05.31.17
Posted in 2026, My Thoughts, Rolex, Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Event, World Equestrian Games at 9:33 pm by Thomas
The news came out today and I can’t say I didn’t know it was the likely outcome but the reality that Rolex is no longer the title sponsor of, “The Kentucky Three Day Event”, which just doesn’t have the ring of “The Rolex” is bitter sweat. My first Rolex was 1994 and I always dreamed of getting to compete there but life had other plans, I would still like be an outrider there one of these years.
The upside to this news is it does clear the way for the Kentucky Horse Park to win back the FEI World Equestrian Games because the agreements Longines had with the FEI would not allow the Horse Park to host the Games while Rolex had the agreements it did with the Horse Park. The reason for this was a clause in the Longines/FEI agreement that required “clean/clear” venues, meaning no Rolex signage or mention anywhere is the simple non-legal explanation.
My sincere hope is that letting Rolex go was with the specific intent of winning the 2026 Games, for me I guess its more then hope, its an expectation that I am going to do all I can to see fulfilled.
Kentucky Colonel
Thomas P. Demond
KyWEGO®
Permalink
04.30.17
Posted in Eventing, Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Event, Three-Day Eventing at 7:58 pm by EPR
Jung Scores A Three-Peat at Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by
Land Rover
Lexington, KY, April 30, 2017-In the 39-year history of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Land Rover, only three riders have ever managed to win two years in a row. But Michael Jung made history by winning the 2017 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event for a third consecutive time aboard FischerRocana FST. The German duo lowered one rail in show jumping to finish on 42.7 penalties, just ahead of France’s Maxime Livio and Qalao Des Mers in second (44.6) and England’s Zara Tindall and High Kingdom in third (46.6).
|
|
 |
|
Michael Jung was all smiles when he received the Rolex watch for winning with FischerRocana FST at Rolex Kentucky. (Michelle Dunn Photo)
|
|
By placing fourth, a pair of U.S. veterans, Phillip Dutton and Mr. Medicott (54.6), who took home the Roger Haller Memorial Trophy for the Rolex/USEF CCI4* Eventing National Championship. Dutton won the national championship for a record fifth time, and his finish this weekend on three horses gives him an astounding 40 completions at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Land Rover.
Show jumping day was hot and blustery, but that didn’t prevent 24,159 fans from packing the Rolex Stadium to see the best in the world compete for $400,000 in prize money. Double-clean rounds were few and far between, with only one coming in the first session, for Will Faudree and Pfun. There would only be three more in the second session, for Livio, Tindall and Kurt Martin on Delux Z. Dutton and Mr. Medicott would leave all the rails in the cups, but add 1 time penalty to his score.
Jung, 34, Horb, Germany, would continue his streak of not being perfect, but still being good enough, by having a rail down in the triple combination. However, his six-point lead going in to the show jumping allowed for one mistake to claim the victory.
|
|
|
One rail down was not enough to keep Michael Jung of Germany from winning Rolex Kentucky aboard FischerRocana FST (Michelle Dunn Photo)
|
“Without the horse you are just walking people, I’m not sure how you say that in English,” said Jung with a laugh. “This is a very wonderful horse, she is absolutely a top horse, and she is always fighting for me. We have a partnership, I know everything that she needs for me to motivate her. But she was perfect. I am so thankful for my whole team and my horse.”
Jung went on to say the he felt his rail in the triple combination had begun earlier on course when she spooked at the stark white rails of an the Race Track Rail combination. “Maybe I used my hands too much,” he admitted. “Then we had the problem in the triple and I had two more jumps so that made me nervous!”
|
|
|
|
Maxime Livio and Qalao Des Mers of France were nearly perfect, but had to settle for second place at Rolex Kentucky. (Michelle Dunn Photo)
|
|
Livio, 29, Saumur, France, had been chasing Jung all weekend, and he is the only person to have beaten him in recent memory, but he settled for second place today. His powerful double-clean round put the pressure on Jung as he cantered out of the ring.
“There is always a little pressure in the ring, especially at a four-star with all the top riders,” Livio said. “With my horse, I just have to stick to him and stick to my ride, and if I do that the pressure goes down. I know if I’m very focused on my riding, the horse will do his best. But, of course there is pressure because I want to be good enough for my horse, and after that it’s good for me to start to put pressure on (Jung). I think to try beat such a rider you have to be 100 percent all the time. All this week my horse was 100 percent, but I was maybe only 90 percent in dressage. But after that I have no regrets.”
|
|
|
Zara Tindall and High Kingdom of Great Britain had a much better trip this time, to finish third at Rolex Kentucky. (Michelle Dunn Photo)
|
Tindall, 35, Gloucestershire, England, came in to this event keeping her expectations in check following a difficult trip to the Kentucky Horse Park two years ago where an injury in the stable prevented her from even starting. But each day she put in a sparkling performances to, like Livio, be one of only two to finish on their dressage score.
“I’m obviously very lucky to come back and very thankful to my owner and to Land Rover and Rolex to be able to come back,” she said. “It’s great to be sitting up here with these guys. My horse was fantastic all the way through the competition -he jumped great today.
“He doesn’t owe me anything,” added Tindall, noting the horse has been in the ribbons at several four stars and has an Olympic medal and a World Championship medal on his resume. “I loved riding him all weekend. This is such a fantastic competition, thanks for having it.”
Dutton came to Kentucky without his usual enthusiasm. In the fall of 2016, his step-daughter LeeLee Jones suffered a devastating head injury while riding, and has been in the hospital or a rehabilitation facility ever since. “It’s not easy,” he said, emotion coloring his voice. “LeeLee is in rehab at Bryn Mawr and I’m very glad for the livestreaming because she apparently loved watching. But it’s a struggle and it’s something I hope you all don’t ever have to go through. Everybody in the horse world has been great–it’s a great family to be a part of.”
|
|
|
|
Veteran competitors Phillip Dutton and Mr. Medicott took home the Roger Haller Memorial Trophy for the Rolex/USEF CCI4* Eventing National Championship. (Michelle Dunn Photo)
|
|
Dutton, 53, West Grove, Pa., brought three horses to Kentucky, and all three finished in the top 10, with Fernhill Fugitive finishing eighth (63.0) and I’m Sew Ready finishing 10th (69.1). But it was his top placing mount, Mr. Medicott, who brought Dutton his fifth national championship.
“Cave,” as he is known, is 18 this year, well past the age that many horses are competing at this level, but he has Olympic performances to his name and was bought for Dutton with those goals in mind. Unfortunately, he suffered an injury and has spent the last two years recovering, but after showing Dutton he was ready, he earned a trip to Rolex Kentucky.
“I was quite unsure about whether I should bring him,” Dutton admitted. “He’s been off for two years, but there wasn’t much else for him the rest of the year that was suitable, and for a horse like this, this is an appropriate event. But for him to show so much heart-I mean, I only did one horse trial on him in two years. He’s such as an incredible horse. I probably didn’t have him fit enough, but he was just incredible this weekend.”
