States in April and has been eventing here since May." Second-place went to Star Dazzler, owned by Courtney Cooper and Neal Camens, and ridden by Cooper. "Simon" is one of several youngsters out of Cooper's Irish Sport Horse mare, Heavenly Star. The sire is Irish Sport Horse Catherston Dazzler. "I purchased the mare in Ireland as a five-year old, to be my event horse. She had a career-ending injury and has produced several great babies since. It's so good to ride your own. I rode down the centerline on "Simon's" brother in his first CCI* this spring with tears in my eyes." Kurt Martin rode Charlotte Hogg's Irish Sport Horse, Master Frisky, by Master Imp (ISH), out of Frisky Legs (ISH) to third place with a final score of 79.16.

Back by popular demand to the Dansko Fair Hill Festival in the Country is The Art and Sport of Falconry With Live Birds of Prey, taking place on Saturday, October 17. Master Falconer Mike Dupuy brings his audience up close and personal while he and his birds provide an unforgettable educational experience for people of all ages.

While there are many new attractions for families, traditional favorites such as the Dog Agility Trials, which draws over 400 canine competitors, will return this year. The Maryland Department of Agriculture named the Fair Hill International as a "Maryland Top Event!"

Members of the United States Pony Club will be on hand participating in the President's Cup Invitational Games. During the Games, riders in teams of five will compete in a variety of challenging and entertaining relay races; awards will be presented to winning teams on Sunday.

The Kids Corner will also return this year, offering a variety of activities for the younger set. Miniature horses will be performing on both Saturday and Sunday, and live music will be provided by Rebecca Pitre's Whoa Buddy Productions. Visitors may want to watch JoAnn Dawson's musical production, "HorsePlay," on Saturday. The play uses actors and horses to chronicle the relationship of man and horse throughout history.

The Country Shops and Food Court, featuring vendors of tack, jewelry, artwork, pet needs, exceptional apparel and fine gifts for the approaching holiday seasons, have been newly expanded this year. The Fair Hill Club offers fine dining, while visitors seeking a more casual snack or meal will find pubs around the Fair Hill grounds serving classic Maryland crab-cakes and other treats.

The Dansko Fair Hill International Festival in the Country benefits Union Hospital in Elkton, MD. The hospital, whose mission is to enhance the health and well-being of the residents of Cecil County and its neighboring communities, has been caring for area families and neighbors for nearly 100 years.

Healthy feet, healthy body, healthy planet. That's the spirit behind Dansko. Founded in 1990 by husband and wife team, Peter Kjellerup and Mandy Cabot, both former horse trainers, Dansko shoes, boots, and sandals are now sold in over 2,500 premium retailer locations across North America. Dansko is the leader in all-day comfort footwear.

For more information on this year's Fair Hill, including how to purchase tickets, please call (410) 398-2111 or visit www.fairhillinternational.com

Mandiba Returns at 2009 Dansko Fair Hill International CCI***

By Joanie Morris

Elkton, MD – Karen O’Connor and Mandiba did not take the easy road to the 2009 Dansko Fair Hill International CCI***; but, they delivered on the second day of dressage and put in a dynamite test for a score of 39.6, making them the only pair to go under 40 going into Saturday’s cross country.

Also serving as the USEF National CCI*** and CCI** Eventing Championships, Fair Hill International showcased some very professional dressage rides on Friday. O’Connor, who broke her shoulder blade in September in a motorbike accident (in North Carolina a week after) falling off Mandiba at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, had a score to settle. Using every ounce of her Olympic experience, she guided Joan Goswell’s 10-year-old Irish Thoroughbred to a confident, accurate and very obedient test.

“It’s been awhile since I sat in this position so I am a little excited,” said O’Connor.

Good lateral work, a great rein back and very square halts highlighted the best test of the day. O’Connor (The Plains, VA), a multiple former winner of the CCI*** at Fair Hill, had Olympic teammate Phillip Dutton ride Mandiba while she was recovering from her injury and (help) regain the horses form after his atypical performance at Burghley.

“He’s been a great horse, he’s been a work in progress,” said O’Connor. “He’s been going really, really well, I’m very lucky having broke my shoulder only five weeks ago. David (O’Connor) has been preparing the horse for the competitions for Phillip. I was a student and I watched them work on things that maybe I hadn’t noticed having worked with this horse so much.”

