Classic Eventing Nation

Sunday Links from One K Helmets

By on Apr 29, 2018 12:01 am -

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiIVwCZgJDk/?taken-by=lynn.symansky.equestrian

There are few feelings better than the end of cross country day when everyone comes home safe. It was a great day in Kentucky (or at home if you tuned into the live stream!). I was thrilled to see Lynn Symansky and Donner come out on top for the Americans. These two finally had their day to shine. With the scores bunched tightly this year, today’s show jumping finale will be a nail-biter!

National Holiday: National Zipper Day

#LRK3DE Links: Website, Ride Times, Schedule, Live Stream, Live Scores, Course Preview, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Ultimate Guide, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

It’s #LRK3DE photo contest time. If you’re at Kentucky, don’t forget to enter — here’s the 411:

U.S. Weekend Preview:

University of New Hampshire Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Fresno County Horse Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Sunday Links:

Jimmy Wofford Reflects On A Great Day Of Cross-Country At The Land Rover Kentucky CCI

Updated: RF Scandalous Displays Blood On Mouth At Land Rover Kentucky, But Veterinarian Clears Her

US Equestrian Names 10 Athletes to Short List for FEI World Equestrian Games NetJets U.S. Show Jumping Team

Kentucky cross-country: Oliver Townend within one rail of win to line up Grand Slam

Report: Cross Country Day at the 2018 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event

Photo Gallery: Cross-Country Day at #KY3Day18

‘The most beautiful soul’: Pippa Funnell’s former ride put down

Vets correct horse’s cardiac arrhythmia in world-first equine ablation

Sunday Video:

Photo Gallery: Hanging Out at the Head of the Lake

By on Apr 28, 2018 7:08 pm -

Sara Gumbiner and Polaris. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

The morning of a four-star event’s cross country day is often accompanied by butterflies as we seek that perfect balance of safe rides and exciting sport. However when the conditions are as perfect as they were today, from the course, to the footing, to the cool Kentucky air, the spirits lift and emotions more closely resemble the giddy anticipation that attracted us to the sport in the first place. It was an awesome day of cross country at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event.

I camped out at the Head of the Lake for the duration of the day. There is much for horses and riders to do at this iconic combination and we saw a wide range of rides with plenty of thrills and a couple of spills thrown in. Forward thinking horses and riders had an easier time getting from the brush drop in to the wide brush corner just a few strides away. Word must have gotten back to the barns because this combination seemed to ride better later in the day. Only a few riders opted for the alternative route or were forced to regroup after the drop. Andrea Baxter in particular displayed superhuman reflexes after Indy 500 took a funny step after the drop and discarded the idea of the corner (they were charged with a runout).

Mackenna Shea and Landioso. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

The younger riders of the field gave impressive performances. Mackenna Shea showed an equally graceful and gutsy ride through the entire complex with Landioso; their summer spent in England has obviously taken their partnership and expertise to the next level. Savannah Fulton and Captain Jack were jumping for fun and never once wavered in their trust of one another. Once again, the highlight of the day for me was watching Sara Gumbiner and Polaris. They jumped through the HOTL as if they’d done it countless times before on their way to jumping clear in their first CCI4*.

The fence repair crew had some intense moments fixing and replacing flags on the brush corner. More than once, a jump judge gave John Wells a leg up onto the corner so he could hurriedly screw the red flag back in place before the next horse came around the corner. No sooner did he fix it once, Lillian Heard and LCC Barnaby casually jumped the wide side of the corner, requiring repair on the red flags yet again. Way to go jump crew!

Andrea Baxter and Indy 500. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Big shoutout to USEA’s Leslie Mintz, who helped me send photos back to the EN team in the media center throughout the day when my cell service failed miserably. Thank you! The journalists and photographers we work alongside make up one big happy family that, as is typical in the horse world, steps in without question to help each other succeed.

As is tradition, EN crashed on cross country day. Thanks for bearing with us as we worked through #chinchcrash2018.

#LRK3DE Links: Website, Ride Times, Schedule, Live Stream, Live Scores, Course Preview, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Ultimate Guide, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

Kentucky 2018 at a Glance: Cross Country Stats

By on Apr 28, 2018 6:00 pm -

It was an incredible day out on cross country Saturday. Derek Di Grazia presented a course that was challenging to the athletes and did plenty of shuffling of the leaderboard, but was forgiving to the horses. The well-designed course combined with the perfect conditions made it a very safe day of sport and, as a happy byproduct, made my job of crunching these numbers much easier! Take a look at the stat breakdown from yesterday’s cross country:

#LRK3DE Links: Website, Live Stream, Final Scores, Course Preview, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Ultimate Guide, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

Top Quotes from Kentucky Cross Country Day

By on Apr 28, 2018 5:25 pm -

Top three after cross country: Chris Burton, Michael Jung and Oliver Townend, plus top American, Lynn Symansky. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

After an influential cross country day in Kentucky, we are looking a very different leaderboard than we had yesterday. What do our new top three think about the day? Read on for the top quotes from Michael Jung, Chris Burton, Oliver Townend, Lynn Symansky and course designer Derek di Grazia:

Michael Jung

On his ride today: “I’m very happy about fischerRocana, but first I have to say also that we had a really good course, a really nice course. I liked it. The gallop track changed through the last years. My feeling was much better also for fischerRocana. She was really wonderful to ride. Nice galloping, and she gave me a really good feeling around. I had a really fantastic ride. fisherRocana was really powerful. I had a great feeling from the start. From the first fence up to the other jumps she galloped nice. She was in a very good condition.

On an uncharacteristic bobble in the Head of the Lake: “On Jump 18, the water, I would like to do four strides. I missed this also — in the end I just wait on what she’s doing. I try to keep her straight in front of the fence, and she tried to not really jump, but go over. I think in the end this is was you need in a partnership: that the other one is also fighting for you. She was really fighting for me in that situation and that makes me proud that she also never gave up. She had every chance to do a stop or a run out, but she fights for me and that was perfect. We lost a few seconds there. We were good on the time up to there, but then we have to go really fast after that, and it’s nice to feel when the horse really fights for you and gallops fast. It’s also good to feel the horse had such great fun in a tough course like this.

On what tomorrow looks like for him: “We have a lot to do. I have another friend with me, which I have to help. Some things to take care of with the horses, we have to prepare for the vet check, we have to do the vet check. Then I think I will ride my horse a little bit, also maybe we do a few jumps. We have to look that we prepare the horse as good as we can, so that the horses feels very well, and has no muscle pain. In the end we have to try to do our best job, and then we will see how it works.”

Chris Burton

On his ride today: “It’s easy to be happy when you’ve had a great run. The team and I are delighted. I’m with Michi, there wouldn’t be anyone in the field today I think that doesn’t think it was a great day of sport. The course designer, he has a lot of feel, and a great track. Good going and the weather was nice, what a good day for eventing.

“We had such good conditions. I think we all were able to enjoy it. My horse, he’s gotten a bit stiff as he’s gotten older, and it’s taken a lot of work from our team to manage him and get him here, and I was delighted that he came home as well as he did. He’s all heart and he looks through the flags really nicely. I really had a great time out there I have to say.”

