Dr. Chris Newton and I were arguing talking about how the Brits seem to own the Rolex 4 * event, which prompted me to come back and do a little research! The inaugural 4* was held in 1998 and was won by New Zealand’s Nick Larkin on Red. Two years later, in 2000, Blyth Tait won the title again for New Zealand but that was the last time the kiwis were victorious in Kentucky.
Karen O’Connor split those years, winning Rolex in 1999, and her husband David, took the title the year after Blyth in 2001.
America have won it more than any other country but with only four riders – Karen and David, Kim Severson (Vinoski) and Phillip Dutton. Kim won it the year after David in 2002, and then twice more, in 2004 and 2005. Phillip Dutton won it in 2008.
The Brits and the Aussies tie with 3 wins each. Pippa Funnell was first for GB, winning Rolex Kentucky and the Grand Slam in 2003, then Andrew Hoy evened the score for Australia in 2006. Clayton Fredericks kept the title down under the following year,
but it returned home to the US with Phillip Dutton in 2008. Lucinda Fredericks won in 2009 on her little mare, Headley Britannia
and of course for the last two years it’s been a thoroughly English affair – going to William Fox-Pitt and Cool Mountain in 2010,
and with Mary taking both 1st and 2nd places this year.
Not really sure what the point of our discussion was, or if anyone proved a point, but it’s quite interesting. To me, anyway. Or maybe I can’t let Rolex go! I hate the end of three days!
This article is also published on SamanthaLClark.com
