Classic Eventing Nation

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: Elisa Wallace, Simply Priceless Arrive at KHP

By on Apr 25, 2018 4:46 pm -

The 2018 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event competitors have been settling into their home for the week at the iconic Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. Elisa Wallace and the Simply Priceless Syndicate’s 17-year-old Thoroughbred Simply Priceless arrived at the venue yesterday for their fifth four-star and third crack at Kentucky.

Drive right in the front gate with Elisa and “Johnny” and take a quick tour of the grounds in these two clips. We’re pretty sure Elisa will be vlogging all week so watch and subscribe to her YouTube channel for updates from Kentucky.

The #BestWeekendAllYear is finally here! If you’ve been paying any attention to the EN homepage, coverage has already begun in earnest. Keep it locked on EN for live updates, breaking news, and much (much) more from #LRK3DE.

Kentucky: Website, Entries, Schedule, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

Equi-Jewel®

The horse that matters to you matters to Kentucky Performance Products; that is why you can count on them to provide supplements that meet the challenges facing your horse.

Fight back against an energy crisis that can impact condition and performance.

Equi-Jewel® is a high-fat, low starch and sugar formula developed to safely meet the energy needs of your horse. Whether you have a hard keeper that needs extra calories to maintain his weight, or a top performance horse that needs cool energy to perform at her peak, Equi-Jewel can meet your horse’s needs. Equi-Jewel reduces the risk of digestive upset, supports optimal muscle function, maintains stamina, and helps horses recover faster after hard work, all while providing the calories your horse needs to thrive.

The fat found in rice bran is an extraordinary source of dietary energy. In fact, fat contains more than two times the energy that carbohydrates and proteins do, thereby fueling horses more efficiently. Fat is considered a “cool” feedstuff because it does not cause the hormone spikes that lead to excitability. Adding Equi-Jewel is rice bran to your horse’s diet allows you to decrease the amount of starchy concentrates (grains) you feed, reducing the risk of colic and laminitis resulting from grain overload. Equi-Jewel is an excellent source of calories for horses on low sugar and starch diets. The horse that matters to you matters to us®.

Not sure which horse supplement best meets your horse’s needs? Kentucky Performance Products, LLC is here to help. Call 859-873- 2974 or visit KPPusa.com.

Weekly OTTB Wishlist from Cosequin: Get Your Shop On at LRK3DE

By on Apr 25, 2018 12:00 pm -

We all know that the shopping that can be done during #LRK3DE is something to behold — and if we’re being completely honest, the shopping is part of what makes it the Best Weekend All Year! There’s even more shopping to be done just outside of the Kentucky Horse Park … if you’re in the market for a new event prospect.

If watching the four-star ponies gets you inspired to look for your next eventing superstar, look no further than the Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center (MMSC) in Lexington, conveniently located just around the corner from the Horse Park. Here are three currently available OTTBS at MMSC that could be just what you’re looking for:

Photo via Marker’s Mark Secretariat Center.

Iwishitwouldrain (GET STORMY – WISHFOREMORE, BY MT. LIVERMORE): 2014 15.3-hand Kentucky-bred mare

This gorgeous little dapple-gray mare would certainly be an eye-catcher at any event! Though she did win one of her five starts, she was solidly out of the money the rest of the time and has retired without any limitations. Her caretakers say she has a kind, warm temperament and her personality is anything but gloomy!

View Iwishitwouldrain on Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center.

Photo via Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center.

Eiteljorg (JAZIL – NANYEHI, BY CHEROKEE RUN): 2012 16.2-hand Kentucky-bred gelding

Pronounced “eye-til-yorj,” this handsome gelding has 11 starts on the track and just shy of $10k in winnings. The staff at MMSC still has some getting to know him to do, as he is a very recent arrival, but he seems to be a personable and athletic gelding. He has yet to be ridden off-the-track, but doesn’t seen to have a fear of fences, as he willingly canters over a small cross rail during liberty work!

View Eiteljorg on Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center.

Photo via Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center.

Astrologist (DISCREET CAT – FORTY GREETA (ARG), BY ROAR): 2013 16.1-hand New York-bred gelding

Will the stars align for you and Astrologist? This five-year-old still has a little growing up to do, but as he matures he looks to be a great partner for someone in his next career. He’s an athletic guy, with an impressive jump and floaty trot, plus he managed to earn almost half a grand in just five starts on the track.