On the footing: “The tough thing about our sport is we can’t control the weather conditions, so It’s nice then when you have a place like this. However, cross country aside I have a belief that eventing should be like this. We should be doing dressage on the surface (on arena footing) and show jumping on the surface. I think that should become more of the guideline because I’ve jumped horses in the UK in the rain, and I think, ‘why are we doing this to them? Show jumping in the mud this is silly.’ Of course if we have to run cross country in the mud that’s fine.”

On the course: “It’s a four-star. There’s no question. You had to ride well. There was technical questions everywhere. There was plenty of places to have a mistake, but I don’t believe cross country course should just be tough, and I think he (Derek di Grazia) got the balance exactly right.”

Oliver Townend

On the course: “An unbelievable track I think. Derek is one of the best course designers in the world if not the best at the minute. The ground was fantastic. Course was fantastic, but with a huge amount of feel and empathy for the horses, but still a serious four-star and a proper, proper test.

On his two different rides: “I had two very different rides with my horses. King Joules is notoriously strong, which is possibly why I got the ride. Andrew Nicholson rode him before, and Mary King before that. Andrew obviously had his injury, and he was sadly the first one to get turfed out. There’s not question that he’s got a huge amount of talent and an huge amount of gallop. Ability is definitely no problem, but trying to even slow him down sometimes is quite a problem. I got basically run off with for 11 minutes on the first one, but he was exceptionally honest and put himself between the flags. Basically I spent my whole round saying, ‘whoa, whoa’ and steering.

“The second ride completely different. First time at this level and couldn’t be any happier with him. Not quite so confident, not quite so used to the crowds, holding his breath a little bit. Basically been run away on the first one and squeezing all the way with the second one, but he grew in confidence as he went and I think that is a very good sign from a course design point of view that you felt sticky, and you thought to yourself, ‘my god. He doesn’t feel like he’s going great at the minute.’ He was going about had his ears pricked all the way, and as the round progressed, his confidence grew and he started to get better and better as he went. Never didn’t prick his ears, so I thought that was a good sign. He’s had very little preparation due to the horrifically crap spring that we’ve had in England, so I couldn’t be happier with both horses.”

On tomorrow’s show jumping: “It’s one of the biggest three-day events in the world, and it’s like trying to jump her around show jumps after you’ve taken a horse round the Grand National. Good jumpers can have fences down, and bad jumpers can screw up clears. Obviously, I think all three of us will be trying to jump a clear round tomorrow, but we shall see.”

Lynn Symansky

On her ride today: “I don’t have many complaints on my horse today. We went out — he takes a little bit to get into the groove of a course, especially with the crowd, so I would say probably his hairiest moment was the corner at the coffin at 6. After that, honestly, I couldn’t say that a lot going around a track like this, but it was pretty boring it was like clockwork, and I think that’s a tribute to knowing the horse so well and having a great partnership with him. He tried his heart out and I think he was very efficient, and at the end I was really able to slow up because I had my minutes. I thought it was a great track. It rode according to plan, and I was really happy with the way he came home. This was his ninth four-star and he’s a little bit older — he’s 15 this year — so I think it’s actually a little bit easier on him, just knowing the horse so well and not having to ride quite as hard as you do a few years earlier in the partnership.”

On this being the 10th anniversary of an American victory: “I honestly haven’t really looked at the scoreboard because my phone doesn’t work! I think I’m just going to go out and do the job I would do on any sort of day. I think we’ve been battling for years and years to try and defend our home turf. I think these boys all have a very good chance of taking the throne once again. I think as much as we don’t like losing on our home turf, we really welcome the international contingent. It’s really nice to have more competition over here.

On tomorrow’s show jumping: “We’ll just take care of him tonight to give him a good go tomorrow. I’m actually more nervous about surviving the jog than the actual show jumping. Not because he’s lame, just because he’s a little difficult.”

Derek di Grazia

On the 11 double clears: “I think that the ground ending up being quite fast today. You couldn’t get any better conditions I think if we would’ve had a little bit of rain it would’ve been different, but you never know. We had a very good field of riders today. It might not of been a huge number, as far as there may not have been 60 or 70 of them, but I think the ones we had are very good riders. They all took a crack at it, and we ended up with 10 within the time, but I think they had to work at it to get there.”

On how he thinks the course rode: “I’m very happy about how the course rode. I think the faults were spread out across the course. All the combinations I felt rode really well, and at the same time the combinations, you didn’t have to do them all the same way, and certainly that was shown out there today. People did things differently and it could still work out for them. I was happy with how the course ended up riding overall. Again, we didn’t have any horse falls, which is really a great thing. And we didn’t have any injured riders, which is a great thing. To me that is a positive.

On his course design philosophy: “The big thing for me is one: to develop a good flow of the track. That’s the first thing I do when i come to design the track year after year is getting that flow, and then really trying to ask different exercises, and making the riders have to use the things they’ve learned and what they’ve trained their horses to do to, and be able to make sure they can do what they do in their dressage test by going forward, they have to bring them back and having to be straight. It’s all those things we learn as we bring these horses through the levels, and I think that’s what you try to incorporate into the course. And at the same time, you are always thinking that you want to be a fair course to the horses because I don’t ever like to see a horse get hurt on course.”

On reversing the track this year: “I think having the Head of the Lake a little past seven minutes, I still think that the horses were fresh enough at that point. I think really when they get past the Normandy Bank is when you start to see horses start to get tired, so I think that in some ways it’s an advantage to the riders because the Head of the Lake is quite a big thing when you come there. Not only with the crowds, but there’s always a lot to do, and I think that being well into the course at that point, I think the horses and the riders actually should be into a good rhythm and should actually ride almost better at that point than being at four minutes where we’ve had it in the past.”

On his upcoming Olympic course in Tokyo 2020: “It’s interesting because the Tokyo course to me is pretty much mostly done in that we might make little changes, but the whole concept of the course, the track of the course and all that is done, so we’re really in the final development of that course. To me again, I like each site, whether it’s here or any of the other ones I do, they’re all different, so you basically design for the site because the terrain is different and there are quite a few different characteristics, so maybe you have to design according to what that facility gives you. That’s what I try to do because you’d hate to go one place and have it be exactly the same as the other. You want to try to make a difference in each place.  

“Certainly if there’s jumps that were somewhat presented like what we have in Tokyo, then if you didn’t like how it was then certainly you can make the adjustments. I think that goes for whatever you’re doing from course to course, anywhere you’re designing. The same if you go to watch a course that’s not your own, maybe someone else’s that you’re watching how the jumps ride put in a certain way. You can say, ‘I like that, I don’t it.’ I think we’re always learning about course design every day.”

#LRK3DE Links: Website, Ride Times, Schedule, Live Stream, Live Scores, Course Preview, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Ultimate Guide, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

Stage Set for Magic Mike’s Historic 4th Win at Kentucky

By on Apr 28, 2018 5:06 pm -

Michael Jung and fischerRocana FST. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

You just can’t get bet against Magic Mike. At the conclusion of cross country day at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, three-time consecutive winners Michael Jung and fischerRocana FST once again top the leaderboard.

Michael and Rocana, a 13-year-old German Sport Horse (Ituango xx X Rose II, by Carismo) owned by Brigitte and Joachim Jung, completed Derek di Grazia’s course 1 second over the optimum time to move into the lead in their quest to take a historic fourth four-star win at the venue.

With dry weather and perfect going today, 11 combinations caught the optimum time of 11 minutes, 3 seconds, which is more than the last three runnings of the event combined when rain fell on cross country day. We also saw a 70% clear jumping rate, which EquiRatings noted is the highest at the venue in 10 years.

Chris Burton and Nobilis 18. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Chris Burton and Nobilis 18, an 11-year-old Hanoverian (Nobre xx X Lilli, by Lemon xx) owned by Sue Lawson and Carolyn Townsend, jumped a beautiful clear 1 second inside the time to move up one spot on the leaderboard and sit in second place on their dressage score of 27.9.

Oliver Townend was the only rider in the field to complete two horses within the optimum time. Cooley Master Class is the highest-placed four-star first-timer in the field tonight thanks to coming home 3 seconds inside the time. The 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Ramiro B X The Swallow, by Master Imp) owned by Angela Hislop moved up from fifth to third on 28.7.

Oliver Townend and Cooley Master Class. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Oliver said MHS King Joules, a 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Ghareeb X Gowran Lady, by Cavalier Royal), ran away with him a bit in delivering a speedy clear 5 seconds inside the time, which moved him from eighth up to equal fourth on 31.3.

Lynn Symansky and Donner, a 15-year-old Thoroughbred (Gorky Park X Smart Jane, by Smarten) owned by The Donner Syndicate, came home 4 seconds inside the time to jump up to equal fourth and lead the Land Rover/USEF National CCI4* Championship.

Overnight dressage leaders Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous,  a 13-year-old Oldenburg mare (Carry Gold X Richardia, by Lario) owned by Phoebe and Michael Manders and Jacqueline Mars, added 8.0 time penalties to slip to sixth place on 32.8.

Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg, an 11-year-old Trakehner (Windfall X Thabana, by Buddenbrock) owned by Christine Turner, added 2.0 time penalties in the horse’s four-star debut and slipped down one spot on the leaderboard to 33.2.

Phillip Dutton piloted both of his horses into the top 10 on the exact same score of 33.7 to tie himself for eighth place. Z, a 10-year-old Zangersheide (Asca X Bellabouche, by Babouche VH Gehucht Z) owned by the Z Partnership, hit bang on the optimum time in his first four-star to move from 16th up to eighth on 33.7. I’m Sew Ready, a 14-year-old KWPN (Lupicor X Jarda, by Elcaro) owned by John and Kristine Norton’s I’m Sew Ready picked up 1.2 time penalties to move from 13th up to eighth.

Lauren Kieffer and Jacqueline Mars’ Vermiculus, an 11-year-old Anglo Arabian (Sazeram X Wake Me Gently), jumped clear with 3.6 time penalties to slip four spots on the leaderboard to 10th on 34.8.

Sharon White and Cooley On Show. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Seven horses moved up more than 15 places after cross country. Sharon White and her own Cooley On Show, an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Ricardo Z X Jogantina, by Grand d’Espagne), made the time to jump from 23rd to 11th on 35.6.

Erin Sylvester and Paddy the Caddy, an 11-year-old Thoroughbred (Azamore X Slamy) owned by Frank McEntee, jumped around five seconds inside the time to move up from 25th to 12th place on their dressage score of 35.8.

Will Coleman and Tight Lines, an 11-year-old French Thoroughbred (Turgeon X Merindole, by Tel Quel) owned by the Conair Syndicate, stormed around 18 seconds inside — the second fastest round of the day — to move from 32nd up to 17th place.

Last year at Kentucky, Tim Bourke and Luckaun Quality had the fastest cross country round and finished 20 seconds inside the time. Today they once again delivered the fastest round of the day and finished 20 seconds inside the time, which moved them from 35th up to 18th place on 40.2.

EN’s Biggest Smile of the Day Award goes to four-star first-timers Sara Gumbiner and Polaris, who jumped clear with 14 time penalties in their debut at the level to sit in 30th place after cross country.

Sara Gumbiner and Polaris. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

What the Numbers Say

EN’s data analyst Maggie Deatrick crunched numbers throughout the day. The field averaged 15.58 seconds over the optimum time. Compare this to 2015 (42.24 seconds), 2016 (53.45 seconds), and 2017 (46.57 seconds) and we had a very fast course today.

The completion rate today was 83.7%, comparable to 2016 when 87.5% completed and above the 64.8% of 2015 and 73.7% of 2017. The clear XC rate rises to 69.7% though, above 2015 (46.5%), 2016 (62.5%), and 2017 (45.6%).

Four pairs posted times faster than their fastest CCI3* or fastest CCI4* rounds — Oliver Townend and Cooley Master Class, Phillip Dutton and I’m Sew Ready, Leah Lang-Gluscic and AP Prime, and Tamie Smith and Wembley.

Ten horses (I’m Sew Ready, A.P. Prime, Cooley On Show, Captain Jack, Nobilis 18, Landmark’s Monte Carlo, Honor Me, Landioso, Share Option, Tactical Maneuver) bettered their CCI4* personal best cross country time.

Kelly Prather and Truly Wiley. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

The biggest movers of the day were Kelly Prather and Truly Wiley (41st to 21st) and Woodge Fulton and Captain Jack (44th to 24th), each moving up 20 places thanks to making the optimum time.

Problems were evenly spread throughout Derek di Grazia’s course. Hawley Bennett-Award retired Jollybo at fence 4A, the rails jumping into the Water Park, when the mare slammed on the brakes. Boyd Martin and Steady Eddie and Ellie MacPhail O’Neal and RF Eloquence both retired after a glance off at 6D, the open corner at the Park Question.

Allie Knowles and Sound Prospect and Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights both had runouts at the brush corner at 10B in the Rolex Grand Slam Challenge. Joe Meyer had a stop with Clip Clop at 13A, the log stump at Pete’s Hollow, and retired soon after. Waylon Roberts and Kelecyn Cognac had a stop at 15A, the first of the angled logs at the Fallen Trees.

The Land Rover Head of the Lake caused its fair share of trouble. Holly Jacks-Smither fell from More Inspiration at 18B, the brush corner in the water, when the horse pecked on landing and she couldn’t quite hang out. Lillian Heard jumped to the right of the flag at the brush corner at 18B with LCC Barnaby to pick up 20 jumping penalties.

Andrea Baxter and Indy 500 had a runout at 18B and another later on course at 21D, the second of the angled hedges at the Normandy Bank. Sir Oberon crawled all over the brush arrowhead at 19B at the Head of the Lake and sent Ellen Doughty-Hume flying into the water.

Three combinations — Buck Davidson and Park Trader, Kim Severson and Cooley Cross Border, and Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights — had runouts at 26b, the Mighty Moguls.

