Contents

Radnor Hunt International CCI**
and
Preliminary Horse Trials

Sunday, October 12, Show Jumping

Debi Crowley, of Huntsville, AL, and her Appendix Quarter Horse Mighty Mite took Radnor like The Crimson Tide! They were virtual unknows until they finished second in the Dressage Phase. From that moment on they could do no wrong. (Debi and Mighty Mite are pictured at right.) A double clear Cross Country put them in a tie for first place with Darren Chiacchia and San Salvador and a mere .4 of a fault ahead of Wendy Lewis and Rampant Lion, who stood 3rd.

Darren and San Salvador took themselves out of the top three by pulling a rail in the Show Jumping and dropping into a tie for 3rd with Australia's Phillip Dutton, who rode Nina Gardner's Brindabella to a double clear Cross Country and a double clear Show Jumping. It was Phillip's double clear Cross Country that broke the tie and dropped Darren to 4th. Darren and San Salvador had accrued 3.2 time faults over the Radnor course, on Saturday.

This left Wendy Lewis and Rampant Lion still in the hunt and their double clear Show Jumping round put Debi and Mighty Mite in the uncomfortable position of not even having a single time fault in hand. As she entered the ring, Debi thought, " I need to go clean and then I concentrated on riding the course. I thought I was slow - I thought I was over the time." Debi and Mighty Mite actually finished within the Time Allowed by 2 seconds.

"It's been awesome! He's been doing Intermediate for more that three years and we were ready!' Debi said. She hopes to move up to Advanced on 2004 and possibly head for Foxhall.

The vast majority of rails down came at the last fence, a square oxer. "It was obviously the hardest line," Wendy Lewis commented. "I had been planning to drop down a stride or two across the triple; but, he (Rampant Lion) has such a huge stride I didn't have to chase him as much to make the distance. I've been successful; but, I've never been in the top ribbons," Wendy continued. "This will will help my confidence in my own riding." (Wendy and Rampant Lion are pictured above left, at tha last fence of Show Jumping.)

Phillip had a nervous moment at the far end of the Show Jumping course. "She (Brindabella) jumps very big behind. She tried very hard and she knuckled over on landing." Phillip sat tight and gathered the mare together to complete a double clear. "Vaughn Jefferis (a New Zealand Eventing World Champion with the super horse Bounce), warmed me up and talked me through the course it was a great help. He is here on holiday." Brindabella is for sale. She is an Australian bred mare who was bought for a student; however, the combination did not work out. "This is a good level for her. She would be good for someone who wants to ride at this level." (Phillip and Brindabella are pictured above right.)

At the end of the day the spoils belonged to a software engineer from Huntsville, Alabama, who took unpaid leave from her job to drive the 15 hours to Radnor. Debi Crowley and Mighty Mite now the Radnor CCI** Champions.

Other placings in the International Division were:

4th - Darren Chiacchia, San Salvador - 53.6
5th - Kerry Torry Philhower, Top Deck II -54.6
6th - Sara Davis, Mackinac - 54.6
7th - Buck Davidson, Idalgo - 57.0
8th - Bonnie Mosser - Stina - 57.4
9th - Paul Delbrook, The Tracker - 58.4
10th - Katie Evans (CAN), Mr. Freeze - 58.6

Phillip Dutton, Debi Crowley and Wendy Lewis.

Complete results will be available on the Radnor web site eventually, in the mean time try www.eventingnews.com

Susie Beale and Benjamin Bunny (40.00) won the Preliminary "A" Division from Rebecca Barron and Oberon (42.50) and Randy Ward with Ice Princess (43.50) Marcia Kulak and Mister Glitz (33.00) won the Premiminary "B" Division from Stuart Black (CAN) and Fleeceworks Starlight (33.50) and Elizabeth Corcoran and the 20 year old Lighter Than Air (41.50).

