Friday, October 10, 2003

Darren Chiacchia and Debi Crowley First and Second After Dressage Phase of the Radnor Hunt International Three Day Event

Darren Chiacchia and San Salvador Top a Field of 115 CCI** Intermediate Competitors

USET Individual 2002 World Equestrian Games veteran Darren Chiacchia, from Springville, New York, and the 10-year-old Trakehner Gelding San Salvador (by Butow by Mahagoni), are in the lead after the dressage phase of the Intermediate CCI** Event, with 46.40 penalty points. Owned by Chiacchia's student Kate Luce, San Salvador came into his barn for training with a "quirk about Liverpool's" which needed some work. Luce competed San Salvador at the lower levels, and Chiacchia brought him through to the Intermediate division, with an eye for moving up to Advanced in the near future.

Chiacchia, serious, focused and professional, usually excels in the dressage, critical to winning in the triathlon of the equestrian event, the Three-Day-Event. He expressed an appreciation for the new eventing dressage tests. "I love not halting at the beginning of the test" admitted Chiacchia. For an event horse, having to make that initial halt often creates tension from the beginning of the test. "While the counter canter work is the most challenging," explained Chiacchia, "I enjoy the flow of the test which makes good use of the entire arena."

He continued to say that "all the new tests for eventing are the best group of dressage tests yet. They have a logical progression from level to level."

Chiacchia's second ride, with Southbound, the 8-year-old Thoroughbred gelding owned by Lydia Holdsworth, put in a solid test towards the end of the division, within 1 point of third placed Wendy Lewis and Rampant Lion, and .40 points from Ralph Holstein and Arctic Dancer in fourth.

Chiacchia has parlayed his success in the sport by obtaining quality sponsorship, which in addition to having owners such as Luce, add to the impact of his presence on the eventing scene. Purina Mills, Gastrogaard (by Merial), Farm Vet, Cavalor Horse Products, Renegade Motor Coach, and Tally Ho Breeches, all contribute to Chiacchia's full time training and competition program.