Preview post #1 here.
Preview post #2 here.
The excitement of the 2014 Rolex Kentucky 3-Day Event permeated the Fresno show this past weekend, with the help of live streaming on a giant TV at Ride On Video‘s RV.
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| Photo from Facebook |
So, how did our west coast riders do?
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| Photo from Facebook |
Deborah Rosen & The Alchemyst
Deb and Al started off the weekend with a solid dressage test. Debbie wore her trademark smile and they looked like a harmonious team.
Unfortunately heartbreak came on cross-country day, as Al refused at jump #5 (the first water) and they retired from the course.
From what I’ve heard and seen, Al is a challenging horse. When he is game, he is unstoppable. He’ll jump the moon and gallop like there’s no tomorrow. But when he doesn’t want to play, he just simply wont. And as any eventer will tell you, the horse’s heart has to be in it or else you just wont get around successfully.
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| XC in a Micklem bridle =] Photo from Facebook |
Jennifer McFall & High Times
Jen and Billy had a wonderful weekend. This was their first 4-star event, and I applaud Jennifer for focusing on creating a positive experience for her horse. They put in a lovely dressage test, and though it had a few foibles, she kept her cool.
They ran a conservative cross-country course, choosing longer approaches at the jumps with options so Billy could really see what he was doing. He got a little looky-loo at the head of the lake and even trotted a jump (isn’t it amazing that horses can trot fences even at the 4-star level?!), but then found his groove again. They had one run-out and came in over time, but overall put in a great first 4-star cross-country go, meant to build Billy’s confidence and lay a good foundation for future 4-stars.
For stadium jumping, they had some jump and time penalties, and finished 36th overall. Check out their feature in an Eventing Nation’s Rolex Rookies article.
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| Photo from Facebook |
Hawley Bennett-Awad and Gin & Juice
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| Photo from Facebook |
James Alliston and Parker
You can view the official scores here. The event was won by the amazing William Fox-Pitt on Bay My Hero. This is William’s 3rd Rolex win, and watching him ride is always insightful and inspiring. In addition to it being an international horse trials, the Rolex KY 3-Day Event is also the USEF National 4-Star Championships, with the highest-placing American rider taking home the tri-color. This year that was Lauren Kieffer and Veronica. This was only Veronica’s second attempt at a 4-star, and I love that a female horse and rider made it so far up the leaderboard!
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| William Fox-Pitt and Bay My Hero! |
Watching Rolex live in-person in on my bucket list – looks like a truly energizing and fun experience!!
I got to go last year and was bummed that I didn't make it this year. Next year hopefully I will! It was so much fun.
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