The rain is set to return Friday night; but, O’Connor thinks the course will hold up and the course builders (Eric Bull and his crew) are working around the clock to ensure the best conditions for the horses tomorrow.

“I have a tremendous amount of confidence in the course designer, Derek (DiGrazia) is amazing,” said O’Connor. “We know Fair Hill can take a ton of water. I am really thrilled that it is still taking (absorbing) the water. They are going to do everything that is possible to make it work for the horse’s safety.”

The cold weather and gusty wind made for some lively conditions around the dressage ring today, and John Williams (Southern Pines, NC) held on to a top spot after a good performance on Thursday with Sweepea Dean for a score of 42.6. The level-headed 10-year-old Thoroughbred cross tried very hard and delivered in his first CCI*** with a very good performance.

“He’s a good horse, I don’t spend a whole lot of time on him, I’ve been a bit busy doing other things over the last few years, so I’ve let him down a little bit,” said Williams. “So it’s been nice to focus on him over the last few weeks and I could show him off, at least partway, to his potential. He’s a very laid back horse. This horse is rather green, he’s only done a small handful of advanced horse trials. I didn’t really come here to set the world on fire. I’m just planning on cantering around not too quickly tomorrow, hopefully the ground will slow everyone else down too.”

Mara Dean (Round Hill, VA) typically is reliable in the dressage and her performance with Nicki Henley certainly did not disappoint. The 1996 Olympic veteran and Nicki Henley put in a very determined effort after a two year hiatus for the 14-year-old Irish-bred gelding. Their score of 43.6 left them in third place going into Saturday’s cross-country.

“I’m very happy with my test, he’s coming back from a little layoff,” said Dean. “He gave me the best he could today;, but, there is still room for improvement. It’s just great to be riding him, he’s not supposed to be back here, so it’s great.”

Leslie Law was first in the ring on Thursday morning and his score of 45.3 held until the very last horse in the ring on Friday afternoon. Canadian Rebecca Howard put in an elegant performance with 11-year-old Roquefort to inherit the lead on a score of 42.2.

“My horse was really good, it was a long day waiting until the very end,” said Howard. “I was trying to basically figure out how to keep him warm all day. He’s a real worker and he tries real hard. He went to work out there which was nice.”

“I’m just getting to know him still,” said Howard. “I think I will know a lot more about him after tomorrow. I’m going to watch quite a bit before I ride and be careful with the ground I’m riding over.”

Law lays less than a point ahead of Lauren Keiffer (The Plains, VA) and Ultra Tim. Keiffer, being the top placed American, leads the USEF National CCI** Championships. The 22-year-old works for the O’Connors, and has produced the 10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding after he was bought for an unpaid bill by owner Abigail Gille.

“He’s pretty green, so he’s pretty good for $700,” said Keiffer. “I got him a year ago, I wasn’t really looking to move him up to Intermediate this year but he was clocking around Prelim this spring. He was pretty quiet out there but I don’t think he really knows what’s going on. He’s pretty classic, he’s not much to look at in the barn.”

Despite her horse’s inexperience, Keiffer is looking forward to the cross country.

“He’s a real genuine cross country horse,” said Keiffer. “He’s just chicken enough that he’s careful but he’s really genuine. I think it looks great, if they come off it well then they are pretty much ready to move up to advanced.”

Keiffer is also catch riding Radio Flyer for Karen O’Connor in the CCI***, the experienced chestnut Thoroughbred gelding has completed Fair Hill before with his former rider Dorothy Crowell.

For complete information and results please visit: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/breedsDisciplines/discipline/alleventing/fairHill.aspx.

ENDS

Please contact Joanie Morris at jmorris@usef.org with questions.

The vision of the United States Equestrian Federation® is to provide leadership for equestrian sport in the United States of America by promoting the pursuit of excellence from the grassroots to the Olympic Games, based on a foundation of fair, safe competition and the welfare of its human and equine athletes.

Young Event Horse|

The 4 Year Old Section was won by Kim Keeton and Accolade (84.65) from Buck Davidson with No More Rocks (80.43).

The 5 Year Old Section was won by Matt Flynn with Break Through (80.22) from Courtney Cooper and Star Dazzler (79.57).