Sunday, October 12, 2004

Debi Crowley and Mighty Mite Persevere to Win the 2003 Radnor Hunt International Three Day Event

In a nail biting finish during the final phase of Stadium Jumping where just fractions of points separated the results, the computer engineer from Elkmont, Alabama, who designs simulation software for the Apache helicopters for the Camber Corporation, topped the large international field of top eventing competitors with her 10-year-old appendix quarter horse Mighty Mite.

Wendy Lewis and Rampant Lion moved into second, after their clean showjumping topped Darren Chiacchia and San Salvador. Phillip Dutton from West Grove, PA, who rides for Australia slipped into third place overall with August Vittorino's Amazing Odyssey, when the tied score with Chiacchia was broken with their cross country results.

Crowley's clean showjumping round, within the time, maintained her dressage score, after a double clear cross-country on Saturday, where she tied with the Saturday morning leader, Darren Chiacchia, and San Salvador, whose cross country time penalties dropped his dressage score and matched Crowley's standings.

"I was amazingly calm." reflected Crowley, before entering into the stadium arena on a brilliant sunny Sunday afternoon. Crowley's usual coach, Jim Graham had to leave early on Sunday, and in his place, eventing aficionado, Jimmy Wofford helped prepare her for showjumping. "It was the perfect preparation, short and sweet, just the way I like it." Crowley smiled.