View Astrologist on Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center.

It’s Go Time! EN’s Team Picks for Kentucky 2018

By on Apr 25, 2018 10:27 am -

Can Michael Jung win a fourth year in a row with fischerRocana FST? Photo by Julia Rau.

Jog day at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event is upon us! With the first horse inspection at 3 p.m. this afternoon and dressage kicking off tomorrow, the EN team is ready to make our picks for horses and riders we think will stand out in six categories: Big Winner, Top American, Top Canadian, Spoiler Alert, Top Thoroughbred and Best Mare.

We also have two special guests this year making picks in commentator extraordinaire John Kyle and stats guru Diarm Byrne.

Note: There is only one rookie this year in Sara Gumbiner and Polaris. These predictions also exclude Veronica and OBOS O’Reilly, who are both going to Badminton instead.

Kentucky: Website, Entries, Schedule, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

SHELBY ALLEN

Big Winner: Phillip Dutton and Z. I’m calling it! Let’s have an American winner. After a 10-year gap, and with a new special horse, I think Phil can get it done.

Top American: Phillip Dutton

Top Canadian: Waylon Roberts and Kelecyn Cognac. They’re in great form and have the cross country record to back it up. He’ll want a good result with the World Equestrian Games on the horizon.

Spoiler Alert: Cooley Cross Border and Kim Severson. If all the stairs align, they could take it all, but their track record makes it hard for me to definitely give them the win — no matter how much I love them!

Top Thoroughbred: Lynn Symansky and Donner. This is Donner’s 9th four-star, so this pair has the backing of experience. I think this could be the weekend all the pieces come together for a top 5 finish.

Best Mare: fisherRocana FST. I think losing the dressage coefficient will bump her off her throne in the final phase. Still a top performer — I think she will be the best mare.

JENNI AUTRY

Big Winner: Chris Burton and Nobilis 18. This pair set a UK dressage record at Burghley in 2016, so expect them to be leading or very close to it after the first phase. Burto is one of the fastest cross country riders in the world, and I think his four rails down at Burghley (when he still won) were an outlier. Looking to his international record, the horse has had two rails on two other occasions — all the rest are clears. Jumping on a surface on the final day should make all the difference.

Top American: Phillip Dutton with Z. He has an ideal draw early on Thursday morning when the main stadium will be quiet, and he can finish on his dressage score. With the dressage coefficient removed, we are looking to horses who can finish on their dressage score as the ones to watch. This horse can do it in his four-star debut.

Top Canadian: Waylon Roberts and Kelecyn Cognac. Look for speedy Waylon to make the time on cross country or come close to it with this horse. Rails on the final day remain a question, but I’m looking for a big performance from them this year.

Spoiler Alert: Pawel Spisak and Banderas. If you haven’t heard of this Polish pair, take note. On paper they can deliver strong performance in all three phases and challenge the very top of the leaderboard. Did I mention Pawel trains with Michael Jung? I’m looking at a potential top five finish.

Top Thoroughbred: Erin Sylvester and Paddy the Caddy. There are so many strong dark horse combinations in this year’s field. Paddy the Caddy makes his CCI4* debut as a horse who can finish on his dressage score. Erin won the Land Rover Ride of the Day for hitting bang on the optimum time last year. Look for her to challenge the time again with this horse. I’m calling a top 10 finish.

Best Mare: fischerRocana FST with Michael Jung. The removal of the dressage coefficient is interesting when you look at horses like Rocana. Without it, she would have won the 2014 World Equestrian Games but lost at Kentucky last year. If she wins, she will make history as the first horse to win four times at a single CCI4* venue.

