Lexington, KY - Week Two of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games is in the books and it has been one for the ages. It was an extremely busy week for competitors and spectators alike as six of the eight disciplines represented held competitions during the second week of the Games, with most days seeing at least two competitions going on at once.

DRESSAGE

Grand Prix Freestyle

Simply put, it was the greatest night of dressage action in the history of the sport on American soil. For the Americans, it was a chance to see some of the greats in the sport battle it out in the arena, namely Team USA’s Steffen Peters and Ravel, Great Britain’s Laura Betcholsheimer and Mistral Hojris, and of course, Holland’s Edward Gal and his magical Moorlands Totilas.

Peters and Ravel, owned by Akiko Yamazaki and Four Winds Farm, were the only Americans competing in the Freestyle. His lovely ride was rewarded with a score of 84.900% and a Grand Prix Freestyle Bronze medal, the first for an American dressage rider at the World Championships.

“It was amazing...it’s absolutely amazing how the standard has risen,” he said. “I have to say there was just as much pressure on Ravel and me for the Individual medal in the Grand Prix Special. Let’s face it. We didn’t have a medal in the United States for over 70 years. That was absolutely amazing. That was icing on the cake. Tonight, we sprinkled a little bit more medals on the top of that icing, and I think that’s a pretty good looking cake!"

Edward Gal and the stunning Moorlands Totilas, a 10-year-old KWPN stallion, dazzled the dressage fans at the Rolex Arena with their near-perfect work, and the pair earned a 91.800% for the Gold.

Laura Bechtolsheimer and Mistral Hojris, a 15-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding, had wowed the crowds all week with their confident work that showed exactly how far they had come over the last year or so. She came into the Freestyle with something to prove, and she did just that posting an amazing 85.350% performance.

Interestingly, a bit of a rumor that had been circulating around the dressage ring was put to a final answer. Had Totilas been bred to superstar American dressage horse Brentina? The rumor was quickly put to rest by Gal who cheekily said, "That is not a rumor."

EVENTING

Dressage: Day 2

The Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team had three rides to finish on Friday. Phillip Dutton, Karen O’Connor, and Becky Holder all performed their dressage tests to put the United States in seventh place as a team going into cross-country.

Riding as an Individual, Becky Holder and her own and Tom Holder’s Courageous Comet performed brilliantly, scoring a 39.3 and leaving them in fifth place individually heading into the cross-country in the Eventing World Championship presented by Reem Acra.

“I felt like he was with me every single movement of the test," she said of the Thoroughbred. "He took a breath and was really there to show off, totally focused. I'm thrilled."

Karen O’Connor, of The Plains, VA, led off the U.S. effort on Friday morning with Joan Goswell’s Mandiba. Riding as the third member of the U.S. Team, O’Connor scored a 44.8, putting them in 18th individually.

O’Connor reflected on the 11-year-old Irish Thoroughbred gelding, "He got some very good marks. I think it's a decent Team score. But I wish it had been at least five points better."

Phillip Dutton, hailing from West Grove, PA, and the New Zealand Thoroughbred gelding, Woodburn, owned by Ann Jones, Mardie Faucette and Acorn Hill Farm, were the final combination to go for the U.S. scoring a 48.2.

“The horse had some tension. I'm pretty disappointed actually," said Dutton. "He's a great horse. I went for it all, and I think it caught up to me a little bit in the end."

The U.S. finished the dressage phase with a total score of 140.

After dressage, Germany led the Team competition with a collective score of 114.3, followed by Great Britain on 128.5, and Sweden on 131.2 respectively. Michael Jung and La Biosthetique-Sam FBW of Germany led the individual FEI World Eventing Championships with a score of 33.0.

Cross-Country:

It was a phenomenal day for the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team. Cross-country day dawned bright and sunny at the Kentucky Horse Park as the second phase of eventing got underway at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

With only one stop between the five riders on the American squad and just a handful of time faults, the American team rocketed up the standings into second place with 143.7 total points. Great Britain was just ahead of the USA with 139.4, and Canada just behind with 147.5.

Boyd Martin was the first American out on course with Windurra LLC's Neville Bardos. Martin and the Australian Thoroughbred finished cross-country in 15th place with a score of 49.5.

"It wasn't the prettiest ride I've ever ridden," he said. "Neville was pretty wound up and excited. He was running at the fences, so I was trying to slow him down and go fast at the same time. Unfortunately, I lost my position and had a little bit of an ugly ride [at the Land Between the Lakes] and nearly busted my nose! But thanks to Neville, he kept going and I found my saddle again."

