Call it a day! The dressage phase of the 2006 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Farnam ended with a second day of unprecedented beautiful weather and sun-kissed crowds who were witness to two days of the expert dressage tests. And with American riders siting in seven of the top 10 placings, it was a particular triumph for the U.S. eventing world.

2004 Modified CCI**** Rolex Kentucky Champion Darren Chiacchia and his black Trakehner stallion Windfall II (owned by Timothy Holekamp) posted a score of 33.0 to take over the lead. The native New Yorker was a perfect picture of grace and poise during his dressage test under the most ideal conditions at the international event. The smile that beamed from his face after his salute to the judges told the story.

“I was debating whether I should go into the ring today and go for it, or pick a happy medium,” said Chiacchia. He continued, smiling broadly, “But my competitive side took over…so I went for it!”

He was pleased of his ride aboard Windfall II, noting no regrets with his efforts. “As a package, the test felt great,” he commented.

Commenting on the U.S. eventers’ training that has been going on in Florida, Chiacchia said, “We go to Wellington to get help from Robert [Dover] and Laura [Kraut] for training,” he said. “That’s been a great addition to the American program. He was speaking of the combined assistance of dressage legend Robert Dover and show jumping Olympian Laura Kraut who have been assisting U.S. Chef d’Equipe Captain Mark Phillips in his efforts to ready the teams for the battles to be fought at the FEI World Equestrian Games later this year.

Looking to the challenge of cross-country, Chiacchia was confident, but realistic. “There is a lot to do out there…it is a four-star,” he said. “It’s beautifully built and presented, but there is a lot to do.”

More than six points behind the new leader is three-time Rolex champion, Kim Severson and Royal Venture. The pairing from Virginia landed a score of 39.5 and sit at second on the leaderboard going into the second phase of the overall test – cross-country.

Many were surprised to find out that Severson, who has three Rolex titles – and three lovely Rolex watches – to her name chose not to compete her superstar mount Winsome Adante (affectionately known as Dan). Instead, he was left at home this year. Severson alluded that the decision was made to allow her Olympic bay gelding to take a break from Rolex competition in consideration of a medal bid at the FEI World Equestrian Games that take place later this summer in Aachen, Germany.

According to Severson, it was time to bring Royal Venture out of Dan’s shadow, and allow the horse to prove himself at the Rolex. And thus far, he’d done just that.

There were two withdrawals from competition during the dressage phase – Lexington’s own Cathy Weischhoff pulled her bay Thoroughbred Ocotillo before entering the dressage test due to soreness issues. Bruce Davidson, Sr. withdrew his chestnut Thoroughbred Little Tricky after posting a 74.1 score during Friday’s dressage round.

The three top riders after Day One of dressage have been repositioned at third through fifth place – Americans Mara Dean and Nicki Henley at 43.2; Becky Holder and Courageous Comet at 43.7; and Stephen Bradley and From at 43.9.

Among the other American riders heading toward Saturday’s cross-country are 2004 Athens Olympic Team medalist Amy Tryon in 13th place aboard Woodstock on 51.1, and at 14th place aboard her Athens Olympic partner Poggio II at 51.3; 2004 Athens Olympic Team medalist John Williams and Sloopy in 24th place at 57.4; 2000 Sydney Olympic Team medalist Karen O’Connor and Upstage in 26th place aboard Upstage at 58.0, and a host of other top riders, all vying for their time to shine.

Rounding out