While the horse looked wonderful all weekend, Dutton announced that he would be retiring Mr. Medicott from this level of competition.
In the Dubarry of Ireland Nations Team Challenge, Team USA jumped out in front of the combined New Zealand/France/Germany team to win with a score of 179.2. The combined team finished second with 180.3 over Team Canada in third with 231.5. Team USA included Hannah Sue Burnett/Under Suspection, Boyd Martin/Cracker Jack, Dutton/Fernhill Fugitive, and Lauren Kieffer/Vermiculus.
|
|
|
Ballynoe Castle RM gets a special bouquet during his retirement ceremony from rider Buck Davidson and groom Kathleen Blauth-Murray. (Michelle Dunn Photo)
|
Prior to the show jumping, Buck Davidson retired his venerable mount Ballynoe Castle RM in front of cheering crowds. Buck and “Reggie’s” friends and family turned out to wish the Irish Sport Horse gelding a happy retirement. Davidson and his long-time groom Kathleen Blauth-Murray choked back tears as they draped him in flowers and a blanket commemorating his long career.
In all, 80,654 people came to the Kentucky Horse Park this weekend to enjoy amazing performances at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Land Rover.
Permalink
02.07.17
Posted in Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Event at 8:17 pm by EPR
Lexington, KY – February 7, 2017 – Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), producer of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, has chosen Central Kentucky Riding for Hope as the official charity of the 2017 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event.
“We are honored and grateful to be named the Official Charity
of the 2017 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event,” said Pat Kline, Executive Director of CKRH. “Central Kentucky Riding for Hope is a 35-year-old nonprofit dedicated to enriching the community by improving the quality of life and the health of individuals with special physical, cognitive, emotional and social needs through therapeutic activities with the horse. Partnering with this world-class event will bring awareness to the horse-human bond that enables participants to focus on their abilities. CKRH is proud to share the
Healing Power of the
Horse with the thousands of horse enthusiasts attending this year’s Rolex Kentucky.”
Known as the “Best Weekend All Year,” the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event returns to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, April 27-30, 2017. “Rolex Kentucky” is one of only six Four Star Three-Day Events in the world and the only one in the Western Hemisphere.
Each year, several fundraising efforts take place over the course of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, with proceeds benefiting the official charity. This year those fundraisers are:
- A Farm-to-Table dinner held in the famous Big Barn at the Kentucky Horse Park on Thursday, April 27. Local celebrity chefs Jeremy Ashby and Janey Thompson will present a special menu featuring locally sourced Kentucky ingredients. This ticketed event includes a cocktail hour featuring Tito’s Handmade Vodka and a selection of passed hors d’oeuvres. Tickets are available now; more information at www.rk3de.org/farm-table
- The 3rd annual RK-5K Twilight Run across the Horse Park Grounds on Friday, April 28. Registration is open now at https://www.runsignup.com/Race/KY/Lexington/rk5k
- A Bag Check Station, manned by Central Kentucky Riding for Hope volunteers, will be available on the RK3DE grounds each day of the competition, with donations going to CKRH.
“A big part of our mission here at Equestrian Events is to donate to charities both local and national, equine and human,” said Stewart Perry, president of the EEI Board of Directors. “And thanks to our Rolex Kentucky fans and partners we are able to contribute each year not only to our official charity, but to a list of deserving organizations.”
EEI closed out 2016 by donating nearly $75,000 to 16 charities that support local equine organizations and serve the Commonwealth of Kentucky – a $13,000 increase over the previous year’s contributions.
The 2016 recipients included:
Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, the official charity of the 2016 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. This Lexington, Kentucky based non-profit accredits, inspects and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retire, retrain and rehome Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. TAA is supported by owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, aftercare professionals and other industry groups. To date, 56 aftercare organizations supporting more than 180 facilities across the U.S. and Canada have been granted accreditation and received funding from TAA.
For the 17th year, Kentucky Children’s Hospital received a donation from EEI. The Kentucky Children’s Hospital has partnered with Children’s Miracle Network to help bring the finest pediatric health care to children in the community and beyond.
Kentucky State Police Foundation supports the agency and its employees through partnerships with the community and the private sector to promote the interests of the Kentucky State Police in service to the citizens of the Commonwealth. The Foundation is committed to the continued operation and success of Trooper Island Camp and assisting KSP with its mission to serve and protect.
New Vocations is a non-profit organization founded in 1992, offering retired racehorses a safe-haven, rehabilitation, and continued education through placement in experienced, caring homes. New Vocations provides a safety net for these horses matching them with qualified individuals and following up on their rehabilitation and vocational training to ensure a successful transition. More than 6,000 retired Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds have been placed in qualified homes through New Vocations’ efforts since its inception.
The United States Pony Clubs Inc. started in 1954 to teach riding and the proper care of horses. They help to develop character, leadership, confidence and a sense of community in youth through a program that teaches the care of horses and ponies, riding and mounted sports.
Midway University is a private, non-profit, liberal arts college that was founded in 1847 by Dr. Lewis L. Pinkerton, as the first school in the United States to serve orphaned and disadvantaged women. The school has evolved through the years and is now known for its excellence throughout Kentucky and beyond in four pillar program areas – Business, Equine Studies, Nursing, and Teacher Education. The main campus day program still operates as Kentucky’s only women’s college and provides a unique learning and living opportunity for women seeking their associate or bachelor degrees.
Central Kentucky Riding for Hope was founded in 1981 as a riding program for individuals with physical disabilities. Over the years, CKRH has grown into a multi-faceted program that is dedicated to enriching the community by improving the quality of life and the health of children and adults with special physical, cognitive, emotional and social needs through therapeutic activities with the horse. Equine assisted activities and therapies provide independence, achievement and community to the individuals that they serve.
The University of Kentucky Equestrian Team is a nationally-competitive team affiliated with the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). The UK Equestrian Team welcomes all levels of riders and all levels have the opportunity to compete in IHSA shows.
The
Equine Land Conservation Resource (ELCR) builds awareness of the loss of lands available for horse-related activities and facilitates the protection and preservation of those lands. ELCR provides easy access to the information, resources and tools that help horse people take action. ELCR organizes the immense amounts of information about keeping land open for horses, provides it in plain language, and offers direct technical assistance to help people make a difference in their communities. Since 2007, ELCR has assisted in the protection of more than 200,000 acres of land and more than 1,200 miles of trails.
Baby Health Services, Inc. provides free, quality healthcare to children from birth through age 17 who do not have medical insurance.
Morris Animal Foundation is a nonprofit organization that invests in science to advance animal health. The foundation is a global leader in funding scientific studies for cats, dogs, horses and wildlife. Since its founding in 1948, Morris Animal Foundation has invested more than $103 million toward 2,500+ studies that have led to significant breakthroughs in diagnostics, treatments and preventions to benefit animals worldwide.
