Rolex Friday Morning Open Thread: Clark Montgomery Bests Ze Terminator

Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Welcome to day two of competition here in beautiful Lexington, Kentucky! Once again, we’re ready to bring you the latest and greatest in all things #RK3DE, and we’re kicking things off in high gear with the morning session of dressage.

We’re in for some real treats today as the remaining horses and riders will take their turn in the sandbox. Stay tuned to see reigning champs Michael Jung and fischerRocana FST as well as powerhouses Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen, Buck Davidson and Boyd Martin with their remaining rides, as well as so many more.

And, last but not least, please stay after the final ride of the day and watch what is sure to be an emotional, bring-the-house-down finale with the final ride of Allison Springer and Arthur. I got chills just typing that, I swear. And … commence ugly crying. Dang it.

#RK3DE Links: Website, Schedule, Ride Times, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Ultimate Guide to Rolex, Live Stream, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

12:28 p.m.: And this is why we love you, JJ. You should have had some bourbon chicken waiting for him!

12:24 p.m.: Watch Clark’s test here! #masterclass

12:21 p.m.: Here are Michael Jung’s thoughts on his test:

12:15 p.m.:

12:15 p.m.:

12:14 p.m.: Tim Bourke chats about his test with Luckaun Quality:

12:14 p.m.:

Michael Jung and fischerRocana FST survey their kingdom! #rk3de

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12:13 p.m.: Hear from Zara Tindall:

12:12 p.m.:

12:11 p.m.: Here are your top 10 heading into the lunch break:

12:08 p.m.: So it’s a 37.1, actually a tad high for Roxy, for second place. It’s the Clark Montgomery show this morning! We now go to lunch and reconvene for the final session!

12:06 p.m.: Well he didn’t quite trend up to where Clark was early on but let’s see! What a LOVELY test.

12:04 p.m.: The thing I love about Rocana is how happy she looks to work. One of the most pleasant horses I think I’ve ever seen.

12:00 p.m.: ALL HAIL THE QUEEN!

Michael and fischerRocana FST.

11:59 a.m.:

11:58 a.m.: IT’S TIME.

11:56 a.m.:

Cheers! I love dressage day! #fancyprancing #rolex #rk3de

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11:54 a.m.: A quiet and relaxed test from “Obie” so far. We have two Obies and an Oboe this weekend.

11:53 a.m.:

11:52 a.m.:

Zara Tindall and High Kingdom score 46.6 #rk3de #bestweekendallyear

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11:52 a.m.: JUST ONE MORE TO GO! Next up are Tim Bourke and Luckaun Quality, followed by QUEEN ROXY.

11:52 a.m.: Hear from Kim Severson on her test:

11:51 a.m.:

11:48 a.m.:

11:46 a.m.:

Zara and High Kingdom.

11:44 a.m.: Hear from Hannah Sue on her test:

11:44 a.m.:

What a 4* debut for Cooley Cross Border with Rolex queen Kim Severson – 41! #rk3de #bestweekendallyear

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11:44 a.m.: Next in we will see Great Britain’s Zara Tindall and High Kingdom.

11:43 a.m.: There is he is!!

11:42 a.m.: And a 41.0 for Kim puts this pair into second!

11:40 a.m.: A minor bobble in one of the changes but such a nice picture. A huge cheer from the crowd, we all love Kim here! She NAILED her final halt too.

11:37 a.m.: I absolutely love this horse. I’m so thrilled that he seems to have really come into his own in the last season.

Kim Severson and Cooley Cross Border.

11:35 a.m.:

11:34 a.m.:

11:33 a.m.: Up next will be Kim Severson and Cooley Cross Border, who we expect to have a nice test.

11:32 a.m.: Quite a few bobbles for Ryan and Fernhill Classic today. Bummer. But we’re excited to see these two show off on cross country tomorrow!

11:32 a.m.:

11:30 a.m.: A bit of resistance in the rein back from Fernhill Classic:

Ryan Wood and Fernhill Classic.

11:30 a.m.:

That moment you think "don't vomit" as you walk in to the #rk3de dressage ring all alone #Rolex #eventer #eventing #4star

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11:29 a.m.: And next in is Ryan Wood and Fernhill Classic. They have a break in the first medium trot, super unfortunate.

