When is a course not a course? When it's the $10,000 Gambler's Choice, of course!

Riders select their fences by value and their mounts' abilities. After 50 seconds, they may opt to gambol over the formidable 5'3" Gambler's Choice, Joker. Success adds, knockdowns subtract. Nineteen horses tried as many course combinations to the delight of the crowd. Only one didn't gamble and six gambled and lost.

Aaron Vale gambled and took the pot with 1480 points. Prinsipal, in a breathless round, jumped of 15 fences before taking on the Joker.

"When we walked the course, none of the other riders was interested in my route," said Vale, "except Tracy Bartko." "My idea was to go in a figure-8." She did it, but I managed to catch two more fences, including the 4'8" oxer worth 100 points, twice."

As for the Joker, "it's difficult to stop and restart," Vale said. "Your horse gets into a rhythm and the break sometimes throws them for a loop."

Prinsipal appeared workmanlike in his approach to his task, clearing the Joker with room to spare. Prinsipal will compete again tomorrow in the Pennsylvania Big Jump.

Beezie Madden on Cloud Nine, a bold gray horse, was next and clearly pursuing a higher score than 1480. Bounding and bending over the fences, Cloud Nine's tail flew like a battle flag. He even bucked a little before squaring off with the Joker. Although he cleared it, his 1430 earned only second place.

Tracy Bartko finished third aboard Argus, with 1300 points. Fourth place went to McLain Ward and Cameo, with 1050.

The Open Jumper Speed High Score Championship went to Aaron Vale and Prinsipal. McLain Ward and Beezie Madden shared the reserve honors.