Phillip Dutton and Abigail Lufkin, sitting in second and third positions respectively, had turned in clear show performances over a technical WinsomeWinsome track set by Richard Jeffery. The margin between Severson and Dutton allowed for one dropped rail, but not two. weathersweathers Severson proved she didn’t need the breathing room, however, flawlessly jumping the course without appearing to ever touch a rail. “I feel more connected with Winsome RolexRolex Adante than I have in the past, he feels by Jennifer Ward stronger and more together,” said Severson whose broken leg in the spring and Winsome Adante’s colic Severson and Winsome surgery in September gave the pair Adante claim second some forced time off in 2003. “Last year was the first time since he was maybe a victory in CCI**** five year old that he did not do two three-day events and I think he ben- efited from the break.” photos by Clix Phillip Dutton of Australia and Nova Top finished as the runner-ups and were awarded the Carimati Cup as the highest-placed foreign combination. Dutton was one of seven riders to complete the cross-country test without penalty, a feat he repeated on Sunday For the second time in three years, in show jumping to finish on his victory in the CCI**** Rolex Kentucky of 43 penalty points. Three Day Event belonged to Kim “He’s an interesting ,” reflected Severson and her talented 11-year-old Dutton. “Someone asked me this English gelding, morning if I ever thought I would get this Winsome Adante, owned by Plain far with him and I’m not sure that I did. FDealing Farm. His dressage is getting a lot better, he’s Held April 22-25 at the picturesque turned out to be a cross-country Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, machine and in show jumping he just the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event tries so hard.” represents the pinnacle of competitive eventing in North America. One of only Black leads the Canadians four Olympic–level events held annually All three Canadian starters were in the world, Rolex attracts the best of among the 30 riders who successfully the best. country test set by 2000 Olympic completed the event. Stuart Black was This year was no exception as most course designer, Michael Etherington- the top Canadian, finishing in the top of the 44 horse-rider combinations eyed Smith of Great Britain. Severson and half of the starting field to secure qualification for the upcoming 2004 ‘Dan’ answered all the questions, Olympic qualification with Fleeceworks in Athens, Greece. putting in a foot-perfect performance Blackout, a horse he and long-time From the opening phase of dressage to come home double clean with no supporter Mr. Elkins Wetherill recently when Severson posted the leading jumping or time penalties added to their purchased from Black’s 1996 Atlanta dressage score of 37 penalty points, dressage score. Olympic teammate, Kelli McMullen there was little doubt of the pair’s “It was liking having my best friend Temple. The nine-year-old black New strength. In muddy conditions, back,” said an elated Severson after her Zealand thoroughbred gelding had only Severson of Keene, VA, put in a cross-country round. arrived at Black’s training center in typically fluid dressage test before On Sunday, the pressure elevated, Bluemont, VA, five days before he heading out on Saturday’s cross- especially as the riders before her, began his first journey to the Rolex 32 HORSE / July 2004 www.horse-canada.com eventing

Kentucky Three Day Event. While the Originally from Langley, Vines new partnership had a small glitch at currently trains in Texas where her the 23rd obstacle on cross-country, the fiancée, also an eventing competitor, enormous ‘Head of the Lake’ water has a facility. The 29 year old also complex, Black was thrilled with the makes trips to California in order to take horse’s performance. advantage of training sessions with “He felt super, we were just a Canada’s International Technical unlucky at the second element of the Advisor, Jimmy Wofford, as well as Head of the Lake when he didn’t get up dressage lessons with Dale Irwin and on the island well enough to jump it,” well-known U.S. dressage competitor, explained Black, the 1992 and first Kathleen Raine. Canadian Rolex winner. “He is a fantas- “The dressage felt pretty good,” said tic horse, I am very lucky to have him. I Vines, who was sitting 25th with a score have two qualified for Athens now, and of 56 penalty points following the he and Midnight Magic are like twins, opening phase. “Usually my horse is no one can tell them apart!” tense when there is a crowd, and the With a score of 54.6 penalty points hardest work is the collection and the following the opening phase of flying changes.” dressage, Black added 20 jumping and Another west coast competitor, 11.2 time penalties to his score over Sonya Crampton of Victoria, B.C., on cross-country. Two rails down in the Shindig II, a 13-year-old chestnut New final show jumping phase gave him a Zealand thoroughbred gelding owned three-day total of 93.8 penalty points by North Slope Stables and Raymond and put him in 21st position, the same Venoski also completed the event. In place he had been following dressage. 