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Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event provided the first major step in the US team selection process for the 2012 Olympics. Several riders made incredible bids for their ticket to London and on May 6 Beverly Equestrian Center (The Plains, VA) celebrated the three eventers for their rides ’round Rolex.

Marilyn Little-Meredith, Allison Springer and Karen O'Connor celebrate Rolex and their quest to make the US 3-day team for the London Olympics this August with a congenial crowd at Beverly Equestrian Center. © Lauren R Giannini

Allison Springer & Arthur – they broke through several years of bad luck and misfortune to finish second overall and the best of the Americans to win the USEF National Four-Star championship. In the event that Allison & Arthur make the team, this will be their first Olympics. Arthur won Best Conditioned Horse and that means a lot in terms of horse power and will work in their favor over the next couple of months.

Karen O’Connor & Mr. Medicotts – the multi-titled rider has been eventing for 35 years and won her first ever title as Best Dressed Female from the traditional competition of the first veterinary inspection at Rolex: the Dubarry of Ireland Style Award. She still gets a bit moved by its significance: Karen has worked her bum off literally in what might be her final bid for a berth on the 3-day Olympic team. She’s going all-out, looks fit and trim and youthful – plus, she’s riding better than ever in all three phases. A dip in the water eliminated Karen and Veronica, who will be back as a four-star steed, the horse gods willing! Karen partnered with Mr. Medicott with a brilliant cross-country and one rail in show jumping to claim fourth place overall, and third best of the US riders. This will be her fifth Olympics and a lot is riding on the next couple of months, especially if she retires from active competition because of husband David O’Connor taking over as US Chef d’Equipe.

Marilyn Little-Meredith, a seasoned grand prix show jumper, burst into the eventing world a few years ago and has scorched a path up to the four-star level. In her first ever four-star, coached by the O’Connors, Marilyn and RF Demeter had an amazing Rolex, considering the competition and the three testing phases.  In second place after dressage with her more seasoned upper level horse, RF Rovano Rex, a glance-off on the cross-country prompted Marilyn to withdraw Rex before the show jumping. Not to worry: the duo took out three costly rails for 12 faults – nobody ever said show jumping, especially at the Rolex level, was easy – not even for a show jumper by experience – and finished in 9th place overall.

So, a lovely crowd gathered at Beverly Equestrian where Allison Springer Eventing moved recently and toasted the trio of eventers with champagne and had a lovely time watching videos and catching up with friends and kindred enthusiasts.

The process continues through June – several riders who declared for the Olympics had “byes” with certain horses from contesting Rolex. Keep in mind that the field is uber-competitive with Boyd Martin & Neville Bardos & Otis Barbotiere, who finished 3rd and reserve National 4-star champion at Rolex; Sinead Halpin & Manoir du Carneville; Buck Davidson & Titanium & Absolute Liberty. Plus, do not forget Phillip Dutton and his vast experience and Olympic mileage. Others will be making bids at Jersey Fresh CCI*** – another cog in the selection process; some are going to Bromont CCI*** (CAN). By the end of June the shortlist will be packing to cross the big puddle for Luhmuhlen and then to Barbury Castle, billed as the clash of Titans where everyone headed to Greenwich Park in London for the Olympic 3-day will make that final outing an all-star dress rehearsal that might be as exciting to watch as the Olympics.

Special Thanks to Eventing Nation for two mentions with two live links during Rolex – if you haven’t visited the EN site, treat yourself today.
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Hello, horse sports fans - Rolex was its usual three-ring, four-star greatest equestrian show on earth. We love being there, in spite of & perhaps because of the marathon-intense dawn to midnight work days, and we’re already planning for next year, but in addition to great cheers, there were some serious disappointments.

JEERS to the official videographers of Rolex KY

It sucked in places, the video coverage of the XC by the official videographers – such as only two fences shown  of Sara Kozumplik and Manolo Blahnik – I mean, what’s wrong with these people? I would mention them by name but don’t care to give them any ink! How many riders did they “cheat” of  XC footage? They wasted precious time filming riders who had just come off the course, showed at least one derriere view of trim/slim female rider (lovely but this is not a nightclub, it’s cross-country!), no sound but several seconds of rider being interviewed, and lots more footage of horses being sponged off – gee whiz, get your priorities in order. We want to see the jumping, the action  – the cross-country heart of eventing!!!

