William Fox-Pitt and Seacookie TSF into the Head of the Lake, photo by Kasey Mueller
Perhaps you were in the rainforest in Brazil over the weekend, or at your brother’s wedding, or otherwise inconvenienced when it came to following all the action at Rolex. If so, you missed one heck of a weekend out in Lexington; a showdown between the Silver Fox and Big Willie, with bases loaded for both of them heading into Badminton this week. To save you the effort of flipping through pages and pages of daily coverage, here’s a summary of how it all went down this weekend on Eventing Nation.
2013 Rolex Posts from Eventing Nation:
- What Rolex Means to Me: A First-Timer’s Perspective – Jenni Autry admits her excitement to finally experience US eventing’s premiere event, fulfilling a childhood dream.
- Rolex Preview and Predictions – Jenni Autry breaks down the field horse-by-horse and what to expect from each pair this weekend.
- A Few Questions For Rolex – John gives his thoughts on this year’s competition; who will win, fan favorites, and wonders will the US ever win its own four-star again?
Wednesday 4/24/13
- Dandelions in the Park: Honoring Rolex’s darker side – Leslie Wylie comments on the mystique of the Kentucky Horse Park, and reflects upon the broken dreams that riders have left behind. *Must Read!*
- 46 Horses Move on after Rolex First Horse Inspection – John checks in from the jog. All horses passed, though Andrew Nicholson had to re-present Quimbo. Emily Beshear did not present Here’s To You, as Quincy may have tweaked himself and the best option is to save him for another day.
- Rolex CCI4* Course Walk – Jenni Autry shows off the 2013 cross-country course with photos of every fence.
Thursday 4/25/13
- Andrew Nicholson and Calico Joe Lead at Rolex – A brief recap of the first morning session on Thursday’s dressage.
- Becky Holder and Can’t Fire Me Move Into Second – A brief recap after the second morning session of Thursday’s dressage. Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda have been re-assigned to Friday, as Cambalda reportedly got loose Thursday morning and slipped on the pavement.
- Video: Andrew Nicholson and Calico Joe score 40.8 – If you missed the best ride of Thursday’s dressage, see it here courtesy of USEFNetwork on Youtube.
- A quick update on Cambalda – It is confirmed that Cambalda got away from his groom while lunging Thursday morning, slipped on pavement, and pending a vet inspection Jenni Brannigan will compete on Friday instead.
- Kristin Schmolze and Ballylaffin Bracken Shine at Rolex – Recap of the first afternoon session on Thursday, highlighted by a beautiful test from Kristin and Ballylaffin Bracken
- Shandiss McDonald and Rockfield Grant Juan Make a Statement – Jenni Autry wraps up Thursday’s dressage, which found Rolex first-timer Shandiss McDonald sitting in third place ahead of William Fox-Pit.
- Thursday at Rolex: A Mix of Expected and Unexpected Greatness – John gives his thoughts on the day, with a few notes from the press conference. Riders say the course is “big, but fair to the horses.”
- The Faces of Rolex — Dressage Day 1 – Jenni Autry’s photos from the first day of dressage.
- Catching up with Team GB Performance Director Will Connell – Samantha Clark speaks with Team GB Performance Director after their stellar performance at the ’12 Olympics.
- Video: Walk the Rolex Cross-Country with Derek Di Grazia and Jimmy Wofford – Courtesy of RolexKentucky’s youtube page.
Friday 4/26/13
- Jennie Brannigan Withdraws Cambalda from Rolex [Update: Bone scan scheduled] – After Ping got loose and fell on gravely pavement Thursday, Jennie and the vets decided it was in Ping’s best interest not to compete at Rolex.
- Allie Knowles Nails Her Dressage Test With Last Call – Jenni Autry gives a brief recap of the first dressage tests on Friday morning, including a standout ride from Allie Knowles.
- Red on Right, White on Left, Party in the Middle – Come join Leslie Wylie and crew at the first ever EN reader appreciation tailgate party, on XC day! Look for the red and white flags!
- Boyd Martin and Trading Aces Excel in Horse’s Rolex Debut – A report on Friday morning’s dressage, with scores and photos.
- Allie Knowles and Last Call Hit It Out of the Park – Samantha catches up with Allie after her super ride, and you can watch the USEF video for yourself– a beautiful test, especially for a first-timer!
- William Fox-Pitt and Chilli Morning Take the Rolex Lead – Jenni Autry gives a brief recap of the first block of afternoon rides, including the brilliant 33.3 score by William Fox-Pitt and Chilli Morning.
- Video: William Fox-Pitt and Chilli Morning lead at Rolex – The USEF Network already has video posted on YouTube of the best dressage test at Rolex 2013.
- William Fox-Pitt Holds Rolex Lead; Andrew Nicholson in 2nd and 3rd – Jenni wraps up Day 2 of Rolex dressage, including highlights of the last group of rides, led by standout Andrew Nicholson and Quimbo.