DIARM BYRNE

Big Winner: fischerRocana FST

Top American: Phillip Dutton and Z

Top Canadian: Waylon Roberts and Kelecyn Cognac

Spoiler Alert: Lauren Kieffer and Vermiculus

Top Thoroughbred: Donner with Lynn Symansky

Best Mare: fischerRocana FST

SAMANTHA CLARK

Big Winner: fischerRocana FST

Top American: Phillip Dutton and Z

Top Canadian: Waylon Roberts and Kelecyn Cognac

Spoiler Alert: Chris Burton and Nobilis 18

Top Thoroughbred: Donner with Lynn Symansky

Best Mare: fischerRocana FST

MAGGIE DEATRICK

Big Winner: fischerRocana FST, but by the skin of her teeth this year. Between the loss of the coefficient for dressage negating her strength in that phase and good weather deteriorating the advantage she gets from getting close to time when few others can, she’ll have a much narrower margin on Sunday to get the win this time.

Top American: The numbers are telling me Z will top the Americans, which could be a bit of a stretch in the horse’s first four-star….but then again, it’s Phillip Dutton in the irons. His dressage score has been dropping pending his ability to hold it together, and he’s proven the ability to finish on his dressage score at the CCI3* level. Can he do it for his first time at the CCI4* level?

Top Canadian: Waylon Roberts and Kelecyn Cognac will use speed to their advantage to fly up the ranks on phase two, but will be limited by what the horse can pull out on phase three. Still, speed combined with their ability to be strong enough on the flat to stay within shouting distance of the dressage leaders will keep them as the top Canadians.

Spoiler Alert: Cooley Cross Border of course. Our most recent American Blenheim winner has all the pieces if everything goes well. Fitness will be a big question as well as grit to get the job done. If he and Kim Severson can get through the cross-country phase (and if they can, they will be fast too), then this show is likely theirs for the taking.

Top Thoroughbred: Paddy the Caddy will be the spoiler for this category for me over Tight Lines and Donner. His record is just so consistent in the two jumping phases, proving he can stay on his dressage score multiple times. And that dressage score is super consistently within reach of the leaders as well. In a year where dressage is weighed less in relation to jumping phases, staying on what you get is all-important.

Best Mare: fischerRocana FST obviously, but excluding her RF Scandalous has a good shot of making the top ten. Like Cooley Cross Border, fitness will be a huge question for her, and while she’ll show jump clear on day three, she has yet to get closer than 12 seconds over optimum at a CCI3* or CCI4*.

JOHN KYLE

Big Winner: Michael Jung and fischerRocana FST

Top American: Will Coleman and Tight Lines

Top Canadian: Hawley Bennett-Award and Jollybo

Spoiler Alert: Pawel Spisak and Banderas

Top Thoroughbred: Donner with Lynn Symansky

Best Mare: fischerRocana FST

ABBY POWELL

Big Winner: I️ can’t choose, I️ can’t choose! I️ certainly don’t want to root against Michael and Rocana because they’re amazing, but I️ think this could be someone else’s year. I think 2016 Burghley winners Chris Burton and Nobilis 18 could steal their crown.

Top American: It could be a bit of a stretch given this is the horse’s first four-star, but Phillip Dutton and Z have a very impressive track record for clear rounds and top finishes.

Top Canadian: Waylon Roberts and Kelecyn Cognac are a great pairing and they’ve been on their game lately.

Spoiler Alert: Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous are total wildcards for me. If Marilyn and Kitty successfully complete cross country, chances are they’ll be up there on the leaderboard.

Top Thoroughbred: I’m rooting for the “underdogs.” Simply Priceless with Elisa Wallace has improved with each showing at Kentucky. If she can keep the Black Dragon contained on the flat, I think they are a force to be reckoned with.

Best Mare: Queen of Kentucky, fischerRocanaFST.

KATE SAMUELS

Big Winner: I’m voting Kim Severson & Cooley Cross Border because I’ll be completely overwhelmed with giddy happiness if it happens for them this weekend, and they have all the right pieces to make it happen.

Top American: Duh, Kim & Crossy.

Top Canadian: Hawley Bennett-Awad and Jollybo, tiny mare power!

Spoiler Alert: Oliver Townend and Cooley Master Class … it’s hard to bet against Oliver honestly

Top Thoroughbred: Paddy the Caddy, because he’s adorable and Erin is fast across the ground on Saturdays.

Best Mare: RF Scandalous, sorry FischerRocana, but you’ve had your time in the spotlight.

LESLIE THRELKELD

Big Winner: Michael Jung and fischerRocana FST. Why bet against a trend?

