Jan Thompson, riding Dr. and Mrs. Richard Byyny's Task Force took a commanding 6.2 point lead (48.2) over Phillip Dutton on Hannigan. All three judges, Mrs. Angela Tucker (GBR) at "C", Ms. Karen Winn (USA) at "M", and Mr. David Lee (IRL) at "E" placed the lovely bay first. Jan had one of the most consistent of the day's dressage rides, with only slight "hiccups" on two of her flying lead changes..

 

Jan attributes her success to having the opportunity to compete and train in England, the expertise of US coach Captain Mark Phillips and David O'Connor, from whom she purchased Task Force. Jan said that her ability to really ride forward and attack the test gave her the ability to produce lovely half-passes, and extended trot work, which the judges awarded accordingly.

 

Being the first to start a Four Star three-day event is nothing new for Phillip Dutton, but when asked if he found being the ground breaker a disadvantage, he jokingly laughed, "Yes, by about 10 penalty points." He praised the efforts of Mr. Bruce Duchossois's Hannigan, and blamed himself for warming the horse up a bit too long. But, overall he was very pleased with his ride. Phillip rides two more horses tomorrow, Nova Top, and the Foreman. He'll attempt to improve on today's score of 54.4.

 

Standing a mere .6 of a point behind Phillip is Tiffany Loudon-Meetze. Tiffany is riding Paul Meetze's Above and Beyond. This is the Canadian gelding's first Four Star, but he placed third at last year's Three Star event at Foxhall, and 2nd at Pine Top Horse Trials in Georgia this past March.

 

Robyn Fisher, riding her own Le Samurai stands in fourth place with a score of 55.6. Robyn hails from California, and trains with venerable California trainer, Ives Sauvingion. In 2004 Robyn won the CIC*** at Galway Downs in California, then traveled to France where she placed a very respectable 10th at the Saumur CCI***. However, only .4 of a penalty point separate Robyn from 2004 Rolex Kentucky Champion, Kim Severson, riding her newest Four Star partner, Maguire.

 

Maguire is owned by Plain Dealing Farm who is also the owner of Kim's more famous mount, Winsome Adante. Kim put in her usual brilliant performance, and as dressage commentator Sally O'Connor stated, "Kim is a master at this phase." Maguire, being relatively new at this level showed some of his greenness by being a little tense in some of the movements, but overall it was a fluid and controlled ride and their score of 56.0 should stand them in good stead on Saturday.

 

With 20 more horses to go tomorrow, and with several of those horses being past Olympic contenders, we will see some of the top placings change, perhaps drastically. However, this year's cross-country will once again prove to be highly influential, especially (and thankfully) as Rolex is being run in the "Classic" format. That is, it is a true three-day event, complete with roads and tracks and steeplechase..

 

Hope to see you at the Horse Park!

 

Alden Murray