Rolex 2014- 2nd Horse Inspection Through the View Finder

Sinead Halpin and Manoir De Carnivale

A week ago today we gathered in the Rolex lane way to watch the action. Going to the horse inspection this year was kind of like going to sit in the stands at the Oscars’ red carpet run way to see the stars walk in to the auditorium. Who would show up after the grueling XC course yesterday? What would they wear? There was palpable excitement in the air. And the crowd was HUGE. Someone told the masses that one of the best kept secrets of Rolex was how totally cool the Horse Inspection on Sunday morning can be.

There was a lot of emotion from the fans when the announcements were made. We gasped when they announced withdrawals, we held our breath when horses were sent to the hold box, and we breathed a collective sigh of relief when that powerful word, that every competitor waited to hear, “Accepted” was announced.