Boyd Martin and Long Island T. Photo by Shelby Allen.
Welcome to day one of dressage here at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by MARS Equestrian! It’s rather strange not to be opening up our live updates first thing in the morning, but the CCI4*-S horses and riders took their turn in Rolex Stadium first, leaving the afternoon open for the marquee CCI5* division.
Tilly Berendt and I will be tag-teaming these live updates over the coming days, and we’ll kick things off today with our first pair to see, New Zealand’s Jonelle Price and Grappa Nera at 12:23 p.m. EST. We’ll see horses in groups of seven or eight, concluding at 4:53 p.m. EST with 2018 and 2019 Kentucky winner Cooley Master Class and Great Britain’s Oliver Townend.
If you want to follow along in true eventing nerd fashion, please take a moment to download a copy of EN’s Ultimate Form Guide to LRK3DE, available as a digital download for just $5 and absolutely full of incredible information, data analysis, graphs on strengths and weaknesses, and much more.
#LRK3DE21: Website, EN’s Ultimate Form Guide, CCI4*-S Live Scores, CCI5* Live Scores, 5* Dressage Ride Times, 4* Dressage Ride Times, Schedule, North America Live Stream, Worldwide Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter
5.05 p.m. EST: Here’s the leaderboard at the end of the first day of dressage. There’s a seriously tough challenge set for tomorrow’s competitors – but there are a couple who could make a huge impression. Stay tuned for the full report!
5.04 p.m. EST: “I think it was a better test than last time, but it’s a more technical test,” says Oliver, who says the course is the toughest he’s seen at Kentucky. “I’m very happy with the horse, and this won’t be a dressage competition.”
5.01 p.m. EST: It’s a 24.1 for Oliver and Cooley Master Class – the same score they got here in 2019. They’ll sit second overnight.
4.59 p.m. EST: Just a quick reminder that this isn’t even Oliver’s ‘good’ dressage horse here this week.
4.58 p.m. EST: The first change has to be the best one we’ve seen so far today. The second looks pretty excellent too.
4.56 p.m. EST: Only two horses and riders have won Kentucky three times: Kim Severson and Winsome Adante, and Michael Jung and fischerRocana FST. If Oliver wins again this year, only two horses will have won this event since 2015.
4.55 p.m. EST: This horse is truly the Mr Perfect of Oliver’s string, and it’s easy to see why: he comes in with his working hat well in place and absolutely desperate to please his rider. The trot extensions are relaxed and expressive.
4.53 p.m. EST: 32.3 for Will Coleman and Tight Lines sees them go into fifth. One horse and rider left to go, and it’s only our two-time defending champions Oliver Townend and Cooley Master Class. No big deal, then.
4.51 p.m. EST: Clean changes here – again, that’s the commitment to accuracy coming into play. He’s back here with a point to prove after the flag debacle of 2019, when the biggest issue any of us had was that that rule was a pain in the bum.
4.48 p.m. EST: This horse really proves that Thoroughbreds can MOVE — but Will is also incredibly savvy about his accuracy, with no marks being thrown away unnecessarily.
4.47 p.m. EST: Tight Lines is looking very, very appealing in the trot extension – Will Coleman gives a masterclass in how to channel the energy.
4.45 p.m. EST: The changes haven’t been quite accurate here and will likely prove expensive. Jonelle’s going to be hoping for some serious rain for Saturday so she can make a serious move up the leaderboard after scoring a surprising 35.1.
4.42 p.m. EST: Jonelle manages the walk bit of this test exceptionally well. Also, can we talk about Jonelle’s hands? The Prices have hands delicate enough to operate on a butterfly. I don’t care if that analogy works or not.
4.40 p.m. EST: What a treat to see this very cool Badminton-winning mare in what could be her last five-star. They’ll be hoping to get her to Burghley – a track that suits her well – this autumn, but nothing is guaranteed with horses, and ‘Molly’ is 18 now.