11:28 a.m.:

11:25 a.m.:

Sharon White and Cooley on Show. #rk3de #dressage #eventing #bestweekendallyear

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11:23 a.m.: We’re now treated to Marilyn Payne’s commentary in the booth. What a privilege to get a pro judge’s opinion!

11:21 a.m.: A lovely, candenced medium trot from “Pippy”. HSB is busy this month, as she goes next to Badminton to compete Harbour Pilot.

Hannah Sue and Under Suspection.

11:20 a.m.: And we’re back underway with Hannah Sue Burnett and Under Suspection.

11:17 a.m.: OK, what do we think? To date, fischerRocana’s best four star score has been a 34.1 at Luhmühlen in 2015. Last year she earned a 34.4. What will she get this year?

11:13 a.m.:

Awesome turnout! We love our fans💚#BestWeekendAllYear #BestFansAllYear

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11:13 a.m.:

11:12 a.m.: Sharon White talks about her ride:

11:11 a.m.: Chinch is already out of control and it’s only Friday:

Uh-oh, Chinch got busted trying to sneak into the sponsor's tent! #naughtynaughty #butnice #ooermissus #handcuffs!

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11:03 a.m.: Here is a look at the current top 20:

11:02 a.m.:

10:55 a.m.: A 51.6 for Cooley on Show, and now we’re onto our second short break of the day. Next up we will see Hannah Sue Burnett and Under Suspection at 11:20.

10:54 a.m.:

10:53 a.m.: Sharon and Cooley On Show really present a lovely picture. Room for improvement but a great first showing at this level.

Sharon and Cooley On Show.

10:51 a.m.:

10:49 a.m.: Hear what Clark had to say about killing the game:

10:48 a.m.: And last to go before our next short break is Sharon White and Cooley On Show. This horse will look lovely in Sharon’s signature orange on Saturday! This is the first Rolex for this horse, who is 10 this year.

10:48 a.m.:

10:46 a.m.: Aidan looks pleased with Master Tredstep following their test, which earned them a score of 48.6 to tie for 11th with Boyd Martin/Crackerjack and Will Coleman/OBOS O’Reilly.

10:46 a.m.:

#crushedit #RK3DE #bestweekendallyear

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10:45 a.m.:

10:42 a.m.:

Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen 33.9 score #damn #rk3de #kentucky #rolex2017 @beck627

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10:42 a.m.:

10:41 a.m.: Next up is our Irishman, Aidan Keough and Master Tredstep.

10:40 a.m.:

We have a new leader! Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen just blew everyone out of the water at #RK3DE

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10:40 a.m.: Bobby Meyerhoff talks dressage with the press:

10:39 a.m.: Believe it or not, this is actually not a personal CCI4* best for Clark and Glen; their previous low was a 33.3 at Badminton in 2014. No big deal.

10:38 a.m.: WOW. Clark has thrown down the gauntlet with a 33.9 to take the lead by 8 points. Your move, Roxy.

10:37 a.m.: What a treat that was. So accurate. We are looking at our new leader, methinks.

10:34 a.m.: Early on, Clark and Glen are trending towards the mid to upper 70s. Lovely, lovely.

10:33 a.m.: And now we should really be in for a treat: Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen! These two can throw DOWN!

10:32 a.m.: Catch up with Ellen Doughty Hume:

10:32 a.m.:

10:31 a.m.: A 61.3 for Bobby and Token. You could really see Bobby soaking it up as he left the arena. Best of luck this weekend, you two!

10:28 a.m.: Lisa Marie chats with the media following her ride on Honor Me:

10:25 a.m.: A 48.7 and a personal best by nearly 9 points at the four-star level for Ellen Doughty-Hume and Sir Oberon! Well done.