Three riders fell in all, with Allie Knowles parting ways with Sound Prospect at 21D at the Normandy Bank. No horse falls occurred today, and there are no reported horse or rider injuries to give us a very safe day of cross country.

Lillian Heard and LCC Barnaby. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Looking Ahead to Tomorrow

No horse and rider combination have ever won four times at the same four-star venue, so Michael Jung and fischerRocana FST stand on the threshold of history tonight. Now they face the tremendous task of jumping clean over Richard Jeffery’s show jumping course tomorrow. In their seven CCI4* completions, Rocana has jumped clear on the final day only twice. She is liable to a pole, which she cannot afford to still win — and for that matter she cannot afford a single time penalty.

As we’ve been discussing all year, the removal of the dressage multiplier means scores will be much more tightly bunched in the jumping phases. After cross country, one rail separates the top five. Two rails separate the top 10. Every pole down tomorrow will prove incredibly costly in the final standings.

Looking ahead to tomorrow, the final horse inspection is scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. EST, with show jumping starting at 1 p.m. EST.

As is EN tradition on cross country day at Kentucky, we have been dealing with sporadic server crashes throughout the day. Please bear with us as the chinchillas continue to patch the servers back together. Stay turned for much more from #LRK3DE, including quotes from the press conference. Go Eventing.

#LRK3DE Links: Website, Ride Times, Schedule, Live Stream, Live Scores, Course Preview, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Ultimate Guide, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

Sunshine and Bluegrass: Saturday Social Media from Kentucky

By on Apr 28, 2018 5:00 pm -

What … what is that yellow thing in the sky? The sun? The SUN! Gosh, it’s been a while since

And as it goes on Kentucky cross country day, the chinchillas have run into a bit of trouble with the EN server. That rascally rodent may have partied a bit too hard at our tailgate. Thank you for bearing with us during #ChinchCrash2018!

Let’s take a look at some of today’s action through the eyes of the #BestFansAllYear:

Never coming home #LRK3DE

A post shared by jessica hubbard (@jessica.hubbard) on

Enjoying cross country day at #lrk3de

A post shared by Jacqueline Mast (@mastjacq) on

#LRK3DE Links: Website, Ride Times, Schedule, Live Stream, Live Scores, Course Preview, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Ultimate Guide, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

#EventerProblems Vol. 140 from Ecovet: Thank the Lord for Live Streams

By on Apr 28, 2018 5:00 pm -

What did we did before Kentucky Three-Day Event live streams? Just, like, wait around for scores? Look at some pictures? How neanderthal.

Nowadays we can all follow the action as it unfolds, thanks to the fine folks at USEF Network. Check out our “How to Watch” guide here or skip straight to the live stream here.

If your #EventerProblem this week is that you aren’t here watching LRK3DE in the flesh, this one goes out to you:

When it’s Kentucky 3 day time but you gotta earn that ????

A post shared by Stephanie Letarte (@sletarte) on

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiDHOqtANKW/

So distracted this morning#LRK3DE

A post shared by Kristina Erwin (@kristerwin) on

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiCQXSOgXbk/

Go Eventing.

#LRK3DE Links: Website, Ride Times, Schedule, Live Stream, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Ultimate Guide, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

Kentucky Cross Country Open Thread, Presented by SmartPak: fischerRocana Reigns Supreme

By on Apr 28, 2018 9:55 am -

The moment we’ve all been waiting for is here — it’s cross country day at the Land Rover Kentucky Three Day Event! This is the page you’ll want to keep refreshing all day for all the action as it happens. Also follow our twitter feed (@eventingnation) for more live updates.

Cross country will be hugely influential. The entire field is spread across just 22.4 points without the dressage coefficient, meaning time penalties will prove costly. Our overnight leader, Marilyn Little, has room for just about five seconds, so she’ll have to put the pedal down to stay on top.

If you’re on site and want to experience cross country day with a mimosa and a certain celebrity status chinchilla, then come enjoy the EN’s 6th Annual ‘Insanity in the Middle’ Tailgate, Presented by Amerigo! We’re in spaces S294 and S295. Click here for more info.

We’ll kick things off with the first rider at 11 a.m. EST. To catch EN’s course preview click here. Click here to catch up on all of EN’s coverage from #LRK3DE. Go Eventing.

#LRK3DE Links: Website, Ride Times, Schedule, Live Stream, Live Scores, Course Preview, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Ultimate Guide, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

4:46 p.m. EST Thanks for hanging in there with us, EN! Our servers famously crash every year in Kentucky, and this year proved different only in the length and intensity of the technical issues! #ChichCrash2018 tried to slow us down, but we kept right on. Read on below if you missed any of the action today. Also check out our twitter feed (@eventingnation), which followed the action in ~actual~ real time.

2:16 p.m 

2:15 p.m. We finish cross country day with just a few too many international riders at the top for our liking, but Lynn and Donner are in the hunt!

2:12 p.m. She was looking a little down on the time but she actually came through the finish only one second over.

2:10 p.m. Patrick with a super jump up the Normandy Bank.  They’re just a bit down on the clock.

2:10 p.m. Lauren is clear through the Head of the Lake with Patrick! She’s our final rider on course.

2:09 p.m. Oliver Townend has officially gotten two clear rounds! (GIF)

2:07 p.m. Oliver is right on his time in the final drag toward home.

2:06 p.m. Oliver charges down the hill after the Normandy bank. Sending spectators at the ropes running!

2:05 p.m. Cooley Master Class isn’t looking at all like the horse from the start. Going very boldly now.

2:04 p.m. Two seconds above the time for Phillip Dutton and I’m Sew Ready.

2:03 p.m. Oliver clear through the hollow / Lauren clear through the first water

2:02 p.m. Cooley Master Class is looking much more confident at this point in the course. Nice ride through the Rolex Grand Slam Challenge.

2:01 p.m. Brilliant riding through the water for Phil

1:59 p.m. Oliver had to dig deep and keep this horse going through the coffin.

1:58 p.m. Very scary ride for Phillip at the table in the hollow, but I’m Sew Ready somehow gets them over it.

1:57 p.m. Third-placed Oliver Townend heads out with Cooley Master Class in the horse’s first four-star.

1:57 p.m. Phillip and I’m Sew Ready good on the clock at fence 7.

1:55 p.m. Buck is home with just 1.2 time penalties for a current top ten place with Copper Beach.

1:54 p.m. Phillip Dutton and I’m Sew Ready have a very quick ride through the first water.

1:53 p.m. Great ride through the Normandy Bank for Buck. He’s a bit down on the time, but very close.

1:52 p.m. Donner and Lynn are home clear! They are the top US Pair in fourth provisionally.

1:50 p.m. Big discussions between Buck and Copper Beach through the Hollow but theyre clear.

1:49 p.m. Colleen has a second jump error at the Mighty Mogul fence at 26B.

1:48 p.m. Textbook ride through the Head of the Lake with Lynn and Donner.

1:47 p.m. Buck is taking on his third completion here with Copper Beach.

1:46 p.m. Lynn and Donner fly through the Rolex Grand Slam Challenge water. They are gunning for a clear.