4.38 p.m. EST: Oh my god, ANOTHER Price test?! We can’t bloomin’ well get rid of them today! (I kid, I kid – next in the ring is Jonelle Price with Classic Moet, my pick for the top-placing mare this week.)
4.36 p.m. EST: That’s the first bit over and done with for Zoe and Zara, who are here to run and jump. They’ve put a 44.9 on the board but we fully expect them to climb during Saturday’s tough challenge.
4.34 p.m. EST: Slightly tricky in the walk work – K.E.C. Zara really wants to break into trot. Now that she’s in the canter, she looks slightly more ready to focus.
4.32 p.m. EST: Time for another of our six rookies – this time it’s Zoe Crawford and K.E.C. Zara. This mare looks fit and eager – and rather like she’s wondering where on earth her adoring fans have gone.
4.29 p.m. EST: A bit of a deep breath for Emilee after a lovely final halt – now it’s time for them to focus on the fun stuff. It’s a 34.3 for them.
4.28 p.m. EST: A post-test debrief with new Kentucky leader Marilyn Little:
4.27 p.m. EST: Jakobi is slightly predisposed to overbending in the half-passes and his changes are, well, exuberant – but Emilee is super tactful and is managing him well.
4.22 p.m. EST: Emilee Libby and Jakobi next in. Or is that Emili Libbee and Jakoby? Emily Libbi and Jakobee? In any case, she’s making her return to Kentucky, who last came here when she was a fresh-faced nineteen-year-old.
4.20 p.m. EST: Quite a lot of tension in this test for Nilson and Martini, who will be looking forward to this weekend’s challenge.
4.19 p.m. EST: And here’s debutant Fylicia Barr:
4.16 p.m. EST: Time for some multitasking, folks – let’s watch some interviews while we watch Nilson. Here’s Sharon White:
4.14 p.m. EST: Into seventh on 32.8 for Meghan O’Donoghue and Palmer, who were very accurate and committed to prove that you don’t need a seriously flash mover to get a competitive mark. Nilson Moreira da Silva is up next, riding Magnum’s Martini and representing Brazil.
4.12 p.m. EST: Palmer looks great in the stretchy circle. This strikes me as a horse who would love a bit of Yoga with Adrienne.
4.10 p.m. EST: We’re back for the final session of the day, and Meghan O’Donoghue and Palm Crescent are our first pair in the ring. This is a very smart-looking OTTB.
3.55 p.m. EST: Here’s the top ten as we head into the final break of the day:
“She’s wonderful in the heat — we’re from Wellington, so this is really chilly for us,” says Marilyn. “It affected us a little bit — but this is a really fun test to ride on her. She’s a real technician and I’m very lucky. She wouldn’t be the most confident horse by nature but she’s very courageous.”
3.53 p.m. EST: Woweeeee, that’s a 21.7 for Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous – a new Kentucky lead. That’s going to give Oliver Townend and Tamie Smith a job to do!
3.51 p.m. EST: A tasty square halt before the reinback – very correct and statuesque. Have we swapped over to Spanish guitar music now? The flamenco vibes are strong and inexplicable.
3.49 p.m. EST: The trot work is looking typically expressive and balanced for RF Scandalous thus far, though perhaps missing a tiny bit of the sparkle she can show. But sparkle comes with risk — if you push for that little bit more, you can end up with a break into canter. Sometimes, if you’re on a serious first-phase performer, it’s best to play it safe and trust that you’ll be rewarded sufficiently anyway.
3.47 p.m. EST: 32.4 puts Fylicia Barr into provisional fourth in their first CCI5*! Now it’s time for our last pair before the break – and this should be a huge test. Next in the ring is Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous, who like to flirt with those sub-20 marks.
3.45 p.m. EST: A HUGE cheer for Fylicia — despite the lack of crowds — after she finishes that lovely debut test. Our favourite bit? The floppy, happy ears. Extra marks for those, please.
