Barring a few last-minute scratches or a problem at the Wednesday jog, here are the ride times for 2013 Rolex Kentucky.  Note, according to Samantha’s report from yesterday, Marilyn Little and Demeter have sadly withdrawn after Marilyn suffered a recent fall from a young horse.  We wish her a speedy recovery!

Update: We have heard from Karen and Marilyn that Demeter is still entered (she is also on the ride time sheet) and plans to trot up on Wednesday.  A press release is being sent out shortly, but Karen explained that a young horse Marilyn was jumping hit a jump and fell, catching Marilyn’s shoulder and apparently separating it as the horse got up.  Demeter is scheduled to arrive at the Horse Park at 8am Wednesday morning.  The hope is that Marilyn will be feeling good enough to ride on Friday and we’ll be cheering her on this weekend.

From RK3DE.org:

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EN reader Katie Malensek sent us a wonderful article expressing fond memories and appreciation for her horsey best friend, Ashley.  Reading this, I couldn’t help but think of my own horsey friends growing up, all of us dreaming of Rolex one day.  Many thanks to Katie for writing, and thank you for reading.  If you have something to share, send it to [email protected].

From Katie:

From ponies and pigtails…. 

Everyone has that one great horsey friend, you know, the one that you grew up riding with- going to pony club rallies or horse shows together? That one that cheered for you when you made it around your first cross country course clean or won your first blue ribbon?  The one that on a Friday night, while other teenagers are out at the mall or hanging out with friends, is braiding horses and packing trailers with you. The one that will sit in a public restaurant wearing breeches, boots, and the “reverse French manicure” with you and not bat an eye.   I’m sure everyone involved with horses can remember the one person in their horsey life that fits this description. Sometimes as life gets busy and people fall in and out of horses and in and out of touch with each other, you might only remember those friends with fond memories and the odd Facebook message.  Well I am lucky enough to have one of these great horsey friends and I think our story is a darn good one so here goes….

Ashley and I met when we were 12, doing a summer working student program with our new trainer, Bruce Mandeville, in Ontario, Canada. We were young, eager to learn, and hesitant to give up our childhood ponies (Hank and Velvet) despite having our larger, shinier models waiting in the barn.  My Mom and I happily rescued Ashley from a summer in an old RV and she was instantly a part of our family. For the next few summers in Ontario (and then springs in Aiken) we were inseparable, riding and training and planning competition schedules together, trying to balance having a “normal” teenage life with pursuing our horsey dreams which at the time were NAYRC followed by Rolex.  Poor Bruce put up with our antics and tried to keep us busy (and tired) with endless no stirrup lunge lessons but to no avail- we were still busted several times sneaking in to the farm in the wee hours of the morning and trying to appear fresh and awake with gallons of Tim Horton’s coffee.  And I definitely recall driving to Groton House after prom night, having come right home from the after party, loading the horses straight into the trailer, and heading on the 12-hour drive, pulling bobby pins out of our prom updo’s the entire trip.  Classy.

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The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is hereand it means something special for EN readers: FREE STUFF!  That’s right, folks, it’s Contest Week and our wonderful sponsors have great prizes to give away.  Here’s a summary of our fun contests available during Rolex; we’ll keep updating this page as new challenges (and winners!) are announced.

Quiz Contest Presented by Tredstep Ireland

The theme of our quiz contest is “name that bum” in light of the next sponsor prize. EN sponsor, Tredstep Ireland, wants to reward the first person who can guess the Rolex Kentucky Rider who owns this photo-worthy rear.

Carefully review the photo and enter the contest by telling us who is pictured in the photo in the comment section. The first person to guess correctly wins! Please give us your email in your comment so we can contact you! 

What’s up for grabs? A pair of the brand NEW Symphony Breeches by Tredstep Ireland and their Futura Sport Top!  [Click Here to view photo!]

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“Caption It!” Contest Presented by Devoucoux

Simply write a caption for one of the photos and title it by the rider’s name: i.e. William Fox Pitt, Boyd Martin,  Boyd and Clayton or Andrew Nicholson.

Please, don’t hold back and we welcome creativity! The Chinchillas will pick the funniest four (4) entries on Monday at midnight. Please include your email in the caption so we can contact you!  [Click here to view photos & enter!]

The winners will win an awesome, special edition, Devoucoux shirt (you know the ones you always see the riders rocking around horse shows and you’re like “dang! I want that!”).