The American Diabetes Association is a leader in the fight against the deadly co
consequences of diabetes and funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes, provide services, information.
Glean KY was founded in 2010 by three individuals to help gather and redistribute excess fruits and vegetables to nourish Kentucky’s hungry. Recognizing both an opportunity with excess food and a large number of people needing food, Glean KY explores creative and effective ways to connect the two.
Safe Haven Equine Ministries – Safe Haven Equine Ministries is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit serving young men and women ages 12-18 with emotional and behavioral struggles, through the use of therapeutic horsemanship and outdoor activities.
KY Equine Humane Center provides a tranquil safe haven and shelter for horses in need while working to seek adoptive homes and provide second chances for Kentucky’s equines, regardless of breed. The KY Equine Humane Center works to help educate the public and raise awareness for responsible equine ownership.
Junior Achievement of The Bluegrass, Inc. – Junior Achievement (JA) is a non-profit organization and the world’s largest organization dedicated to educating students about work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs. The program partners with volunteers fro
m the community to teach elementary students
about their roles as individuals, workers and consumers, and to prepare middle and high school students for key economic and workforce issues they will face.
Charities are selected through an application process that opens in July each year.
Equestrian Events, Inc. is a non-profit charitable Kentucky corporation that was established initially to produce the 1978 World Three-Day Event Championships at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the success of those championships, EEI established an annual event that evolved into the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event.
The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is one of the world’s most prestigious equestrian competitions and features the world’s best horses and riders vying for their share of $400,000 in prize money as well as a shot at the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing, which is awarded to any rider who wins the Rolex Kentucky, Mitsubishi Motors Badminton and Land Rover Burghley Four Star Events in succession.
For more information on the 2017 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, please visit the Rolex Kentucky website at
www.RK3DE.org.
Permalink
05.30.16
Posted in 2018 Games, Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Event at 9:20 pm by Thomas
Michael Jung of Germany repeated in 2016 winning the Rolex Grand Slam Events and I had the good fortune of tail-gating at the Rolex Kentucky 3-Day Event to watch him. In other news Adelaide, South Australia has given interest in hosting the 2022 FEI World Equestrian Games which would be another first for the Games. I didn’t make it to Sydney for the 200o Summer Olympics so I would certainly have to put it on my bucket list to go if they were successful, with that said of course I am still hopeful that we will submit a winning bid for the 2022 Games. On a personal note, our horses are showing well and warm weather has finally arrived so Spring has been good on many levels.
Of course we have to take the bad with the good and a number of things have occurred in the last several months that I feel must be addressed because they are part of the horse world. I guess the first to address is a number of deaths of Eventers that has been reported this spring. Ultimately Eventing is a dangerous sport and that is something anyone competing in it knows but it doesn’t make any of us feel any better when we hear about the death or injury of someone enjoying something we enjoy as well. First I want to say to the families that have lost someone you have my deepest sympathies and even though we all will say they were doing something they loved it doesn’t make it any easier for those left behind.
On another somewhat dubious note, Bromont is having a number of issues related to hosting the 2018, Horse Canada just had an extensive article on it that you can read here . Some may think I would be happy that Bromont was having issues, in no way do I consider Bromont’s issues a good thing for Kentucky because it is certainly not a good thing for WEG. Remember there was a time before the World Equestrian Games, it was called the 80’s so I maybe more then others is acutely aware that WEG could vanish again. There has been much talk even before Kentucky hosted the Games about going back to just having the European Championships. So to say this Spring has been turbulent like a Spring Thunderstorm in Kentucky might be stating it mildly. So here is hoping that June brings a more sunny outlook on the horse world.
Kentucky Colonel
Thomas P. Demond
KyWEGO®
Permalink
03.14.16
Posted in Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Event at 8:58 pm by EPR
Proceeds From Auction to Benefit Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance
Lexington, KY – March 14, 2016 – Equestrian Events, organizer of the Rolex
Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented by Land Rover, will host its second annual Maker’s Mark Commemorative Bottle Fundraising Auction and Reception on Thursday, April 28, at 7:00 p.m. All proceeds from the auction, held at Lexington landmark The Livery, will benefit the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, the official charity of the 2016 Rolex Kentucky. The Rolex Kentucky returns to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky., April 28-May 1.
A limited number of Maker’s Mark commemorative bottles, featuring 2015 event winner, Michael Jung riding Fischerrocana FST, will be auctioned off. Tickets to this fundraising event are $200 per individual or $300 per couple. A voucher worth $100 will be included with each individual or couple ticket purchased. That voucher can be used during the bottle auction. There is a limit of one bottle per ticket. Tickets can be purchased until April 18 at
www.rk3de.org/bottle-fundraiser.
“This Maker’s Mark fundraiser was a big hit and a lot of fun last year,” said EEI President Stewart Perry. “More importantly, this event allows us to raise funds and also put a spotlight on the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, a great charitable fit for our organization and for the Horse Capital of the World.”
The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is a Lexington-based, non-profit organization that accredits, inspects and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retire, retrain and rehome Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. The TAA supports 501(c)(3) charitable organizations across the country that retire, retrain and re-home Thoroughbreds. TAA has awarded more than $3.4 million to accredited organizations in the past two years and currently supports 56 accredited organizations across 180 facilities in the United States. Retired racehorses from TAA-accredited organizations are re-homed every day and are retrained to be successful in Show Jumping, Dressage, Eventing, Combined Driving, Endurance and Polo, as well as Western disciplines, affording each of them the opportunity to have a second career.
The Thursday night bottle auction is just one of several fund-raising activities happening during the Rolex Kentucky, the “Best Weekend All Year,” The
RK-5K, the Twilight Run at the Rolex Kentucky, is a run/walk on Friday evening (April 29); 5K participants have an opportunity to contribute to TAA. And five-time Grammy Nominee
Hunter Hayes will be performing Saturday evening (April 30) at the Alltech Arena on the Kentucky Horse Park grounds after the Cross-Country phase of the Rolex Kentucky. A portion of the proceeds from the concert will benefit the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation and TAA. Volunteers from TAA will also be manning the bag-check booth throughout the event as a fund-raiser for their organization.
A 2016 Olympic trial, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is one of the most prestigious equestrian competitions in the world. The Fédération Equestre Internationale (International Equestrian Federation – FEI), the world’s governing body of equestrian sports, has designated the Rolex Kentucky Three–Day Event as a “Four Star” eventing competition, the sport’s highest designation, which is given only to the Olympic Games, World Championships, and six annual events around the world.
Rolex Kentucky hosts many of the world’s best horses and riders each year as they compete for their share of the $350,000 in prize money. Riders also have a chance at winning the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing, which is awarded to any rider who wins the Rolex Kentucky, Mitsubishi Motors Badminton and Land Rover Burghley Four-Star Events in succession.