3.44 p.m. EST: Fylicia and Sunny look like they’ve been here a million times before – very cool, calm, and workmanlike. Not too shabby for a gal and her CraigsList horse – and a genuine inspiration for all of us who have devoted ourselves to unlikely horses.
3.41 p.m. EST: Kentucky debutants Fylicia Barr and Galloway Sunrise in the ring now. Fylicia only paid $500 for this feisty mare, who gave her a bit of a tricky time early on but has blossomed into a star. They won Jersey Fresh CCI4*-L in 2019, so it’s incredibly exciting to see them here this week.
3.40 p.m. EST: An update from Mike Pendleton, who Sally has collared in the mixed zone:
3.39 p.m. EST: 40.4 for Joe Meyer and Johnny Royale, who had a bit of a tricky day in the sandbox. Onwards and upwards, folks.
3.36 p.m. EST: Better work from Johnny after he was able to move on up in the medium canter. This isn’t a horse who’s been brought here to lead the dressage, anyway – he’s a running and jumping horse who Joe lovingly describes as a bit of a dumb jock, because he just wants to go fast and chase that adrenaline rush. I can relate.
3.34 p.m. EST: A bit of a tough time in the trot work for Joe and Johnny, who looks quite against the hand. Some wobbles in the walk work, too – just not quite on the same page there.
3.31 p.m. EST: 35.6 for Sharon and Cooley On Show! US-based Kiwi Joe Meyer is next up to bat with Johnny Royale.
3.30 p.m. EST: Poor Sharon. Going off-course is rough. I once nearly got eliminated in a test for going wrong three times, which was also a bummer, because I hadn’t actually forgotten the test – I was just riding it so abysmally that the judge could no longer work out what I was doing.
3.28 p.m. EST: Uh oh, Sharon has forgotten her stretchy circle! This must be the most oft-forgotten movement at this level.
3.27 p.m. EST: Some really nice walk work from Sharon and Cooley On Show, though he struggles with the rein-back as well – honestly, find me a horse who looks like he enjoys that movement. I’ve never seen it look like anything other than an embarrassed camel shuffling backwards out of an occupied bathroom stall.
3.24 p.m. EST: It’s always interesting to see how different five-stars around the world choose their arena music. Kentucky has gone for some vaguely ominous classical music; if you head to Luhmühlen, they pick songs specific to each rider and you’ll definitely hear this at least once:
3.23 p.m. EST: 35.7 for Lillian Heard and LCC Barnaby; they’ll have come here very aware that they’ll work on climbing through the weekend. Next up is Sharon White with her longtime partner Cooley On Show. Unicorn vibes are strong.
3.21 p.m. EST: It’s busy down in the mixed zone – here’s what Tim Price had to say:
3.17 p.m. EST: Barnaby looks like he wants to be a bit fussy in the mouth, though he’s stretching to seek the contact well in the walk.
3.15 p.m. EST: We’ve got a score now for Kurt Martin and DeLux Z – they go into seventh place on 33.3. Now we’ve got Lillian Heard and LCC Barnaby in the ring. We last saw this seasoned pair at Burghley at the end of 2019, where they stormed around for a great finish in what was an insanely tough year.
3.13 p.m. EST: Steady Eddie has had way too much fun in there – the canter work really progressed and looked super by the end, the final halt was nice, and the second the job was over he put his party pants on. They get a 38.5.
3.09 p.m. EST: A couple of moments of tension in this test, which we’re used to seeing from Steady Eddie (a misnomer perhaps?). But the mileage Mike will be getting is worth way more than a clear round in the dressage.
3.08 p.m. EST: It’s so exciting to see Steady Eddie back in the ring here with rookie Mike Pendleton, who works for Boyd and took the ride over in 2019. What an extraordinary amount of experience this horse brings to the equation – an amazing chance for this up-and-coming rider.