“Snap That!” Contest Presented by Tipperary

While you’re out enjoying cross-country day at Rolex, be sure to snap some cross country photos of riders wearing the new Eventer Pro 3015! The following riders have opted to ride around Rolex Kentucky wearing the new vest: Buck Davidson, Jessica Phoenix, Peter Atkins, Kristi Nunnink, Lindsey Oaks, Maddie Blackman and Kendal Lahari.

Look out for these 9 riders and have your camera ready. Snap a picture of at least one of these riders while out on cross country and send it to [email protected] with “Snap That” as the title.

Submissions must be sent in to [email protected] by 8 a.m. Sunday morning and the winner will be randomly chosen to receive an Eventer Pro vest of their own! Please one submission per person.

Top Dog Contest Presented by World Equestrian Brands

So, since we know there will be plenty of furry, four-legged friends running around off the cross country course, here’s your task for this contest: send us your best 2013 Rolex Kentucky Dog Photo (doesn’t have to be your own pooch)  to en.contest @gmail.com with “Top Dog” in the title. Photos must be submitted by Monday at midnight (EST), and please limit one photo entry per person.

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EN’s Annual “Pick ‘Em” Contest, Sponsored by Omega Alpha

An EN favorite, we revive the annual tradition of best guesses as to who will come out with the Rolex watch on Sunday.

Here’s how you play: Give us the name of the horse/rider combination you think will win and their overall score. As a tiebreaker, include your guess for who will finish 2nd (score not required).

The contest entry with the correct horse/rider, closest score (and correct runner-up, if necessary) will win a prize package from Omega Alpha worth at least $150! 

Please email your entries to [email protected] with “Pick Em” in the title. Contest closes Thursday at 8 a.m. EST before the first horse completes dressage.

Here’s the entry list to get your juices flowing!

Rolex 2013-  The week before!

Brush is up at Rolex Kentucky!#rk3de twitter.com/woodhorsestudi…

— tyson rementer (@woodhorsestudio) April 21, 2013

From Brian:

I have been here for the past 4 days getting the sound system ready for our eventing “Super Bowl” and boy have we had the weather to talk about.  Our first day of set up it was 80 degrees and we got sunburned and wind burned out the wazoo!  That night we had a downburst storm that took a 40′ x 80′ tent and tossed it into the main arena!  Yup–aluminum, speakers, wiring, supports, tenting…all crumpled up into a ball and thrown into the middle of the dressage arena–battle zone at 6AM!  So, a new tent was ordered, we picked up our damaged pieces  and moved on. Great staff and workers got the mess cleaned up, and off we go.  The next two days were brutally cold and windy, I could not even get wire up into the trees because of the 40mph winds!  So, Sunday was better and the Kentucky Horse Park is starting to really green up and the fences are really starting to get finalized.  The Head of the Lake is as big and daunting as ever with a big drop in on the direct route, the Sunken Road is gonna take a very straight line, the  Hollow is tough and offset too, the new brushes in the infield are great to look at and will take an honest horse who loves to go STRAIGHT, and the coffin is as tough as last year. Other than that, should be just an 11-minute walk in the park, eh?

I saw the ever-present and great EN reporter Samantha looking for information for you…and even saw the first horse grazing across the field, don’t know who, but a grey.  The flower ladies are out and about and decorating the course.  Tyson is doing what he does best: carving out animals out of trees…the rabbits look like they have arrived from Peter’s lair.  Rolex is waiting….come on down and drive safely. No matter what Wofford says…I know you will all do your best and enjoy our finest 4* event in the nation…the Eventing Nation.

Brian

Rolex is almost here!! But so is Badminton! See what’s in store for the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials 2013 in this video, including interviews with many of the leading contenders, including Michael Jung, William Fox-Pitt, Andrew Nicholson, plus interviews and commentary from Hugh Thomas and host of eventing stars and commentators.

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Will Coleman and Obos O’Reilly, winners of the CIC***.  Via @ColemanEventing.

Northeast eventing is truly underway with the running of Fair Hill Horse Trials.  The event is well-subscribed, with multiple divisions from Training through CIC***.  Here’s a look at the top 5 (so far) for the higher levels:  [Live Scores]

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Mandy Krzysiak sent us a couple photos of 14-year old Maddie Parisian, aboard her 19 (YES, 19!!) year old TB gelding, Hope to Star, currently sit in 12th place in the CIC* at Fair Hill.   [Fair Hill Scores]

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Elsewhere in the country, riders are going stir-crazy as they wait for the competition season to begin.  EN reader Rachael Walker attempts cross-country in her living room:

PS – the Corgi trying to give us a push in the one photo is our other dog, Dually.