 

 

Saturday, October 11, Cross Country

Debi Crowley and Mighty Mite, 2nd after the Dressage Phase, added nothing to their overnight score of 49.6 with a beautiful double clear Cross Country run to land in a technical tie for first place with Darren Chaicchia and San Salvador. San Salvador and Darren added 3.2 time failts to their previously leading score of 46.40, for a score of 49.6. (This is called a technical tie, because, should the two remain tied, Debi and Mighty Might would win because they were closer to the optimum time.) (Debi and Mighty Mite are pictured at left jumping down the Hill's Drop, Fence 5b.) Sadly, Debi did not come to the Press Conference probably because the Press Officers at Radnor refuse to properly inform riders when they are needed. (Please see Friday's Report for particulars and quotes.)

Darren explained his time faults with San Salvador as follows, "I did the long route at the in and out. He's a big bold galloper and lost his footing behind, so I just continued on the arc of the turn and jumped the long route there." Darren and San Salvador are pictured at right on the Steeplechase.)

Darren also stands in a tie for 4th with his second horse Southbound who also accumulated time faults, this time 2. Darren said."At about the five minute mark, ( just after 1/2 way) my brldle broke. It's a three points of pressure bridle. I thought, 'Well, I'll jump the next one and see what happens.'" Darren continued on thet way until the end, unfortunately incurring 2 time faults.

Wendy Lewis, nee Olson, and Rampant Lion remain in 3rd place. They also stand on their Dressage score after a double clear Cross Country. "O could not have been more thrilled with him! He really covers the ground. I just let him go - that's all it is."

Wendy trains with Buck Davidson. Rampant Lion is owned by a syndicate. The members are: Ann Alexander; Elaine Menwirt; Fred and Patty Archer; and Wendy's parents Christina and Jack Olson. (Wendy and Rampant Lion are pictured at left jumpong into the second water.)

Wendy said, "I have had the horse a year and a half. He was a race horse, a stakes winner in New York. Betsy Minton, a student of mine, did some novice and training level (competitions) with him. (Her husband, Jeff Minton, is a Blood Stock Agent, who found the horse.) Betsy had to sell the horse and so we formed a syndicate. He did Jersey Fresh (CCI**) in the spring, where he finished 12th. He's done two more intermediates, Millbrook and Menfelt and one Advanced at Plantation Field.

The Leader Board looks like this after Cross Country:

4T - Buck Davidson, Idalgo - 53.0
4T - Darren Chiacchia, Southbound - 53.0
6T - Phillip Dutton (AUS), Brindabella - 53.60
6T - Bruce Mandeville (CAN), Icy Grey - 53.6
8T - Sara Davis, Macinac - 54.60
8T - Kerry Torry Philhower, Top Deck II - 54.60

A mere 5 faults separate the top none finishers.

Randy Ward leads the "A" Section of Preliminary with Ice Princess. marcia Kulak leads the "B" Section with Mister Glitz.

Show Jumping starts Sunday at 8:00 AM for the Prelims, as does the Final Veterinaty Inspection for the CCI**.

* * * * * * *

Friday, October 10, Third Day of Dressage

"It gives me goose bumps, it's such an honor to be here!' enthused Debi Crowley, of Elkmont, AL. Debi stands 2nd in the CCI** Dressage after 102 competitors had completed that Phase, on a score of 49.6, one of only two horse and rider combinations to break into the 40's. Her horse, Mighty Mite is a 10 year old Appendix Quarter Horse, who was bred and raised in Alabama. Debi, who loves Dressage, takes lessons from Wolfgang Scherer and Jim Graham, whom she lives near. "Jim has been away a lot this summer, so I have been getting help from Werner Geven, at Poplar Place. Every day is enlightening with Dressage. You will have one spark of 'I've got it!' - and then the next day you find out you don't have it!" (Debi is pictured at left at the Press Conference after the Dressage Phase.)

Regarding the Cross Country course, Debi said, "I think it's fabulous. The start is going to be kind of difficult. It's hard to get into a rhythm," with the hills at the beginning and the drop at (fence) five.

Debi works to support her 'horse habit'. "I am a software engineer at Camber, in Huntsville. We are working on simulation software for Apache Helicopters - it's mostly government work. My life is work and then horses. I get to work at 6:30 AM and work until 3:30 PM," and then go to the barn and do the horses. "I wouldn't be here if it weren't for my wonderful husband, Kevin, He supports me."