Sara Kozumplik has devoted years to Manolo Blahnik - here they are in Manny's four-star debut at the third last fence on the cross-country, the double offset brushes which demand precision and momentum so late in the course. But the official video shows them at two jumps only - WTH??? Except for one glance-off at the hollow, which Sara owned as totally her mistake, they did brilliantly. boo, hiss, jeers to the official Rolex KY video that shows only a few scant seconds of footage of them, because everyone who runs XC at Rolex deserves as much as possible. © Lauren R Giannini

Do these so-called official videographers not understand the importance and value of cross-country film in terms of rider education (what went well/wrong & how to do it better?), owners & sponsors (nice to have a lovely memento of their horse on course – good for PR and promotion), spectators/fans/working press – since that’s what we are  but especially working press, we do NOT get to watch the cross-country per se whilst hoisting cameras with varying lengths of lenses to capture the moments on digital film to include in blog posts and print coverage. We are righteously indignant on behalf of Sara, her owners & sponsors, Overlook Farm Equestrian Center, Sara’s beau and groom for Rolex Brian Murphy, Sara’s Rolex groom Lara Chance, Sara’s parent, and everyone associated with Sara and her horses… gaaaaah – no video of a horse & rider having a run ’round the cross-country at Rolex Kentucky  – we’re also very outraged on behalf of anyone else who got shortchanged on XC video. Maybe if enough people complain, it will be better next year. Right now, we’re miffed as heck and you can bet that we’re going to have a copy of the order of go when we do watch the am & pm DVDs of the XC and make notes so we can see who else got gypped on video of their XC rides.

Cheers to Brian Murphy & his Chronicle Blogs from Rolex

Brian Murphy of Berryville, VA is a show jumper who records his very funny, very Irish perspective on traveling to Rolex for the first time as a groom. Eventing Nation (a favorite site to visit – more on that in a minute or two) gave Brian and his posts their nod of approval and here’s the direct link to that page on the Chronicle of the Horse and from there you can find your way through the other blogs if you’re clever – of course you are, you’re reading this!

Cheers to Eventing Nation

We love Eventing Nation – it’s a fun, fact-filled (well, mostly) and very entertaining look at eventing from all around the world. There is a very amusing post today by a rider whose air vest deployed early in the XC when her horse “changed feet on” the table and she went airborne but landed back in the saddle – it would make a great cartoon – hmmmm, must dust off  old abandoned love for sketching and give it a go. Best of all, big thanks to EN who gave us two mentions for LaurenGallops during Rolex!!! Another reason to love them – so CHEERS to everyone at Eventing Nation!

Okay, wordpress did it again – ate most of our post – duh, yes, we do hit save draft regularly! -  so now you can add cranky to very  tired. It’s a gorgeous day and we’re going to the barn, right now!!!

It’s about time we reinstated our lifelong motto: “Write. Ride. Not necessarily in that order!” For too many years, we’ve been thrashing away at deadlines, putting everything but fresh air and quality time with the gee-gees first… CH-CH-CH-CH-CHANGES!!!

Stay tuned for more Rolex In Retrospect!

1.

Sunday – the grand finale of Rolex Kentucky 3-Day Event, presented by Bridgestone, spotlighted 27 horses in the show jumping, which began at 12:45 pm. At this morning’s final veterinary inspection, of the 30 horses presented, one did not receive the ground jury’s nod and two horses, held for re-inspection, withdrew.

Before the jog, two horses were withdrawn: RF Rovano Rex, but Marilyn has her second horse RF Demeter (one of the few mares entered in this year’s Rolex) and Saturday night, after cross-country, Sara Kozumplik withdrew Manolo Blahnik, who comported himself great at his first-ever four-star even though he didn’t complete. Kudos to Sara for putting her horse first – she’s a class act rider and trainer all the way. This morning, Sara texted to me: “He was amazing yesterday. I had silly mistake at easy fence. so proud of him.”  Manny is fine, by the way. He just wasn’t quite 100% and Sara made the smart decision. They’ll be around to run & jump another day.

William Fox-Pitt & Parklane Hawk, winners of 2012 Rolex Kentucky & a second leg on the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing during the groom's award: Jackie Potts has been with Fox-Pitts for 19 years - we had a lot of photos but this one where Jackie couldn't keep her hands off Parker, as Mrs. Catherine Witt's horse is known around the 'yard' symbolized the quinessential relationship between the alleged grooms and the horses. Jackie was just so proud of this horse, winner of 2011 Burghley in September and now the Rolex Kentucky champion.Allison Spring & Arthur - the rider looks jubilant and well-deserved - this good result at Rolex has been a long time coming and her fist pump says it all. We won't go into the 'woulda coulda shoulda' and the result that would have put Allison & Arthur in first place, had they jumped clear, but that's what would have happened. As it turns out, she's thrilled and her eventing bling has finally blossomed. © Lauren R Giannini

In the final phase of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Bridgestone, it all came down to show jumping and Fox-Pitt & Parklane Hawk dropped one rail, adding four, but Allison Springer & Arthur, next to last in the order of go, also toppled a rail, which wrote a different outcome and kept them in second place. But Allison is very happy to be where she is right now. It’s been a long tough course over the years and not everyone would have persevered with a horse like Arthur. She won an 18-month free lease on a brand new Land Rover, plus trophies and prize money, etc etc. Most of all, we think that satisfaction might be her greatest reward and the most forever one. She worked so very hard and she kept her faith in Arthur, in spite of some unbelievably painful bits of bad luck or whatever you want to call the “hiccups” delivered by the horse gods when we think all’s going well with our ponies. Allison & Arthur rocked Rolex this weekend – woo hoo! Arthur also won Best conditioned horse, to boot.