41st position following dressage, Amanda Vines got her first taste of Crampton clawed her way up to 29th. Stuart Black and Midnight Magic at the jog. competing at the four-star level riding photo by Michelle Dunn Simon Says, her 14-year-old Canadian Olympic hopefuls test new format allowed of 10 minutes compared to 11 thoroughbred gelding. The pair had In addition to the regular CCI**** minutes, 14 seconds, for the CCI**** completed the CCI*** Fair Hill division, this year’s Rolex Kentucky competitors. This meant the in International last October, and moving Three Day Event also hosted a Modified the modified division did not have the up to the Olympic level was an eye- Four Star Three-Day Event that was, in same ‘breathers’ between fences opening experience for the B.C. native, part, patterned after the format to be alotted four-star horses. On average, who finished in 28th position with a used for the 2004 Olympic Games in the modified horses faced one jumping score of 205.8 penalty points. Athens. Open only to U.S. citizens and effort for every 125 metres of course “The course had some really good foreign riders residing in North America versus one jumping effort for every technical questions that showed the who have already met the FEI qualifying 142.2 metres for the four-star horses. weaknesses in our training,” said Vines. criteria for the Olympic Games, the The riders agreed that they had not “My goal was to complete and feel Bayer Modified Four Star division prepared their horses any differently for good about it. I’m just not sure I got my marked the first time ever that horses the modified division than they would horse fit enough.” and riders had the opportunity to ‘test’ have for the regular CCI**** division. the shortened format prescribed for The biggest adjustment came in the Athens. jumping warm-up before cross-country The difference between the CCI**** when the riders were left to their own and the modified division was seen devices - some said they were happy on Saturday when the modified with their warm-up plan while others competitors did not complete the usual said they would make changes in the roads, tracks and steeplechase phases future. prior to heading out on cross-country. In all, eight of the 38 starters failed to Instead, riders did one 20-minute road complete cross-country while another and tracks warm-up before having an five either withdrew from or were not opportunity to jump as many fences as accepted at Sunday morning’s horse they felt necessary to prepare for a inspection, including notable names cross-country course that consisted of such as Darren Chiacchia with Power Ty Stuart Black on Fleeceworks Blackout. 32 obstacles compared to 33 for the and Julie Richards with Hyde Park regular CCI**** division, but with a time Corner. The 25 horses that remained to photo by Clix www.horse-canada.com July 2004 / HORSE SPORT 33 eventing

winning score of 45.2 reins and gloves were soaked, and that cemented his position as affected my canter work. My reins got one of long and I couldn’t keep him together, the ’ top and I had a few problems with my hopefuls for Athens. changes.” Just as it had been in While Bennett had been looking to the CCI**** division, make the time over cross-country, the victory was once again heavy rain plaguing the 2004 event just out of Dutton’s reach. made the going slower than normal and A penalty-free show Bennett added 16 time penalties to her jumping performance score. In show jumping, Livingstone catapulted the two-time once again proved his aptitude for the Olympic team gold phase, posting one of just four faultless medalist into second rounds for a final score of 68.4 penalty place with Hannigan, points. a 13-year-old Irish Mike Winter, 29, originally from thoroughbred gelding Toronto, ON, and now based in also formerly ridden by Newnan, GA, also finished in the top 20 Suzy Pettman and Kilcoltrim.