3.05 p.m. EST: “He’s a very loveable horse – he’s been with me since he was three. He came in for breaking and he never left because I liked him so much,” says a rather soppy Tim of Bango. He says the good bits of his test felt like the horse’s personal bests, but they were marred by his tension when he spotted the big screen in the ring – but he’s taking the positives and looking forward to a good week.
3.03 p.m. EST: Another one to just get a bit tense and wobbly in the walk. That rein back is a seriously tough movement and it can really impact the rest of the test – which means that some horses end up losing marks through their canter work, too. Lux looks like he’s taken some snippets of tension into that.
3.01 p.m. EST: Kurt and Lux’s average from their last three Advanced and four-star tests is a 35.5, and that’s looking about right for what we’ve seen so far. Some really nice, relaxed work, but those sub-30s aren’t being given freely.
3.00 p.m. EST: Kurt Martin and DeLux Z in next. This is one of the best jumping horses in the field, and undeservedly flies a little under the radar. His team at home probably with he was a little less talented, mind you – he’s known as ‘Flight Risk’ because he likes to escape his stable or jump out of his paddock and take himself on adventures.
2:58 p.m. EST: 31.5 for Tim and Bango. Our Ultimate Form Guide put them on a 31.9 – it’s been fascinating today to see which horses are under- or overperforming.
2:57 p.m. EST: Tim, like wife Jonelle, will be hoping for heavy rain on Saturday — Bango is a proper Irish lad and thrives in boggy conditions. After those little bobbles in the walk, he’ll probably need to think about how he can climb.
2:55 p.m. EST: The walk work will be a little — dare I say it? — Price-y here. There’s just a wee bit too much enthusiasm for the job, which is admirable considering we’re in the going-in-circles bit. Canter work is looking better though – Tim has probably got the softest hands in the world, and it shows in how secure his horses are in the contact.
2:54 p.m. EST: It’s admittedly reassuring to see that even five-star horses rub out half their manes over the winter. I’ve been to Tim and Jonelle’s Wiltshire farm, and like most Kiwi riders, they’re really keen on a lot of turnout there – even if it means a bit of a mane rub here and there.
2:51 p.m. EST: First in after the beverage break will be the second of approximately 487 rides for the Price family this week – it’s Tim this time and his stalwart campaigner Bango. He might not have been as resolutely high-profile as Ringwood Sky Boy, for example, but Bango has been here, there, and everywhere, and he really knows his stuff.
2:46 p.m. EST: Hi folks! Your faithful British correspondent Tilly Berendt here, tapping in so Sally can go down to the mixed zone and get some juicy gossip out of the riders. I, for one, am TERRIBLY EXCITED to chat about some horse prancing with you guys this afternoon. Hope you’ve all got good snacks and drinks to hand. If not, may I suggest one of my delicious (and dangerous) Kentucky-themed beverages? My favourite is the Jollybo-bon Smash. Go hard or (and) go (stay) home.
2:26 p.m. EST: “Louie Pi” has quite a deliberate way of going, very correct. He’s another one that doesn’t look too perturbed by the big arena atmosphere.
GIF via USEF Network.
2:25 p.m. EST: A 37.8 for Daniela Moguel and Cecelia. Next in will be Lauren Nicholson (nee Kieffer) and the stunning Paramount Importance.
2:18 p.m. EST: Next in will be our lone Mexican representatives, Daniela Moguel and Cecelia. Danny compares Cecelia to a “Karen” or to Miranda Priestley from The Devil Wears Prada, to give you a sense of personality! “The service in this barn sucks, I need a manager!” I am referencing my Ultimate Form Guide to pull in these fun facts – see for yourself here.
2:18 p.m. EST: A look at the current top 10:
2:16 p.m. EST: “It’s great to be back here; you guys have done an incredible job getting this show on the road because not much is happening in the UK,” William said after his test. “(Oratorio) hasn’t been to a big party in a long time. He was really good, there’s nothing more I could’ve asked.