There isn't a lot to say about Boyd Martin that hasn't already been said. We think he's brilliant, wonderful and brave - the kind of horseman who loves his horses. He placed 3rd with four-star debutante Otis Barbotiere (shown) and 8th with Remington XXV, his worthy, proven steed. Neville Bardos got to sit out this particular dance, but we think you can put good money on being able to cheer Boyd and his horse on at the 2012 London Olympics. © Beth Harpham/equidigital.com

Boyd Martin & Otis Barbotiere finished third overall, reserve national four-star champions, followed by Karen O’Connor and Mr. Medicott in fourth.

It’s been a long eventful week (pun intended). We’re going to be hustling to deliver four pages of photos and highlights to Sidelines’ new editor Jan Westmark-Allen by morning, then it’s back to VA – and more deadlines, lucky me, and a happy reunion with my doggle and my pony. But after we get some other work done, we’ll post more photos and goings-on from Rolex Kentucky – a Rolex Retrospective as there was just so much going on and so little time to write about all of it.

So, stayed tuned, horse sports fans – more anon!

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes – Ka-CHANG! Yep, Derek di Grazia created a cross-country test that demanded precision and riders minding their Px & Qs every step of the way. Here are the numbers: 57 of 58 passed the first veterinary inspection, 57 rode the dressage test; three withdrew before cross-country (Buck Davidson pulled Absolute Liberty & Titanium, Jolie Wentworth opted not to run Killian O’Connor. Of the 54 who went to the start box of the cross-country, 14 were eliminated and seven retired on course. Of the 32 who completed cross-country, there were 14 clear rounds that incurred time penalties and seven double clear rounds.

The double clear rounds are scattered throughout the 32 places that must jog in the morning to determine that the horses are fit for show jumping. This elite group includes: leader William Fox-Pitt & Parklane Hawk, 3rd-placed Clifton Promise & Jonathan Page (NZL), 4th-placed Boyd Martin & Otis Barbotiere, 5th Twizzel & Will Coleman, Qwanza & Andrew Nicholson (NZL). 11th Phillip Dutton & Mighty Nice, 15th Erin Sylvester & No Boundaries.

There were 14 clear jump-wise (but time faults): 2nd, Allison Springer & Arthur, 5th Karen O’Connor & Mr. Medicott, 7th RF Demeter & Marilyn Little-Meredith, 8th Remington XXV & Boyd Martin, 10th RF Rovano Rex & Little-Meredith, 12th Dutton & Fernhill Eagle, 13th Slate River and Heath Morris, 14th Peter Barry (CAN) & Kilrodan Abbot, 16th Tsunami & Sarah Cousins, 17th Kate Hicks & Belmont, 21st Kate Brown & Mojito, 23rd Jessica Hampf & High Society III (CAN), 25th Sal Dali & Cynthia Barclay, 32nd Tullibards Hawkwind & Jessica Lindstedt.

People's Choice Award for Stickability - Karen O'Connor landed in the HSBC Water Park minus a stirrup iron or two, & Veronica's enthusiasm further dislodged the cowgirl-at-heart. Jumping like Spiderwoman or a barnacle stuck to Veronica's side was trick riding worthy of a leading role in Cavalia. Unfortunately, Veronica's landing dislodged Karen O'Connor who ended up eliminated by unfortunate splash crash - but what amazing form over fences!!! © Lauren R Giannini

Arthur & Allison were brilliant cross-country – she stuck to her game plan, went the long way through the offset brushes and the duo galloped over the last two in fine form with just a few time faults. “I’m so happy. I needed to get this done,” said Allison, who also commented that this was the loudest she’s ever heard the crowd in the galloping lanes. “I think Arthur realizes now that they’re there to cheer for him.”

Well, dear pony, that’s exactly right – the cheers are for you brave athletic horses!!!

Allison Springer & Arthur at the Normandy Bank - ravamped rider strategies seem to have made a big difference and they finished the cross-country with only 3.2 time penalites, sitting in second place just two points behind William Fox-Pitt and Parklane Hawk. The big decider takes place this afternoon in the show jumping finale. © Beth Harpham/equidigital.com

Gotta get going – stay tuned for more from Rolex Kentucky with pix from the Kentucky Cup reining and freestyle, the New Vocations & Retired Racehorse Training Program fundraiser last night with Bruce Davidson, Cathy Wieschoff, Dorothy Crowell, Eric Dierks, and Racing Hall of Famer Chris McCarron,

Oh, and thanks Eventing Nation for the mention on Friday’s Flair Notes – really appreciate it! Hay, y’all, if you haven’t checked out EN, just do it! reports from between the flags from around the world and great coverage at Rolex, to boot!

Wowie zowie – what a morning – we’re still reeling from the changes in the leaderboard. Even before the XC began, there were three withdrawals: Buck Davidson pulled out with Absolute Liberty, who would have been first out of the start box this morning, & his Pan Titanium, Jolie Wentworth & Killian O’Connor.