Top American: Kim Severson and Cooley Cross Border. Following a banner 2017 and a second place finish at The Fork CIC3* this month, they look primed to take a top placing. Plus I want it for them SO BAD.

Top Canadian: Hawley Bennett-Awad and Jollybo. Fierce and fearless.

Spoiler Alert: Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous. Fourth at their four-star debut and ten FEI wins on their record. If Kitty can go quick enough on cross country they will be hunting down the top of the leaderboard.

Top Thoroughbred: Lynn Symansky and Donner. Where they fall short on the flat they make up for over fences. But like a fine wine this partnership just keeps getting better with time.

Best Mare: Queen Rocana

LESLIE WYLIE

As caboose of this train and a contrarian by nature, this year I’m refraining from picks and simply wishing every last horse and rider a safe, happy 2018 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. Let’s do this thing. Go Eventing!

Kentucky 2018 at a Glance: Meet the Horses

By on Apr 25, 2018 9:00 am -


Want to know what this year’s field of horses looks like, but got places to be? Fear not! We’ve poured over the databases and crunched the numbers so you don’t have to! Once again, EN is proud to present you with our Kentucky at a Glance series.

Kentucky: Website, Entries, Schedule, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

Keep it locked here as we bring you more!

Kentucky: Website, Entries, Schedule, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

EN’s 7th Annual Kentucky Top Dog Contest, Presented by World Equestrian Brands

By on Apr 25, 2018 8:37 am -

Dorsey, a past Top Dog contestant. Photo submitted by Robin Corr.

Keep your children on a leash and your dogs in focus! Sniffing, wagging, splashing, napping — and hopefully not chasing Buck Davidson — the pooches will be on parade at Kentucky this year.

Capture one with your camera in EN’s always popular 7th Annual Kentucky Top Dog Contest, presented by World Equestrian Brands. This year the lucky winner will take home a Mattes Half Pad!

Here are a few faves from past years to help you hone in on the hounds:

Indy, 2017 Top Dog Contest winner! Photo submitted by Rachael Leneweaver.

2015 Top Dog Lincoln in his Land Rover (Land Rover not included in prize).

Claire Ryner’s Macy.

Stephanie Sills’ Aiken

Kaylen Moon’s Tucker

Caitlin O’Shea’s Sophie

The winner will receive a Platinum Collection Mattes Half Pad with Rear Trim in your choice of dressage or all purpose style. This amazing prize is valued at $238 and made possible thanks to our longtime partner World Equestrian Brands.

Contest Details:

Send your puppy pic to [email protected] with the subject line “Top Dog.” One entry per person.

Deadline: Sunday, April 29, 5 p.m. EST

Wednesday News & Notes from Attwood Equestrian Surfaces

By on Apr 25, 2018 12:01 am -

Phillip Dutton’s mounts share a moment with each other in stabling. Photo via Phillip Dutton Eventing Facebook Page.

It’s jog day at Kentucky! I’ve been doing News & Notes on Wednesdays for almost four years now, and I am always excited that I get to publish the first Eventing Nation post every year on the official first day of the competition. There’s always a plethora of great photos to choose from with riders and spectators alike flocking to Lexington, Keeneland is running, the grass is so green it’s blue and the flowers are blooming. Nothing beats April (and jog day) in Kentucky.

National Holiday: East Meets West Day

Major Events:

Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event: [Website] [Schedule] [Drawn Order] [EN Coverage] [EN Instagram] [EN Twitter]

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]

Your Wednesday News & Notes:

Get ready to get down at the 6th Annual EN Tailgate Party! The festivities take place during LRK3DE cross country in tailgating spaces S294 and S295, near the jog strip and announcer’s tower overlooking the infield. Stop by to get EN temporary-tatted up, schmooze with a certain celebrity Chinch, quench your thirst, enjoy a snack, and win some sweet swag. We’re still looking for a couple volunteers to give us a hand — we’re happy to kick you a day pass in exchange for a couple hours of your time! Email [email protected].

