Dressage Ends with Kim Severson (USA) and Winsome Adante on Top of the Rankings at the 2005 Rolex Three-Day Event

All Eyes on Saturday

The potential for a tricky course is on hand and the riders all have their eyes turned to the nearest weather report in hopes of clearer skies and more solid, drier footing. Chiacchia acknowledged that not only was the weather a concern, but the course designed by Britain’s Michael Etherington-Smith. It has been characterized all-around as a course to be reckoned with, and the athletes all have their own thoughts on just how to attack it.

Chiacchia said, in his usual straight-forward style, “It’s hard. It’s real hard. And there is really no place to take a break.” He noted that the course appeared to be pretty similar the first four minutes, and then you get into some complexes that are quite technical and quiet difficult and they come one after the other. So, if you have a bit of a rough moment, there is really no place to recover.” Obviously, this is a course where to cause serious repercussions for any pair tackling the test.

“You really need to be on your game,” he said. “I don’t think you can afford to put a foot down wrong and shatter their confidence when you have all that to do.”

Law echoed Chiacchia’s estimation of the course.

“The middle section [of the course], there is an awful lot to be done,” he began. “Very little lets up, and it is, in my opinion, an extremely good course. It’s very fair and very safe, and there are very good distances within the combinations. I’m really looking forward at having a go at it tomorrow.” That said, Law couldn’t dismiss what was certain to be a masterful challenge. During the end-of-day press conference, when asked how he would approach the course, this being the first four-star for Coup de Coeur, as well as being the first time the pair has competed at a three-day event together, Law was politely interrupted by Chiacchia who quipped and ensued laughter when he said, “You better take it easy.”

Law laughed and commented, “We’ll have to wait and see what the weather does. I’ll obviously want to be competitive. I’ll also find out a little bit about my horse as we go around.” With four starts on the mount to date, Law feels capable of the horse, who he believes to be a formidable challenge in future events. “Hopefully,” Law said, “we haven’t just come for the beer,” hinting that he hopes that the pairing will make it through the much-anticipated cross-country run, and make it to Sunday’s show jumping final without any major problems.

Other riders staking their posts in the top 10 were Day 1 leader, Jan Thompson of Virginia and her Task Force. The pair now sits in sixth place going into tomorrow’s test. Washington’s Amy Tryon and Poggio II are tied for fourth with Australia’s Andrew Hoy and his Moonfleet. Another Australia, Phillip Dutton, has three different mounts all in the top 15. He is tied for eighth on both his mounts Nova Top and The Forman on a score of 51.2. Plus, Dutton is placed at 11th aboard Hannigan on a score of 54.4.