Anchor rider Phillip Dutton had a characteristic fast and clean round aboard the New Zealand Thoroughbred Woodburn, who is owned by Acorn Hill Farm, Ann Jones and Mardie Faucette, to stay on his dressage score of 48.2.

"He felt great," Dutton said. "He's obviously a phenomenal cross-country horse. He actually went into the start box very relaxed for him. With cross-country riding, you don't actually get to enjoy it until it's over, but with that horse you actually get close to enjoying it as you ride around."

Veteran rider Karen O'Connor rode like a woman on a mission and also had a quick and clean ride around the course on Joan Goswell's Mandiba today, adding just .8 time faults to their score to finish the day on 45.6.

"I was pretty fired up and that got him fired up," she said. "The more regimented I made his ride out there, the better he jumped. I don't think I had a bad fence out there. He really didn't touch anything. It was pretty cool."

Buck Davidson and Carl and Cassandra Segal's BallyNoe Castle RM, didn't have the smoothest trip, unfortunately. After a few tense moments early in the course, the pair had a refusal at the first element of the sunken road complex. Coupled with some time faults, their two-day score is 93.0.

"I'm disappointed," Davidson said. "He was good. It was just a bit hairy going into the coffin and real hairy at the stone wall, but he got going. He's just funny about that sunken road. Then he got going."

Individual rider Becky Holder rode her and husband Tom's Courageous Comet brilliantly around the course to just add 3.2 time faults to their dressage score. Finishing on a score of 42.5, Holder and Comet were sitting in third.

"He was great," she said of the former racehorse. "He was turned on the whole way. I think when I had to reach back and tap him a few times it was more for me than him. I was so pleased with him."

Still in the individual lead was the German pair of Michael Jung and La Biosthetique-Sam FBW with their dressage score of 33.0. Sitting in the silver medal position was the 2010 Rolex Kentucky CCI4* winner, William Fox-Pitt aboard Cool Mountain. The pair finished on their dressage score of 42.0.

Show Jumping:

Everything was on the line Sunday as 55 horse and rider combinations prepared to compete in the final phase of the Eventing World Championships, presented by Reem Acra, at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Unfortunately for the Americans, Sunday didn't go as planned. The day started with the withdrawal of Courageous Comet by Becky Holder, at the final horse inspection. Holder, who was sitting in the individual bronze medal position overnight, presented her horse to the Ground Jury, but chose to withdraw after being held for re-inspection. Courageous Comet lost a shoe on the cross-country course and was not quite right in the opposite leg as a result of over-compensating.

The highlight of the day for Team USA was the double clear round jumped by Boyd Martin. In his first time representing the U.S. on a team, Martin had a brilliant ride aboard Neville Bardos to finish on their dressage score of 49.5, good enough for 10th place individually.

"He jumped a great round," he said of the former Australian racehorse. "He was clear and under time, which is one of the reasons they put the horse on the team, and I just held up my end of the bargain."

Phillip Dutton and Woodburn, who is owned by Acorn Hill Farm, Mardie Faucette and Ann Jones, also had a good ride in the main stadium today. Unfortunately, they had one rail down and picked up a time fault. The pair's final score was 53.2.

"My horse jumped great," Dutton said. "He tried really hard. I just got to that fence a little weak. I'm disappointed in myself but I'm really pleased with how the horse went."

Karen O'Connor came into show jumping sitting in 8th place individually on Joan Goswell's Mandiba. But she had an uncharacteristic stop at an airy gate and then had it down on the second attempt (as well as picking up two time faults) to bring her final score to 57.6.

"That was a bit unexpected," she said. "I thought he jumped over the triple bar really well. I took back for the five strides because it was riding tight and he dropped a little behind me. He just saw it all too late. I don't have any excuse. I don't have an answer for this."

Buck Davidson and Carl and Cassandra Segal's BallyNoe Castle RM were the first Americans to jump around the show jumping course. Davidson rode quickly to add just four jumping faults to his score. His three-day total was 97.0.

"This weekend, for whatever reason, he's really locked on the bit," Davidson said. "He was certainly dragging me to the jumps. He was getting stronger and stronger as the round went on. He jumped that one a little on my hand. If I had to do it over again I would have stayed out for another stride and just given both myself and him a little more time. I'll take that one for me, for sure."

In the team competition, Great Britain held on to their overnight lead to take home the Gold with a score of 139.4. Moving up a position from Bronze to Silver was the phenomenal team from Canada, who finished with a score of 151.5. Finishing in the Bronze medal position was the team from New Zealand. The team quietly inched up the ladder to finish with a score of 154.8.

