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Wayne, Illinois - July 10, 2006 - Serving as a mid-summer oasis for event riders, the Maui Jim Horse Trials provided top level competition for event riders from all corners of the United States and Canada. In addition to the event's traditional horse trial divisions at the training through advanced levels, organizer Kate Lindsay offered three international divisions (CIC*, CIC**, and CIC***). The extensive menu of divisions attracted top level riders, who were treated to exceptional hospitality, tropical themed decorations around every corner, and cool temperatures for a competition held in July.

With the largest ever turnout for the event, dressage began on Thursday for the majority of the training level divisions. On Friday, the upper level competitors performed their dressage tests, while the remaining training level riders did their dressage tests and contested the cross country course.

Overall, the scoring in the dressage rings was consistent and fair, albeit a touch over generous.

In the international divisions, there were few surprises at the top of the leader board. In the CIC* division, Stuart Black secured the top two positions with a pair of Selle Francais geldings. Becky Holder captured the top place in the CIC**, while dressage queen Kelli Temple led the CIC***.

The CIC*** course walked fairly straightforward. After several galloping fences, course designer Ritch Temple gave riders their first real test at fences 7abc. Temple placed three fences on an "S" bend. Fences 7a and 7c were narrow brush arrowheads, while 7b was a big square table. This combination looked impressive, but jumped well throughout the day.

After a quick gallop, riders approached the newly designed coffin, which was more horse and rider friendly than in previous years. After negotiating the coffin, riders had a quick gallop to the new water, which ended up being the biggest test on the course. Horses and riders jumped a log with a massive drop before taking a bold four strides to a big right point corner in the water. After jumping the corner, riders made a gentle right bend to a rounded table.

Horses then had a long gallop to catch their breath before approaching the bank complex. Horse and rider combinations jumped onto the bank and then bounced up another step before bouncing over a set of barrels at the top.

Temple then placed a clever combination of two angled brushed with a tree in the middle, which tempted horses to slide past the second element. Riders then had a chance to make up some time with a quick loop over some galloping fences before tackling the last water.

Horses jumped the usual log at the top of the mound, before cantering through the water and jumping a bounce with a big drop, which landed back in the lower water. Riders then made a right turn to a double of right point corners. Horses then had a long gallop over some simple fences before reaching the finish line.

Although several combinations jumped clean, only Kristin Bond aboard Blackout managed to gallop home inside the time. This effort elevated her from 30th to 7th on the overnight standings. Quick rounds from Karl Slezak, Elisa Wallace, and Loreen Kay moved them into the top 3 standings respectively.

The show jumping courses at Wayne have a reputation for being big, and this year was no disappointment.

The day started off with the overnight leaders retaining their positions. Stuart Black stayed in the first in the CIC* aboard Lissandro after jumping a lovely double clear round. Other notable performances in this division came from fourth place finishers Katlyn McMorris and Clifton Peekachu, Maria Brazil and Gadget des Brumes, and Danny Warrington riding Havarah's Charly.

In the CIC**, another overnight leader, Becky Holder jumped a double clean round to stay in the post position on Rejuvenate. Lauren Kieffer was impressive in the division with a second place finish aboard Woodrow, and a fourth place finish aboard Tigger Too.

In the regular intermediate division, Kristin Bond showed a great improvement in the show jumping on Three Wishes to secure the win.

For the CIC***, the fences got much bigger, and rails started falling much more frequently. When overnight leader Karl Slezak had a tough round, the door was left wide open for Elisa Wallace aboard Jackson to capture the win after jumping a double clean round. Good show jumping rounds from Buck Davidson and Kristin Bond paid off, and they moved into second and third places. Several combinations looked impressive in this division, most notably Waylon Roberts on Paleface and Bonnie Mosser riding Happy Valley.

In the normal advanced division, Slezak made up for his CIC*** disappointment with a round that elevated him from third to first.

The facility, organization and energy at the Maui Jim Horse trials are second to none. Hopefully this trend will continue as the American Eventing Championships will move to this wonderful site next year.

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