 

This past weekend was a busy one for competitions; we’ve had coverage from Ocala, Twin Rivers, FENCE, St. Johns, and now here’s a nod to Plantation Field.  Thanks to Video by Patrick, here is a look at the Preliminary cross-country at Plantation with Madison Penfound and Orion in the JYOP.  [Results]

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From Lauren:

Just in case you had forgotten, ROLEX IS ALMOST HERE!!  I’m so busy with Keeneland that I forget most of the time too, it’s okay.  T-minus 9 days, 23 hours, and 12 minutes to go from where I’m sitting here and even less time will stand between us and RK3DE when you read this.  Between now and then, I will be carrying around more muck tubs full of mulch and pallets full of flowers of every shape, size and color than I even want to try to count but, come hell or high water, those XC jumps will be decorated to the nines.  Now, onto the OTTB column of the week that I’m sure you have all been anticipating on the edge of your seats.  CANTER USA has graciously granted Eventing Nation permission to use their photos and so, without further ado, I bring you three CANTER prospects from around the country for you viewing (and buying) pleasure.  These horses, in my humble opinion, represent the OTTB ideal in one way or another and, while I obviously cannot vouch for their temperament or soundness, I can guarantee that they could be your next big star from a conformational and pedigree standpoint.  Don’t forget to keep those pictures of your own OTTB’s coming to [email protected] so that you too can be EN famous and get out there and go gallop an OTTB!

Crypto Nicki (CANTER page)

http://www.pedigreequery.com/crypto+nicki

2004 15.2+ Mare

GRANTVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA

$500

Top Five Most Notable Characteristics:

• I would really like to see close-up pictures of her front legs but a cosmetic scar and ‘rounded ankles’ do not scare me.
• The videos lend me to believe that, once ridden like a show horse and not a racehorse, she will have a very nice way of going.  Her trot appears ground covering, she appears fairly consistent in the bridle, and seems to move forward with a pleasant spring and reach.
• Using the phrase “good-feeling” on the racetrack can sometimes mean “holy terror breathing fire with sharp teeth and a point tail” but, at least based on this filly’s videos, she is probably just acting like a fit Thoroughbred and not a homicidal maniac.
• This filly’s expression does lead me to believe that she is probably a little hard-nosed and will have a difficult, stubborn streak when crossed.  However, this attitude can also be applied in a constructive manner and is, in my experience, a major attribute when searching for a legitimate upper level prospect.  Sane, quiet, weak-willed horses do not go Advanced.
• Conformationally, I love the angle and length of this filly’s pasterns.  In the picture above, she is actually UPHILL (even better than being even).  Her neck could tie in a little higher and she is just a teensy bit back below the knee but her hip angle and short cannon bone length counterbalance those things.

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Sara’s Smiling (CANTER page)

http://www.pedigreequery.com/saras+smiling

2007 16.2+ Gelding

WOODBINE, MARYLAND

$1500

Top Five Most Notable Characteristics:

• The kindness in this horse’s expression really strikes me.  He just looks as though he would pack any kid or grandma over any fence you pointed him at.  In the close-up picture of his face on the CANTER ad, it’s as though he’s saying “Oh…are you touching my lip because you have food?  Really?  Well, I mean I’ll eat a treat if you think I deserve it.” What a sweet face!
• This may just be the week of UPHILL horses.  When I say uphill, I determine this by mentally drawing a straight, horizontal line from the top of their withers straight back towards the top of the horse’s tail.  If this line crosses ABOVE their croup with “air” to spare, they are most certainly uphill.  If this imaginary line lands directly over the top of their croup touching it at its apex, I consider the horse to be ‘even’ and well-balanced.  If this imaginary line crosses through the horse’s croup, thus indicating that the horse’s croup is above his or her wither, I consider the horse to be DOWNHILL and pass without a doubt.  For our buddy ‘Smile’ here, there is A LOT of clearance between the line and his croup.  Major plus!
• I wish this horse were being stood up in such a way that he wasn’t standing ‘over’ himself so much.  This makes him appear deceptively back at the knee and kind of ‘slanty’, with a shoulder angle more severe than it may actually be.  In reality, I think his front limb conformation is actually quite good, his shoulder is quite sloping, and his neck just ties in beautifully to the whole package.
• According to his CANTER page, this horse has already been restarted and acclimated to turnout.  Bonus!  He sounds ready to learn a few new tricks and hit the show circuit in short order, which saves tons of time and money in the long run that can be better spent on competitions rather than down time.
• The length of this horse’s back is really pretty ideal and will most certainly result in a fancy step with a lot of power to launch off the ground.  Coupled with those comparatively short cannon bones and his ever-so-slightly closed hip angle, I’d venture a guess that his guy is going to be FAAAAANCY on the flat.