- Daniel Clasing walks the first water combination for us – Samantha heads out on cross-country to walk the HSBC Water Park with Rolex first-timer Daniel Clasing.
- William’s Comments on Chilli Morning after his Rolex-leading Dressage Ride – William Fox-Pitt answers a few questions about his ride on Chilli Morning, including why he chose to ride Seacookie first, and what to expect on cross-country tomorrow.
- Five Notes from David O’Connor’s EOTF Walk – John tagged along with David’s coursewalk for High Performance event owners. The combinations on course look for a forward ride, and don’t underestimate the hills at the Horse Park!
- Today’s Interviews from Rolex Kentucky – Video interviews with riders from the RolexKentucky youtube page.
- Quick Notes From the Friday Press Conference – Andrew Nicholson was pleased with Quimbo’s dressage, and Allie Knowles mentions that Last Call has been a broodmare, among other notes.
Saturday 4/27/13
- Rolex Cross Country Open Thread Sponsored by SmartPak – Jenni Autry’s running play-by-play of horses and riders as they are on course.
- Rolex Cross-Country Lunchtime Update – Jenni Autry quickly recaps the morning rides, which went quite well, starting off with a superb ride from William Fox-Pitt and Seacookie TSF.
- Andrew Nicholson and Quimbo Lead After Rolex Cross Country – William Fox-Pitt and Chilli Morning retired on course, giving Andrew Nicholson room to move into first with a double-clear trip with Quimbo.
- A Tale of Two Courses – John breaks down the day of cross-country action, discussing how differently the course rode in the afternoon.
- Rolex Saturday Interviews – Watch post-XC video interviews with Meghan O’Donoghue, Buck Davidson, Daniel Clasing, Kristi Nunnink, Kristin Schmolze, Peter Barry, Caitlin Silliman, Jan Byyny, Hawley Bennett-Awad, Emily Renfroe and James Alliston.
- Video: Buck Davidson and Ballynoecastle RM – Watch Buck and Reggie’s double-clear XC trip.
- Eventers Reign at the Kentucky Reining Cup – Watch David O’Connor, Allison Springer, Sinead Halpin and Bobby Costello try their hand at reining.
Sunday, 4/28/13
- Rolex Jog Report: 29 Horses Move On To Show Jumping – Thirty horses presented after cross country, with 29 moving on to the jog. Only James Alliston and Tivoli were spun.
- XC Video: Andrew Nicholson and Quimbo – Watch Andrew’s double-clear XC trip on Quimbo to take the Rolex lead.
- Video: Peter Atkins and Henny Rolex 2013 Helmet Cam – See the 2013 Rolex cross-country course through the most famous ears on Youtube.
- Andrew Nicholson and Quimbo Win Rolex 2013! [Update: Now With Video]– You knew Andrew Nicholson would come home with the win; see how effortless Quimbo and Andrew made it look!
- Andrew Nicholson Seals the Deal with Quimbo – Jenni Autry reports on all the action from Show Jumping day, which saw only 5 clear rounds (4 double clear). William Fox-Pitt finished second, sandwiched between Andrew’s two horses. Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM were the highest US pair, in 4th. OTTB war horse Donner had a brilliant time at his first four-star, finishing on his dressage score in 5th. Meghan O’Donoghue and Pirate won the HSBC award for highest-placed first-timer at Rolex, coming in 12th.
- Rolex: A Weekend of Expected and Unexpected Results – John gives his thoughts on the weekend, with notes from the press conference. William Fox-Pitt admitted he broke his finger during show jumping, but we all know that doesn’t matter because he can still jump clear with one hand tied behind his back! Andrew Nicholson said he was proud of Calico Joe, calling him “not the best show jumper,” but despite 3 rails hung on for third. And Quimbo? Andrew now knows the horse has the stamina to make time on a four-star course, and little worries in the show jumping!
Samantha Clark’s Photo Journal: Sights From Rolex 2013
- Getting Ready for Rolex Part II – Samantha meets the early arrivals, including Andrew Nicholson and Quimbo/Calico Joe, Fernhill Urco, and Kristi Nunnink with R-Star.
- Monday at Rolex – Arrivals Day – Catching up with more riders and horses as they settle into the Horse Park, including WFP and Chilli Morning, Tom and Magette Meagher, and lots of other photos.
- Tuesday at Rolex Kentucky CCI**** 2013 – Samantha watches various riders and horses schooling on the flat and hacking about before the real competition begins. Plus, photos from riders’ visit to the UK Children’s Hospital.
- Rainy Rolex Wednesday Morning Update – Samantha tries to avoid the rain while watching a few riders stretch their horses’ legs before the jog.
- Goodbye Dressage Hello Cross-Country – Samantha Clark’s photo diary from the dressage, mostly taken from the warmup area. Beautiful pictures as always from Samantha!