Then, only two completed the cross-country out of the first seven horses to start this morning! Two retired on course: Andrew Nicholson  (NZL) took out a frangible pin at 9abc – Bridgestone Park Question (coffin combination), picking up 21 penalties, and James Alliston (GBR) and Jumbo’s Jake after they accumulated 20 penalties at 9abc – and 17abcde, the Sunken Road. Three were eliminated – Karen O’Connor had a splash crash at the HSBC Water Park (5abcd) – no injuries to horse or rider, just dampened spirits, but Karen has another chance with Mr. Medicott this afternoon. Becky Holder and Courageous Comet got to #22abc, the HSBC FEI Classic Series Normandy Bank, but parted company and Becky bought a cheap piece of real estate that cost dearly in terms of her goals with her wonderful ex-racehorse.

Posting her first clear four-star cross-country, Marilyn Little Meredith and RF Rovano Rex finished with time penalties, and a few horses later Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Eagle also finished with no jumping faults.

The rest of the morning saw more retirements and elimination – gotta dash – it starts again in 20 minutes and I want to catch a ride up to the far end of the course.

Here’s your current leader:

William Fox-Pitt and Parklane Hawk - clear cross-country - but the afternoon might ring up more changes. © Lauren R Giannini

Gotta run – check out the live scoring etc at ROLEX KENTUCKY

Sara Kozumplik and Manolo Blahnik, exuding class at Manny's first ever four-star in spite of boogie moments during their waltz... © Lauren R Giannini

Okay, so we’re only one person and we can’t be everywhere & do everything, but on Friday, we made a point of getting to the dressage arena to watch our friend Sara Kozumplik and Manolo Blahnik who was ready and eager for the cross-country, but a day early. Their score put them well down on the leaderboard standings, but ya wanna know something? That test might have been a disappointment to Sara and Brian Murphy and Lara, who’s grooming her first Rolex – understandable after all the years of preparation to get here, but we felt very proud of Manny for not leaping out of the ring and thundering off to the XC. It’s his first four-star and he’s a bit of a sensitive, complex creature under the best of circumstances and the horse gods know what an electric atmosphere Rolex tends to be. So, for what it’s worth, here’s to you, Manny & Sara & Co – here’s to you!

USPC Mounted Games

Here’s another thing we tend to miss, but we did a walkabout on Friday and caught a few of the final rounds of the United States Pony Club’s mounted games taking place in the Walnut Ring. We shot what we could – a nifty little stepping stone race and bursting balloons – we positioned ourself to have the sun at our back, and here are the best moments that capture the action. We have no clue who won and we don’t really have time to track down that info as we’re heading out on the cross-country very shortly. But we subscribe to the theory that one picture can be worth a thousand words!

Object of this game is to gallop along and burst a balloon by jabbing it with a pointy stick - if you miss, you have to go back; then you have to hand off the stick to the next person. © Lauren R Giannini

SUCCESS! The moment of impact when the balloon explodes - think that pony cares? Neigh: headed for the finish line, so to speak, to hand over the "baton." © Lauren R Giannini

And just in case you were wondering, with some of the games, you have to get off to replace something you knocked down by mistake or remount after running along the ‘stepping stone’ buckets – this requires a flying leap into the saddle – also adds to the excitement, especially when the pony is ready to rool!

Flying mounts and dismounts are part of the USPC Mounted Games - fun-filled action and wild west horsemanship skills! © Lauren R Giannini

Gotta go – time to head out on the Cross-Country at Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Bridgestone.  We’ll post a quick update on who’s doing what during the lunch break and recap at the end of the day -   last ride goes out of the start box at 3:14.

Allison Springer has been in the catbird seat after dressage before, but not on the last day. This is her fifth Rolex with Arthur, and she entered the arena at 11:30 a.m. with the brilliant but somewhat quirky gelding who gave her pretty much everything she asked. The judges rewarded the duo’s test with a score of 39.8 penalty points, thereby ousting Parklane Hawk and William Fox-Pitt (GBR) on 41.3pp from the first place berth they had earned a couple of hours earlier. Allison and Arthur held their lead with no further threats until the close of Friday’s dressage rides.

Allison Springer shows her satisfaction with Arthur's test at Rolex on Friday: the duo took the lead on 39.8 penalty points over the favored William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and Parklane Hawk on 41.3pp - their big test takes place on Saturday's cross-country. © Beth Harpham/equidigital.com

Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen followed in third placeon 43.2pp, followed by Karen O’Connor, who yesterday stood second on Veronica (47.8) and on Firday rode Mr. Medicott into fourth place on a score of 44.2. Veronica stands ninth, but two in the top 10 going into the cross-country is a very nice place to be for a veteran like Karen. Her preparations have left no stones unturned in this bid for more than a Rolex watch: she’s going all-out for the Olympics. One thing’s for sure: even if a horse is somewhat inexperienced at the four-star level, a rider like Karen, mentally and physically up to the challenge, can make a monumental difference. [We can't help it: we're flat out rooting for her - as unprofessional as that might be, going on record and saying so - this is, after all a blog!] You gotta admire Karen: she may be 54, but she shows both attack and spunk; she’s ramped up her fitness to the nth degree, and she knows how to pursue with single-minded concentration her ultimate goal- those five rings at Greenwich Park in London – with a stop along the way in the top five at Rolex Kentucky…

Fox-Pitt, the 2010 Rolex Kentucky winner on Cool Mountain, has been one of Great Britain’s top international riders for more than a decade. He said he wasn’t sure if Parklane Hawk, on whom he won the Burghley Three-Day Event in England last September, will be ready to be his Olympic mount this summer.