Darren Chiacchia, who rode San Salvador in the Dressage on Wednesday afternoon, was still in the lead two days later, on the score of 46.40.

Darren said about this year's FEI CCI** test, "I love not having to halt (and salute) when you come in. You drop the aids and then it feels like starting all over." Darren's second horse, Southbound, who did his test late Friday afternoon, stands 5th, on 51.0, making Darren the only rider with two horses in the top ten. (Darren and Southbound are pictured at right. ) "Both of these two horses will be moving up to Advanced next year and heading toward Foxhall."

Darren is sponsored by Purina Mills; Gastroguard: Cavalor Horse Products; Sundowner Horse Trailers; Renegade Motor Coach and Tally Ho Breeches. He did not hear a question as to who sponsored his shorts; but, a wag from the Press Corps answered, "Jockey, of course!"

Wendy Lewis who is in 3rd place with Rampant Lion, on a score of 50.0, declined to attend the Press Conference.

The Leader Board, at the end of Dressage, after the top three, is as follows:

4th - Ralph Holstein, Arctic Dancer - 50.6
5th - Darren Chiacchia, Southbound - 51.0
6th - Holly Hepp, I Spy - 51.4
7T - Elizabeth Barron, Red Adair V - 51.6
7T - Tiffani Loudon, Above and Beyond - 51.6
9th - Jessica Schuler, Pandora - 52.0
10th - Peter Green, Just A Tramp - 52.6
11T - Dorothy Crowell, Templar - 53.0
11T - Jill Mooney, Monet - 53.0
11T - Buck Davidson, Idalgo - 53.0
14T - Bruce Mandeville (CAN), Icy Grey - 53.6
14T - Phillip Dutton (AUS), Brindabella - 53.6

7.2 faults separate first place from those tied for 14th place.

As no results have yet been posted on the Radnor web site, your intrepid reporter suggests that you might try www.eventingnews.com for more detailed results.

The Preliminary Sections begin their Cross Country Saturday at 8:00 AM. The CCI** will start Roads and Tracks at approximately 9:30 AM and the first horse will start on Phase "D" between 10:45 AM and 11:00 AM, depending on a decision, yet to be made, as to an additional 10 minute halt on Phase "C".

 

Thursday, October 9th, Second Day of Dressage

Sixty-two of the scheduled one hundred two rides have been completed. Darren Chiacchia, the overnight leader with San Salvador, is still in first place on a score of 46.4, the only score thus far in the 40's.

Wendy Lewis, of Medford, NJ, riding Betsy Minton's 9 year old grey Thoroughbred gelding Rampant Lion, has taken over 2nd place on 50.0. This pair placed 2nd at Red Hills, in Florida very early this season.

Ralph Holstein, who resides in Hinkley, Ohio, rode his own 7 year old bay Thoroughbred gelding Arctic Lion through a forward and accurate test to claim 3rd place on a score of 50.6. (Ralph and Arctic Lion are picture at left at the medium trot.)

Holly Hepp and I Spy, who had been 2nd after Wednesday's competition, now stand in 4th position with a score of 51.4.

 

 

 

The rest of the top 10 are as follows:

5T - Elizabeth Barron, Red Adair V - 51.6
5T - Tiffani Loudon, Above n' Beyond - 51.6
7 - Peter Green, Just A Tramp - 52.6
8T - Jill Mooney, Monet - 53.0
8T - Dorothy Crowell, Templar - 53.0
(Dorothy and Templar are pictured at right, at the medium canter. It should be remembered that Dorothy, as Dorothy Trapp, her maiden name, rode the great Molokai to the Individual Silver Medal at The World Championships at The Hague, The Netherlands, in 1994.)
10T - Buck Davidson, Welton Venture - 54.6
10T - Kerry Torry Philhower, Top Deck II - 54.6

8.2 faults separate the top eleven competitors.

The final 40 pairs will do their Dressage beginning on Friday morning at 8:00 AM.

Wednesday, October 8th, First Day of Dressage

Because of the large number of entries, 14 competitors in the CCI** did their Dressage beginning at 2:20 PM, on Wednesday.