Ticket sales for 2016 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event opened in November and have maintained a record-breaking pace. Grounds Admission tickets to RK3DE include parking, admission to the grounds, International Trade Fair as well as all the Kentucky Horse Park has to offer. RK3DE Grounds Admission for children 12 and under is free. To watch the competition in the Rolex Stadium, a reserved stadium seat in addition to the Grounds Admission ticket needs to be purchased.
Stadium seats for Sunday’s Show Jumping are sold out but tailgating is available where fans can watch all the Show Jumping action on Jumbotrons. Only a Grounds Admission ticket is required for Saturday’s Cross-Country phase of the competition; a few Saturday tailgating spaces are also still available. Tickets are available at
www.RK3DE.org/tickets.
Equestrian Events, Inc. is a non-profit charitable Kentucky corporation that was established initially to produce the 1978 World Three-Day Event Championships at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the success of those championships, EEI established an annual event that evolved into the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented by Land Rover.
For more information, or to purchase tickets to the 2016 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented by Land Rover, please visit the Rolex Kentucky website at
www.RK3DE.org, or call (859) 254-8123.
Permalink
05.01.14
Posted in Kentucky, Kentucky Derby, Louisville, Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Event, Thoroughbred Racing at 9:10 pm by Thomas
I am not sure there is a bigger week in Kentucky that defines us as the Horse Capitol of the World like the 10 days from the start of Rolex through Saturday’s Kentucky Derby this year. There are a number of interesting factoids in regards to these two events. The Rolex Three-Day Event takes 4 days from Start to Finish, the Kentucky Derby is decided in 2 minutes plus or minus a few seconds. Both events are consider a leg of the Triple Crown in their respective sports. A number of successful Rolex horses are Thoroughbreds that started out as race horses and transitioned to Eventing. Generally Jockeys are short and only weighing about 100 pounds, Eventers tend to run the gambit on body size, William Fox-Pitt who won this year’s Rolex is something like 6′ 5″. The Rolex is in Lexington, The Derby in Louisville, two cities defined by Horses and Basketball both with a taste for Bourbon. Both events draw big crowds with significant economic impact both locally and on a State basis. The Derby does beat the Rolex in the area of TV coverage, 4 days of Rolex are turned into 1 hour of TV a week after the fact, where as the 2 minutes of the Derby equals many hours of live coverage across several channels. The obvious difference is that you can’t bet on the Rolex, well technically I guess you could, but who would want to, and if you do, you probably need to seek help. Another thing they have in common is that men and women compete equally and women are certainly a force to be reckoned with in the horse world, maybe more so there then anywhere else in business. I am sure that last sentence will draw some comments and I don’t have any scientific studies to back that up but feel pretty good about the validity of that statement. All of this is to make the point that we are The Horse Capitol of the World and that is a pretty cool thing, especially this time of the year.
Kentucky Colonel
Thomas P. Demond
KyWEGO
Permalink
04.27.14
Posted in Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Event at 8:36 pm by EPR
Lexington, Ky., April 27, 2014 – With everything on the line, William Fox-Pitt of Great Britain calmly guided Bay My Hero faultlessly around the show jumping course to win the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Land Rover, for the third time.
His score of 44.0 topped second-placed Lauren Kieffer, of Middleburg, Va., on Veronica (46.7) and third-placed Buck Davidson, of Ocala, Fla., on Ballynoe Castle RM (51.7). Kieffer, 26, also won the USEF Four-Star Championship, the title Davidson won in 2013 when he finished fourth on Ballynoe Castle RM.
Sinead Halpin, of Oldwick, N.J., rode Manoir De Carneville to fourth (51.7); and Marilyn Little, of Frederick, Md., rode her two horses-RF Smoke On The Water (52.5) and RF Demeter (55.3)-to fifth and sixth.
For Fox-Pitt, 45, this Rolex Kentucky victory was his 13th win in a CCI4*, the highest level of eventing. This victory was worth $80,000.
“Each one is special for its own merits,” he said of his three Rolex Kentucky wins, the first two aboard Cool Mountain in 2010 and Parklane Hawk in 2012. “You can never believe it’s happened until it’s come off. I didn’t come here expecting to win. I came here expecting to enjoy two nice horses,” he said.
When asked how he’ll wear three Rolex watches, Fox-Pitt replied, “My wife, Alice, has the second one, and I guess this one will be for one of my sons.”
With the scores especially close after the first two phases, every rail seemed to count double. Third to 10th places were separated by just 1.4 points, and Davidson and Halpin, standing in fifth and seventh, increased the pressure on the top three with their faultless performances.
Earlier in the day, Phillip Dutton had withdrawn third-placed Mr. Medicott before the final horse inspection, leaving Little in third place on RF Demeter. But Little lowered the final rail of the triple combination to fall three places.
Then it was time for Kieffer, riding at Rolex Kentucky for the third time, to face the beautifully decorated show jumping course, designed for the 17th year by Richard Jeffery. Showing tremendous confidence, Kieffer guided Veronica to a perfect round, putting her in position to become the first American to win Rolex Kentucky since Dutton in 2008.
The roar that erupted in the Rolex Stadium when Kieffer landed from the last fence nearly unnerved the normally implacable Fox-Pitt and Bay My Hero, who could not afford to lower a single rail to keep their lead.
“He got a little bit excited when the crowd went wild when Lauren jumped a clean round,” said Fox-Pitt with understatement. “He tried to leg it back up the chute [into the ring], and I thought I might just do the same.”
Kieffer showed remarkable composure in front of the completely sold-out Rolex Stadium. Today’s attendance was 22,388, bringing the event total to 78,623.
“It took a lot of mental focus to try to keep cool, to ride it was like [it was just another event],” she said. Second place earned prize money of $37,000. Veronica is a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare.
Davidson, 38, marveled at the consistency Ballynoe Castle RM, 14, has shown in his career, especially at Rolex Kentucky. “Basically you tell him its Kentucky, and he’s ready to go,” Davidson said with a smile. His third-placed prize money was $30,000.
He was, though, “a bit disappointed with my dressage score. I thought it was the best test he’s ever done.”
Still, “We have such a great partnership. I was like a little kid talking to my pony on cross-country. I was saying, ‘Come on, Reggie, we only have two more minutes to go!’
“He’s truly a horse of a lifetime. Every time I ride him, I think how lucky I am,” Davidson added.
Kieffer’s, Davidson’s and Little’s scores propelled the U.S. to victory in the first Dubarry of Ireland Nations Team Challenge, in which the three-highest riders from each nation determined the result. The winning team members shared $10,000 in prize money.
The U.S score of 150.1 easily bested Great Britain (163.8) and Canada (200.9).
The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Land Rover, April 24-27 at the Kentucky Horse Park, is one of the world’s most prestigious equestrian competitions and features the world’s best horses and riders vying for their share of $250,000 in prize money, as well as a shot at the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing, which is awarded to any rider who wins the Rolex Kentucky, Mitsubishi Motors Badminton and Land Rover Burghley four-star Events in succession.
