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! 

Although I awoke to thunder and more rain this morning with a groan, the rain magically stopped a few minutes into the  beginning of the trot-up, and since then we’ve had a mixed bag of wind, sun, and falling temperatures.  A few riders had already been out in the worst of it for a hack on their horses, but most were hunkered down, trotting them up in hand in rain sheets, and huddling under the aisles. However, once they arrived in front of the ground jury, they all put on a brave face. Hamish Cargill was held, but passed upon re-inspection. I think Hamish was probably grateful to Clayton Fredericks and Graham Potts for their support.  Everyone else passed with no problem, although Michael Pollard didn’t present Wonderful Will. 

Oliver Townend is a man who hardly ever sits still, let alone takes a holiday – he did have a week in the winter. Luckily he says he loves what he does, because he’s just embarked on a new venture with businesswoman Nina Barbour, and kindly sat down with me before the show-jumping at the Rolex 4* 3 Day Event to tell me more about it.

As tempted as I am to make this post all about Mary, William and Oliver who all sit in the top 10 overnight after fantastic clear rounds, it’s actually about one of Eventing Nation’s sponsors, an eventer, and one of the most successful and innovative businessmen in the sport – John Nunn.

Sinead Halpin confirmed the promise she’s been showing all spring, and in fact for the last few years, piloting her lovely french chestnut, Manoir de Carneville into 4th place overnight, the 2nd french horse in the top 6 (Neuf des Coeurs sits in 6th after a masterful round by WIlliam, and Portugese Fernhill Urco flies the European flag in 2nd for Mary King!).  I caught up with Sinead’s thrilled groom Meg right after cross country and asked her about the day,

Experience showed when Mary King blazed round the cross country this morning on her homebred mare King’s Temptress, storming into the lead, and never let go as I write this. I caught up with her grazing her little mare later, and talked to her about her ride. Excuse the wind noise, but as it’s doing such a good job drying out the ground, we can’t complain too much!

The morning session has almost finished and the course has claimed it’s fair share of scalps. While I was out walking and watching, I bumped into Doug Payne pretty early on,

Buck Davidson is sitting well down the order after the dressage on Titanium, but as all the riders concur, Rolex 2011 is not going to be a dressage competition. As Buck proved with his 21st place at Badminton recently, finishing best of the North Americans, and coaxing a clear round out of Ballynoecastle RM, he’d be a hard man to bet against when the going gets tough.  I talked to him and his owner, Carl Segal briefly, after the first phase.

William Fox-Pitt is not only undeniably one of the best riders in the world, but also one of the most popular, which means that he has hordes of fans who want to know everything about him. He was happy to tell me all about his new car, a lovely Jeep, and while I had him in close quarters I asked him a few other nosy questions!

William’s Point Two Air Vest