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Cold Surf (CANTER page)

http://www.pedigreequery.com/cold+surf

2006 16h Gelding

PHOENIX, ARIZONA

$FREE!

Top Five Most Notable Characteristics:

• Between being adorable and free, I felt I just had to mention this horse.  He may have several things working against him, but sometimes you just have to avoid looking a gift horse in the mouth (let you vet do that, instead) and give a guy a chance.  After all, look at those dapples and check out his pretty blaze on the CANTER page.
• This kiddo was a $40,000 Keeneland yearling purchase and is the most well-bred horse featured this week.  Definitely a pro.
• He last raced 4/2/13, pulled up, and was vanned off.  While this would encourage me to reallllly vet this horse thoroughly, as would the comment from the trainer on the CANTER page that he has a “minor ankle and knee”, and while these things probably mean he is not suitable as an upper level (prelim/3’6+ prospect) I don’t think that he is unsound enough to be struck off of the prospect list.
• Conformationally, this horse’s pasterns are attractively short, as are his front cannon bones.  His hip angle is quite open but I bet that lends him to having a hell of a stride and a ton of scope.  While this horse is even versus uphill, he fits very nicely into the rectangle of wither-elbow-stifle-croup and compliments that box-y frame with fantastically angular hind limb conformation that should really help him overcome any lack of ability to engage that his open hip angle might lend him to.
• It is worth mentioning again that, while it is clear that there are soundness concerns with this horse, they may all be very manageable.  If you take anything at all from my columns regarding soundness make note of this:

When looking for a resale project, I vet each and every one of them within an inch of their lives and accept nothing less than perfect.  Most of the time, I spend more on vetting the horse than the purchase price.  When you are vetting a resale project, spare no expense and cover all bases.  When looking for a competition partner, there are not many things that time will not heal.  Just take a minute to imagine how many truly great horses would have been discarded, retired before their glory, or relegated to the lower levels before their prime if digital radiographs and ultrasound technology has been available in the true heyday of Eventing.  Hell, Heyday probably would have been one of them and he never would have brought home gold from the Pan-Am’s or helped the US to Silver in Atlanta with his 9^th individual placing.  Bows will set, chips in the right places will never cause even the slightest soreness, fractures will calcify, and silly cosmetic blemishes like pin-firing scars aren’t even worth a glance.  On a resale project, I wouldn’t touch any one of those things with a ten foot pole.  BUT, on a horse that I am looking at to be acompetition partner for a client that is willing to provide a forever home and do a little maintenance when the time comes, there are innumerable athletes out there that possess the conformation, athleticism, mind, heart, and body to be truly great but may be just a little rough around the edges and may have gotten in a fight or two that they didn’t win.  Don’t rule out these horses.  Trust a vet to advise what issues can and cannot be lived with, dealt with, and maintained before you exclude a horse from you list of prospects.  And always remember that you can’t breed, buy, or train heart.

Many thanks to Palmer Photo for the lovely pictures all weekend! Congrats to all competitors. [Full Results]

Karen Eileen and Equiventures, LLC  are very grateful for all volunteers who made the weekend possible.  Here Caiden Holling is keeping the flowers happy! He is the son of eventers Jenn and Jon Holling of Ocala, Fl.  (Caiden photos courtesy of Lisa Madren.)

Lauren Kieffer and Veronica picked up a win this weekend in the Ocala Horse Properties CCI2*, finishing on their dressage score of 47.6.  Thanks to The Horse Pesterer for the video!  See more Ocala videos at thehorsepester’s Youtube page.