1:45 p.m. We are hearing now that Colleen and CR picked up a stop at the corner at 10b, The Rolex Grand Slam Water

1:45 p.m. 20 jumping and 7.2 time penalties for Kim.

1:44 p.m. Dreams dashed. Kim and Cross have a stop at the b element of the Mighty Moguls.

1:43 p.m. Lynn Symansky and Donner are out. They put forward a very efficient ride through the first water.

1:42 p.m. Kim charges through the Normandy bank. Crossy looks like he’s got more than enough run left.

1:41 p.m. Pawel is home with 2 time penalties.

1:41 p.m. Clear through the Head of the Lake and Kim is right on the clock.

1:40 p.m. Baneras looks a bit tired, but Pawel is doing a great job of getting him home.

1:39 p.m. Erin Sylvester and Paddy the Caddy came home inside the time.

1:38 p.m. Kim absolutely blazes through the Rolex Grand Slam Challenge at 10.

1:37 p.m. Pawel takes the long route at the Head of the Lake

1:36 p.m. Great riding through the coffin at 6. Kim is looking determined.

1:35 p.m. Banderas catches a hind leg on 15b, but Pawel sits it.

1:34 p.m. Kim does the quick three in the first water.

1:33 p.m. 18.4 time penalties for Elisa Wallace. Simply Priceless finishes full of running.

1:32 p.m. GO CROSSY! He and Kim are off and away.

1:31 p.m. Pawel Spisak looks very determined in the back seat through the coffin.

1:30 p.m. Paddy the Caddy looking very bold through the Hollow.

1:29 p.m. We’re finally getting a glimpse of Elisa at fence 20. She’s clear so far just a bit down on the time.

1:28 p.m. After the last combination, she’s over the time. Coming home with 7.6 time penalties for fourth place.

1:27 p.m. Marilyn and Kitty are on the long hill toward the finish. They’re just slightly loosing the clock.

1:26 p.m. I held my breath through the Normandy Bank. Marilyn took and chance and made it look easy.

1:26 p.m. Elisa Wallace and Simply Priceless are out of course. They’re clear through 9 so far.

1:25 p.m. Clear, bold ride through the Head of the Lake for Marilyn. She’s good on the clock so far.

1:24 p.m. Will Coleman is home in 10:44 seconds. Fastest ride of the day, and Phish looks ready to start the whole thing over.

1:23 p.m. Super ride through the hollow for Marilyn and Kitty.

1:21 p.m. Marilyn’s round is looking very solid. She heads to the hollow.

1:20 p.m. Chris Burton home two seconds under the time! Michael still leads but only by the skin of his teeth.

1:19 p.m. A right drift to 4C at the first water gave an unpleasant jump, but Marilyn gallops off.

1:17 p.m. Kitty is bounding out of the startbox

1:16 p.m. Will Coleman shows Tight Lines the way through the coffin at 6. They get it done

1:16 p.m. Nobilis is so damn quick-footed. He is so economical going toward the head of the lake.

1:15 p.m. Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous head to the box

1:13 p.m. Quick conversation between Burto and Nobilis at 10B

1:11 p.m. Super goes so far for Bughley winners Chris Burton and Nobilis 18. Clear through fence 6.

1:08 p.m. Kelly Prather home clear inside the time! Well done!

1:07 p.m. AH! A glance off the corner at 6D for Steady Eddie. He calls it a day there.

1:05 p.m. We have word that Lillian picked up 20 penalties at the Head of the Lake.

1:04 p.m. Chip stride to the massive ditch and brush for Tim Bourke. He kicks on.

Tim Bourke and Luckaun Quality hopping through Pete’s Hollow #LRK3DE

A post shared by U.S. Eventing Association (@useventing) on

1:03 p.m. Four star table or novice fence? You tell us

1:02 p.m. Speedsters Tim Bourke and Lauckaun Quality are off and away. They will go for the time.

1:01 p.m. We didn’t see much of her on the live stream, but Lisa Marie and Honor Me are home with 5.6 time penalties.

1:00 p.m. Kelley Prather and Truly Wiley are looking fab in the first parts of the course.

12:59 p.m. Lillian and LCC Barnaby squeak over 13A, but make a good run for the offset logs at 15.

12:55 p.m. Lillian Heard and LCC Barnaby haven’t shown up on the live stream yet, but they are clear through 7 so far.

12:54 p.m. Landioso hangs a leg at the log on the Normandy bank. Mackenna saves it!

12:53 p.m. A little stumble on landing into the Head of the Lake for Mackenna, but she stays right on and they get a beautiful jump over the corner.

12:51 p.m. Arg! A fall for Allie Knowles at the Normandy Bank.

12:47 p.m. Mackenna Shea and Landioso super through the first water

12:46 p.m. Lauren is just a hair down on the time. She should put the pedal down between here and the finish.

12:45 p.m. Lauren is so bold through the Head of the Lake. She wants that time!

12:44 p.m. Lauren does the four between the offset logs at 15. This hasn’t been riding very well so far, but she gave it a beautiful look.

12:43 p.m. Allie Knowles and Sound Prospect are away and clear through 6 so far.

12:42 p.m. Caroline Martin has withdrawn The Apprentice

12:41 p.m. Bug thinks the water at 10ABC is easy peasy!

12:40 p.m. Oliver Townend home 6 seconds under the time! Fastest ride of the day so far, and fifth clear.

12:39 p.m. Textbook through the first water for Vermiculus.

12:38 p.m. Oliver wastes absolutely no time at the Normandy Bank.

12:38 p.m. Lauren and Bug are off!

12:37 p.m. Home clear for Carlevo! One more to go for Buck.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiHvZqYnwEy/?taken-by=useventing

12:37 p.m. Quick & clear through the Head of the Lake for Oliver.

12:35 p.m. Buck makes the Mighty Moguls his master this time through!

12:34 p.m. Oliver is using King Joules’ big gallopy stride to make up some time. Made it in three strides between the offset logs at 15.

12:34 p.m. Well done for Buck at the Normandy Bank. Keeps Carlevo between the flags.

12:33 p.m. HUGE leap into the the water at 10A, aptly named the Rolex Grand Slam Challenge, as Oliver is chasing that challenge himself.

12:31 p.m. Slight drift left into the Head of the Lake, Buck lets him take his time and goes clear.

12:30 p.m. Agh! A wild ride through the water at 4abc for Oliver Townend. They get away with it.

12:29 p.m. Holly takes the long route into the Head of the Lake. Doesn’t quite get her canter back before the corner in the water, and is jumped out of the tack. Horse & rider both ok.

12:28 p.m. Carlevo looks to be backing off a little at the coffin at 6. Buck is having to work hard.

12:28 p.m. Eyes are on Oliver Townend now. We expect him to make the time today with MHS Kind Joules

12:27 p.m. Buck through the first water with his second ride Carlevo.

12:25 p.m. Ashley finishes clear with 33.6 time penalties.

12:23 p.m. Great ride through the first water for Holly Jacks Smither. She’s hugging her line!