As predicted, Michael Jung of Germany had a brilliant show jumping round with La Biosthetique-Sam to clinch the Individual Gold medal on a score of 33.0. Cool Mountain had another brilliant show jumping round for Fox-Pitt from Individual Silver. He jumped an immaculate clear inside the time to also finish on his dressage score of 42.0. Earning Individual Bronze medal for New Zealand was veteran rider Andrew Nicholson and Nereo, who finished on their dressage score of 43.5.

SHOW JUMPING

Speed Round:

The Jumping World Championships, presented by Rolex, at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games kicked off Monday with the speed competition. This first round of the jumping was the speed competition, so all the riders were aiming to have fast and clear rounds.

Coming off a brilliant Team Gold medal win at the 2008 Olympics, the American team picked up where they left off.

Mario Deslauriers and Urico had a brilliantly fast and clean round to claim the Gold Medal position after the day of jumping on a score of 71.25. Urico is a 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Zandor Z, and is owned by Jane Clark.

"Urico has a big step and he's a quick horse naturally," he said. " A great speed round is when everything works out smoothly and in the rhythm. I was lucky enough that it happened today. I'm very happy about that."

Sitting just behind Deslauriers in the Silver Medal position was McLain Ward aboard his longtime partner Sapphire, his 15-year-old Belgain Warmblood mare who is owned by Ward, Tom Grossman, and Blue Chip Bloodstock.

"The mare was phenomenal," Ward said after his ride. "It was a long day of sitting around and the pressure building, but she did everything I asked of her."

Lauren Hough and her own and Meredith Mateo's Quick Study, an 11-year-old Selle Francais gelding by Quick Star, were fast around the course, but unfortunately put a foot in the water and had the very last rail down. The pair's total score was 82.09.

"I thought in general he jumped really well," Hough said. "I opened my horse up quite early in the beginning, and he cut right over the wall, which he does. It left me with a kind of dead distance to the water."

Laura Kraut and the always-entertaining Cedric blazed around the course, but unfortunately took two rails down to give them a score of 83.33. Kraut is optimistic, though, that Cedric, Happy Hill Farm's 12-year-old KWPN gelding by Chambertin, will be back to his normal form for tomorrow's section of the competition.

"It was a bit disappointing," she said. "I started my warm up [in the upper ring] and about four carriages came by at once. That just completely undid him. Once he's lit up, it's hard to bring him back down."

With the United States occupying the top two positions, only one was left for an international rider to claim. Currently sitting in the Bronze Medal position is Sándor Szász of Hungary with his lovely stallion Moosbachhofs Goldwing, a 1999 Hannoverian by Ludgar Beerbaum's famous partner Goldfever. Goldwing, owned by Stefan Wiesenberger, had a clean and fast round to land them with a score of 73.24.

After day one, the United States led the team competition with comfortable margin and a score of 5.69. Sitting in second was the team from Germany with a score of 9.80. France held the Bronze Medal position with a score of 11.32 after the first round.

Nations Cup Round 1:

The four members of the U.S. Show Jumping Team returned to the Rolex Stadium as the Nations Cup round of the Jumping World Championships, presented by Rolex, began on Tuesday morning.

Leading off the U.S. effort was Lauren Hough, 33, of Wellington, FL, with Quick Study (Quick Star x What A Joy), an 11-year-old French Warmblood gelding owned by Laurie and Meredith Mateo. The pair had four faults for an unlucky rail at the last fence and one time penalty.

"Well, zero [faults] are always better than five, but going first today was a difficult position," said Hough. "It's hard to judge the time. I knew it was going to be short, so I tried to be quick without risking too much. "

Second to go for the U.S. squad was overnight leader Mario Deslauriers, 45, of New York City, NY, and Urico (Zandor Z x Fedor), the eight-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Jane Forbes Clark.

The pair was scheduled 25th in the order-of-go; however, the horse pulled a shoe in the warm-up, which required the farrier's attention. Quickly replaced, the horse was ready to jump shortly after his original draw. Urico caught the tape of the water jump to pick up four faults, and also had the last rail down for a total of eight faults.

"At the wall to the water jump...I kind of drifted left a little, and that made my striding a little off," he said. "And the last fence...I think it was a little bad luck. I think he over jumped the front rail and just got it behind a little. But the rest he jumped fantastic."

Laura Kraut, 44, of Wellington, FL, and Cedric (Chambertim x Carolus I),a 12-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Happy Hill Farm, were third up for the U.S. Team and last to go in the morning session of jumping. Cedric lowered just one rail for four faults.