Madeline Backus is facing mud like she’s never seen before over in England. Luckily her plucky mare Ari has been up to the challenge, soaring over the fences at Belton recently to give them another good prep run prior to Badminton. With only a week to go until first jogs, we are all holding our breath for sound gallops! [A Leg Up and a Leg On]

Horse & Hound runs a series on Badminton first-timers. Today focuses on a former student of Jonelle and Time Price who wanted to buy a gray but ended up with a bay who has now taken him around Adelaide twice. There’s also a mare who has enough swagger that she earned she barn name Angelina, after Angelina Jolie. [Andrew Daines Didn’t Want a Grey One] [James O’Haire and the Mare with the Pony Companion]

The diminutive Jollybo was a perfect fit with Hawley Bennett-Awad from the word go. Despite standing only 15.3 hands, Jollybo has a larger than life strength to her gallop and jump, which drew Hawley to the mare from day one. Now headed to their second four-star together, Jollybo has spent a lot of time swimming in preparation. [Behind the Stall Door]

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

Attwood Footing of the Week – Green Footing

In honor of the recently celebrated Earth Day, we wanted to tell you about our “green footing”. Green as in the color green, like money, like the fields of Kentucky Horse Park … well you get it.

Years ago a client came to us, looking for a world class footing in “another color”.  For their particular project, they wanted a colored footing. Green. So it would blend into the hillside of the community. But make no mistake they wanted it to be a premium blend and not a gimmick.

Thus “Green Pinnacle” came to be, with all the properties of our high performance Pinnacle. The color was rich, fade resistant and did not wash out in the rain.  And because we use only originally sourced material, not recycled rubber or carpeting that turns footing black, the green would stay perennially green.

Additional benefits of the green colored footing, is that it toned down the glare of the ring on hot sunny days, which both horses and riders appreciated.  Green is not the only color we can produce for our footing. If you have a particular need for a custom color, please let us know.

Benefits:

  • Green Pinnacle and TerraNova are readily available.
  • Same exceptional properties as our Pinnacle.
  • Attractive natural green color.
  • Proven helpful in cases of difficult local planning restrictions.

Wednesday Video: One of my favorites to rev me up and send chills down my spine, let’s revisit Inches to gear up for Kentucky.

Tuesday Video from SpectraVet: A Little Something to Hold You Over

By on Apr 24, 2018 6:23 pm -

The last few weeks have been filled with unbridled chinchilla anticipation. They are practically counting the seconds until the start of the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. If you’re like us and you need something to keep your mind busy before Wednesday’s trot up, catch up on all the action at the Vairano Nations Cup in Italy last weekend thanks to FEI, who has shared the entire live stream (2+ hours) for you to watch. Consider it a little something to hold you over until the Kentucky action officially kicks off.

Catch up with the Vairano action here.

Why SpectraVET?

Reliable. Effective. Affordable.

SpectraVET is committed to providing only the highest-quality products and services to our customers, and to educating the world in the science and art of laser therapy.

We design and manufacture the broadest range of clinically-proven veterinary therapeutic laser products, which are represented and supported worldwide by our network of specialist distributors and authorized service centers.

Your Shopping, Signing & Course Walk Guide to Kentucky CCI4*

By on Apr 24, 2018 2:42 pm -

It’s time! Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Kentucky … it’s the promised land for eventing enthusiasts in North America, and half the battle is deciding how to divvy up your time! We’ve compiled a list of shopping deals, autograph signings, and course walks to help you plan each day at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. Now go forth and conquer!

Kentucky: Website, Entries, Schedule, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

COSEQUIN

Booth #8 in Sponsor Village

  • Enter to Win a Course Walk with Colleen Rutledge — 5 winners, drawing and course walk on Thursday.
  • Enter to Win a Course Walk with Phillip Dutton — 5 winners, drawing and course walk on Friday.
  • Enter to Win a Cosequin Gift Bucket — entries open during the trade fair each day at the Cosequin booth on sponsor row.
  • I Spy Cosequin – take a picture of the Cosequin logo anywhere except the Cosequin booth on sponsor row and post to the Cosequin Equine Facebook page with the hashtag #ISpyCosequin to receive a prize at the Cosequin booth.
  • Autograph signing with Colleen Rutledge after her ride on Saturday.
  • Q&A and autograph signing with Phillip Dutton on Saturday after his last ride.
  • Cosequin Bucket Giveaway: Friday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Saturday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Sunday at 11 a.m., first come first served, one per person, while supplies last.