The 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is a selection trial for the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games and will crown the 17th Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Champion. The only four-star event in the Western Hemisphere, Rolex Kentucky draws an estimated 60,000 to 70,000 spectators and is seen by millions more on worldwide telecasts.
This year, for the first time ever, Rolex Kentucky includes a team challenge. The Dubarry of Ireland Nations Team Challenge will award $20,000 in prize money, while helping national teams prepare for the team competition at the World Equestrian Games this summer. The winning nation will be the nation with the fewest penalties after adding together the final scores of the three highest-placed individuals from that nation.
Rolex Kentucky is a fun time for all in attendance. Aside from the competition, the event features exquisite shopping in the Sponsor Village; an International Trade Fair with almost 200 booths and tents displaying designer clothing, artwork, gifts, sport clothing, horse-related items, and event souvenir items; and the brand-new “Kentucky Uncovered,” which highlights products unique to the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Rolex Kentucky also features a variety of other entertaining attractions. General admission to the Kentucky Horse Park, America’s only theme park dedicated to horses, is included with each Rolex Kentucky ticket.
Coverage of America’s only Four Star Event includes an NBC broadcast – the Rolex Equestrian Championships presented by Land Rover – which will air on Sunday, May 4. All four days of the competition were streamed online LIVE on USEFNetwork.com, presented by SmartPak, beginning on Thursday, April 24.
For equestrian fans throughout the rest of the world, FEI TV is airing LIVE coverage of Saturday’s cross-country and Sunday’s show jumping competitions. To sign up for FEI TV, visit www.feitv.org.
The broadcast schedule is listed below, and is also available on the USEF Network coverage page, www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2014Rolex/. All broadcast times are subject to change.
* May 4: Rolex Equestrian Championships on NBC, 2:00-3:00 p.m. EDT
Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI) is a non-profit charitable Kentucky corporation that was established initially to produce the 1978 World Three-Day Event Championships at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the success of those championships, EEI established an annual event which quickly evolved into what is today the only Four Star three-day event in the Western Hemisphere, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. The Kentucky Reining cup was incorporated as part of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event schedule in 2011.
For complete information, please visit www.RK3DE.org.
Stay up to date with Rolex Kentucky!
William Fox-Pitt accepted the Rolex watch for winning the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event on Bay My Hero from President and CEO Stewart Wicht.
(Ben Radvani photo)
Lauren Kieffer rode Veronica to second place in the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Land Rover.
(Ben Radvani photo)
Buck Davidson rode Ballynoe Castle RM to third place in the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Land Rover.
(Ben Radvani photo)
Permalink
Posted in Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Event at 8:32 pm by EPR
Lexington, Ky., April 27, 2014 – Phillip Dutton won the Land Rover Best Ride of the Day award on Saturday at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Land Rover. His prize was a two-year lease on a 2013 Range Rover Evoque, a car he drove away on Saturday afternoon.
Dutton won the Land Rover Ride of the Day on Trading Aces, with whom he was placed ninth after cross-country. The Land Rover Best Ride of the Day award goes to the U.S. rider who finishes closest to the optimum time, with no jumping penalties.
Dutton, of West Grove, Pa., was the fifth rider on the cross-country course with Trading Aces, and he finished exactly on the optimum time of 11:12, checking his watch often as he neared the end of the course.
Dutton has only been riding Trading Aces for a few weeks, substituting for his friend Boyd Martin, who broke his leg in a fall from another horse during an event in March. Martin retired Trading Aces late on course in 2013, but Dutton credited Martin with giving the horse increased experience and fitness since then. “All credit to Boyd and everyone who’s worked with him,” said Dutton.
Dutton smiled and said he would not be sharing his Evoque with Martin, because Martin had won a different model of car with Trading Aces earlier this year.
The Range Rover Evoque, introduced in 2012, features a new ZF-9HP nine-speed automatic transmission to enhance performance and efficiency and a suspension configured for dynamic and agile handling across varied terrain. The Evoque is available in three models, each with a unique design theme.
Permalink
04.25.14
Posted in Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Event at 7:52 pm by EPR
Lexington, Ky., April 25, 2014 –With a score of 39.5 penalties, Allison Springer, riding Arthur, emphatically took over the lead in the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Land Rover. Two-time Rolex Kentucky winner William Fox-Pitt is second, on Bay My Hero (44.0), and Lauren Kieffer is third on Veronica (46.7).
Three riders are tied for fourth with a score of 49.5: Thursday’s leader Michael Pollard on Mensa G, Phillip Dutton on Mr. Medicott, and Jan Byyny on Inmidair. Will Faudree, who stood second on Thursday with Pawlow, is now seventh (49.8).
Some 13,760 spectators watched the second half of the 60-horse field perform their dressage tests today, the precursor to Saturday’s cross-country phase.
Springer, 39, of Upperville, Va., and Arthur also won the Rolex Kentucky dressage phase in 2012. “I think I liked this one better because I was a bit more emotional. But he went into the ring a much more confident horse. I think maybe we’re both maturing a little bit, and I do think this one was a bit better,” said Springer of Arthur, a 15-year-old U.S.-bred Irish Sporthorse.
Springer is also in 44th place on Copycat Chloe.
Fox-Pitt, 45, a member of Britain’s gold-medal team at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games at the Kentucky Horse Park, thought that Bay My Hero did some of his best work too.
“I was very happy with him today. He couldn’t have gone very much better,” said Fox-Pitt, noting that the weather had become dark and blustery by the time he and Springer rode, at mid-afternoon. “He can be quite easily distracted, because he likes to look at everything. But he really held it together well.”
Fox-Pitt is also in 10th place on Seacookie TSF.
Kieffer, 26, of Middleburg, Va., is riding at Rolex Kentucky for the second time, and this will also be Veronica’s second Rolex start. In 2012 Karen O’Connor fell off her at a water complex. Kieffer has been a student of Karen and David O’Connor’s for nine years and has been riding Veronica for about a year.
“There is a lot to do tomorrow, and I don’t think this will be a dressage show,” said Kieffer.
With dressage completed, the riders are now focusing their attention on Derek di Grazia’s cross-country course, which winds its way around the Kentucky Horse Park. Competition begins at 11:00 a.m.
The jump that’s grabbing their attention the most is a new creation, fences 16AB, the Angled Brushes.
“I think the angled hedges are about the most severe angle I’ve ever jumped,” said Springer. “But I really trust Derek as a course designer, and I have a lot of faith in Arthur.”
Said Fox-Pitt about the Angled Brushes: “We’ve all been squinting at them to try to make them look better. The horses will need to be really on the ball there-and all around the course. It’s a tough track, but I think the horses should finish well. It’s going to take some jumping.”
Kieffer called di Grazia “a genius as a course designer.”
She added, “The horses can see all the lines at the combinations if you ride them well. There are no tricks. But if you make a mistake, it will punish the rider, not the horse.”
