Michael Jung and fischerRocana FST. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
It’s go time, EN! The long anticipated 2018 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event is officially upon us. We’re looking to the first day of dressage, where pairs will be shooting for excellence int he first phase. Don’t forget—we’ve also ditched the dressage multiplier, so we’re going to see the leaderboard get pretty tight. Click here to read more about what Equirating’s Diarm Byrne thinks that means for this year’s competition.
Buck Davidson and Carl & Cassie Segal’s Park Trader are first to go at 9:30 a.m. You can watch all the action live thanks to USEF Network. I’ll be updating this post throughout the morning, so keep checking back for all things #LRK3DE.
#LRK3DE Links: Website, Schedule, Ride Times, EN’s Coverage, Live Stream, Live Scores, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram
11:56 a.m. Michael, you’ve got some explaining to do according to the USEA’s CEO:
11:38 a.m. We’re on a lunch break now, dressage continues at 1:00 p.m. and we will start an afternoon open thread, so stay tuned for much more from Kentucky!
Michael Jung is unsurprisingly the first rider to break 70% from all three judges. However, 27.1 is Rocana’s worst 4* score since WEG in 2014. We have a competition, folks. #dressagedayone #LRK3DE
— Eventing Nation (@eventingnation) April 26, 2018
The judges are now spreading out their top scores, with Sue Baxter scoring high 3x, and Jane Hamlin and Christian Landolt each scoring high 4x. Jane Hamlin scored low 5x, Christian Landolt 2x, and Sue Baxter 4x. #dressagedayone #LRK3DE
— Eventing Nation (@eventingnation) April 26, 2018
The second morning session scored +1.93 above their group expected average, with an overall +1.61 points for the morning from the ground jury of Christian Landolt, Sue Baxter, and Jane Hamlin. #dressagedayone #LRK3DE
— Eventing Nation (@eventingnation) April 26, 2018
11:33 a.m. “I think it was a nice test.” – Michael Jung with the understatement of the year.
11:29 a.m. Here’s your current top 5:
11:26 a.m. He’s done it! Michael Jung takes the lead on 27.1!
11:24 a.m. In the canterwork, they are trending 3 points higher than our leaders
11:19 a.m. The reigning champions are in the ring! Now we hold our breath for what is assumed to be a spectacular test.
THE QUEEN IS HERE!!! #fischerrocana #lrk3de
— Collyn Smitherman (@frankenginger) April 26, 2018
11:16 a.m. Eventers are tough stuff! But you already knew that.
Only in eventing do competitors need crutches to get around on the ground but still compete in a 4*, and no one bats an eye. #LRK3DE
— Steven St Regis (@alliebel21) April 26, 2018
11:15 a.m. Woodge Fulton and her OTTB Captain Jack received a score of 45.3.
Savannah Fulton is all smiles after her test on Captain Jack! #BestWeekendAllYear #LRK3DE pic.twitter.com/V8PrasG0pH
— USEF Network (@USEFNetwork) April 26, 2018
11:12 a.m. Colleen Loach and the flashy grey Qorry Blue D’Argouges make their way into the arena
Qorry Blue D’Argouges and Colleen Loach are sort of 4* rookies; they are one of 2 pairs to have competed at Rio but are attempting their first traditional 4*. Their Rio test (a shortened 4* test) scored 37.7 but their 3* PB is 29.8. #dressagedayone #LRK3DE
— Eventing Nation (@eventingnation) April 26, 2018
11:06 a.m. Woodge Fulton and Captain Jack are working through their test now. Liz Halliday-Sharp notes on the live stream that Woodge is the first rider not wearing spurs in her test.
11:04 a.m. A score of 32.1 moves Tamie and Wembley into second place! Great to see Tamie back here in Kentucky. Her last start was here in 2009 with Chaos Theory.
Tamie Smith receives the first mark to break 70%, with a 72.76% from Sue Baxter. @NLEventers #dressagedayone #LRK3DE
— Eventing Nation (@eventingnation) April 26, 2018
10:57 a.m. West Coast favorites Tamie Smith and Wembley are down the centerline
10:56 a.m. 36.8 for Ellen and Obie
10:54 a.m. Buck wins for cutest cheering squad!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BiCZomOg6-e/?taken-at=218548693
10:49 a.m. Ellen Doughty-Hume is in the ring with Sir Oberon. This week they celebrate their third 4* start as well as her fourth wedding anniversary! Ellen and her husband, Alistair, married here at the horse park in 2014.