Darren Chiacchia of Springville, NY, leads with San Salvador, a 10 year old Trakehner gelding owned by Kate Luce. Most recently, San Salvador and Darren finished 5th in an OI Section at Five Points Horse Trials, in North Carolina. Their score Wednesday afternoon was 46.4. (Darren and San Salvador are pictured at left at the medium trot.)

Holly Hepp, of Middleburg, VA, stands 2nd riding Priscilla Hoblitzel's 11 year old Irish Thoroughbred gelding I Spy. Their score is 51.4. Holly and I Spy won the OI at Plantation Field and, most recently placed 5th in OI/1 at Five Point Horse Trials. (Holly and I Spy are pictured below right at the medium canter..)

Both Holly and Darren have been named to the USET's "A" Squad for the up-coming Pan American Games with their Advanced horses Lester Piggott and Windfall.

Peter Green, of Upperville, VA, the Chairman of The Selectors for the Pan Ams, currently is in 3rd place, on a score of 52.6, with Grey Fox Farm's (Denise and Francis Rath's) 11 year old English Thoroughbred Just A Tramp. Peter and Just a Tramp won the Dressage at Five Points in the OI/1 Section. (Peter and Just A tramp are pictured below left at the counter canter.)

The second day of the CCI** Dressage begins at 8:00 AM Thursday.

 

 

Preview

As of Sunday, September 5th, the Radnor International CCI** had 113 entries. For this reason, the First Veterinary Inspection is scheduled for 10 AM on Wednesday, with the CCI Dressage beginning at 1:00 PM, on Wednesday.

 

(Charlotte Merle-Smith and Sportsfield Twist, 2nd in the USEA Intermediate Championship, at Five Points Horse Trials, SC, where they prepped for Radnor, are pictured at right.)

 

 

In with a chance off recent finishes are the following, listed alpabetically by rider's last name:

Stuart Black (CAN), Tommy Star: 2nd OI/1 - Plant.
Darren Chaicchia, San Salvador, 5th OI/1 - FPTS; 6th OI/1 - Plant.
Buck Davidson, Idalgo: 3rd OI/1 - FPTS.
Phillip Dutton (AUS), Brindabella: 3rd Adv/1 - Plant.
Chimene Evans, On the Beat: 6th OI/2 - FPTS.
Will Faudree, Trustworthy: 4th OI/1 - FPTS.
Peter Green, Just A Tramp: 1st after Dressage OI/1 - FPTS.
Sarah Hansel, The Quiet Man: 1st OI/2 - FPTS.
Holly Hepp, I Spy: 6th OI/1 - FPTS; 1st OI/1 - Plant.
Molly Hooper, Kiltartan: 1st OI/1 - FPTS (Ridden by Kim Severson)
Emilee Libby, Cahir: 2nd OI/YR - Plant.
Duncan MacRae, Flash Point: 5th OI/2 - Plant.
Charlotte Merle-Smith, Sportsfield Twist: 2nd USEA Int. Champ. - FPTS
Catherine O'Donnell, Urban Legend: 2nd OI/2 - FPTS; 1st - OI/1 Plant.
Kerry Torrey Philhower, Top Deck II: 2nd OI/2 - Plant.
Michael Pollard, Roses Merlin: 2nd OI/1 - FPTS.
Kristen Schmolze, Surprise Party: 1st OI/YR - Plant.
Kim Severson, Upper Register: 1st OI/B ChampR.
Juli Sillman, Kelvedon Carrington: 3rd OI/1 Plant.
Amy Smith, Try Luck: 4th OI /2 - Plant.
Mark Weissbecker, Decordova: 4th USEA Int. Champ. - FPTS.
Sharon White, Wild Rose: 4th OI/1 - Plant.
Kim Ziegler, Ballatele: 6th OI/2 - Plant.

NB: FPTS = Five Points Horse Trials; Plant. = Plantation Field Horse Trials. ChampR = Champagne Run Horse Trials.

 

(Will Faudree and Trustworthy finished 4th in OI/1 at Five Points Horse Trials, SC. They are aimed for the Radnor CCI***.)