By GEORGE JOHNSON -- Calgary Sun
  The Spirit of Xerox is aptly named.

"I'm thrilled," said a relieved Johnathan Asselin, his Australian dream back into a realistic focus. "He has tremendous heart. A great battler.

"He didn't get here until 4 a.m. on Tuesday. I found out later that night we'd have to jump again.

"My first reaction? Worry. We'd had to jump three taxing rounds in Bromont (Que.) and these horses only have so much to give; they're only allowed so many good days.

"It's a lot to ask, having to do this again under trying circumstances. But I asked it and he gave it to me."

Asselin and Xerox, after winning the Olympic trial in Bromont, were sitting second in the qualification standings with a more than optimistic shot at Sydney. From that euphoria to an unexpected shot to the solar plexus, almost overnight -- being duly informed they hadn't completed a mandatory criteria: eight faults or less in a selected Nations Cup or Grand Prix competition.

Hence yesterday's special ride, one shot, on a big, demanding course set by Robert Ridland, flown in for the occasion. Eight faults or less, Asselin has Sydney still very much in his sights. Twelve or more, he's done, the dream cruelly crushed, most likely by an oversight.

Well, Asselin and Xerox got around Ridland's "big but fair" course with only four faults, knocking down the No. 10 rail, prompting a whoop of joy from the stands out at Spruce Meadows. Three trials remain.

But this ... this was a trial. And how.

"It's unfortunate to have to do this, but it's also nobody's fault," sighed Asselin. "Nobody did this to me on purpose. Sure there was a lot of pressure out there. But there's a lot of pressure in this sport at any time. But, yes, this was important to me. Very important. The Olympics ... they really are a once-in-a-lifetime thing, aren't they?"

Only two riders competed in the special jump-off. Karen Cudmore, aboard Conejo (Spanish for 'Jackrabbit') managed the course in four faults. Then came Asselin, not on Frontec, as expected, but Xerox.

"I'd done that in Bromont, ridden the younger horse early to get a feel for the course but when I walked it tonight beforehand I thought '(Xerox) is ready. Let's go for it.' In the ring before we went out, he was probably too fresh. A little bit wild. But he pulled together. The only rail we missed, No. 10, the sun got to me a bit as I turned into it. Him, too, I think. But, as I said before, he was magnificent.

"This really is a relief for me."

They cracked open bottle of champagne to toast Asselin and Xerox outside Meadows on the Green last night. So just imagine the potential libation celebration in three trials' time.