10:23 a.m.:

10:22 a.m.: And now a pair who is very near and dear to my heart: Bobby Meyerhoff and Dunlavin’s Token. Bobby and Token are having their last hurrah this weekend, as Token will retire from upper level competition. Let’s give them all a big collective cheer! Bobby also recently had a fall off of a young horse and broke several ribs and suffered a collapsed lung. Like, two weeks ago. The first time he rode again was this week in Kentucky. It’s fine. I texted him shortly after he got out of the hospital asking if he was still going to Kentucky and he basically said “Well, duh.” My bad, Bobby. Have fun with that sitting trot friend!

10:21 a.m.: A nice change coming back from the extended canter for “Obie”:

10:19 a.m.: A nice obedient rein back from Sir Oberon:

Ellen Doughty Hume and Sir Oberon.

10:18 a.m.:

Pancakes, bacon, coffee, and #rk3de. Happy Friday!

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10:16 a.m.: Some tension marred Lisa’s test with Honor Me, but I have to say that he’s one of the most well turned out I’ve seen so far! He earns a 62.4 from the judges. Next we will see Ellen Doughty-Hume and Sir Oberon. If you remember, Ellen actually got married here a few years ago! #weddinggoals

10:13 a.m.: Many, many thanks to all of our wonderful volunteers this weekend!

10:13 a.m.:

10:13 a.m.:

10:11 a.m.: The best way to watch dressage all day! That must be what I’m missing…

Bloodies and dressage! Cheers to #RK3DE

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10:10 a.m.: Now we will see Canada’s Lisa Marie Fergusson and Honor Me. Get to know them in our Rookie profile from 2016.

10:09 a.m.:

10:09 a.m.:

Beautiful Ride @rachelmcdonough11 #rk3de #rolex2017

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10:07 a.m.: Seeing a lot of horses really anticipating a halt up the final centerline rather than a trot transition. Andrea had some really, really nice changes with her little mare and gets a huge cheer from the crowd! Welcome back, Andrea!

Andrea Baxter and Indy 500.

10:06 a.m.:

10:04 a.m.: A special treat now as John Kyle is joined now by Tim Price’s wife, Jonelle, in the booth.

10:01 a.m.: And we are back underway with the West Coast’s Andrea Baxter and Indy 500. Andrea makes her return to this level for the first time since 2010 and has really done an excellent job producing this Thoroughbred mare.

9:58 a.m.: Kurt Martin talks about his ride on Delux Z:

9:50 a.m.:

Working on Rolex weekend like… #eventerproblems #rk3de #rolex #eventing

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9:50 a.m.:

All smiles for Kurt Martin after his test with DeLux Z #RK3DE #bestweekendallyear

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9:49 a.m.:

Buck Davidson's #RK3DE cheering squad includes daughter Aubrey #bestweekendallyear

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9:48 a.m.: Rachel McDonough chats about her test:

9:47 a.m.: And now we go into a short 10-minute break before we see Andrea Baxter and Indy 500.

9:47 a.m.:

9:45 a.m.: I’m a big fan of Kurt’s stretch canter circle, mostly because you didn’t see the rhythm change at all. Kurt looks really happy with his test! Well done.

Kurt Martin and Delux Z.

9:41 a.m.: What a compliment: Lauren Kieffer tells us that she’s often asked Kurt to help ride her horses when she is gone. Lauren, I’m also available if the need ever arises. #justsaying #amateurfriendly

9:41 a.m.:

52.0 for Buck Davidson and Copper Beach for 15th place #RK3DE

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9:40 a.m.: Our last to go before the first break this morning is Kurt Martin and Delux Z, which should be a really nice test to watch.

9:39 a.m.: Hear what Holly Payne Caravella had to say about her test with Never Outfoxed:

9:39 a.m.:

9:38 a.m.:

Omg I'm actually here 😍 . . . #rk3de #lexington #rolex #horses #dreamcometrue #kentucky #dressage #kyhorsepark

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9:37 a.m.: Just as Jessica Phoenix did yesterday, Rachel forgets her canter stretch circle.

9:36 a.m.: Good luck, Andrea!

9:35 a.m.:

Love this view at #Rolex #rk3de

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9:34 a.m.: A really nice transition from the shoulder-in to the half pass to the right for Rachel and “Ollie”:

Rachel McDonough and Irish Rhythm.