photo by Clix Lufkin. with Emeline Loughlin’s Balista, a 14- “It’s good to move up year-old American thoroughbred contest Richard Jeffery’s course treated the rankings when you can, but I was gelding. Sitting 35th after dressage, the large crowds, who had once again truly sorry for Nathalie,” commented Winter had a typically strong cross- braved ‘severe’ weather conditions, to a Dutton. country performance, taking all the great day of horse sport. Although based in West Grove, PA, direct routes and adding 18.4 time In a dramatic conclusion, overnight Dutton continues to ride for his native penalties to his score. leader Nathalie Bouckaert was the final country and Australian Olympic “I didn’t plan on making the time, we competitor out on course riding West Selectors were on to observe his all know he’s very fast, so let’s save that Farthing. Coming to the course’s first performance. As for his hopes, Dutton for when we really need it,” explained fence, the 23-year-old Bouckaert began commented, “They play their cards Winter whose strategy included looking with the 11-year-old English pretty close to their chest, but if luck is ahead to the Olympics Games. “He thoroughbred gelding, causing him on our side, I hope to be in Athens.” was super and he had plenty left in the to put on the brakes resulting in Hawley Bennett was the top tank. He felt like a million bucks!” four penalties for the refusal. Once Canadian, finishing in 14th position And Balista, Canada’s top finisher underway, Bouckaert of Chatsworth, (see ‘The Canadian Kids’ on page 36 at the 2003 Pan American GA, picked up an additional eight for more details). A strong dressage Championships, looked like a million jumping penalties as well as six time performance earned her a score of 52.4 bucks, jumping each of the imposing faults dropping to seventh position with penalty points and placed her 16th in cross-country obstacles like an easy a three-day total score of 56.6 penalty the standings. Currently based in schooling exercise and returning home points. Corona, California, Bennett has been keen and fresh. In show jumping, the “I thought he jumped really well, it working with well-known American pair joined Bennett in turning in one of was the best round he has had in a long dressage competitor, Kathleen Raine, four faultless performances to move time, and the two rails were totally my and was pleased with the fault,” commented Bouckaert who was results. Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event April 22 - 25, 2004 Lexington, KY in tears as she braved the media. “I “Kathleen is not the CCI**** Three-Day Event think I need to go home and jump a lot typical dressage coach, Pl. Horse Rider Country Dress. X-Country Jump.TOTAL of different horses so I am more thinking that if the horse 1 Windsome Adante Kim Severson USA 37 0 0 37 2 Nova Top Phillip Dutton AUS 43 0 0 43 comfortable and have more experience is not a , she 3 Kildonan Tug Abigail Lufkin USA 45.8 0 0 45.8 4 Ballincoola William Fox-Pitt GBR 48.2 8.4 0 56.6 with seeing my distances.” can’t teach them,” said Canadians: Bouckaert’s misfortune was Bennett. “Last year, here 20 Fleeceworks Blackout Stuart Black CAN 54.6 30.2 8 93.8 28 Simon Says Amanda Vines CAN 56 186.8 19 205.8 Chiacchia’s gain as the reigning at Rolex we got a 67, and 29 Shindig II Sonya CramptonCAN 67.4 194.8 18 212.8 Pan American Champion advanced this year we got a 52.4. I Modified**** Three-Day Event Pl.Rider Horse Country Total securing victory riding Windfall II, an 11- wanted to be within ten 1 Darren Chiacchia Windfall 2 USA 45.2 year-old black stallion, for points of the leader after 2 Philip Dutton Hannigan AUS 49.6 3 John Williams Carrick USA 50.2 owner Timothy Holekamp. Despite dressage, and we were 4 Amy Tryon My Beau USA 53.2 Canadians: having the final fence on course down only off by two points. 14 Hawley Bennett Livingstone CAN 68.4 to incur four penalties, Chiacchia’s The rain was a factor. My 18 Michael Winter Balista CAN 86.0 23 Suzy Pettmann Kilcoltrim CAN 106.4 25 Stuart Black Midnight Magic CAN 140.8