“It means the world, I’ve been producing him all his career and he hasnt done anything for so long so im excited to have a competition of this caliber to come to and aim to. It’s just fantastic here, when you come back, you just remember how magical this place here. its a big part of our eventing calendar.”
2:14 p.m. EST: Wizzerd shows his extended canter after some exuberant changes. A 32.8 for Matt and Wizzerd.
GIF via USEF Network.
2:09 p.m. EST: Next in will be Matt Flynn and Wizzerd, making their second appearance in Kentucky.
2:06 p.m. EST: Oratorio is putting in perhaps the most relaxed test we’ve seen so far. His ears were basically flopping the whole time! That relaxation pays off, and they earn a 28.0 to just squeak into the lead ahead of Boyd and Long Island T. Oratorio was averaging a 27.7 in his last three runs, so he’s right on target.
GIF via USEF Network.
2:01 p.m. EST: Peep that helmet! Looking good William.
1:59 p.m. EST: Corvett is ready to jump!
gIF Via USEF Network.
1:53 p.m. ET: Low key, every photographer here is excited to shoot “Barry” as he pings over the jumps.
Emily Hamel and Corvett. Photo by Shelby Allen.
1:50 p.m. EST: Karl Slezak looks thrilled! A nice, obedient yet from this pair. We’ll soon see a familiar face here, William Fox-Pitt and Oratorio II. Of note this weekend is the fact the top hats, as of this year, are no longer permitted in the dressage. William is a traditionalist at heart, so it’s going to be strange (but great!) seeing him in a helmet for the first time at this venue! But first!! A debut from Emily Hamel and Corvett.
GIF via USEF Network.
1:46 p.m. EST: Phillip checks in with the mixed zone after his ride on Fernhill Singapore:
1:45 p.m. EST: In honor of Karl’s test…
1:44 p.m. EST: Hear from Boyd after his test with Long Island T:
1:43 p.m. EST: We’ll now see Canada’s Karl Slezak and Fernhill Wishes making their debut here together.
1:41 p.m. EST: Hawley and John liken this test with its intensity to a short-format cross country, with no time to regroup between movements. Got a tense horse? Good luck? Got a five-star fit horses? Sayonara. We’re seeing that really come in to play today. Liz Halliday-Sharp wraps up a lovely test with a bit of tension from the young Cooley Quicksilver, scoring a 34.0.
GIF via USEF Network.
1:39 p.m. EST: Doug checks in after his test with Vandiver:
1:37 p.m. EST: We’ll now see Liz Halliday-Sharp with the five-star debutant, Cooley Quicksilver.
1:36 p.m. EST: A quick scratch for “Foxy” after a solid test! They’ll score a 34.8 for fourth place early on.
1:33 p.m. EST: Hawley Bennett-Awad now joins John Kyle in the commentary booth.
1:32 p.m. EST: “Foxy” looks to be fairly relaxed in this test, and Jennie as always looks happy to be here!
1:30 p.m. EST: And we’re back underway with Jennie Brannigan and FE Lifestyle.
1:28 p.m. EST: Doug says he’s honestly a bit disappointed in the mark, given how good Vandiver has been coming into today. “He was just lit to start, I’m proud of him though…I think he got a bit more rideable and softer,” he said. “He’s been pretty consistently good everywhere. He’s come out this spring as strong as he’s ever been. It is what it is, I think. That’s the life with horses.”
1:25 p.m. EST: An interesting note about Vandiver’s score, as Maggie Deatrick ran the numbers: Vandiver’s score may seem high for him but in fact is dot on his average at the 5* level.
1:19 p.m. EST: We’ll resume at 1:29 with Jennie Brannigan and FE Lifestyle.
1:18 p.m. EST: Vandiver will take a higher score, a 35.3, than what Doug will have wanted into the next phase, but we know this horse is a strong jumper.
