Friday, October 10, 2003

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

Debi Crowley and Mighty Mite, Nipping at San Salvador's Heels

Debi Crowley's day job begins at 6:30 A.M. designing simulation software for the US Government's Apache Helicopters, for Camber Corp, in Huntsville Alabama. That is after she's fed her nine horses on her farm in Elkmont, Alabama. Crowley begins her work day at that hour, so she can get back to her farm by 3:30 to train and ride.

"I am fortunate to have an excellent working situation with my job, and my fabulous non-horsy, but supportive husband, Kevin." Crowley emphasized. She also "loves dressage" a rarity in event riders. That appreciation for the first phase of a three-day event, and the training she has had with Wolfgang Shertzer, Jim Graham, and Werner Geven, put her in a close second to the USET veteran Darren Chiacchia and San Salvador, with just a 3.15 point difference in the score at 49.60.

With her Appendix Quarter Horse, Mighty Mite, a 10-year-old gelding with "a great mind" Crowley has come a long way with the gangly unbroken 5-year-old she began with. She's had "silly things" happen to keep her from the big win, but the southern duo have been in the running throughout their eventing career. Now they are standing in second place, at the 30th anniversary of the legendary Radnor Hunt Three Day Event. "It gave me goosebumps today, riding in that dressage arena," said the exuberant Crowley. "It's an honor and a thrill being here at Radnor."