The only luck two-time Olympic team gold medalist Phillip Dutton needed at the Wits End CIC*** in Rosemont, Ont., Canada, on Sept. 29-Oct. 1, was a good horse and a warm sweater. He rode TruLuck to the top of an international field of 21.

Setting the lead in the dressage ring on a score of 46.0, Dutton added 3 time faults in show jumping to drop to third. Clean show jumping rounds from Darren Chiacchia on Gaspar II and Kristen Bond on Are You Ready put the pressure on heading into Sunday’s cross-country phase, with the top scores separated by just 2 points.

Fortunately, by Sunday the bitter wind and rain had died down, as the tight time allowed meant no allowances could be taken on course if a rider expected to take home the win.

Pair upon pair flew around the course, somewhat desperately trying to get in under the allotted minutes. It was not to be, how-ever, as not a single rider finished without time penalties over the undulating ground.

It was obvious to see who was actually “going” for the time and who was not–the average ride came in more than 10 seconds over the time. Chiacchia, no slouch, added 8 time penalties, while Bond collected 3.2. Dutton’s classic, flowing round brought him home just 2 seconds over the time, to add a mere 0.8 penalties and finish on 49.8 for the victory in Dutton’s first visit to the Wit’s End Horse Trials.

“The cross-country course was just about right,” remarked Dutton, of West Grove, Pa. “The hills really make for a good Fair Hill [CCI*** (Md.)] fitness prep–it was challenging without zapping ‘Milo’s’ confidence. While I do think the stadium could have been a hole higher, I like a tight time on cross-country. This one really asked enough questions without being overly taxing or taking away confidence.”

TruLuck, a 9-year old, Thoroughbred gelding owned by Dutton’s long-time supporters Annie Jones and Shannon Stimson, finished third at the Jersey Fresh CCI** (N.J.) in June, before going on to win an advanced division at Groton House (Mass.) later in the month. However, they still needed to qualify for the Fair Hill CCI***, which they did with this win.

The only competition of its level in Canada in 2006, the Wits End CIC*** and advanced and preliminary horse trials have attracted top talent from the United States since their inception. In 2005 Bruce Davidson claimed top prize and, true to his word, returned this year to attempt David O’Connor’s freshly designed course, finishing fourth with Jam.

Chiacchia also used Wits End as a prep for Fair Hill. As well as his third-placed finish aboard Gaspar II, he also took sixth on Better I Do It.

Chiacchia particularly liked the distinction between the warm-up area for dressage and the actual competition ring, which had to be blasted out of the hillside, creating a natural “amphitheatre” environment. “It’s good for the horses to experience the walk from the warm-up to the ring, especially before a big competition like Fair Hill,” he said.

The farm, set in the dramatically rolling hills of central Ontario’s Hockley Valley, made the designing of a cross-country course very tricky, even for the venerable O’Connor.

“I think [event organizers] Bill McKeen and Jo Young have done a fantastic job with their tracks here,” said O’Connor. “They changed their courses completely following 2005 and really allowed me free rein to get in there and just get to it. They have also put just a fantastic effort into decorations, and it’s always interesting the first time to see how it all works. I’m very pleased with how it all came off. The horses in particular really benefited from the confidence boost.”

Ground Jury President Jean Mitchell of Ireland was succinct in her praise for both the organizers and O’Connor’s efforts, noting specifically O’Connor’s sympathetic use of traveling across the tops of the rolling hills, rather than up and down them.

“Even to walk the course was so much nicer,” Mitchell expressed. “We were in Malm�, Sweden [for the FEI Eventing World Cup Final] the weekend before, and let me say I’m so much happier to be here! The standard of horses and riding was wonderful, and the sandy soil footing just got better and better. It really bodes well for the future.”

Another U.S. entry conquered the advanced horse trials division when Danny Warrington rode Discover The Power to the blue.

While Stephanie Butts and Zydeco led over Warrington by just 1 point after dressage and show jumping, an unfortunate 20 penalty points on cross-country meant they finished in fourth overall.

Another tight time allowed meant once again everyone added penalties to their score, although Warrington and Discover The Power managed to keep it to a reasonable 9.6 penalties to finish on a score of 73.9.

Warrington, who makes his base near Fair Hill, Md., claimed Discover The Power, now 11, as a 4-year-old. This is the horse’s first season at the advanced level. Warrington noted that a few “key” elements on course were new to the pair and could have ultimately been their undoing.

“The keyhole jump was pretty tight for his 17.2 hands and my 6’1″!” said Warrington with a laugh. “He had also never done a bounce into water, which Fair Hill has. This course really suited him because he likes to run and jump. This was so good for his confidence.”


Michelle C. Dunn