“I think that this week will tell me more about the Olympics and this horse. If he goes well, then he could be the one,” said Fox-Pitt.

Clark Montgomery, 30, of Fairburn, Ga., has yet to ride on a U.S. team before, and Rolex Kentucky is Loughan Glen’s debut at the four-star level, which means the duo face the toughest cross-country that the horse has ever seen. But the rider has a game plan and is aware of the mental aspects of the training aspect of tackling Rolex.

“I’m going to try to be competitive, but if it any point I have to slow down or take a slower option, that’s what I’ll do,” stated Clark. “He needs to gain confidence from this event more than he needs to win this event.”

Fox-Pitt praised the cross-country course, designed for the second year by Derek di Grazia of Monterey, Calif. Fox-Pitt said that no one fence was causing him unusual anxiety.

“It’s a very clever course, and it’s a track that you can certainly attack, but I think it will have a cumulative effect going around,” said Fox-Pitt, noting that the third-last fence—two narrow brush fences with ditches below them—will require a tremendous physical and mental effort from horse and rider. “There are lots and lots of opportunities for things to go wrong, and you’ve got to keep on doing it.”

Echoing Fox-Pitt’s praise of di Grazia’s course, Allison said,  “Derek designs a beautiful course, and there’s no one thing out there where I wondered what he was doing, but you do have to hold your line at almost every fence. They’re great questions, but there’s a lot to do out there.”

Allison Springer knows from experience not to take anything for granted on a di Grazia-designed course: the offset  brush fences last year proved her Waterloo, so to speak: Arthur stumbled and she tumbled, resulting in immediate elimination after a clean and clear cross-country round following placing third in dressage.

Springer, 37, of Marshall, Va., noted that Arthur’s quirky personality has disappointed her here and at other events, but she explained that’s she’s riding him differently than in the past. They won their last start prior to Rolex Kentucky.

“My horse is a bit of a spook, and so I’ve had a bit of a different attitude this year. I’ve just really focused on my goals and the path I have to be on to get there with him. I’ve just tried to focus on having a good ride and to not think about the results, to try to keep him as relaxed as possible,” said Allison. “This is the first [dressage] test here at Rolex Kentucky that I’ve actually been really excited about.  He tried so hard, and he listened to me, and I think the difference is the change in my approach.”

The first horse leaves the start box for the cross-country at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

Follow the action at rk3de.org

We’ll post a quick update, if possible, during Saturday’s lunch break along with a quick report about the leaders at the conclusion of the cross-country in late afternoon before we head out to Thoroughbreds for All, presented by New Vocations and Retired Racehorse Training Project. Photos and more details late Saturday night and Sunday morning with a recap Sunday following the show jumping finale. Then it’s pedal to the metal to meet the print deadline with several pages of photographs capturing the excitement, drama and action.

You can see who’s where on the leaderboard and find all sorts of interesting “stuff” at 2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event.

Dawn comes early, especially during Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Bridgeston. Last night, however, we feasted very well at the Alltech Press Dinner hosted by Dr. Pearse Lyons at his Alltech Brewery, home of Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale. Down here, most appropriately, they serve that bourbon barrel ale in brandy snifters! We guess you could chug it, but it’s meant to be savored and we did. After a fine sit-down dinner, we enjoyed mousse and Bluegrass Sundown, a lovely coffee liqueur bottled by Lyons Spirits (an offshoot of Lyons’ Alltech empire). Dr. Lyons’ presentation after dinner concerned the impact of Alltech’s sponsorship of the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games, the Alltech sponsorship of 2014 Normandy, the Alltech National Horse Show and various other programs and projects energized by Dr. Lyons, who isn’t actually a ‘mad’ scientist but certainly a force with seemingly unlimited energy.

NEW VOCATIONS Adoptions – Thoroughbreds For All

We wrote about New Vocations earlier in 2012, and we’re thrilled to announce that New Vocations is here at Kentucky Horse Park for Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event where a bunch of the horses entered for the premier four-star and big step in the US Olympic Selection Process happen to be Thoroughbreds, especially OTTBs!

A special program and fundraiser takes place Saturday evening, presented by Steuart Pittman of Dodona Farm (MD) and founder of the Retired Racehorse Training Project, and Anna Ford of New Vocations.

New Vocations Adoption Program was founded by Anna’s mother, Dot Morgan in 1992, in order to re-train and find new “jobs” for Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds after their careers in harness and on the flat came to a halt. The program, a 501(c)(3) public charity, is dependent on donations to fulfill its mission – to help ex-racehorses. Some come off the track injured, others are too thin, and many lack the skills necessary to change careers. The goal is to provide safe haven, rehabilitation, and continued education.

