Rolex Guide 2013: All You Need To Know

• 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.

• 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.

• 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?

• 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!*

• Rainy Rolex Wednesday Morning Update – Samantha tries to avoid the rain while watching a few riders stretch their horses’ legs before the jog.

• 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.

• 2013 Rolex Kentucky CCI**** First Horse Inspection – Who was the best dressed?  Samantha took some beautiful photos from the Wednesday jog.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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!

• 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 morning pictures – Samantha was out on course capturing all the action.

• 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.

• Rolex Cross-Country Pics: The Afternoon Edition – Check out all of Samantha’s photos from the second group of riders on cross country.

• 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.

Course Walks: