Rolex on the Sidelines: Thursday Morning Dressage

Down the chute! Photo by Sally Spickard. Down the chute! Photo by Sally Spickard.

The morning session of dressage has come to a close here at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, and we’ve already seen some fantastic rides from the early riders. There are so many more great horses and riders yet to go, but Michael Jung has set the bar low — on the horse who is getting less attention that her stablemate, no less!

Lainey Ashker made her mark in the sandbox today in a triumphant beginning to her return to Rolex. It was heartwarming to see her greet her mother and family after her test in an emotional moment where every heartbreak and setback was worth it.

Lainey took a few minutes to give some interviews and sign some autographs before heading back to give Anthony Patch a good grooming with a pitchfork, as he prefers.

Standing at the chute is always one of my favorite places to be during Rolex. The game faces, the nerves, the raw emotion when you’re entering that magnificent stadium — it gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. I can’t even imagine what the riders feel, no matter if it’s their first time or their tenth.

I’ll be wandering about this afternoon, so stay tuned for many more “off-camera” moments right here on EN.

Check out my other On the Sidelines galleries:

First Horse Inspection

Go Rolex.