New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program (l-r) Eliza Farrell (NV rider), founder Dot Morgan and her daughter, Anna Ford (NV grogram directors), and Mary Perkins (NV rider).

Since its inception New Vocations has placed more than 3,700 horses, with 423 adopted in 2011. The program has expanded from its original venue near Dayton to another facility in Marysville, also in Ohio, plus locations in Lexington (KY), Manchester (MI), Hummelstown (PA) and Monterey (TN). The horses themselves come from about 40 tracks throughout the country and, thanks to the dedicated staff, are placed into experienced, caring homes in 32 states.

Thoroughbreds For All! is an evening of education and fellowship for people who favor off-the-track Thoroughbreds combined with an invitation for equestrians to shop in Kentucky for the Thoroughbred of their dreams.The evening event starts shortly following the Rolex cross country at 5pm on Saturday, April 28 fifteen miles from the Kentucky Horse Park in the covered arena at West Wind Farm, 4787 Haley Rd., Lexington KY 40516. A southern dinner and cash bar will be included in the evening festivities. The event is proudly sponsored by AmWest Entertainment and the Gulfstream Park Thoroughbred After-Care Program.

Highlights include two-time World Champion Bruce Davidson alongside Rolex veterans Dorothy Crowell and Cathy Wieshhoff who will evaluate the potential of recently retired racehorses available for adoption through New Vocations. Hall of Fame Jockey Chris McCarron and students from the North American Racing Academy will demonstrate how racehorses are ridden and how jockeys and exercise riders develop skills that all equestrian should learn. Demonstrations also include working with retired racehorses at various stages of training as well as a special appearance by the 1994 World Equestrian Games silver medalist and 1998 top-placed American at Rolex, Molokai, a Kentucky-bred racehorse.

Purchase tickets for Thoroughbreds For All, presented by New Vocations & Retired Racehorse Training Project on-line for $35 each. Proceeds from the event benefit New Vocations and Retired Racehorse Training Project, both 501(c)3 charitable organizations.

Dubarry Babies!

Congratulations to Mary & Danny Hulse, GM Dubarry of Ireland (USA),  on the birth of their daughter, Adeline. The addition of baby Dubarry boots in rubber for toddlers no doubt took inspiration from this blessed event. The photos show the ‘baby Dubarrys’ right off the shelf in the proud papa’s hands; the second photo shows the boots in action at Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Bridgestone.

Congratulations to Danny Hulse, shown holding a pair of baby Dubarry boots, and his wife Mary on the birth of their daughter, Adeline. © Lauren R Giannini

And the boots in action…

Lily takes over for Dubarry of Ireland staff who demonstrate the bling-waterproofed boots in the signature Dubarry "puddle" and has entirely too much fun showing off how well her Dubarry boots work! © Lauren R Giannini

Okay – that’s all the time for now – must get out into this gorgeous day and take some photos of what’s going on in the dressage arena and also in the Walnut Ring.

Kentucky Reining Cup this evening at 6 pm in the Alltech Arena – catch the action – and lots more from Rolex Kentucky later this afternoon with the dressage recap!

Rolex Kentucky 3-Day Event, presented by Bridgestone: okay, we’re not surprised at all by the early leaders after day one of dressage – after all, the “brand” for Rolex is that crown of excellence!!!

In first place, after being next to last to go on Thursday’s dressage schedule, is Remington XXV and Boyd Martin. We’re very pleased to rely on the press release produced by chief press officer Marty Bauman and his Classic Communications staff, considering the lateness of the hour and encroaching exhaustion…

Boyd Martin & Remington XXV - all three judges put this duo into first place after day one of dressage. © Beth Harpham/equidigital.com

All three judges placed Boyd and Remington XXV first – on a score of 45.3 penalty points. Boyd, 32, (West Grove, PA) said that Remington XXV, 16, was one of the first horses he competed when he moved from his native Australia seven years ago. The Hanoverian gelding, owned by Henley House Stables, had only foxhunted before Martin began working with him.

“He’s a good old horse,” said Boyd, grinning. “He’s taken me all around the world now, and it was wonderful to ride a test on a horse who knows what he’s doing.”

Boyd rode on his first U.S. team at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and now has his sights set on earning his first Olympic team berth and a ticket to London.

No surprise either is second-placed Karen O’Connor (Middleburg, VA) and Veronica on 47.8. She looks fit and strong and much younger than her actual years, considering she has been competing in three-day for 35 years – a testimony to how seriously she’s taking her bid for the London Olympics. Winning the Dubarry of Ireland Style Award for being best-dressed (female) rider in the first veterinary inspection affirmed the effort and energy she has invested. At the press conference following the first day of dressage, Karen said: “I’m really emotional about it.”

