ficers John Strassburger & Heather Bailey

707-473-0991/phoenixfarm@hughes.net

Miles Extends Her Lead In

Galway Downs CIC***



Temecula, Calif., March 29 Gina Miles and McKinlaigh galloped to
a perfect cross-country round at todays Galway Downs International
Horse Trials to extend the lead they took during yesterdays dressage
phase in the CIC***.



With a score of 47.0, Miles, of Creston, Calif., leads Jolie Sexson,
of Martinez, Calif., on Killian OConnor by 7.4 penalties (54.4). But
Canadian Hawley Bennett is just behind on her Olympic veteran
Livingstone (55.2). Jennifer Wooten, of, Ramona, Calif., moved up
from ninth place to claim fourth place on The Good Witch (60.7).



He was amazing. Hes the best cross-country horse in the
whole, wide word. At least, thats what I think, said Miles of
McKinlaigh, a 14-year-old Irish-bred gelding owned by Thom Schulz.


Miles said the cross-country course, designed for the first time
by Ian Stark of Great Britain, was definitely a real three-star track.
He really gave us some good tests to get us ready. What Miles is
getting ready for next is the Rolex Kentucky CCI**** at the end of
April. Shes aiming to run McKinlaigh there for the fifth time.



And her goal after Kentucky is to be selected for the Olympics
for the first time. Miles and McKinlaigh rode as individuals at the
2002 World Championships and earned the individual bronze and
team gold medals at the 2007 Pan Am Games, but she said riding in
the Olympics would be the pinnacle of her career.



Miles is one of two riders in the three-star division whose
previous performances have put them on the U.S. eventing teams
Olympic training list. Wooten is the other, and team coach Capt.
Mark Phillips is on the grounds to advise them and to evaluate their
performances.



Bennett, whos hoping to ride for Canada in the Olympics for
the second time on Livingstone, 18, shared Miles enthusiasm for
Starks new course. Ill be honest, I was a little bit nervousnervous
about everything because it was all different, said Bennett. Ian
made some great changes, and the course rode much better than
many people thought it would.



Added Bennett, But afterward I asked myself, Why did I get
nervous? [Livingstone] was unbelievablelike a spring chicken. I
swear, he just gets better and better.


All told, 11 of the 17 CIC*** starters finished with no jumping
penalties, although eight of them had time penalties, ranging from 4.0
to 26.0. Sandy Shoes and Matthias Schwarz of Germany were
eliminated for three refusals, and Bennett retired Gin N Juice after
two run-outs at the second water complex. Claire Roper of Canada
withdrew Royal Holly before cross-country.



Sexson, of Martinez, Calif., isnt bound for the Olympics, but
she has her own goal with Killian OConnor, 9. Sexson plans to ship
the gray gelding across the country to compete in the Jersey Fresh
CCI*** (N.J.) in early June. This is Killian OConnors second season
at the advanced level and his first start in a CCI***. (A CCI, or
international three-day event, has a longer and more challenging
cross-country course than a CIC, or international horse trial.)



The change in the course was very noticeable, because Ian
brought some new and different ideas. There were a lot of fresh, new
things out there, said Sexson.



Sexson said that running at Galway Downs is always a vital
part of her preparation. To compete on the East Coast or anywhere
internationally, you have to jump the big courses, but there are so
few events at this level here in California, and we appreciate the
dedication of [organizer] Robert Kellerhouse and all the people here,
said Sexson.



Starks new course shook up the CIC**: First-placed Max
McManamy and Beacon Hill suffered a run-out at fence 4; second-
placed Kate Gillespie and Renegade Reno suffered a run-out at fence 15; and fourth-placed Trisha Jaracz on Myster E retired early on the
course. That left Alexandra Knowles, of Auburn, Calif., on Last Call
with a one-point lead over Julie Ann Boyer, of Agua Dolce, Calif., on
Rumor Hazit.



Knowles, whos been training with Bennett for just over a year,
had placed third in dressage, and Boyer had placed fifth.



Im so proud of her, said Bennett of Knowles, 21. Last Call is
a 9-year-oldMecklenberg mare.



Bennett trains her horses and students at Kingsway Farm,
which borders the Galway Downs event grounds, and Knowles rode
with Stark in a clinic he conducted on the grounds in January. His
course made you ride forward, which is the way he teaches. And you
couldnt take any of the jumps for granted. I didnt think it was over
until I rode through the finish flags, said Knowles.



Chelsea Schaefer, of Santa Rosa, Calif., moved up from second
to first place in the CIC* on Danny Max, when overnight leader Chloe
McNally accrued 9.2 time penalties on Lads Night Out and dropped
to 15
th
place.



The Galway Downs International Horse Trials concludes on
Sunday with the show jumping phase, which begins with the CIC* at
11:30 a.m.

[Complete results are available at
www.galwaydowns.com
.]