Jan Byyny was on a mission on cross-country in the Jersey Fresh three-star–a mission to prove that she’s ready for the World Equestrian Games.  And she did prove it on Saturday by finishing with the two fastest times of the day and moving up to first and second place with Task Force and Waterfront.

Despite deteriorating footing throughout the afternoon, Byyny rode around clean and hard, tackling each obstacle like a true competitor.  No rider made the time on John Williams’ three-star course, but Byyny came the closest on her first ride, Waterfront, finishing with just 12.8 time penalties, which moved her up 12 places to second.

“The conditions were much harder for my second horse (Task Force),” said Byyny.  “The footing was deeper and it was more slippery.”  She praised the organizers for deciding not to aerate the course earlier when the riders were complaining about hard footing before all the rain fell.

The rain mostly held off throughout the day, although a noontime deluge did nothing for the already saturated turf.  But tireless ground crews worked to add gravel where it was needed to keep the footing in the best shape possible under the circumstances.

Byyny hopes to ride Task Force for the United States at the WEG in August.  A minor injury prevented them from starting at Rolex Kentucky this year, but she felt his previous four-star finishes and his good cross-country form at Jersey Fresh would help convince the selectors. 

Hot on Byyny’s heels was Bonnie Mosser and Close The Deal.  Mosser cheerfully admitted that she expected to be in the top placings after cross-country because “Bob” is “an amazing cross-country horse.”

“There’s not a jump he won’t jump,” said Mosser, who gained the ride from her student, Rebecca Polan.

Jennifer Libby was able to move up 12 places to fourth after her clean round aboard Draco.

Overall, the course was far less devastating than last year when the direct route at the water caused so much trouble it was removed from the course, but this year’s course caused its fair share of problems.

Darren Chiacchia, the overnight leader after dressage, looked determined to get Windfall around, but the stallion seemed to run out of steam at 26B, the Corner Dock.  The hill down into the water jump was quite slippery by the time Windfall ran, and he appeared to lose confidence as he came down into the water. 

He stopped at the second element in the water, a corner, and Chiacchia opted to re-present him instead of taking the long route.  When Windfall stopped again, they went around and out over the option, but met with more trouble as they attempted the bounce out of the water. Chiacchia tumbled off over 27B, the Wiley Coyote.  He re-mounted and completed the course, finishing in last place.

Mara Dean, who had stood in second place after dressage with Nicki Henley, also had an unfortunate run-out at fence 19B, the Smokehouse, and moved down to 13th.

Many horses looked tired as heavy footing took its toll.  Momi Black, Beth Perkins and Dorothy Crowell chose to retire rather than continue on laboring horses.  Crowell had a bit of a funny mishap when her horse, Radio Flyer, jumped over the widest part of the corner in the water and on the wrong side of the flag.

Mike Winter had a fall with Kingpin and was reported to be OK, although he was transported to the hospital for observation. 

Quite a few horses incurred one stop, but had otherwise good rounds. Karen O’Connor piloted the diminutive Theodore O’Connor around in great form until they had a run-out at the second-to-last fence on course, the New Jersey Turnpike.  Jonathon Holling had a similar mishap with Direct Merger at 26B.  He moved up to fifth with his other horse, Lion King, after riding a clear round earlier in the day.

The two-star riders avoided some of the sloppy footing, but faced heavy humidity in the morning.  Kate Ditchey moved from third into first by finishing clean and only two seconds over the time allowed.

Ditchey was feeling a bit uncertain, since this is the third two-star she’s attempted.  She pulled out last year at Radnor when heavy rains left the course knee-deep in mud.  And she was the first rider on course at Jersey Fresh, as Sarah Cousins, who was supposed to start first, withdrew both her horses.

“I didn’t have a chance to see the course, so I just played around on the grass,” said Ditchey.  “I was nervous about the turns, but he was fine.”

Belmont trains with Phillip Dutton in Unionville, Pa., but her mentor wasn’t able to assist her much before cross-country as he was getting ready for his own ride on Tru Luck.  Dutton put in his usual textbook round and moved up to third with a fault-free round behind Wendy Bebie and Phoenix.

Becky Holder, who led after dressage, dropped down to fourth when she added 10 time penalties to her score with Glorious Joy.  Second-placed Kim Severson had an unfortunate run-out with Tsunami and moved down to ninth.

John Strassburger, newly retired editor for the Chronicle of the Horse finished his first CCI** with one stop at the second-to-last fence with Master Merlin.