The effect of the cross-country course will likely be substantial, as the horses placed from eighth to 34th have penalties between 51.2 and 59. 8.
In the new Dubarry of Ireland Nations Team Challenge, the United States is in the lead, thanks to Springer and Kieffer. By adding Pollard’s score, the U.S. total is 135.7 penalties.
Fox-Pitt is two-thirds of the British team, and when combined with Sarah Bullimore’s 52.7 on Reve Du Rouet, the British team’s second-placed score is 148.2.
Canada, with a 54.7 from Jessica Phoenix on Pavarotti and two scores from Selena O’Hanlon, is third with 168.5.
Permalink
04.24.14
Posted in Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Event at 8:20 pm by EPR
Lexington, Ky., April 24, 2014 – Michael Pollard grabbed the early lead on the first day of dressage at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Land Rover, scoring 49.5 penalties on Mensa G.
That score just eclipsed the score of 49.8 penalties earned by Will Faudree on Pawlow. Doug Payne scored 51.2 on Crown Talisman to claim third place.
The dressage judges at this year’s Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event are Sandy Phillips of Great Britain, Gillian Rolton of Australia and Christina Klingspor of Sweden.
“I like to say that, on dressage day, you can’t win the event, but you certainly can lose it. I’m probably not going to keep the lead tomorrow, but this is a good start,” said Pollard, 33, of Dalton, Ga. “I just tried not to panic before I went in the ring.”
Mensa G is a 16-year-old Thoroughbred gelding by Colonial Affair-Fire The Secretary, Stop The Music, bred by Rutledge Farm in Middleburg, Va. Colonial Affair won the 1993 Belmont Stakes. Pollard, wife Nathalie Pollard and father-in-law Carl Bouckaert have owned him for two years.
Faudree ,32, of Southern Pines, N.C., said he thought that he “threw points away” with mistakes at the counter-canter and medium trot. But “all in all he stayed very rideable throughout the test, and overall I was happy.”
Faudree added, “It’s a disadvantage to go on Thursday morning [when the crowd is the smallest] with a horse who benefits from atmosphere. The more atmosphere there is around the ring, the less I have to kick and the more I can show off what he can do.”
Pawlow, 15, is an Irish-bred Thoroughbred gelding by Marcuzzi who finished sixth at the 2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event with Faudree aboard.
But Payne, who celebrated his marriage just a few weeks ago, thought that going on the quieter Thursday was an advantage for him. “Crown Talisman is a little more excitable, so it was good for him to get this experience,” he said.
Unlike the other leaders, Payne will not be starting on Saturday’s cross-country course, though. He’s received a Land Rover travel grant to compete Crown Talisman at the Saumur CCI4* in France later this year. Still, he had high praise for the cross-country course Derek di Grazia has created for this year’s event. Di Grazia has been designing the Rolex Kentucky course since 2011.
“It’s a hell of a lot easier to comment on a course that you don’t have to ride,” he said with a smile. “But I think that Derek often doesn’t get as much credit as he deserves. The great thing with his course is that if you jump into the first element right, it generally works out. The horses really read his questions well and jump them well. I don’t think he penalizes the horses.”
Said Pollard, the father of four young children, “This course always looks big to me. I have yet to walk a four-star where it seems easy. It may be a little bit stiffer this year, because it’s a World Championship selection trial, but it’s always hard.”
Permalink
Posted in Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Event at 8:15 pm by EPR
Lexington, KY- April 24, 2014-Jan Byyny and Will Faudree are the winners of the first awards to be presented at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Land Rover. At Wednesday evening’s welcome reception, they each earned a new pair of DuBarry boots as the best-dressed female and male riders at the first horse inspection, held on Wednesday afternoon.
Danny Hulse of DuBarry presented the fashionable waterproof boots to them.
Byyny of Purcellville, Va., is riding Inmidair at Rolex Kentucky.
Faudree, of Hoffman, N.C., is riding Pawlow at Rolex Kentucky.
Helen Sproat, a volunteer at Rolex Kentucky for more than 30 years, received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
This reception, held at historic Spindletop Hall outside of Lexington, also featured the annual drawing among the competitors for a Rolex watch. Kristin Schmolze of Califon, N.J., won the drawing.
This Rolex watch is one of two signature watches given each year by the event’s title sponsor-the event’s winner receives the second watch on Sunday afternoon. No rider has yet won both watches in the same year.
The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Land Rover, April 24-27 at the Kentucky Horse Park, is one of the world’s most prestigious equestrian competitions and features the world’s best horses and riders vying for their share of $250,000 in prize money, as well as a shot at the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing, which is awarded to any rider who wins the Rolex Kentucky, Mitsubishi Motors Badminton and Land Rover Burghley four-star Events in succession.
The 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is a selection trial for the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games and will crown the 17th Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Champion. The only four-star event in the Western Hemisphere, Rolex Kentucky draws an estimated 60,000 to 70,000 spectators and is seen by millions more on worldwide telecasts.
This year, for the first time ever, Rolex Kentucky includes a team challenge. The Dubarry of Ireland Nations Team Challenge will award $20,000 in prize money, while helping national teams prepare for the team competition at the World Equestrian Games this summer. The winning nation will be the nation with the fewest penalties after adding together the final scores of the three highest-placed individuals from that nation.
Rolex Kentucky is a fun time for all in attendance. Aside from the competition, the event features exquisite shopping in the Sponsor Village; an International Trade Fair with almost 200 booths and tents displaying designer clothing, artwork, gifts, sport clothing, horse-related items, and event souvenir items; and the brand-new “Kentucky Uncovered,” which highlights products unique to the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Rolex Kentucky also features a variety of other entertaining attractions. General admission to the Kentucky Horse Park, America’s only theme park dedicated to horses, is included with each Rolex Kentucky ticket.
Permalink
04.23.14
Posted in Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Event at 10:27 pm by EPR
Lexington, Ky.- April 23, 2014 – In front of an eager crowd of about 500 people on a sunny and warm afternoon, the international ground jury accepted 60 of the horses presented for the first horse inspection at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Land Rover. The event begins on Thursday, April 24, and runs through Sunday, April 27.
A record number of horses-82-were entered for this year’s event, and riders presented 62 horses this afternoon to the ground jury of Sandy Phillips (Great Britain), Christina Klingspor (Sweden) and Gillian Rolton (Australia). Five horses were held for re-inspection, and three were accepted. Laine Ashker withdrew Anthony Patch before re-presenting him, and the jury did not accept Sir Oberon, ridden by Ellen Doughty.
Riders from seven nations-the United States, Canada, Great Britain, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland and Brazil -will be aiming for the top prizes that will be awarded on Sunday, including the coveted Rolex watch. The total prize money is $250,000, of which $80,000 will go to the winner.
For the first time, The Dubarry of Ireland Nations Team Challengewill award $20,000 in prize money, while helping national teams prepare for the team competition at the 2014 World Equestrian Games this summer. The standings of the teams from the United States, Canada and Great Britain will be determined each day by the overall scores of their three top-placed horses.