9:33 a.m.: Lauren comments that this new CCI4* test has a really nice flow to it, and I would have to agree.

9:33 a.m.:

Fist pump! First out today and straight into the lead 💃🏻 #RK3DE

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9:32 a.m.: Next up we will see Rachel McDonough and Irish Rhythm, who is an 18-year-old OTTB who completed his first Rolex in 2014. This is an awesome cross country horse, be sure to take the time to watch these two on Saturday.

9:31 a.m.:

Phillip Dutton is now sitting in 5th and 7th with Mr. Medicott still to come at the end of the day #RK3DE

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9:31 a.m.:

9:30 a.m.: Buck (and baby Aubrey!) chats about Copper Beach:

9:29 a.m.:

9:29 a.m.:

Aubrey Davidson found the best seat in the house to watch dad @bdjeventing in the dressage arena! #rk3de #eventinglegends

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9:28 a.m.: Holly putting in a tactful ride on a keen Never OutFoxed. Lots of tension, as this one is ready to get this silly dressage over with! She will be happy to move on to phase two! Lauren Kieffer said it best: “There are a lot of people who would want to sit on this horse on Saturday!”

Holly and Never Outfoxed.

9:24 a.m.: Next up we will see Holly Payve Caravella and Never Outfoxed.

9:24 a.m.: Phillip shares his thoughts on Fernhill Fugitive’s test:

9:22 a.m.: Copper Beach scores a 51.8 with a decent amount of spread from the judges, ranging from 63.750 to over 67. I am honestly a bit disappointed in this score, I thought that this was a score in the 40s, even with a couple of bobbles. But, this is why I am not a judge, I suppose.

9:21 a.m.: A bit of a loss of rhythm into “Sean’s” last change, but overall a really nice looking test. This horse was my “Spoiler Alert” pick this year, so I’ll have my eye on this one come Saturday!

9:19 a.m.: Copper Beach had some really nice, relaxed walk work and this canter transition was really well executed:

Buck and Copper Beach.

9:17 a.m.: Get Liz Halliday Sharp’s thoughts on her superb test as she chats with Samantha Clark:

9:17 a.m.:

44.8 for Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Fugitive for 5th place #RK3DE

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9:16 a.m.:

#RK3DE Friday Coursewalk/Signing info, page 1 #BestWeekendAllYear #BestRidersAllYear #BestSponsorsAllYear

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9:16 a.m.:

#RK3DE Friday Coursewalk/Signing info, page 2 #BestWeekendAllYear #BestRidersAllYear #BestSponsorsAllYear

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9:15 a.m.: Now we’re moving on to Buck Davidson and his second ride of three, Copper Beach.

9:14 a.m.:

9:13 a.m.: Fernhill Fugitive gets a nice big pat from a happy looking Phillip. Super competitive tests right off the bat this morning!

9:12 a.m.: I love this shot from the USEA yesterday!

Hi ✋🏼! @phoenixequestrianteam #rk3de

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9:11 a.m.: Fun fact, Liz Halliday and Fernhill By Night earned a personal best at the CCI4* level today. Their previous lowest came last year when they scored a 43.0.

9:10 a.m.: I have to confess, “Jack” is my favorite of Phillip’s horses. He just seems like such a nice guy.

Fernhill By Night.

9:09 a.m.:

9:07 a.m.: And now we’re underway again with Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Fugitive.

9:07 a.m.:

9:05 a.m.: A really great start to the day from one of our dressage powerhouses! Liz will be pleased, and gives a fist pump to the crowd.

9:04 a.m.: This is a really lovely showing from Liz. Really nice changes from Blackie:

9:03 a.m.: Liz and “Blackie” show great lateral movement in their second half-pass:

9:02 a.m.: Liz had, if you want to call it this, the advantage of being in the announcer’s booth watching a lot of the rides yesterday. With this being a new test this year, it had to have been helpful to see how different riders handled the test and what respective marks they received.

9:00 a.m.: John Kyle is joined this morning by Lauren Kieffer in the commentator’s booth.

9:00 a.m.:

8:59 a.m.: And we’re just about set to go with Liz Halliday-Sharp and Fernhill by Night!