"I'm disappointed that I had the one down because usually he's a really good triple combination jumper," said Kraut. "I never usually have to worry about B or C, just to get A right. I maybe should have helped him a little today. So, I'll look for that tomorrow night to try to correct it."

The final U.S. rider tackle the course was McLain Ward, 34, of Brewster, NY, and Sapphire (Darco x Hedjaz), the 15-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare owned by McLain Ward, Tom Grossman and Blue Chip Bloodstock, completed the team's effort for the day. Before a stadium full of her fans, Sapphire jumped with her usual brilliance, but took down an uncharacteristic and very unlucky rail after the water jump.

"I think it was a little bit consequential of riding the water," said Ward. "Sapphire's never been the most spectacular water jumper. A lot of horses this afternoon were jumping in it, so I really had to ride that strong. When I pressed up to the green oxer, I had a little more horse than I expected, and I got there too early. I can't really fault her. I was too close to the jump."

Individually, McLain Ward and Sapphire currently stood at ninth place on a calculated score of 4.270, followed by Mario Deslauriers and Urico at 22nd place (8.000), Laura Kraut at 37th place (10.040) and Lauren Hough at 40th place (10.420).

After Round One of the Team competition, the U.S. riders sit in third place on a combined team score of 18.69 (the lowest score is dropped) going in to Wednesday's decision-making medal round. Germany leads with 17.80 followed by Brazil (18.49). The top four teams are separated by just over a point.

Nations Cup Round 2:

On a cool Kentucky fall evening, the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games continued with the final of the Team World Jumping Championship presented by Rolex at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. But for America, a medal just wasn’t meant to be.

In the words of U.S. rider Lauren Hough, “Onward and upward.”

In the Bronze-medal position going into the final night of Team show jumping, at the end of the night they found themselves sitting at 10th place among the 10 teams at the end of competition on a combined score of 38.69. In the end, it was Germany to take the coveted Team Gold medal on a final combined score of 17.80. The Silver medal was awarded to France (24.32), and the Bronze medal was presented to Belgium (24.70).

Lauren Hough was the first up of the U.S. Team aboard Quick Study. Hough said that a shaky warm-up was part of the culprit tonight as she took on 12 faults in a time of 81.96. Her final score was 22.420 for 59th place in the Individual rankings.

“The end of my warm up was not good. He stopped a few times out here, which is uncharacteristic of him,” she said. “I think he was just a bit rattled. He doesn’t knock rails like that. I think he left his brain out here. It’s the worst day in the world to do it, but that’s the sport, and you have to keep going.”

Mario Deslauriers came into the final round on a score of 8.00. Riding Jane Forbes Clark’s Urico, a nine-year-old KWPN gelding, the duo had a less than stellar ride to finish the team competition.

As fate would have it, a mistake at fence #7 – an massive ascending triple-bar that gave many riders a challenge – startled the crowd as the horse didn’t make the back rail and sent poles flying as he found his way to the other side. Deslauriers and Urico were able to gain their composure and continue with the round after circling before fence #8. They picked up 13 faults to finish in 52nd place individually on a score of 21.000.

"My horse started out great. He was very ready, and he was jumping well out here,” said Deslauriers. “I think he was just trying to jump too high over the triple-bar, and he got himself into trouble a little bit. Then I lost my stirrup and couldn't keep him straight so I had to circle. I think he scared himself trying to over-jump the triple bar. He hit the rail quite hard and then he stepped on himself, so he felt a little shock on his feet. But he was a good trooper to try to finish the course well. It was a little bit of a struggle but he got himself over.”

Laura Kraut was determined to improve upon her earlier performance aboard Cedric, Happy Hill Farms’ 12-year-old KWPN gelding, and the tiny, scopey horse jumped an immaculate clear round. Their final score of 10.040 left them in 19th place to qualify and continue on to the Individual medal competition on Friday night.

"Tonight he was perfect. That's how he's jumped all year,” said Kraut. “That's why the first night took us all by surprise. But he's settled in now, maybe a day too late!”

The final combination for the U.S. squad was McLain Ward, 34, of Brewster, NY, and Sapphire, the 15-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare owned by Ward, Tom Grossman and Blue Chip Bloodstock.

Unfortunately, Ward and Sapphire pulled the back rail of the oxer at fence 9 in addition to clipping the front rail of the final oxer on course. They added eight faults to the Team score. The final score of 12.270 and a 26th place finish qualified the pair to continue on in the Individual medal competition.

Lead in the running for an Individual medal is Brazilian Rodrigo Pessoa and HH Rebozo who stands in first place on a score of 2.80. Belgium’s Phillipe le Jeune and Vigo d’Arsouilles are in second with 3.11. Third place is Germany’s Carsten-Otto Nagel and Corradina on a score of 3.24.