12:21 p.m. Eek! Tactical Maneuver climbs through the brush at 21d. Over, under or through right?

12:20 p.m. Great ride through the long route at the Head of the Lake for Ashley.

12:19 p.m. Lots of strides added for Ashley at the offset logs. She is determined for a clear round.

12:18 p.m. A stop at 4a for Hawley Bennett-Awad and Jolly bo. She puts a hand up. Heartbreaking early end to their day.

12:17 p.m. Sticky ride for Ashley over the alternate corner at 10b, but still looking good.

12:14 p.m. Lovely ride through the Mighty Mogels for Sharon. She’s headed home and looking quite good on time.

12:13 p.m. Ashley Johnson and Tactical Maneuver make their way through the start of the course.

12:11 p.m. Sara and Polaris have done it! First 4* cross country finish!

12:10 p.m. Sharon saw four, but Louie said he needed the five at the angled trees at 15ab. They made it work.

12:08 p.m. Louie looking so game. She is one of the first riders to do five strides between 12 and 13A.

12:07 p.m. They had a wiggle on the way into the coffin combination at 6, but gets it done!

12:06 p.m. Sharon White out on course. Go Louie!

12:05 p.m. Andrea is home with 40 jump penalties and 19.2 time penalties.

12:03 p.m. Huge jump from Rookie Sara Gumbiner and Polaris at 6D!

11:56 a.m. Knowing her past issues with right handed corners, Andrea goes the long way at 10ABC and makes it clear.

11:56 a.m.

11:55 a.m. Kelecyn Cognac slams the breaks at 15b.

11:54 a.m. We haven’t seen any of her, but Andrea Baxter and Indy 500 are on course and clear so far.

11:53 a.m. Great riding by Waylon Roberts through 10ABC

11:51 a.m. He was down on the time, but he made it up in the last quarter of the course finishing bang on optimum. Unreal.

11:48 a.m. Yikes! A very sticky ride through the head of the lake for Michael, but he gets away with it. He’s 5-6 seconds down on the clock.

11:47 a.m. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiHnkZUA-wt/?tagged=lrk3de

11:46 a.m. A master at work – Michael is right on the minute markers.

11:45 a.m. Woodge made it home inside the time. Way to go girl!

11:43 a.m. The crowd is going bananas for fisherRocana!

11:42 a.m. Michi does the four between 4a and 4b, but he’s hugging that line to save every second.

11:40 a.m. The queen is on course.

11:40 a.m. Goosebumps watching the Next Level Eventing crew run up to Tamie at the finish. Clear with a handful of time.  Well done!

11:39 a.m.

11:38 a.m. “It was a relentless course. He’s got so much heart that little guy.”  – Boyd

11:37 a.m. Tamie is a bit down on her time, but Wembley’s big stride should help.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiHpEBtnIpP/?tagged=lrk3de

11:36 a.m. Tamie makes the Head of the Lake look easy!

11:34 a.m. Scrappy riding from Woodge and Captain Jack.

11:32 a.m. Tamie doing an excellent job showing Wembley around Kentucky. I can practically hear the West Coast cheering for them!

11: 31 a.m.

11:30 a.m. “Come on!” Boyd encourages Tsetserleg through the Mighty Moguls. They come home 4 seconds over the time.

11:29 a.m. Boyd is down on the clock, but giving this horse a great ride. Tamie is out on course. Go Wembley!!

11:27 a.m. Boyd adds through the angled logs, but Tsetserleg looks happy to do it.

11:26 a.m. A clear round for Lillian! She picks up 19.6 time penalites.

11:25 a.m. Boyd has to dig deep at 10BC, but he gets it done!

11:24a.m. Joe has pulled up with Clip Clop.

11:23 a.m. Phillip Dutton comes home clear with a four-star first-timer. No one but Phil could make that happen! “I’m pretty proud of my little horse”- P’Dutty.

11:21 a.m. A stop for Joe Meyer and Clip Clop at 13 A.

11:21 a.m. Lillian looks like she’s having a canter around. Absolutely beautiful riding.

11:20 a.m.

11:19 a.m. Phillip has 30 second to get home. Z is looking a little through 27AB.

11:18 a.m.

11:15 a.m. 

11:15 a.m. Lillian Heard and Share Option are looking super out to start.

11:14 a.m. Z hangs a leg at both 15 A and B. Phillip does an excellent job to keep him going.

11:13 a.m. Caroline took the long route at the Head of the Lake. She is hunting for her first clear 4* despite time penalties.

11:11 a.m. Sticky ride for Caroline as she heads to the Head of the Lake

11:10 a.m. Buck has a run out at 26b. He will be very frustrated with that after such an excellent start.

11:08 a.m. Thanks to a lead from Richard Picken, Z and Phillip are out of the box!

11:06 a.m. Little bit of a flyer for Caroline at 4b, but Spring Easy picks up the distance easily.

11:05 a.m.

11:04 a.m. Caroline Martin and Spring easy are off!

11:02 a.m. Buck and Park Trader get the three strides through 4a-4b. He’s cruising.

11:00 a.m.

10:59 a.m. Buck circles the startbox squeee!

10:50 a.m. Jen McFall has also withdrawn High Times

10:48 a.m. Ronald Zabala-Goetschel has withdrawn Wundermaske in an effort to save the horse for WEG. He posted this update to his facebook page:

10:28 a.m.

10:02 a.m. 

10:00 a.m.

Cross Country Powerhouses of Kentucky 2018

By on Apr 28, 2018 9:28 am -

Michael Jung and fischerRocana FST. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

It’s cross country day at #LRK3DE! The cross country consists of 28 numbered obstacles (45 total jumping efforts when taking all the direct routes) across 6,295 meters of the Kentucky Horse Park. The horses will have to cover the distance under the optimum time of 11 minutes, 3 seconds, or they will incur time penalties, 0.4 added to their score for each second they are over. Click here for a full course preview.

Derek di Grazia of the United States has been the course designer here since 2011. Derek currently designs many courses in North America, including both Bromont CCI3* and Fair Hill CCI3*, two key qualifiers for this event. He has also been designated as the course designer for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. In years where the weather was nicer and the ground was good at Kentucky, as it was 2012-2014, the course averaged 22.8% of the field making the time. From 2015-2017, when the horses ran through rain or mud or both, only 5.53% of the field made the time.

The horses listed below fall into three different categories: horses who have been proven both consistent and fast at the CCI4* level, horses who are very fast when clear but could pick up a jump penalty, and horses who have stellar 3* form and speed but the 4* is a bit of a question mark. With the weather being clear, there will almost certainly be a larger percentage of horses who make the time compared to the past three years.

At four-star level, a cross country run that is clear and inside the time could potentially move you up many places, especially with the dressage losing some weight due to the removal of the coefficient in scoring. Here are the projections of horses who will make the biggest moves up the leaderboard tomorrow … or maintain their place at the top.

