Will Coleman and Obos O'Reilly. Photo courtesy of Rare Air Photography.
We’re three days out from the 2016 Rolex Kentucky first horse inspection, and there have been seven additional withdrawals since our last announcement, dropping the entry total to 77.
OBOS O’Reilly, owned by the Four Star Eventing Group and ridden by Will Coleman, has been withdrawn due to injury. The 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding finished sixth at Rolex last year in the gelding’s first four-star attempt and earned the Land Rover Best Ride of the Day.
Will Coleman Equestrian made released the following statement this afternoon: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce OBOS O’Reilly will not be contesting this year’s Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event due to an injury sustained at his last competition. We had the highest of hopes for Oboe this year and we are gutted to say they will not be fulfilled.
“Thank you as always to our wonderful team of vets, farriers and support staff for their continued guidance and to the incredible members of the Four Star Eventing Group who have humbled us with their compassion and understanding. After a successful year in 2015, Oboe has earned this bit of rest and we look forward to having him back out again soon!”
Sara Kozumplik Murphy and Catchascatchcan. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Sara Kozumplik Murphy has withdrawn both Edith Rameika’s 9-year-old German Warmblood gelding, Catchascatchcan, as well as Fly Me Courageous, an 11-year-old Thoroughbred gelding owned by Edith and Sean Rameika.
It was discovered during a final jog before departing for Kentucky that Fly Me Courageous has an injury. “I feel very lucky to have caught if before we ran cross country next Saturday, at which point it would have been very bad indeed,” Sara said yesterday.
“Since Catch is only 9, and has lost a bit of confidence this season, I had already decided after The Fork that I would only do the the dressage phase at Kentucky. He is sound and happy, and will be just fine, but I feel his future is more important than one horse show.”
Today Sara thanked her friends and fans for their kind words. “Feeling pretty darn lucky to have the support system I do and so grateful that my horses have an owner who never hesitates to do the right thing by them. Every time. Without a moment’s hesitation.”
Allie Sacksen and Sparrow’s Nio. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Sparrow’s Nio has been withdrawn after his owner and rider Allie Sacksen noticed the gelding take awkward steps in the field, and a subsequent vet visit revealed the 13-year-old Connemara/Thoroughbred has a soft tissue injury.
“Nio has taken me so far in my career and I care too much for him to even consider risking his lifelong health. He will recover and I look forward to many more trips with him in the future,” Allie said in a statement this afternoon. “I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped me and supported me in this continuous journey. Nio and I have the most loyal and awesome fans in the eventing world and I am so grateful for each and every one of you!”
Eliza Farren has withdrawn her longtime partner Bantry Bay’s Dublin, a 13-year-old Connemara/Thoroughbred she has produced from age 2, from what would have been their first four-star attempt. “This has been a VERY tough decision for me,” Eliza said. “As I always say things happen for a reason. Thank you to everyone that has supported us in our journey, we couldn’t have done it without you!”
Eliza Farren and Bantry Bay’s Dublin. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Anna Collier has withdrawn her 12-year-old Thoroughbred gelding Gleaming Road. The pair finished in 32nd place at their first Rolex appearance in 2015.
“We were very excited to draw #28 for both Rolex and Badminton and had hoped to clear the Badminton waitlist. In the midst of this, Gleam had a great final prep run at Twin in California but came back with a bit of a bug,” Anna said. “Unfortunately, it will be too soon to ship and run him at a big event.”
Anna confirmed to EN that she will now aim Gleaming Road for Burghley in the fall.
Maddy Mazzola and Mojito also have withdrawn from what would have been the 15-year-old Argentinian Sport Horse gelding’s third trip to Rolex and 21-year-old Maddy’s four-star debut.
Canada’s Holly Jacks also announced that More Inspiration, her 11-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, has been withdrawn from Rolex and will instead contest the CCI3* at Jersey Fresh in May. This would have been this pair’s debut at the four-star level.
Canada’s Waylon Roberts announced on April 25 that he has opted to withdraw Kelecyn Cognac from the competition. Kelecyn Cognac is a 13-year-old Thoroughbred gelding owned by Anthony Connolly and L. Skye Levely. This would have been the gelding’s first four-star attempt.
“Thanks to all who have been supporting me and this class horse,” Waylon said. “My spirit is lifted during this set back knowing that we will be fighting fit very soon.”
Click here to see the entry list for Rolex. Fifteen horses have now been withdrawn since the draw order was released: Wesko, Ballylaffin Bracken, Catalina, High Times, The Dark Mark, Sir Donovan, Catchascatchcan, Fly Me Courageous, Mojito, Bantry Bays Dublin, OBOS O’Reilly, Gleaming Road, Sparrow’s Nio, More Inspiration and Kelecyn Cognac.