Dressage gets underway on Thursday at 10:00 a.m., continuing until 4 p.m., and resumes Friday from 10:00 to 4:00. Saturday features the cross-country phase, the heart of the competition, with the climactic show jumping phase on Sunday.
The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented by Land Rover, April 24-27 at the Kentucky Horse Park, is one of the world’s most prestigious equestrian competitions and features the world’s best horses and riders vying for their share of $250,000 in prize money, as well as a shot at the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing, which is awarded to any rider who wins the Rolex Kentucky, Mitsubishi Motors Badminton and Land Rover Burghley four-star Events in succession.
The 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is a selection trial for the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games and will crown the 17th Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Champion. The only four-star event in the Western Hemisphere, Rolex Kentucky draws an estimated 60,000 to 70,000 spectators and is seen by millions more on worldwide telecasts.
This year, for the first time ever, Rolex Kentucky includes a team challenge. The Dubarry of Ireland Nations Team Challenge will award $20,000 in prize money, while helping national teams prepare for the team competition at the World Equestrian Games this summer. The winning nation will be the nation with the fewest penalties after adding together the final scores of the three highest-placed individuals from that nation.
Rolex Kentucky is a fun time for all in attendance. Aside from the competition, the event features exquisite shopping in the Sponsor Village; an International Trade Fair with almost 200 booths and tents displaying designer clothing, artwork, gifts, sport clothing, horse-related items, and event souvenir items; and the brand-new “Kentucky Uncovered,” which highlights products unique to the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Rolex Kentucky also features a variety of other entertaining attractions. General admission to the Kentucky Horse Park, America’s only theme park dedicated to horses, is included with each Rolex Kentucky ticket.
Coverage of America’s only Four Star Event includes an NBC broadcast – the Rolex Equestrian Championships presented by Land Rover – which will air on Sunday, May 4. All four days of the competition is being streamed online LIVE on USEFNetwork.com, presented by SmartPak, beginning on Thursday, April 24.
For equestrian fans throughout the rest of the world, FEI TV is airing LIVE coverage of Saturday’s cross-country and Sunday’s show jumping competitions. To sign up for FEI TV, visit www.feitv.org.
The broadcast schedule is listed below, and is also available on the USEF Network coverage page, www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2014Rolex/. All broadcast times are subject to change.
* April 24: LIVE Dressage on USEFNetwork.com, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EDT
* April 25: LIVE Dressage on USEFNetwork.com, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EDT
* April 26: LIVE Cross-Country on USEFNetwork.com, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EDT
* April 27: LIVE Show Jumping on USEFNetwork.com, 1:15 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. EDT
Awards Ceremony on USEFNetwork.com, 3:00 p.m. EDT
* May 4: Rolex Equestrian Championships on NBC, 2:00-3:00 p.m. EDT
Permalink
04.01.14
Posted in Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Event at 9:43 pm by EPR
82 Horses Tops Record Set in 2012 Olympic Year
2013 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event winner Andrew Nicholson (NZL) and Quimbo (photo © David Toczko)
Lexington, KY – March 31, 2014 – Entries have poured in at a record pace for the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented by Land Rover, April 24-27, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky. Entries have been filed for a record 82 horses, exceeding the previous record of 73 that were entered in 2012 in anticipation of the London Olympic Games.
Among the entries filed to compete in the only four-star Eventing competition in the Western Hemisphere are the world’s top riders on the FEI ranking list including:
- Andrew Nicholson of New Zealand (currently ranked Number 1), who won last year’s Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event on Quimbo while also placing third on Calico Joe;
- William Fox-Pitt of Great Britain (currently ranked Number 2), the two-time Rolex Kentucky champion who placed second last year on Seacookie TSF; and
- Bruce (Buck) Davidson, Jr. of the United States (currently ranked Number 3), who placed fourth last year on Ballynoe Castle RM to win the Rolex USEF Four Star Championship and USET Foundation Pinnacle Cup as the highest placed American rider while also winning the Land Rover Best Ride of the Day for being the U.S. rider finishing closest to the optimum time on cross country.
In all, riders from seven countries have filed entries including riders from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Great Britain, Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United States. Included is an impressive list of Olympic veterans and past Rolex Kentucky Champions who have their sights set on the coveted Rolex Kentucky title, especially as this year’s event will serve as a Selection Trial for the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games.
“As always, this year’s Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event has an impressive field of world-class horses and riders,” said Darren Ripley, President of Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), producer of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. “While the number of horses that will ultimately compete is sure to be a little less than this, it is very exciting that the best riders from around the world have submitted this record number of entries assuring us that this year’s Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is going to be the best ever!”
Included among the Olympic veterans and past Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event champions who have filed entries are:
- Andrew Nicholson of New Zealand, a six-time Olympic veteran with team Silver (1992) and team Bronze (1996 & 2012) medals and 2013 Rolex Kentucky CCI4* champion
- William Fox-Pitt of Great Britain, a four-time Olympic veteran with team Silver (2004 & 2012) and Bronze (2008) medals and the 2010 and 2012 Rolex Kentucky CCI4* champion
- Mark Todd of New Zealand, a six-time Olympic veteran with 2 individual Gold (1984 & 1988), team Silver (1992), individual Bronze (2000) and team Bronze (2012) medals
- William Coleman III of the U.S.A., an Olympic veteran (2012)
- Boyd Martin of the U.S.A., an Olympic veteran (2012)
- Hawley Bennett-Awad of Canada, a two-time Olympic veteran (2004 & 2012)
- Selena O’Hanlon of Canada, an Olympic veteran (2008)
- Ruy Fonseca of Brazil, an Olympic veteran (2012)
The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is one of the world’s most prestigious equestrian competitions and features the world’s best horses and riders vying for their share of $250,000 in prize money as well as a shot at the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing which is awarded to any rider who wins theRolex Kentucky, Mitsubishi Motors Badminton and Land Rover Burghley Four Star Events in succession. For the first time ever, Rolex Kentucky will include a team challenge. The Dubarry of Ireland Nations Team Challenge will award $20,000 in prize money, while helping national teams prepare for the team competition at the 2014 World Equestrian Games this summer. The winning nation will be the nation with the fewest penalties after adding together the final scores of the three highest placed individuals from that nation.
Rolex Kentucky is a fun time for all in attendance. Aside from the competition, the event features exquisite shopping in the Sponsor Village; International Trade Fair with almost 200 booths and tents displaying designer clothing, artwork, gifts, sport clothing, horse-related items, Event souvenir items; and the brand new “Kentucky Uncovered.” “Kentucky Uncovered,” will highlight products unique to the state of Kentucky. Rolex Kentucky also features a variety of other entertaining attractions. General admission to the Kentucky Horse Park, America’s only theme park dedicated to horses, is included with each Rolex Kentucky ticket.
Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI) is a non-profit charitable Kentucky corporation that was established initially to produce the 1978 World Three-Day Event Championships at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the success of those championships, EEI established an annual event which quickly evolved into what is today the only Four Star three-day event in the western hemisphere, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. The Kentucky Reining cup was incorporated as part of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event schedule in 2011.
Several ticket options for attending the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event are available, including ringside hospitality packages. For complete information, please visit www.RK3DE.org or call 859-254-8123.Сео
Permalink
03.03.14
Posted in Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Event at 10:56 pm by EPR
TOPS in Lexington to Co-Host New Pavilion featuring Everything Kentucky
Lexington, KY – March 3, 2014 – “Kentucky Uncovered,” a new pavilion featuring Kentucky businesses and attractions, will be featured at this year’s Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Land Rover, April 24-27 at the Kentucky Horse Park.TOPS in Lexington, Lexington, Kentucky’s most influential magazine, has joined with Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), producer of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, to host the new attraction and also to produce the Event’s official “Entertainment, Shopping, and Dining Guide.”
“TOPS MAGAZINE and TOPSINLEX.COM are thrilled to be a promotional partner with one of the most prestigious and entertaining events in Central Kentucky,” said Keith Yarber, President/Founder of TOPS In Lex. “The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is one of many reasons Lexington is the Horse Capital of the World. Spectators enjoy amazing athleticism from horses and riders, surrounded by gracious hospitality, and the beauty of the Horse Park.”
The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is one of the world’s most prestigious equestrian competitions and features the world’s best horses and riders vying for their share of $250,000 in prize money as well as a shot at the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. Aside from the competition, the event features exquisite shopping in the Sponsor Village and International Trade Fair with almost 200 booths and tents displaying designer clothing, artwork, gifts, sport clothing, horse-related items, Event souvenir items and much more.
“More than 60,000 people attend Rolex Kentucky each year, generating more than $14 million of spending in the local community,” said Lee Carter, EEI Executive Director. “Kentucky Uncovered and our official Entertainment, Shopping, and Dining Guide will be of great interest to these visitors and both present outstanding opportunities for Kentucky businesses looking to reach them. I can think of no better partner for these exciting attractions than TOPS in Lexington who is tapped into the Central Kentucky community as well as anyone.”
“I am delighted to be a part of this partnership between the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and Tops in Lexington, said Lisa Sheehy, TOPS In Lexington Editor. “This exciting new event, Kentucky Uncovered, will showcase all the wonderful Kentucky products, services, restaurants, the high-spirited nightlife and more. This signature event will be the pride of the Bluegrass Region.”
Rolex Kentucky is America’s only Four Star event, the highest designation of a Three-Day Eventing competition and one that is given only to the Olympic Games, World Championships, and just six annual events around the world.
The Kentucky Reining Cup is held in conjunction with the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and features the Adequan/USEF Open Reining National Championship and World Equestrian Games Selection Trial determining which horses and riders will represent the U.S. in the World Reining Championships at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France this summer.
Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI) is a non-profit charitable Kentucky corporation that was established initially to produce the 1978 World Three-Day Event Championships at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the success of those championships, EEI established an annual event which quickly evolved into what is today the only Four Star three-day event in the western hemisphere, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. The Kentucky Reining cup was incorporated as part of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event schedule in 2011.
Tops Magazine is distributed in more than 350 locations in 10 Central Kentucky Counties and has over 94,000 dedicated, loyal readers. It is rated #1 most read magazine in many of the most key income and age demographics important to advertisers by the Media Audit. The TopsInLex.com website enjoys close to 300,000 unique visitors annually.Anyone interested in learning more about how to be part of “Kentucky Uncovered” and the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event’s official “Entertainment, Shopping, and Dining Guide” should contact Teri at 859-543-8677 or Teri@TOPSmarketing.com.
Further information on the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is available at www.rk3de.org or by calling 859-233-2362.
Permalink
12.13.13
Posted in Adequan, Reining, Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Event, United States Equestrian Federation at 10:32 pm by EPR
Lexington, KY–December 11, 2013–The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to join with HorsePower, Inc. and Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), in announcing that the Adequan/USEF Open Reining National Championship will be held as part of the Kentucky Reining Cup which is being run in conjunction with the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover, April 24-27, 2014 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky. The Reining championship will also serve as the Selection Trial for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Reining Team.
Produced by HorsePower, Inc., the 2014 Kentucky Reining Cup will also feature a World Championship Freestyle class and offer $120,000 in total prize money. The Adequan/USEF Open Reining National Championship and Selection Trial will be a CRI3* event held in two rounds over three days, April 25-27 in the Horse Park’s Alltech Arena. Athletes must complete at least two Tryout Events/Qualifying Competitions to be eligible to compete in the Selection Trial. A list of Selection Trial Qualifying Competitions can be found here.
“It is very exciting to once again have the Kentucky Reining Cup held in conjunction with the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover,” said John Long, USEF CEO. “The excitement will be elevated in 2014 with the addition of the Adequan/USEF Open Reining National Championship and Selection Trial. We look forward to a great weekend of competition.”
Reining was first held during the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in 2011, following its success at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Its popularity with both riders and spectators has been evidenced through the world-class field and enthusiastic crowds it has attracted.
“In just three short years, the Kentucky Reining Cup has become established as a major competition on the national reining calendar,” said Brad Ettleman, President of HorsePower, Inc. “The opportunity to host the Adequan/USEF Open Reining National Championship and WEG Selection Trial guarantees that we will have the best horses and riders in the nation at next April’s event!”
“The Kentucky Reining Cup has proven to be the perfect event to complement the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event,” said Darren Ripley, President of EEI, producer of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. “We are thrilled that it will be back bigger and better than ever in 2014.”
Further information on the Kentucky Reining Cup is available at www.KentuckyReining.com. Further information on the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented by Land Rover is available at www.rk3de.org. Further information on the U.S. Equestrian Federation is available at www.usef.org. Further information on HorsePower, Inc., is available at www.hpowerinc.com.
Permalink
04.30.13
Posted in Kentucky Derby, Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Event at 10:33 pm by Thomas
It’s amazing that we are at the end of April and we are still getting bouts of pretty cool weather for this time of year, especially compared to what we had this time last year. I made all 4 days of the Kentucky Rolex Three-Day Event and Cross Country day was actually chilly at points, though I think that was a good thing for the horses, certainly better then temps in the 80’s.
The good news has been we have had no hard freezes like we did several years ago after having a month of near 80 degree weather, that was devastating to the foliage at the time. Pastures are coming back strong, especially Bluegrass which loves the warm days and cool nights. Also we have been getting abundant rain which will help to mediate any potential drought concerns for this summer should the weather finally turn hot.
As for the Kentucky Derby, the weather is expected to be cool and rainy which should make for an interesting race, and with the track sloppy Normandy Invasion could be the one to beat.
Permalink
« Previous entries Next Page » Next Page »
AbitaNet Corporation