Show jumping competition continues on Friday night as the final four riders are determined that will challenge each other – and ride each others’ horses – in Saturday night’s exciting conclusion to show jumping competition with the awarding of the Gold, Silver and Bronze Individual medals.

PARA-EQUESTRIAN DRESSAGE

Team Test:

The FEI World Para Dressage Championships kicked off Tuesday with riders competing in the Team Test. Jonathan Wentz, Laura Goldman and Susan Treabess all represented the U.S. for the first time at the championship level on the Kentucky Equine Research Para-Equestrian Dressage Team, with the 2000 and 2008 Paralympian Robin Brueckmann providing valuable veteran leadership.

Nineteen year-old Jonathan Wentz of Richardson, TX led off the day for the U.S. riding Kai Handt's NTEC Richter Scale. Wentz and the Shire cross gelding rode a very accurate and precise test in the Grade II division to score a 62.762%.

"It was a really solid test," said Wentz. "This is quite an amazing experience."

Laura Goldman and Trudy Phillips' Carlingford JD were next in the ring for the U.S. On the strength of a precisely ridden test and well-shaped circles and serpentines, the pair scored a 68.706% in the Grade Ia team test, earning an individual third place finish.

"I amazed myself," said Goldman. "This horse is fantastic. Without all these folks with the para movement I couldn't have done it."

The last two riders of the day for the U.S. contested in the grade IV team test. Robin Brueckmann of Summerfield, NC performed an elegant test with Elly Schobel's Raison D'Etre. The Kentucky-bred American Warmblood scored a 65.75%.

"I'm very pleased. I think I maximized what I could," Brueckmann said. "This is the third team score. I feel like I contributed to the team."

Last to go for the Kentucky Equine Research U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Team was Susan Treabess (Winters, CA) and Katy Peterson's Dutch Warmblood mare Moneypenny, who received a score of 63.00% from the judges.

With an overnight combined score of 197.456, the U.S. Team lies 10th going into the second and final part of the Team competition which will conclude on Wednesday when the four team riders will perform the Individual test for a combined team score.

Individual Tests:

Wednesday provided riders competing as individuals on the Kentucky Equine Research U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Team their first opportunity in the competition ring and it was a second test for some of the riders who competed in Tuesday's Team test.

Riding as an individual at her first World Championships, Mary Jordan (Wells, ME) and her own Paxton Abbey competed in the Grade IV division, and earned a score of 63.419%.

"Paxton felt wonderful. On game day she steps it up a notch," said Jordan. "I've always wanted to ride for my country."

Next to go for the U.S. was team member Susan Treabess of Winters, CA and the 16-year-old former broodmare Moneypenny. They performed a lovely Grade IV Individual Championship Test with exemplary pirouettes to earn a 64.839% and a tie for ninth place with teammate Jennifer Baker.

"I was really happy with that. No mistakes. She's giving me everything really well. I'm really impressed." Treabess said of Katy Peterson's Dutch Warmblood mare.

The World Championship and Paralympic veteran Robin Brueckmann demonstrated utter consistency throughout the test to score a 65.871% with Elly Schobel's Raison D'Etre.

"I was really very happy with the test, very up, very elastic. I was very pleased," said Brueckmann "I'm very excited to do my freestyle."

The final of the U.S. riders to compete in the Grade IV Individual Championship Test this morning at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games was Jennifer Baker, with Akiko Yamazaki's Kranak. They demonstrated beautiful extensions and simple changes to score a 64.839% earning them an equal ninth place finish with fellow American Susan Treabess.

"Akiko Yamazaki, Ravel's owner, donated him to me to ride for WEG. He's so well trained, it's just getting the buttons. He's just perfect," said Baker.

In the Grade IV Individual Championships, Sophie Wells and Pinocchio of Great Britain were crowned FEI World Para Dressage Champions, with Frank Hosmarand and Tiesto of The Netherlands and Henrik Weber Sibbesen and Rexton Royal of Denmark claiming the Silver and Bronze Medals respectively.

In the afternoon session riders competed in the Grade III Individual Championship Test. Wendy Fryke and Erin Alberda both competed as individuals for the U.S. in this division.

Fryke (Parker, CO) rode her own and Michael Fryke's Westphalian stallion Lateran to eighth place with a score of 64.067%.

"It's been so exciting to be here," she said. "He was playful at times but kept his level head. We're still getting to know each other really well."

Erin Alberda of Woodinville, WA and her own Delectari were the final ride of the day scoring 60.267% and earning eleventh place.