34 HORSE SPORT / July 2004 www.horse-canada.com eventing Bennett and Livingstone during up at Rolex this year. from 25th after cross-country to 18th. The Canadian kids – Another young talent, 25-year-old Hawley Bennett and Suzy Pettman, impressed with her Livingstone performance aboard Kilcoltrim, a 15- by Jennifer Ward year-old Irish thoroughbred gelding formerly campaigned at the four-star As the top placed competitors in the level by her fiancé, American competitor CCI**** division at Rolex, Hawley Jonathan Elliott. Thirty–second after Bennett and Livingstone have some- dressage, Pettman had one refusal on thing unique going for them. They cross-country at fence number 27 where grew up together in the eventing world, a pair of thatched cottages demanded and reached the apex of the sport by precision and accuracy to add 18.8 time coupling determination with hard work. penalties to her score. Bennett, now 27, had only compet- “He was great, but I didn’t ride ed at the training level with a 14-hand aggressively enough at those cottages, Arab when she purchased Livingstone so that cost me some time,” said a 10 years ago as a four year old. Better disappointed Pettman of her round.“I known as ‘Hank’ around the barn, the wanted to jump clear and fast. I’m mad Canadian thoroughbred gelding by at myself!” Wander Kind has carried Bennett from In stadium jumping, the pair knocked start to finish on the road to Athens. just one rail to bring their final three–day Rolex marked the eighth three-day photo by Michelle Dunn total to 106.4 penalties, securing 23rd event for the pair, and demonstrated place in only their second three–day how far they have progressed together. there are a lot of people to thank along event together. Originally from The pair won the CCI** division at the way. Bennett is extremely grateful to Westbank, B.C., Pettman now trains Chase Creek in their home province, have worked with United States with 2003 Pan Am Gold Medal Team British Columbia, in 2000, and continued Equestrian Team member, Buck member, Jan Thompson, at Surefire to complete the CCI*** Fox Hall Cup in Davidson, and relies on his support and Farm in Virginia. 2002 and CCI**** Rolex the following expertise at the big events. She is also Black experienced déjà vu with his year. They also mastered the Fair Hill especially quick to thank her groom, second ride of the day, Midnight Magic, International on two occasions, the last Stacey Thorson, and to acknowledge when the 11-year-old black English in 2003 when they were members of the the never-ending support of her mother, thoroughbred gelding missed the turn to silver medal team at the Pan American Gerry, and her ‘Canadian’ coach, Pam the corner at The Farmyard at fence 17, Championships. Arthur, for the roles they have played in the same spot had given them trouble “I think the coolest thing is that I have her success. last year. Black continued home after had him for 10 years and we have done As for a trip to Athens for the 2004 another problem at number 30 where it all together!” said Bennett, petite in Olympic Games, Bennett says, “My Karen O’Connor and Joker’s Wild had stature but big in personality. fingers are crossed, it will be a dream also been caught. A Langley native Bennett is currently come true if that happens. I will believe it Garry Roque also jumped clear over based in Corona, California. As is always when I go through the finish flags on cross-country but added 26 time the case on the road to the Olympics, August 19!” penalties to his score riding Waikura, a 13-year-old New Zealand-bred gelding Bennett and Livingstone were the owned by Gustav Quast. top Canadian pair in Rolex’s “I scared myself with some long Modified CCI****. distances, but the parts I thought would be difficult he handled with no problems,” said the affable Roque. Unfortunately, Roque withdrew Waikura from Sunday morning’s horse inspection. Having placed 22nd at last fall’s Fair Hill International Three Day Event, Roque and Waikura are already qualified for the Olympic Games in Athens and had been hoping to make a good impression on the Canadian Olympic Selectors at Rolex. photo by Michelle Dunn 36 HORSE SPORT / July 2004 www.horse-canada.com