#LRK3DE Links: Website, Ride Times, Schedule, Live Stream, Live Scores, Course Preview, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Ultimate Guide, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

THE STALWARTS

Michael Jung (GER) and fischerRocana FST: Michael Jung is nicknamed Ze Terminator for his machine-like ability to get the job done, year in and year out. Rocana has an impeccable 3/4* record apart from two blips within the same 6-month period in 2015. She’s gone inside the time at five of nine CCI3/4* she’s completed, and once when she didn’t she was still the fastest time of the day.

Potential Hiccups: The possibility exists that she might have a couple of time penalties. Setting aside the World Equestrian Games in Normandy, she’s never had more than four seconds over optimum at any CCI3/4*.

Ride Time: 11:40 AM

Chris Burton (AUS) and Nobilis 18: Nobilis 18 has 8 three/four-star starts under Chris Burton and has only once ever had an issue, when Burto fell off at Badminton in 2016. While that does mean they only have a 4* completion rate of 50% in two tries, you can almost safely bet that this will be one of the quickest runs tomorrow.

Potential Hiccups: Fitness. Every British-based rider suffered a miserable spring and barely got any outings. This pair did incur 3.2 time penalties at Burghley in 2016, but on a year when no one made the time. Nobilis 18 also hasn’t run a CCI since winning that Burghley.

Ride Time: 1:08 PM

Lynn Symansky and Donner. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Lynn Symansky (USA) and Donner: Donner and Lynn have completed more 4* than anyone in the field, including Rocana, and they’ve jumped clear at every one except for a grueling WEG in Normandy. What they haven’t done since 2013 is make the time.

Potential Hiccups: Speed. This is a Thoroughbred and he runs like a Thoroughbred, but Lynn has only put the pedal to the floor in two of their five 4* starts since WEG. A handful of seconds over the optimum (less than 10) is a possibility.

Ride Time: 1:40 PM

THE HEARTBREAKERS

Oliver Townend (GBR) and MHS King Joules: In their international career as a pair, these two have never ever added anything in the cross-country phase if they’ve run clear. But they’ve had a stop in 3 of their 7 runs, including the horse’s only four-star attempt at Burghley 2016. If they go clear, they go inside the time.

Potential Hiccups: Consistency over the jumps and fitness. As we’ve already discussed, this horse is a bit of a wild card as to whether he will make it over all the fences on the first try. On top of that, this horse is based in England, making fitness runs this spring quite difficult. He also only competed once at the international level in 2017 and none at all this year, leaving his runs very limited over the past eighteen months. He hasn’t started a CCI since the end of 2016.

Ride Time: 12:28 PM

Boyd Martin and Steady Eddie. Photo by Miranda Akins/Photography In Stride.

Boyd Martin (USA) and Steady Eddie: Steady Eddie has been quite consistent cross-country … except for on Derek di Grazia courses. In 14 international 3/4* runs, he’s had issues at five of them, four of which were designed by Derek — twice at Fair Hill and twice at Kentucky. In fact, despite a clean, fast run at Burghley last fall, he’s 0 for 2 at Kentucky. However, he eventually did run around Fair Hill clear and inside the time, and after a confidence-building top 10 result at Burghley, perhaps this scrappy OTTB will conquer his demons this weekend.

Potential Hiccups: Consistency over the jumps, particularly Derek’s jumps.

Ride Time: 1:32 PM

Pawel Spisak (POL) and Banderas: This horse hasn’t had a stop since the 2016 Olympic Games, but the pair are still a bit of a wild card. The horse fell at his first attempt at a CCI3* in Strzegom in 2015, and then fell again at his first 4* attempt at Rio. This will be the pair’s first traditional 4* start so hopefully the pattern won’t hold. They’ve twice jumped clear and inside the time at the Sopot CCI3* and also jumped clear with only 0.4 time penalty around the European Championships at Strzegom last summer, so it’s highly likely that they will go fast if they go clear.

Potential Hiccups: Consistency over the jumps. As we’ve mentioned, two horse falls on a record can be a bit concerning, particularly at the horse’s first attempts at a new level.

Ride Time: 1:28 PM

Kim Severson and Cooley Cross Border at Blenheim in 2017. Photo by Libby Law.

Kim Severson (USA) and Cooley Cross Border: Cooley Cross Border and Kim Severson notably won Blenheim last fall and have conquered Fair Hill CCI3* twice, once within two seconds of the optimum time. Until Kentucky last year, this pair had a relatively clean record at the 3/4* level apart from a stop at their first attempt, but they suffered confidence issues after a re-route to Tattersalls last May. A clean run will likely be a fast run, although a handful of time penalties could stick.

Potential Hiccups: Consistency over the jumps. After a fall of horse earlier this spring at Carolina, Kentucky will be a big test of Cooley Cross Border’s confidence.

Ride Time: 1:32 PM

Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Colleen Rutledge (USA) and Covert Rights:  This pair (along with Savannah Fulton and Captain Jack) are one of the only pairs to have a 100% clear XC rate at multiple 4* attempts, which of course is easier to do when that number is two. Still, one of those was Kentucky and the other was Burghley, so that’s nothing to sneeze at. After Burghley in 2015, Colleen picked up the pace with this horse and spent most of 2016 and 2017 proving that this horse has speed. That included their first clear CCI3* round inside the time at Fair Hill last fall.

Potential Hiccups: Consistency over the jumps. It’s hard to imagine that this horse might be suffering a confidence issue after being so consistent at the level for so long, but a pair of uncharacteristic stops at Carolina and a missed flag at The Fork haven’t been an ideal lead up to Kentucky.

Ride Time: 1:36 PM

Phillip Dutton and Z. Photo by Jenni Autry.

THE UNKNOWNS

Phillip Dutton (USA) and Z:  In 11 3* starts, Phillip and Z have only had one issue, a rider fall at Fair Hill in 2016 when the horse jumped huge into the first water and sent Phillip out the side door. This horse likes to jump and he’s proven it by finishing inside the time at both of his CCI3* completions, and no more than 12 seconds over the optimum time at his last five of six 3* starts, with the final one being a dismally wet Jersey Fresh last spring.

Potential Hiccups: Consistency over the jumps, but only because it’s the horse’s first 4*. He has Phillip in the irons, so this is likely negated.

Ride Time: 11:08 AM

Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Boyd Martin (USA) and Tsetserleg: Little Tsetserleg always reminds me of Thomas the Train, because he’s always quietly chugging along, getting better and better without people really taking notice. Aside from a rider fall in the horse’s first CIC3* attempt, Tsetserleg has been steady all the way, clocking in a solid clear round at his first CCI3* at Bromont and coming within 3 seconds of optimum at the second at Fair Hill.

Potential Hiccups: Consistency over the jumps, and only because it’s the horse’s first 4*. Like Z, he has Boyd in the irons, so this is not a huge concern.

Ride Time: 11:20 AM

Waylon Roberts and Kelecyn Cognac. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Waylon Roberts (CAN) and Kelecyn Cognac: This pair has run three CCI3* together and they average 8.67 seconds under optimum time in them. They were the fastest time of the day in two of those as well, and in four 3* runs in 2017 they made the time in three of them.

Potential Hiccups: Kelecyn Cognac is moving up a level and Waylon Roberts has only one 4* run under his belt. Still, these two are well prepared so the main question should be how fast they can actually get around.