"I'm honored to be here and humbled," said Alberda. "I'm really proud of my horse. It was a good start for us. I'm proud of my horse and proud to be representing the U.S."

Hannelore Brenner and Women of the World captured the Gold Medal for Germany in the Grade III Individual Championship Test with Annika Lykke Dalskov and Preussen Wind of Denmark taking silver and Australian Sharon Jarvis and Applewood Odorado claiming bronze.

The U.S. stood in tenth place in the team portion of the FEI World Para Dressage Championships after yesterday's Team Championship Tests. Laura Goldman (Grade Ia) and Jonathan Wentz (Grade II) will ride their Individual Championship Tests to determine the final team standings on Friday. Rebecca Hart will ride as an individual in the Grade II Individual Championship Test tomorrow and Kim Decker who also represents the U.S. as an individual will ride in the Grade Ia Individual Championship Test.

Individual Championships:

Four riders for the Kentucky Equine Research U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Team contested the Grade Ia and II Individual Championship Tests at the FEI World Para Dressage Championships. The scores for Jonathan Wentz and Laura Goldman proved to be doubly valuable as they not only determined their placings in the Individual Championship Test but also decided standings in the Team Championship.

Jonathan Wentz and Kai Handt's NTEC Richter Scale performed a consistent test to score a 60.286% and secure an eighteenth place finish in the Grade II Individual Championship Test.

"It was pretty good. The goal was to get more momentum in the walk. I left it all out there," said the Richardson, TX native. "It's the best Richter has ever performed at a show, even though it is not our best score."

Riding in the Grade Ia Individual Championship Test, Laura Goldman (Highland Heights, OH) and Trudy Phillips' Carlingford JD provided the final score for the U.S. Team, which was a solid 69.9%.

"I think it went pretty well. I know there were some errors but they were my fault," said Goldman "But overall it was pretty good."

Four-time USEF National Para-Equestrian Champion and 2008 Paralympian Rebecca Hart (Erie, PA) and her own Hanoverian gelding Norteassa had originally been scheduled to compete in the team competition, but Hart elected to focus solely on the individual competition. They performed a pleasant test to score a 63.619%.

"It was a good ride. I would like a little more energy. But he did what I asked him to do," said Hart "It's been a great experience so far."

Kim Decker of Centreville, VA also got her first chance to get in the competition ring at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games today riding Paul Decker's Hanoverian Dashers Destiny. Competing as individuals, the pair had a very fluid test to score a 60.9% earning them a fifteenth place finish.

"I thought it was really good,” she said. “He felt like we were on. He's a good boy every time he goes in the ring."

The U.S. finished in seventh place in the Team competition of the FEI World Para Dressage Championships with a score of 398.066.

The team was composed of Wentz, Goldman, Robin Brueckmann and Susan Treabess. In the Team competition all four riders performed their Team Championship Tests on Tuesday. With the scores from the Individual Championship Tests being weighted equally to the Team Test, Brueckmann and Treabess performed their Grade IV Individual Championship Tests on Wednesday.

Great Britain was crowned FEI World Para Dressage Champions with Germany taking the Silver medal and Denmark claiming Bronze.

In the Grade II Individual Championship, The Netherland's Petra Van De Sande and Toscane won the Gold medal with German Britta Napel and Aquilina 3 and Caroline Cecille Nielsem and Rostorn's Hatim-Tinn of Denmark claiming Silver and Bronze respectively.

In the Grade Ia Individual Team Championship, it was clean sweep for Great Britain with Sophie Christiansen and Rivaldo of Berkeley, Anne Dunham and Teddy and Emma Sheardown and Purdy's Dream taking the top three spots.

In the Grade Ib Individual Championship Test Great Britain's Lee Pearson and Gentleman and Ricky Balshaw and Academy occupied the first two placings with Jens Lasse Dokkan and Lacour of Norway finishing third.

VAULTING

Wednesday was a busy day in the Alltech Arena at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games as the Vaulting World Championships got underway with both the Team Compulsory Test and the Male and Female Individual Compulsory Tests.

The Gold Medalist from the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany was back to defend her title. Megan Benjamin, 22, of Saratoga, CA, performed her individual compulsory test aboard Urfreund Rosengaard, a 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Kirsa Kristensen and lunged by Lasse Kristensen, and received a score of 7.856 from the judges, putting them into the individual bronze medal position after the first day.

"He had a lot of energy going on in there," she said. "Definitely more than we had in the warm-up. I'm hoping that tomorrow we'll be able to get a calmer horse and I'll be able to perform a little better."

