The rain that was predicted for Friday's Dressage failed to dampen the spirits of a hardy crowd of spectators and in fact the sun came out in the afternoon. The weekend forcast is dicey at best; nonetheless, we shall hope the bad weather departs before Cross Country day Saturday. (The prediction includes thunder storms and tornados - stay tuned.)

The second rotation of Friday afternoon produced a new leader of the Dressage phase. William Fox-Pitt, of Great Britain, riding his 2009 Blair Castle CCI*** winner Cool Mountain, had a nearly perfect test displaying accuracy and ridability for a score of 42.8, .9 of a fault ahead of the previous leaders Karen O'Connor and Allison Springer, who are now tied for second.
(William is pictured at the right at the Press Conference after Dessage.)

William said, "I did not expect to be at the head of affairs at this point. This is his (Cool Mountain's) first four star. I very much believe he is ready. It's (the Course) is definitely bigger than anything he has seen before. William continued that he had had a conversation with Karen O'Connor this morning and they decided together that, " . . the more senior riders should kick some ass!"

Regarding Cool Mountain's Dressage, William commented, "He's got a fantastic temprament. Today it did come together. Whereupon Karen O'Connor commented, "I gave him a lesson this morning!"

Karen spoke of Mandiba, " I've been working really hard to get his confidence on the Cross Country. I have been taking him slowly. Tomorrow I will make every effort to get within the time."

Oliver Townend said, "The horses were both as good as they could have been. The horses are still green. This will be a big build up in (their) careers."

Allison Springer, tied for second on with Karen O'Connor, said, "It's great to be here for sure. This is a place I've always dreamed to be.")

In Friday's second rotation Allison Spring and Arthur performed a lovely test to tie for the lead with Karen O'Connor, the overnight leader, on 43.7.
(Allison and Arthur are pictured at the right in the Dressage phase at the Maui Jim Horse Trials last summer.)

Kim Severson rode Tipperary Liadhnan two places after William Fox-Pitt on Friday afternoon for a score of 44.8, good enough to slip into fourth place. Tipperary Liadhnan failed to hold his counter canters on the serpentine thereby losing all chance of grabbing the top Dressage score. Their score of 44.8 put the pair 2 faults out of the lead - this is the equivalent of five (5) seconds on the Cross Country at .4 faults per second over the optimum time.

Oliver Townend stayed within touch of his goal for winning the Rolex Challenge for a horse and rider combination that can win the three Four Stars - Badmnton, Burghley and Rolex Kentucky in succession. Oli has won Badminton and Burghley and needs this Rolex Kentucky to complete the Rolex Challenge. He is in sixth place on a score of 46.0 - 3.2 faults out of the lead; and in 9th place on ODT Master Rose on a score of 49.8 - 7 faults out of the lead.

The first to go in the Dressage on Friday was Phillip Dutton on Woodburn. Phillip had already ridden twice on Thursday placing The Foreman in the third spot on 47.2, and Kheops du Quesnay in equal fourteenth on a score of 55.3.

Phillip's third of four rides, Woodburn placed (temporarily) in fourth spot with a score of 47.4. Those in red rode on Friday.

Oliver Townend rode what most people would consider his second horse in the first rotation and achieved a score of 49.8 in spite of breaking into a canter for five or six strides in the first half pass. This horse, ODT Master Rose, has finished the Boekelo CCI***, in The Netherlands, finishing fifth there in 2009.

The Top Ten horse and rider combinations at the end of the Dressage phase are:

1. William Fox-Pitt, Cool Mountain - 42.8

2T. Karen O'Connor, Mandiba - 43.7

2T. Allison Springer, Arthur - 43.7

4. Kim Severson, Tipperary Liadhnan - 44.8

5. Becky Holder, Courageous Comet - 45.2

6. Oliver Townend (GBR), Ashdale Cruise Master - 46.2

7. Phillip Dutton, The Foreman - 47.2

8. Phillip Dutton, Woodburn - 47.7

9. Oliver Townend (GBR), ODT Master Rose - 49.8

10. Phillip Dutton, Waterfront - 51.0

(Phillip Dutton has placed three of his four rides in the top ten and is reported to have withdrawn Kheops du Quesnay prior to the Cross Country.)

The Top Ten After the First Day of Dressage Were:

1. Karen O'Connor, Mandiba - 43.7

2. Becky Holder, Courageous Comet - 45.2

3. Phillip Dutton, The Foreman - 47.2

4. Diana Burnett, Manny - 51.3

5. Jennifer Wooten-DaFoe, The Good Witch - 51.5

6. Boyd Martin, Neville Bardos - 51.8

7. Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch, Port Authority - 52.0

8. Selena O'Hanlon, Colombo - 52.7

9. Will Faudree, Pawlow - 52.8

10. Amy Tryon, Leyland - 53.7