PRO Tour Series: The Fork CIC3* Day One

The PRO Tour Series CIC3* at The Fork Horse Trials got underway today with half the field having ridden, Michael Pollard and Jude's Law Lead the CIC3* on a 41.3 followed by Karen O'Connor and Veronica in second and Marilyn Little-Meredith in third. The theme of the day has been nothing less then perfection. Riders were shockingly disapointed with scores in the low 20's.This mindset proves the American obession with excellence. With the Olympic Games on the forefront of not only the riders' minds but the selectors, sponsors and educated onlookers, the horses might be picking up on the heightened excitement. This underlying pressure could be the reason for the normally cool cats literally rising to the occasion.Today's competiton easily opens the door for Friday's competitors to fight for the title of PRO Tour Series CIC3* champion and Advanced-A Division leader. This enthusiasm should provide for an exciting cross country day and will keep USA honest in the team they send to LONDON.

The USEA Adequan Gold Cup Series is running with the Advanced-B Division and Allison Springer and Arthur not suprisingly sit in the top spot with a 22.7 followed by Becky Holder and Courageous Comet with Sinead Halpin and Manoir De Carneville lying in third. The "Shooting With The Stars" Team Clay Competition, with twenty three teams this year, provides a unique blend of sporting prowess and excitement with rider scores from both advanced divisons throughout the weekend being added to the overall clay shooting scores for a sidebar competition that adds additional prize money to the competition and integrates both outdoor sports enthusiasts.