Also competing for the United States as an individual was Mary McCormick of Woodside, CA. Aboard Sydney Frankel's 10-year-old KWPN gelding Sir Anthony Van Dyck, McCormick, 27, earned a score of 7.814 from the judges, earning her sixth overall after the Compulsory test.

"I actually did better out there than I expected to," McCormick said. "My horse was perfect. He was totally consistent in going forward the whole time. There were a few times that I just took a deep breath and took it in. Overall I'm just really pleased."

Alicen Divita, 21, of Redwood City, CA performed on Giovanni, a 13-year-old Mecklenburger gelding owned and lunged by Julie Divita. The pair received a score of 7.431 from the judges to land them in 15th place before the freestyle.

"My horse was awesome," she said. "He was totally relaxed. It felt great, just like we've been working on in practice. Looking back you can always say that I could have done that better, but right now I'm pretty pleased."

Currently holding the lead is Joanne Eccles of Great Britain, who rode her family's horse WH Bentley to a score of 8.157. Sitting in the silver medal position, from Germany, is Simone Wiegele with a score of 8.037.

The individual males also took to the arena today. Vaulting first was Kenny Geisler, 29, aboard Jacadi de Rox, a 13-year-old Selle Francais gelding owned and lunged by Julie Ann Young. Geisler received a score of 7.011 from the judges to put him in 10th overall at the moment.

"It felt great," Geisler said. "It was a really great performance. It's great to be back in this beautiful arena after the test event last year. There's lots of good energy in here."

Also performing today was 17-year-old Kristian Roberts of Moss Beach, CA. Although he has only been vaulting for four years, Roberts received a good score of 6.961 to put him just behind Geisler in 11th place. He rode Highwater Bay, an 8-year-old Shire gelding owned and lunged by Jill Palmer.

"It felt like the best I've ever done, definitely," Roberts said. "It all came together today, and my horse couldn't have been better."

Finally, the last male vaulter for the United States was Todd Griffiths of Babb, ND. Griffiths performed today about Lanson 16, a 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Jan and Betsy Garrod. Lunged by Jessica Ballenger, Lanson and Griffiths received a score of 6.523 to land him in 15th place.

"It felt really smooth and really comfortable," he said after his ride. "The horse went great. My lunger did great. Everything was great. I'm really happy."

The leaders in the men's individual vaulting were Gero Meyer and Grand Gaudino of Germany with a super score of 8.401. Sitting just behind them with a score of 8.297 were their teammates Kai Vorberg and Sir Bernhard RS von der Wintermühle. Finally, sitting in third was Patric Looser from Switzerland with Record RS von der Wintermühle on a score of 8.253.

The U.S. Vaulting Team made their presence known as they performed a lovely team test. Lunger Carolyn Bland guided Palatine, a 12-year-old Westphalian gelding, around the circle calmly and quietly as the team performed their compulsory test. The team, made up of Devon Maitozo (35) of Woodside, CA, Blake Dahlgren (26) of Santa Clarita, CA, Mary Garrett (20) of Seal Beach, CA, Emily Hogye (14) of Ben Lomond, CA, Mari Inouye (27) of Redwood City, CA, Rosalind Ross (20) of Aptos, CA, and Annalise VanVranken (18) of Mays Landing, NJ, received the highest score of the day to rocket them into the lead on a 7.207.

"I think we did a really good job," Maitozo said after the team's performance. "We went out there and we just took charge. I feel like we did one of the best tests that we've done. Just in watching my team, I saw people reaching their potential in a lot of different ways."

Currently in the silver medal position is the team from Germany with a score of 6.997. Sitting in third with a score of 6.990 is the team representing Austria.

Individual Freestyles:

Strong performances by both the Women's and Men's U.S. Vaulters entertained a near sold-out Alltech Arena during the second Individual phase of competition during the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games on Thursday.

Scores carry over from the compulsory round and athletes must perform all seven of the required vaulting movements in the freestyle. Today is the first of two freestyle rounds that will count toward the Individual medal.

Mary McCormick, 27, of Woodside, CA, was the first U.S. female vaulter to take to the ring aboard Bolero (a 19-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Sydney Frankel), lunged by Carolyn Bland.

Performing to Lenny Kravitz's "American Woman," McCormick showed her rock-and-roll attitude in a polished yet fun and percussive round punctuated with a back flip dismount. Her freestyle earned an 8.285 to leave her on a two-round score of 8.050 and a seat in a tie for fourth place.

"It was really solid," she said. "And, I'm always pleased when the back flip goes well, and I can land it like a gymnast."