FLEECEWORKS

Booth #117 in Trade Fair

  • Enter to win an Ultimate Fleeceworks Prize Package in EN’s #FleeceworksFan Kentucky Contest. Snap a selfie with any Fleeceworks sponsored rider or Mini Rory at the Fleeceworks booth and share on social media using the hashtag #FleeceworksFan.
  • Autograph signings with Fleeceworks riders at the booth Saturday afternoon after cross country.
  • New products! Stop by the booth to check out the new navy and grey quilting in the expanded Pads With Purpose Program. New Poron shims are now available in full length, back or front inserts. The Eco Felt 100% wool shims are now available in 1/8,  1/4, and 1/2 inch thickness.
  • Kentucky is the first step in Fleeceworks’ no more plastic campaign. By the end of 2018 Fleeceworks packaging will be 100% non-woven. The bags given away with all product purchases at Kentucky are the first step in the program.

KENTUCKY EQUINE RESEARCH

  • KER and Legend Horse Feeds are teaming up to host a course walk with Jimmie Schramm on Friday at noon. Meet at the startbox!
  • KER goody bags will be given away at Jimmie’s course walk while supplies last.

MAJYK EQUIPE

  • Enter EN’s Kentucky Photography Contest: Get the Majyk Shot and Win! Snap a photo of a Majyk Equipe sponsored rider using Majyk boots on their horse in either the cross country or show jumping phase. Submit your photo for a chance to win a free pair of boots.
  • You can view Majyk Equipe’s line of products at four booths: SmartPak (#27 in the Sponsor Village), Foal LLC, Wise Choice Tack (#132 in the Trade Fair) and Horseloverz (#224 in the Trade Fair).
  • Enter a raffle at the SmartPak booth (#27 in the Sponsor Village) to win the pair of cross country boots that Boyd Martin uses at Kentucky — fresh off the track and covered in mud!
  • Free swag alert! Buy any pair of boots or luxury pad purchased (excluding overreach/bell boots) and receive a free pair of polo wraps. Buy any full set of boots, eventing kit or shimmable pad and receive a free hanging boot organizer.
  • Follow Majyk Equipe on social media and watch out for flash announcements throughout the show for the first person to come to a particular vendor and receive Majyk Team wear (vests, polos, tees, hats, etc.)

OMEGA ALPHA

Booth #163 in Trade Fair

PROFESSIONAL’S CHOICE

Booth #12 in Sponsor Village

  • Rider autograph signings!
    • Erin Sylvester, Tamie Smith and Heather Morris on Thursday, April 26 at 12:30 p.m. Tamie Smith: Thursday, April 26 at 12:30 p.m.
    • Jimmie Schramm on Friday, April 27, mid-morning
    • Andrea Baxter on Thursday afternoon or Friday morning right after her dressage test. Stay tuned!
  • New products! Contoured Girths and Spartan Bell Boots

SMARTPAK

Booth #27 in Sponsor Village

  • Raffles you don’t want to miss:
    • $300 SmartPak Gift Card
    • Majyk Equipe boots used by Boyd Martin on cross country
  • Course walk with Boyd Martin, tentatively set for Friday after the last dressage test
  • Autograph signings with Boyd Martin, Jon and Christine McCrea, Kim Severson and Jan Byyny — stop by the booth for exact times.
  • New products! Hadley Breeches and Piper Show Shirts

UVEX

Booth #238 in Trade Fair

  • Join in on the uvex perfexxion launch event with Leah Lang-Gluscic and Liz Halliday-Sharp at the Big Red Mare booth #238 in the Trade Fair after the conclusion of dressage.
  • Toast to perfexxion II” — the event will feature a meet and greet with uvex riders, and the toast will be a Prohibition Distillery Vodka lavender lemonade.

WORLD EQUESTRIAN BRANDS

Booth #213 in Trade Fair

  • Special deals!
    • Buy one get one half off — Equilibrium Stretch & Flex and Allsports boots.
    • Closeouts on Vespucci and colorful Mattes items.
  • Autograph signings
    • Kim Severson on Thursday at 12:30 p.m.
    • Hawley Bennett-Award and Allie Knowles at 12:30 p.m. EST
    • Buck Davidson – time TBD

EN’s #FleeceworksFan Kentucky Contest: Snap a Selfie and Win!

