Boyd Martin and Trading Aces at The Fork. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Rolex Week has finally arrived, and that means the final installments have been posted on the featured Rolex blogs. Here’s a sneak peak at what Jennie Brannigan, Will Coleman and Stephen Blauner, a member of Boyd Martin’s Trading Aces Syndicate, have to say about the final days leading up to Kentucky. Many thanks to Rolex for orchestrating these blogs, and many thanks to Jennie, Will and Stephen for writing. Go Rolex!
Jennie Brannigan [Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3] [Part 4]
“When you see a horse galloping by at Rolex, chances are that there’s a core group of 25 or more people who’ve played a key role in getting that horse and rider to the event. And don’t forget the additional unsung heroes who’ve helped that combination every step of the way… The working students who put in 12 hours a day with dreams of competing at that level someday, all the instructors who taught the rider at different stages of the game, the horses that helped that rider learn through the levels, and the grooms who love the horses like they’re their own, with their only glory being the pure pride in watching them go out and do what they love.”
Click here to read Jennie’s full blog.
Will Coleman [Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3] [Part 4]
“This stage of any Rolex journey is often the most nerve-wracking. With one or two gallops left before putting our horses on the truck for Lexington, KY, we riders are on edge, hoping everything stays well and sound until that day comes to head off for Rolex. In my case, I have not been shy in saying that, with Twizzel, who turned 17 this year, there was a good chance we could not end up leaving the start box at this event in a couple weeks. Twizzel has given Jim and I an awful lot. Two top-five four-star finishes, multiple wins and top-five finishes at the three-star level, and an Olympic Games this past summer are no small feats. Slightly injured after those Olympics, we decided at the beginning of this year that while we would tentatively aim for Rolex, we would take every precaution to ensure that the horse’s overall well-being was preserved, and that his career would end the way that it should, hopefully going out on a high-note at a world class event.”
Click here to read Will’s full blog.
Stephen Blauner [Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3] [Part 4]
“Looks like there will be about six members of the Oscar syndicate at Rolex. We will have a blast. Horse went really well at The Fork. It was a confidence building outing for all three phases. Good and focused dressage test, beautiful show jumping round, and Oscar answered all of the questions on cross country. Boyd was not going for time, as he always has a plan that allows the horses to “peak” at the big events. As Rolex will be his first 4*, I’m expecting that Oscar will find the arena a bit electrifying. Boyd has an unfortunate habit of pulling the #1 order of go (the Olympics, for example). Happily, we are in the middle of the afternoon on Friday so the horse will have a chance to settle in for a few days. I know that Boyd can’t wait to get to Kentucky, a feeling shared by all of Oscar’s owners.”
Click here to read Stephen’s full blog.