10:48 a.m. SPOTTED: Ze Terminator in the warm up! XOXO, Gossip Girl
10:37 a.m. Here’s the insights on scoring so far:
The pairs in the first session scored +1.38 points above their expected group average. Sue Baxter was the highest scoring judge for 50% of the riders, while Jane Hamlin gave the lowest marks for four of the six pairs. #dressagedayone #LRK3DE
— Eventing Nation (@eventingnation) April 26, 2018
The judges differed in opinion most on Park Trader, with a delta of 5% between Christian Landolt (highest) and Jane Hamlin (lowest). No pair has broken the 70% mark with any judge yet; Tsetserleg comes the closest after receiving a 69.48% from Sue Baxter. #dressagedayone #LRK3DE
— Eventing Nation (@eventingnation) April 26, 2018
10:20 a.m. We’re now on a coffee break, and the action will start back at 10:48!
10:18 a.m. Boyd goes into the lead with 31.2!!
Boyd Martin @WindurraUSA & Tsetserleg lead dressage on a score of 31.2 at the @LandRoverUSA @KYThreeDayEvent! Hear his thoughts on the test #USAEventing #LRK3DE pic.twitter.com/g4tk1MuRgQ
— USEF Network (@USEFNetwork) April 26, 2018
10:10 a.m. Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg have started with a very accurate test so far! Starting their season in Wellington is paying off.
Tsetserleg is the only horse in the field who made his first 3* in 2017 and is competing at his first 4* the following year. His personal best for the 3* level is 29.9. @WindurraUSA #dressagedayone #LRK3DE
— Eventing Nation (@eventingnation) April 26, 2018
10:08 a.m. 40.3 for Clip Clop who is definitely ready for XC!
Clip Clop clip-clopin’ away down centerline. Ready for xc and to gtfo of this arena #lrk3de
— Collyn Smitherman (@frankenginger) April 26, 2018
10:03 a.m. Joe Meyer and Clip Clop will be looking to chip away at their 4* PB of 36.4
10:01 a.m. 36.4 for Lillian! The removal of the multiplier is definitely bunching these scores tightly.
10:00 a.m. Phillip sends a sweet shout out to Lee Lee in his post-ride interview! #LeeLeeStrong
9:58 a.m. “I’m impressed with how they are doing this” – Marilyn Payne on Lillian’s test
@LillianHeard riding half passes on Share Option like… @KyThreeDayEvent @USEFNetwork @KyHorsePark #LRK3DE pic.twitter.com/yHPgTCNMAL
— Brenda Sparks (@theatreartist) April 26, 2018
9:55 a.m. Lillian Heard and Share Option make their way into the ring.
Lillian Heard and Share Option have the longest running 3* career in field, having run their first 3* back in 2010. Since 2013, Share Option has only run 4* events aside from national horse trials. His 4* PB is 34.4 and his 3* PB is 31.7. @LillianHeard #dressagedayone #LRK3DE
— Eventing Nation (@eventingnation) April 26, 2018
9:54 a.m. 33.7 for Phillip and Z. Expert riding on a horse that started a little tense in his first four-star.
9:45 a.m. Phillip Dutton and four-star first-timer Z circle the ring. Fingers crossed – these are my predicted winners!
9:43 a.m. 33.3 for Caroline Martin and Spring Easy. Well done!
9:38 a.m. “It’s like sneaking vegetables into your kid’s diet” – John Kyle on why eventers must do dressage #relatable
9:37 a.m. Caroline Martin may need crutches on the ground, but she doesn’t look at all limited with Spring Easy in the dressage arena!
9:36 a.m. Buck earns a 35, just a hair above this pair’s PB (33.1)
9:32 a.m. Marilyn Payne says new this year, riders half pass all the way across the ring to the quarter line, then do a flying change on the quarter line—a big straightens test. What a treat to have insights from a four-star judge on the live stream!
9:30 a.m. Buck and Kobe are in the ring!
9:25 a.m. You’ll notice that the dressage arena is reversed this year, with the Judge at C now sitting with his back to the in gate.
9:15 a.m.
We’re live now at @LandRoverUSA@KyThreeDayEvent with the test dressage ride featuring @lizhalliday and Deniro Z! #LRK3DE
Watch https://t.co/kDsB97WlAgpic.twitter.com/Yc6tMjvs48
— USEF Network (@USEFNetwork) April 26, 2018
