Darren Chiacchia and Windfall II spent their winter in Florida contesting the FEI Prix St. Georges classes and it showed. Windfall’s presence and movement carried him to the top of the leaderboard at the end of dressage (33.0) by more than 6 points.
They rode a flawless test, where the highlights included his sweeping trot half-passes, huge extended trot and expressive flying changes. Brian Ross, the judge at H, rewarded them with 80 percent.
“As a package, this was my best test ever,” said Chiacchia.
He’s been working on taking their dressage to the next level this spring, but with all progress comes some steps backward as well. “I was debating” whether to go for it or ride a steady test, explained Chiacchia.
“But my competitive nature took over,” he added.
Kim Severson stands in second aboard Royal Venture. “It was really good,” said Severson of her test, with a smile. The only thing she would have improved was the walk, which could have been more forward.
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“He’s always been a bridesmaid to [Winsome Adante],” said Severson. “I hope this is going to be his day.”
Severson thought the toughest part of the course will come in the first third. “I think the first water is very large, and it’s followed by the coffin,” she said. “All the really hard stuff happens before seven minutes.”
Mara Dean, the leader from Thursday, moved down to third with Nicki Henley (43.2).
Kelli Temple of Canada had the second-best test of the afternoon with Paris (48.7). They had fluid, smooth trot work and received five 8s for the half-passes.
Amy Tryon was the last to go of 78 riders with Poggio. She rode a beautiful test, which was a study in accuracy (51.3). The only thing that marred it were the two left-to-right lead changes, when Poggio’s enthusiasm got the best of him.
William Fox-Pitt of Great Britain had a good ride on his second horse, Mr. Dumbledore (52.0). He was a bit spooky at C and going around the ring. Fox-Pitt scored 50.7 with his Thursday ride, Coup de Coeur.
Bruce Davidson did an admirable job keeping Jam focused on her job (77.8). In her first time at Rolex, she became clearly excited by the atmosphere and was unsteady in the bridle.
Phillip Dutton endured a tense test with Amazing Odyssey, although they showed moments of brilliance (61.3). He blew up in the first change and didn’t settle for the rest of the canter work.
Andrew Hoy rode a steady but unremarkable test aboard Master Monarch (53.1). Ian Roberts had an error of test when he got lost in the canter work with Napalm.
Emily Anker, who traveled from Australia for Rolex, has already received a special prize. She won the coveted Rolex watch, given away each year, at the Thursday night competitor’s party. The winner of the CCI is the only other competitor who receives one.
Sunny weather meant that record numbers turned out for dressage yesterday and today. Some 9,562 people paid to watch Thursday’s dressage, and the Kentucky organizers sold every printed ticket they had today, forcing them to hand-write tickets. Officials were still calculating the numbers at the end of the day, but they’ve also sold more advanced-sales tickets for tomorrow’s cross-country than ever before.