Ride Time: 11:48 AM

Sharon White and Cooley On Show. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Sharon White (USA) and Cooley On Show: This pair has 12 3* starts and 12 clear 3* cross country rounds. But after two stops in the horse’s first 4* at Kentucky last spring, they re-routed to the 4* at Luhmühlen, which was widely regarded as soft for the level. The difficulties of Kentucky are still an open question.

Potential Hiccups: Consistency over the jumps. A questionable run here last year leaves unanswered questions that hopefully an extra year can resolve.

Ride Time: 12:04 PM

Will Coleman and Tight Lines. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Will Coleman (USA) and Tight Lines:  Tight Lines has been incredibly consistent at the three-star level, incurring no stops or falls thus far in his career. However, he incurred two stops last spring at Kentucky when he stepped up to the 4* level after less than a year at the 3* level. With another year under his belt, this Thoroughbred should be more of his rock and roll self. He’s made the time at both of the CCI3* he’s completed.

Potential Hiccups: Consistency over the jumps. This is only Tight Lines second 4* start and another year at 3* should only have helped this horse.

Ride Time: 1:12 PM

Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Marilyn Little (USA) and RF Scandalous:  Marilyn and RF Scandalous had a very consistent record at this level until just after their first 4* completion at Luhmühlen, running into trouble with a rider fall at the AECs followed by a runout at the Ocala Jockey Club CIC3*. They appear to have moved past the trouble with two clear runs in 2018 at the CIC3* level. However, Kentucky will be their first big CCI4* test, as Luhmühlen last summer was considered soft for the level.

Potential Hiccups:  Time penalties, rider injuries, and fitness. Marilyn will be looking to put the 2017 issues behind her in an otherwise spotless record for this mare, though Marilyn is still battling a foot injury sustained at the Ocala Jockey Club in November. Additionally, Marilyn is based in Wellington, Florida for the spring, and has run a bit slowly at the spring CIC3*. Kentucky will be a true test of whether her fitness regimen is sufficient for RF Scandalous. This pair will also be trying to beat the clock, as the fastest time they have achieved at a CCI3* is 12 seconds over optimum, and at Luhmühlen last summer they were 17 seconds over optimum time.

Ride Time: 1:16 PM

Erin Sylvester and Paddy the Caddy. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Erin Sylvester (USA) and Paddy the Caddy: These two have been very consistent at the 3* level and the Advanced level, which they often choose to run instead. They haven’t had an issue on the cross country since summer of 2016, they’ve had eleven consecutive clear runs, and they’ve made the time and been 8 seconds over in their two CCI3* starts.

Potential Hiccups: Consistency over the jumps. This is Paddy the Caddy’s first 4* start.

Ride Time: 1:24 PM

Caroline Martin and The Apprentice. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Caroline Martin (USA) and The Apprentice:  Separately these two have quite a bit of combined experience and The Apprentice himself has started two 4* and finished one with his previous rider Buck Davidson. They came out with an absolute bang in their first start together at 3*, winning Carolina on their dressage score before running clear around another two CIC3*, adding only a total of four seconds of time penalties. But they ran into trouble at the difficult Bramham CCI3*, incurring a stop, then The Apprentice didn’t make another international start until 2018.

Potential Hiccups: Consistency over the jumps and injuries. This is only Caroline’s third attempt at a CCI4* cross country run, although her second should be earlier in the day on her Kentucky mount from last year, Spring Easy. The Apprentice only has a 50% clear rate in two runs at these levels. Caroline is also riding with an injured foot, incurred at Carolina from a fall on another mount.

Ride Time: 1:48 PM

Oliver Townend (GBR) and Cooley Master Class:  This horse has a better cross-country record than his stablemate, but it’s also sparser. In nine CIC3* cross-country starts, this horse has been clear in seven of them, and was no more than 3 seconds over optimum at five of them. He was clear at his only CCI3* run, but had time. A clear run is in his reach but he’s green at the level.

Potential Hiccups: Consistency over the jumps and fitness. His last international run included a stop, but he has run clear at the national level this spring. He last ran a CCI in the fall of 2014 though, then ran once in early 2016 before another prolonged absence until 2017. This 4* has been a long time coming for this horse, and it doesn’t help that England has had a terribly wet spring.

Ride Time: 1:56 PM

Dandelions in the Park

By on Apr 28, 2018 8:03 am -

Originally published on EN in 2012, this essay’s relevance has remained intact over the years. On the eve of this year’s event, we thought it appropriate to re-share as a reminder that this collective experience we know as Kentucky is much bigger, and more complex, than we sometimes give it credit for.

Boyd Martin and Neville Bardos on course at Kentucky in 2011. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Some people believe there are spiritual vortexes scattered around the world, energetic super-centers so powerful that you can practically feel the stuff circulating in the air. Mystics and metaphysicists flock to them — Stonehenge, the Giza pyramids, ancient Inca ruins — hoping to catch a whiff of the divine.

I don’t know how much I buy into that crystal visions claptrap, but I do think there’s something to the idea of a place retaining its history in mysterious ways. The Kentucky Horse Park, in particular, is a plot of earth that I’ve always sensed had more going on than meets the eye. There’s a magic to it, and it’s more than just the pastoral combination of majestic oak trees, plush bluegrass and pristine rural air. Rather, it’s layers upon layers of emotion, saturating the soil and rustling through the leaves.

The poetry of a flawlessly executed dressage test, the cheer of a crowd gathered round the Head of the Lake, the thunder of a victory gallop — that energy lingers in the air long after everyone has packed up and gone home. But the source of the Park’s magic is more multidimensional than that.

On Jimmy Wofford’s cross country walk at WEG in 2010, he told the crowd that there was a dandelion on the course for every heart broken at the Park. I remember looking down, seeing a patch of the weed’s sharply scalloped leaves, and wondering in earnest whose tears had fertilized them.

I’m sure I’ve got a few dandelions out there myself, not from the four-star, but from other Horse Park events that felt equivalently serious at the time. When you’re 13 and you’ve saved your $4-an-hour stall mucking wages all summer to compete at some event, only to have your pony jump out of the dressage ring … dandelion. When you’re 17 and your horse hangs a leg in the water complex at Pony Club championships and you feel like you’ve let down your entire team … dandelion. When you’re 29 and you pull up halfway around the course with the sinking realization that you’re simply not prepared … dandelion.

I could go on and on, and I’m sure some of you could, too. Certainly these moments weren’t the end of the world, but perspective is a function of the mind, not the heart.

This weekend there are going to be riders who don’t make it around the course. They’ll make the same long walk back to the barn that so many have before them, replaying a split second over and over again in their minds, trying to figure out what went wrong. Some of them will get a leg up on their next ride or have the opportunity try again next year. Others might not get a second chance.

If you’re at Kentucky this weekend, take a quiet moment at some point to look around you. Acknowledge the dandelions and the horses and riders who planted them there. Remember that it’s all connected. Without attempt, and the risk of failure that goes with it, there can be no glory. The hit and the miss both begin with a leap.

Go Eventing.