Phillip and Nova Top set up the win with a 55.2 to be lying in 11^th out of a star-studded field of 86, adding just 1.2 time cross country to move up to third then having just the one rail to add another international victory to his belt.

American and hometown favourite Nathalie Bouckaert had led the event heading into the showjumping but had a round she would rather forget, pulling four rails to slip down to third.

Phillip didn’t stop there, climbing from 44^th place on day one to snatch 8^th place by a whisker (0.6 to be exact) on his other advanced ride Damian.

The win continues a recent domination for Phillip who also took out the CIC*** at the North American Bealieu Classic on the 15 year old Simply Red.

Think Phillip’s recent success stops there? Think again. He also qualified for the first eventing World Cup (to be held in Pau, France in October) by taking the American qualifier at Red Hill, Tallahassee on Nova Top.

Phillip currently has a stable full of advanced horses (no less than 9) who will be campaigned at Kentucky, Badminton, Burghley, Blenheim and Fair Hill in the lead up to Athens.

Andrew Hoy has retired Darien Powers from international competition. The 16 year old, owned by Bob and Rosemary Scarborough, was part of the gold medal winning team for Australia at both Atlanta and Sydney Olympics. "It is a hard decision to make, especially when he loves competitions so much," said Andrew.

Although he was unlucky enough not to win Badminton despite several attempts, Darien Powers was always the crowd favourite who enjoyed an illustrious career which will see him forever known as one of Australia’s most successful eventers. He will be sorely missed. Eventing Australia wishes the great grey a long and happy retirement.

On a more sour note for Andrew, his newly acquired advanced horse Master Monarch has reportedly been taken from his yard following an ownership dispute.

The 12 year old was taken form Hoy’s stables by British rider Jeanette Brakewell and Master Monarch’s former rider Brook Staples, who rode the horse into 4^th place at Badminton in 2000 and finished 16^th at Sydney riding for Australia as an individual.

It is reported that as 2002 came to an end the horses owner Tom Attwood moved the horse to Andrew’s yard, however Brook feels that he is entitled to payment for a share of the value.

Local Police has advised that as the dispute is one of ownership it falls under the civil jurisdiction, which prevents Police from taking any further action.

British Eventing has been quick to get to the bottom of the matter and has released the following statement:

"British Eventing has read with concern the report in the press about the action of two of its members in the removal of Master Monarch from Andrew Hoy's stables. British Eventing is advised that it would be inappropriate to comment further until all the facts are known but will be reviewing the matter thoroughly in order to establish whether further action on the part of British Eventing is required."

It is understood that lawyers have been called in to resolve the matter.

The 2003 Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event, held in unison with this weekends Sydney International Three Day, has attracted a strong international field including British and reigning Lexington champion William Fox-Pitt on the 13 year old Moon Man, Pippa Funnell, Rodney Powell and Leslie Law. Australia will be represented by Phillip Dutton who has entered Simply Red and the 9 year old I’m So Brite. Italy and Canada are represented this year. You can follow the event online with live score updates at www.rk3de.org
 

As one of only two Australian qualifiers for the World Cup later this year Melbourne (5-9 June) is sure to attract some extra attention. The all-important official schedule, entry and withdrawal forms can now be accessed online at www.efavic.com.au/pages/3de.html
 

Similarly, preparations for the second qualifier at Warwick (26-27 July) are well under way. A very handy website contains all the information you need. For details go to www.wht.org.au

That’s all folks. The next edition of Eventing Australia will include a comprehensive report and photo’s from Sydney, a lowdown on Kentucky and more important news as it comes to hand.

If you have any comments on this issue or would like to share some eventing news such as rider or horse injuries, horses with new riders, new sponsorship deals, event news from secretary’s etc, top horses sold or for sale and anything else you think the eventing community would be interested in, please email me at afawcettjournalist@hotmail.com and I will include it in the next issue.

Until next time.