Alicen Divita,21, of Redwood City, CA, followed aboard Giovanni (a 13-year-old Mecklenberger gelding owned and lunged by her mother, Julie Divita) representing Woodside Vaulters.

Performing to a remix version of the American film classic "Fame," garnered the most vocal appreciation of the class from the crowd when she landed one of her signature moves - a split.

"The strongest part was the middle splits toward the end of my routine," she said. "It's a move that no one else really does. It's always kind of my signature, and I hit it and held it for a long time and it felt great."

She scored an 8.545 to combine with her compulsory score for a two-round total of 7.988 and a ninth place finish.

The standing Gold medalist from the 2006 Aachen WEG, Megan Benjamin performed aboard Urfreund Rosengaard (a 15-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding owned and lunged by Lasse Kristensen). The pressure was on Benjamin to defend her title, and an overly springy partner presented some challenges for the vaulter.

Performing to classic Aretha Franklin soul music, Benjamin, 22, of Saratoga, CA, did the best with what she was given.

"My horse had a little too much energy, and I did the best with what I had," she said. "So, I'm actually pleased with what I did. Part of horse sport is dealing with the horses. He was a little nervous out there."

With two rounds yet to contest, and with tight scores, Benjamin's strong technical routine leaves her still in the fight for a medal. Her freestyle earned a score of 7.985 for a two-round total of 7.921 and 11th place.

Currently in first place is Germany's Simone Wiegele followed by Great Britain's Joanne Eccles and Germany's Antje Hill in third.

Kenny Geisler, 29, of Diamond Bar, CA, was the first of the men to compete. Aboard 13-year-old Selle Francais gelding Jacadi de Rox (owned by Julie Anne Young), the veteran of the U.S. Men's Team scored a 7.550 for his freestyle, and when combined with his compulsory test sits in 12th place on an overall score of 7.281.

"The performance was fantastic...it went really well," said Geisler. "It was the best I've done all season. We changed horses at the last second because Sunny Boy didn't pass the vet check. But I got on this other great horse that the U.S. brought and it was a fantastic run. I was really feeding off of the horse's energy and we had a lot of fun."

Kristian Roberts, 17, of Moss Beach, CA, had a few bobbles to his routine, but pulled it together to put down a solid score aboard Highwater Bay, an eight-year-old Shire gelding owned by Jill Palmer. His unfortunate fall from the horse midway through his test cost him points, but he finished on a freestyle score of 6.620 for a two-round total of 6.791. He sits at 16th place going into the third round of competition.

"Overall, it was OK, but at one point I just couldn't reach the handle," he said. "But, I felt like my handstand at the end I was able to really lock into it."

Third and final of the men was Todd Griffiths who put in the day's highest score for the American squad. Aboard Lanson 16 (a 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Jan and Betsy Garrod), he was able to put aside his tension and nerves for a freestyle score of 8.330 and an overall total of 7.427. He is in 10th place headed into the third round of competition. He performed a subtle and light routine to a remake of "Angels" by David Archuleta.

"I did my freestyle the best that I could in front of a home crowd," he said. "It was absolutely worth it."

Leading the men is Switzerland's Patric Looser followed by France's Nicolas Andreani. Germany's Kai Vorberg stands in third.



DRIVING

The final World Championship event in the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games began Thursday as part one of the Combined Driving Dressage took place. Eleven drivers competed as part of the team competition and the United States' Casey Zubek and Bill Long both competed as individuals.

United States Team driver Jimmy Fairclough was sitting in sixth place on a 51.97 after the dressage phase.

"It wasn't the test I've been getting from these horses this year,” he said. “I was hoping for something better than what we got, but that's why there's another couple days and I'll just have to go faster in the marathon.”

Casey Zubek performed for the U.S. in the afternoon session, driving his young team of KWPN geldings, and received a score of 60.29 from the judges to land him in eigth.

"The marathon is our strongest phase, but I also like dressage and we are getting better and better each time," said Zubek.

American driver Bill Long, driving Jack Wetzel's flashy team, also completed their dressage test on Thursday. After a strong test Long is currently in tenth with a score of 64.90.

Chester Weber and his veteran team wrapped up the day for the U.S. Driving Team on a high note. The team jumped to the top of the leader board to tie with Ijsbrand Chardon of The Netherlands on a 35.97.

"The extended trot from this team is clearly where it's at,” Weber said. ”The horses seem to be fit and in top form. I'm pleased with them.”

Friday will see the final twelve drivers in part two of the dressage phase.

In the team standings, the U.S. trails the Netherlands after two drivers have gone. The Netherlands is on 76.16 and the United States sits on 87.94 well clear of the third place finishers, the Germans on 103.04.