By on Apr 24, 2018 12:25 pm -

Enter to win this Ultimate Fleeceworks Prize Package!

Are you going to the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event this year? Don’t miss the opportunity to enter EN’s #FleeceworksFan Kentucky Contest, presented in partnership with Fleeceworks! This is your chance to win an Ultimate Fleeceworks Prize Package valued at $750:

How do you enter? Snap a photo at Kentucky with any Fleeceworks sponsored rider during the event, or snap a selfie with Mini Rory at the Fleeceworks booth, #117 in the Trade Fair. Post the photo on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #FleeceworksFan. We will choose our favorite selfie to win the Ultimate Fleeceworks Prize Package.

Who to snap a selfie with: Fleeceworks riders Tamie Smith, Jen McFall, Mackenna Shea, and Andrea Baxter are all competing at Kentucky this year. Fleeceworks riders Sara Kozumplik Murphy, Matt Brown, and Heather Morris will also be in attendance at the event. Grab any of them for a selfie!

Entry deadline: Post your selfie on social media with the #FleeceworksFan hashtag no later than Sunday, April 29 at 5 p.m. EST. One entry per person. Good luck! Go Eventing.

What Are We Supposed to Call ‘The Event Formerly Known as Rolex’?

By on Apr 24, 2018 10:45 am -

EN readers weigh in on what to call … whatever it you want to call it.

Since Rolex Watch U.S.A. signed on as title sponsor of Kentucky Horse Trials in 1981, the event’s name has become interchangeable with that of the Swiss watchmaker. The new official name is, of course, Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, but all those syllables can be a drag in casual conversation. What are we supposed to call this thing colloquially?

I’ve heard a number of interpretations. There’s just plain Kentucky, which the international eventing community outside of North America has already been calling it for years. The event itself has been using LRK3DE in press releases and on social media. Others are referring to it as Land Rover or Rover, an extension of the decorum given to the event’s previous title sponsor. Some sentimental contrarians are refusing to call it anything other than Rolex. Other variations abound, my personal favorite of which is “KY Jelly Rover” — creative but seems unlikely to win the popular vote.

“The Event Formerly Known as Rolex” is an anomaly in that no other CCI4* has had its name absorbed by its title sponsor. Land Rover is the title sponsor of Burghley, Mitsubishi Motors is the title sponsor of Badminton and Adelaide, and DHL is the title sponsor of Luhmühlen. But in casual conversation, we refer to them simply as Burghley, Badminton, Adelaide and Luhmühlen. (Pau does not have a designated title sponsor at this time.)

Here at EN, you’ll likely encounter Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event on first reference in a story and then something shorter and less formal after that, like LRK3DE or Kentucky. (Or maybe just a string of random emojis, who knows — things get weird in the Kentucky Horse Park press room.)

Even if we’re not calling the event “Land Rover” colloquially, let’s be sure to show them lots of love in return for the support they are showing this special event and the sport at large. If you’re Kentucky-bound this week, take the time to thank a Land Rover rep, do a test-drive, wear your LR hat, follow LR on social, or consider purchasing one as your next vehicle like I did (see “Eventing Sponsorship Matters or, Why I Just Gave Land Rover Literally All of My Money.”) They haul like a dream and make you feel like a gangster when you roll up ito the pony show, just sayin’.

We look forward to a bigger and more interactive Land Rover presence than ever at this year’s event. In addition to Land Rover’s popular driving course and tailgating competition, there will be a teen off-road driving course, mini Land Rovers for kids, canine-friendly Rover Lounges, and a fleet of vehicles creatively incorporated into the cross country course. The rider will receive a one-year lease on a brand new Land Rover Discovery.

As for Rolex, it’s still around. While the watchmaker has shifted its equestrian sponsorship focus to show jumping, it remains the official timepiece of LRK3DE/Kentucky/🚘🐴🏆💕. And its sponsorship of the Kentucky Horse Park’s Rolex Stadium, a $1.2 million deal with the state of Kentucky, runs through 2020.

“The name is new, but the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event is still … The Best Weekend All Year!” You know that’s right. See you there, EN.