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Australian phenom Black Caviar has won her 25th consecutive race.  The unbeaten 6-year-old mare took the Darley T. Smith stakes (G1-AUS) by three lengths, making it her eight straight Group 1 win.  Black Caviar has now won 18 races at about 6 furlongs, making her one of the most remarkable sprinters in history.

Here’s a video clip from local Australian news:

Leslie Law and Tout de Suite, CCI* leaders. Image courtesy of Palmer Photo.

Our friends at Palmer Photo have generously shared a few more dressage photos with us from the CCI** and CCI* divisions at the Ocala Horse Properties International event.  Leslie Law leads the CCI* after dressage with Tout de Suite, while Jessica Phoenix and Patras VR topped the CCI**.   CCI** cross-country begins around 10am.  [Live Scores]

Nicole Doolittle and Tops, tied for third in the CCI*. Image courtesy of Palmer Photo.

Kendal Lehari and Flin Flon, tied for third in the CCI*. Image courtesy of Palmer Photo.

Jessica Phoenix and Patras VR lead the CCI2*. Image courtesy of Palmer Photo.

Emily Beshear and River King sit in second in the CCI2*. Image courtesy of Palmer Photo.

Lauren Kieffer and Veronica tied for third in the CCI2*. Image courtesy of Palmer Photo.

Buck Davidson and Santa's Keeper also tied for third in the CCI2*. Image courtesy of Palmer Photo.

Jessica Phoenix and Patras VR contested the CIC3* at the Fork last weekend, but retired on cross-country after two stops at the coffin. They currently lead the CCI2* in Ocala after dressage. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Internet service has been weak or nonexistent when it comes to posting scores at the Florida Horse Park for the Ocala Horse Properties International 3-Day Event..  Luckily, the CCI2* scores have finally come up.  Here’s the top 5 going into cross-country tomorrow:

[Live Scores]

CCI2*

1.  Jessica Phoenix / Patras VR  46.3

2.  Emily Beshear / River King  47.3

3T. Lauren Kieffer / Veronica  47.6

3T. Buck Davidson / Santa’s Keeper  47.6

5. Jessica Phoenix / Erodium  48.4

CCI1*

1.  Leslie Law / Tout de Suite  36.6

2.  Waylon Roberts / Yarrow   41.9

3T. Dana Carlin / Domestic Dispute  45.3

3T.  Nicole Doolittle / Tops  45.3

3T.  Kendal Lehari / Flin Flon  45.3

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Erin Kellerhouse and Cat Ballou, shown here at Twin Rivers HT six weeks ago, leads the CCI2* at after dressage. Photo by Taren Atkinson.

Out in California, Twin Rivers is having a busy weekend as well.  We would love to have photos and updates from the West Coast– please send them to [email protected]!

[Live Scores]

CCI2* 

1.  Erin Kellerhouse / Cat Ballou  49.1

2.  Katherine Groesbeck / Oz Proof of Purchase  49.7

3.  Barb Crabo / Over Easy  51.7

4.  Frankie Thieriot / Uphoria  53.8

5.  Gina Miles / Chanel  54.6

CCI1*

1.  Jolie Wentworth / Governess  46.3

2.  Matthew Brown / Super Socks BCF  46.6

3T.  Matthew Brown / Che Landscape  48.9

3T.  Pam Fisher / Rigby  48.9

5.  Jolie Wentworth / Gordon Biersch  50.2

UGA plans College Team Challenge at FENCE

from Jorja Miller

The Eventing Team at the University of Georgia has organized a College Team Challenge with Foothills Equestrian Nature Center to take place in Tryon, NC this weekend, April 13-14th. Clemson University and the University of Kentucky will be attending to compete against the University of Georgia.

Teams can be combined of 4 riders at different levels (Intro-Prelim) and will be based on a team scoring system. Riders will compete in their own divisions as well as for their school’s team.

The Eventing Team at UGA recently formed this January and is very committed to jump-starting the program and making eventing a university recognized sport. With the help of Kay Amann and Allisa Huestis, owners of Pascova Farm, the team has already conducted clinics with professionals Imtiaz Anees, Mary Bess Davis, and Kelly Eaton to prepare for this event.

“We want to expand this program to make it easier for young riders to continue training and competing, while still gaining the college experience. It also gives us eventers an option to ride for our school without converting to hunter/ jumpers” says Jorja Miller, Eventing Team at UGA President.

A crew from USEA will be covering the event at FENCE this weekend. Come out and support the college teams at the first College Challenge of 2013!!