Karen O'Connor & Veronica - second place after first day of dressage. © Beth Harpham/equidigital.com

Karen first won Rolex Kentucky in 1991 and topped the leaderboard again in 1997 and 1999. Her current goal is to ride on her fifth Olympic team and stated that last fall she put herself on a demanding exercise program to be sure she was as fit as her horses.

“This competition is extremely important to me, and I owe it to myself and everybody who’s put a lot of time and effort into me to be ready for it and for whatever may be beyond,” said Karen. “If I don’t give it 110 percent, then shame on me.”

Andrew Nicholson (NZL) & Calico Joe - 3rd after day one of dressage. © Beth Harpham/equidigital.com

New Zealander Andrew Nicholson stands in third place on 48.7pp with Calico Joe and perennial crowd-pleasers Becky Holder and Courageous Comet, unofficial ambassador of Off The Track Thoroughbreds, stand in fourth place on 48.8pp. Double four-star debutantes Doug Payne and Running Order hold fifth place on 50.2pp.

Becky Holder & Courageous Comet - fourth after day one of dressage and a perennial crowd-pleaser. © Beth Harpham/equidigital.com

Both Doug Payne and Running Order making their four-star debut, adding even more sweetness to landing in fifth place after the first day of dressage. The standings are going to experience big changes throughout Friday as the second day of dressage gets underway at 9:30 a.m. and concludes at 4:00 p.m.

Four star first-timers Doug Payne and Running Order finished in fifth place after the first day of dressage testing. © Beth Harpham/equidigital.com

Still to go on Friday: William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and Parklane Hawk, plus second rides for Boyd Martin, Andrew Nicholson, Karen O’Connor and Becky Holder. Second horses for Meredith Little-Meredith, Michael Pollard, James Alliston, Buck Davidson, Phillip Dutton, and a bunch of other contenders who would love to knock the leaderboard apple cart upside down. The excitement keeps mounting with the cross-country coming up on Saturday.

Check out the Rolex Kentucky official site for ride times, results, a virtual course walk, and you can even watch live on the USEF Network.

Check back Friday morning – we’ll have information about the 20 horses entered in the Kentucky Cup Reining that takes place in the Alltech Arena on Friday evening, plus coverage of the second day of dressage, etcetera!!!

Welcome to Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Bridgestone – and the first day of dressage. We had just enough time to get to the stadium where we took a few pix of Sinead Halpin and “Tate” – Manoir de Carneville, who performed the test ride. Last year they finished third at Rolex, winning the USET Foundation Pinnacle Cup as the highest-placed US rider/horse combination as well as Best Conditioned Horse.

Dressage Test Rider Sinead Halpin & Manoir de Carneville, highest placed Americans at Rolex 2011 when they finished third. © Lauren R Giannini

Dubarry Style Award Winners!!!

Dubarry Boots awarded their Style Awards last night at the competitors’ and sponsors’ cocktail party (we weren’t invited this year, boo hoo, even though we got to go last year & get pix) and the winners are Ta-DAH!!! Karen O’Connor and Doug Payne!!!

Dubarry Style Award winner Karen O'Connor & Mr. Medicott at the first veterinary jog - fashionable in white & 3-inch heels & svelte - rewarded with a pair of bling boots. © Lauren R Giannini

Doug Payne, in his Featured Rider Blog for RK3DE.com , said towards the end of part 4: “I’m just very lucky to be riding such a fabulous horse [Running Order] and have this opportunity. I fully intend to make the most of it.” So far, so good, and a pair of our fave bling boots thrown into the bargain!

Doug Payne & Running Order cut a dashing figure that earned them the nod from the Dubarry of Ireland "ground jury' and a pair of the bling boots. © Beth Harpham/equidigital.com

Important SmartPak Announces Cross-Country Course Walk Time/Day Change at Rolex

The SmartPak sponsored course walk will take place Friday morning at 11:30!!! NOT today (Thursday) at 3:30. The course walk riders are Boyd Martin and Allison Springer, so no change there. Meet up at the start box. Stop by the booth in the Sponsor’s Fair asap to get your SmartPak goodie bag as they aren’t going to last very long on a first come, first serve basis! All sorts of shopping at SmartPak in the Sponsor Village and all sorts of fun. Check out this photo…

3, 2, 1 - PULL !!! SmartPak staff at Rolex Kentucky 3-day event, presented by Bridgestone, demonstrate Point Two Hybrid Air Jacket: Megan Gardiner pulls the activation key of Kristen Lindhom's protective Air Two vest, simulating what happens when rider gets separated from saddle and the CO2 cannister immediately fills the vest with air, protecting the rider's torso and collar area before before he/she can hit the ground, thereby reducing the impact of a crash landing on terra firma. © Lauren R Giannini

Flair Sponsors Two XC course walks

On Thursday at 4 pm, Phillip Dutton will conduct a cross-country course walk that concentrates on the four most difficult complexes. Limited to 50 participants, you can register with a Flair representative just outside the Bit of Britain tent between 10:30 and 1 pm today.  The second cross-country walk with Eric Dierks and Ralph Hill takes place Friday morning at 10:30 – open to all, meet at the start box.

