Andrew Nicholson and Quimbo cantered around Derek Di Grazia’s four star track at the Kentucky Horse Park and hardly seemed to break a sweat. It’s almost scary how easy he’s made it look on both his horses.
Buck Davidson rode Ballynoe Castle RM around inside the time, his second double clear of the day and now moves into third place behind Andrew’s two rides. As the US Rider closest to the optimum time (on Mar De Amor, lying 8th) he also wins a two year lease on a Range Rover courtesy of Land Rover. Funnily enough he told us he’d been eyeing them up earlier in the season and his girlfriend, Andrea had nixed the idea, “You need another car like you need a hole in the head!”
Jonelle Richards and The Deputy move into 7th place after a solid clear with just a couple of time faults.
Along with Buck, James also piloted three horses around the course clear today, and Tivoli moves into ninth place
Megan O’Donoghue and Pirate looked seriously impressive – and look at the smile on Megan’s face! Pirate galloped so easily and was leaving feet over each fence, just pinging over them, I got total goosebumps watching them go round.
Ringwood Mississippi was another standout for me, what a great round for his first four star attempt.
So sorry not to see Allie Knowles complete – she retired Last Call after two stops at the sunken road. The mare had banged her hind legs quite heavily on the ditch and wall at the fence before but Allie has since reassured us she is fine.
Marilyn had a fall on Demeter at the next combination after this, the Hollow.
It was not a weekend for the Kentucky gals – Lindsey Oaks was eliminated on Enchantez for accumulated refusals
Fernhill Urco looked good, if a tiny bit uninspired and then pulled up before the finish after running out at the final element in the Head of the Lake.
Things haven’t gone right for Erin Sylvester this weekend – after an early stop he skipped round easily and still made the time.
Heather Gillette and Our Questionnaire survived a very hairy moment at the fence before this, the Sheep Shelter and then unfortunately had a fall in the Head of the Lake
Trading Aces looked slightly laboured even on his way to the Head of the Lake, and Boyd gave him a few slaps with the whip after this fence to try and motivate him, but they ended up retiring on course later.
Emily Renfroe, the youngest competitor here this year, gave Walk the Line a mature and positive ride; Jess Montgomery and I spoke to her and her coach Kyle Carter a couple of weeks ago for the Eventing Radio Show, and she’s even sweeter in person and what a round!
Well done to all the competitors today, and well done to all their grooms, family and support crew. A huge thank you as always to all the volunteers and organisers, the sponsors and everyone who helped everything run without a hitch today. Personally I’m also grateful that the heavy rains in the forecast held off and crossing my fingers that we might get just as lucky for the show-jumping tomorrow. The trot-up for the Final Horse Inspection is at 8:30 Sunday morning, and the show-jumping starts at 1:15pm. John has more coming, and we’ll be covering everything all day tomorrow too. Thanks for being a part of the Eventing Nation, and Go the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event.
Catherine Donworth on Skippy the wonder pony; she maintains it didn’t rain because she wore her long raincoat all day!
