LaurenGallops

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Before the jog, two horses were withdrawn: RF Rovano Rex, but Marilyn has her second horse RF Demeter (one of the few mares entered in this year’s Rolex) and Saturday night, after cross-country, Sara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!