Practical Horseman’s Jimmy Wofford Cross-Country Course Walk

Jimmy Wofford, one of our favorites, will spend about two hours on Friday, starting 30 minutes after the final dressage ride of the day. Meet Jimmy at the first water complex: according to the program this would be the HSBC Water Park, #5abcd, which is up toward the start of the course (over the hill from the terraced area used for the vet jogs, in case that helps you to find your way). You are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and footwear and to be prepared for a couple of hours on foot – shooting sticks are allowed, by the way. A bottle of water might be a good idea, too. Enjoy Jimmy – he came out of retirement to pilot The Optimist for Karen O’Connor back in 1986 around Rolex, besting all the younger whippersnappers. According to a wonderful VHS tape we have of the XC (must get it transferred to DVD), the on-dit at Rolex that year happened to be along the lines of “it ain’t over till the fat boy rides!” Well, we think that Jimmy is a substantial individual, mind & body, and he will entertain and educate you on this course walk – betcher boots!

Dubarry Contest

Dubarry of Ireland announced its Dubarry Team Pose contest on Facebook – you could win a trip for two to Ireland, home of the Galway boot! If that live link doesn’t work, just go to FB & key in Dubarry of Ireland, scroll down in the timeline and the post re the Dubarry Team Pose contest is there. Contest opened today and if you act quickly you will have up to four opportunities to enter and that means more chances to win! Not sure if the rules allow professionals, sigh, because we love Ireland, but you can avail yourself of this grand opportunity to visit the ould sod!

Dubarry of Ireland boots suit working press 24/7, dawn til dusk, indoors at the press center and out in the fields. Check out Dubarry's contest for a trip for two to Ireland on their facebook page. © photo by Michelle Dunn, on the Rolex staff of Classic Communications/Rolex Chief Press Officer Marty Bauman.

Now, the morning session is complete and we’re waiting on dressage scores to let you know the early leaders before we wrap up this post, but meanwhile here’s a heartwarming story about three of eventing’s tough guy riders who made a visit to the local hospital and brightened up the children’s day – win-win on both sides, you might say… Press release and photos courtesy of Classic Communications:

Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Riders Visit Kentucky Children’s Hospital

For Further Information Contact:
Marty Bauman, Press Chief, (508) 698-6810, vfequis@aol.com

Lexington, KY—April 24, 2012—Three riders in Lexington, KY to compete in the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Bridgestone, took time out from their preparations to visit patients at Kentucky Children’s Hospital.

Three 2012 Rolex Kentucky riders visited patients at Kentucky Children's Hospital: Michael Pollard, Buck Davidson and Clark Montgomery. Photo Courtesy of Classic Communications

Prior to the opening of competition, Bruce “Buck” Davidson, Jr., Clark Montgomery and Michael Pollard stopped by the hospital to visit with young patients.

“It was a very moving experience,” said Davidson, who, along with Pollard, won a team Gold Medal at last year’s Pan American Games while also adding the individual Bronze.  “Seeing these children reminded all of us just how fortunate we are. It really was a privilege to be able to spend some time with them.”

Buck Davidson, individual bronze and team gold medalist at 2011 Guadalajara Pan American Games, brought along his gold for patients to wear. The riders were armed with Rolex posters and pins as gifts for the youngsters.Photo Courtesy of Classic Communications.

In addition to bringing Davidson’s Pan Am Gold Medal for the children to wear, the riders also brought “Rolex Kentucky” posters and pins.  They signed autographs, posed for pictures and took time to speak with the youngsters, asking if they ride, have pets or plan to come watch next year’s “Rolex Kentucky” event.

“The children all had great attitudes and very positive outlooks,” said Montgomery.  “I hope they enjoyed our visit.”

The visit was organized jointly by the Professional Riders Organization (PRO) and Equestrian Events, Inc., organizer of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup which runs alongside “Rolex Kentucky.”

“The visit was very worthwhile,” said Pollard.  “I hope it is something that we can do again next year.”

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Okay, here’s the RK3DE leaderboard where you can check up on results. Right now, Karen O’Connor & Veronica are in the lead on 47.8pp, followed by Andrew Nicholson (NZL) & Calico Joe on 48.7pp, with Becky Holder & Courageous Comet in third on  48.8pp. Keep in mind that there are still a bunch of horses & riders to go and dressage judges are notorious for saving the lowest scores for later in the schedule – at least, that’s what it looks like to us. So, there’s lots of room to ring up the changes in the leaderboard. BUT here’s the great news, dressage scores are just one phase of the three-day! So, by the time we get to Friday afternoon’s press conference after dressage with the top three, the riders will all  be looking toward the cross-country on Saturday which will paint a great picture of who might be in the catbird seat for the show jumping finale on Sunday.

So, check out the official website for Rolex Kentucky and stop back often or visit Sidelines on Facebook for updates about what’s happening in the horse world or Sidelines magazine and be sure to enter Sidelines’ Bad Helmet Hair contest!

More anon from Rolex Kentucky!