1:15 p.m. EST: A bit more spookiness from Vandiver than what we’re typically used to seeing, but he executed some clean changes that will bump the score down (up? eventing dressage is weird) a bit.
1:13 p.m. EST: Doug and “Quinn” show their half-pass. Vandiver is showing just a bit of tension here, as are most horses, but we know Doug’s capable of coaxing the best from an excited horse. You’re 16, Quinn!!
GIF via USEF Network.
1:10 p.m. EST: Next in are Doug Payne and Vandiver, who are averaging a 27.5 in their last three runs. This partnership is among the most experienced at this level this week.
1:08 p.m. EST: A 39.4 and a new personal best for Leah and AP Prime – this pair will likely be a fun one to watch on Saturday!
1:07 p.m. EST: “He’s a nice, beefy looking Thoroughbred, isn’t he?” Allison Springer says on the live stream about AP Prime. He indeed is, and he looks fantastic in his first five-star appearance since 2018.
1:06 p.m. EST: #BREAKING: The challenge has been issued, Will.
1:04 p.m. EST: Peep that Ultimate Form Guide being used as a reference for the commentators! That definitely means you need it.
1:02 p.m. EST: A 35.0 for Fernhill Singapore, definitely a touch high but surely will see even more to come from this younger talent. Next in will be Leah Lang Gluscic and her superstar OTTB, AP Prime.
12:58 p.m. EST: A lovely half-pass from Fernhill Singapore:
GIF via USEF Network.
12:56 p.m. EST: Pats for Jak and a 34.5 for this pair.
12:56 p.m. EST: Next in will be Phillip and Fernhill Singapore, his first ride of the weekend. This pair is averaging a 27.1 in their last three runs – look for a competitive score here too, no doubt.
12:54 p.m. EST: I actually didn’t notice, but Boyd lost his stirrup for a few of the last movements, but lucky his legs are about 8 feet long so the stirrup is basically an afterthought.
12:53 p.m. EST: A peek at EN headquarters here in the media center! I’m all set up for my live updates with our Ultimate Form Guide, a GIF-making app, an order of go, and enough coffee and water to keep me surviving.
12:52 p.m. EST: Trending about 65% for Buck and Jak as they come into their final change and up centerline. His changes were clean, a great way to end the test despite the tension.
12:51 p.m. EST: Buck is working hard to coax Jak into some relaxation – he’s certainly fit and ready to go cross country but he’s trying to listen as well as he can.
12:50 p.m. EST: A look at which judge is where for the five-star:
12:47 p.m. EST: We will next see the first of Buck Davidson’s rides, Jak My Style, who will be seeking his first five-star completion this weekend. Jak is a sweet guy who often takes owner Kat Cuca for hacks, but trust me he can turn it on when he needs to!
12:46 p.m. EST: And a 28.2 – nearly an FEI personal best for Long Island T. Not a bad debut at the level!
12:44 p.m. EST: A really solid test for Long Island T, who we should see slot easily into the very early lead here. A look at his final extended canter:
12:41 p.m. EST: Boyd and Long Island T are averaging a 31.1 in their last three Advanced/four-star runs and are well-known for scoring well on the flat.
12:40 p.m. EST: We go now to the first ride for Boyd Martin and Long Island T, or “Ludwig” as we like to call him. He’s off to a solid start, connected in the bridle and coming through his hind end.
12:39 p.m. EST: A 37.8 for Will and DonDante. If you’re a scoring nerd, the scoring updates will allow you to see each movement and judge’s marks for each pair. Click here to see live scores.
12:36 p.m. EST: DonDante, making his five-star debut in the chilly wind, is a bit nervous today – as we anticipated – but Will gives him a tactful and quiet ride.
12:30 p.m. EST: A 35.6 to start the day for Grappa Nera and Jonelle, her first of three rides. We’ll next see Will Coleman and the absolutely stunning DonDante.
12:24 p.m. EST: And we are off with New Zealand rider Jonelle Price and Grappa Nera!
