Three-day events kick off on Wednesdays, as we all know, with the first horse inspection – but one of my favourite days of the week is Tuesday, when horses and riders arrive en masse and settle into their digs, ready to tackle the challenge ahead. The beginning of this week has seen a flurry of activity at the Kentucky Horse Park, as US-based trailers and lorries zoomed in from all over the country and the strong foreign contingent emerged, bright-eyed and sleek-tailed, from their various quarantine locations. There’s a buzz of excitement thrumming throughout the place as the first CCI5* of 2021 gets set for the off – but enough of words. Let’s see some pictures, brought to you by the boots on the ground.
The foreign contingent started their quest for Kentucky glory with a long journey – as demonstrated by Oliver Townend‘s two-time winner Cooley Master Class and his friend, Burghley winner Ballaghmor Class:
Nation Media’s own Ema Klugman brought something even better than a Bluetooth speaker to keep her mount, Bendigo, entertained:
Fellow Australian Clayton Fredericks did some sightseeing after settling his two rides, FE Stormtrooper and FE Always In Time in at the stables:
Supergroom Jess Errington accompanies Britain’s Harry Meade and his new ride Superstition as the rider makes an extraordinary comeback from an accident in October:
Australia’s Kevin McNab has been waiting for over a year to bring his top horse Scuderia 1918 Don Quidam to Kentucky, and they look pretty happy to be in situ at last:
Emily Hamel gets straight on with the big job of inspecting the rider swag bags – check out Corvett‘s new wardrobe:
Speaking of swag bags – Jennie Brannigan‘s Stella Artois has already picked a favourite from them:
Mexico’s Daniela Moguel and polka-dotted Cecelia soak up some sunshine in the park:
It was a pretty great day to go for a walk, actually – check out the views:
Hawley Bennett-Awad‘s Jollybo had her first foal just over a week ago – by embryo transfer, we hasten to add – and she got to collect her baby’s new headcollar today. How’s that for a lucky charm:
Once the trucks are unpacked and the horses are settled, it’s time to get down to some serious schooling in the sunshine:
Emily Hamel and Corvett opted for a casual stroll to take in the scenery, and we don’t blame them:
There was a chance to check out some of the fences on this year’s course, too – and course designer Derek di Grazia looks like he means business (but also wants to defeat the hidden killer, scurvy, so that’s good):
My, what big ears you have! William Fox-Pitt‘s Oratorio II hopes to follow in his Pau-winning sire Oslo’s hoof prints this week:
Stall decorations are important to nail the feng shui, as Daniel Clasing and MW Gangster’s Game demonstrate:
It’s important to get the feng shui right for the riders, too – do you reckon Jonelle Price has got it nailed? We do:
And speaking of the Prices, can you guess which of these toys belongs to which of their whopping FIVE horses here this week?
“I said no photos!” Buck Davidson‘s Carlevo shoots a side-eye when he realises it’s not Saturday yet:
Bill Olson has flown from California to help out his friend Emily Libbee – and he’s hit the ground running, or rather, grazing with Jakobi:
Fylicia Barr‘s Galloway Sunrise knows there are some fences out there to jump – but where?
It’s not just horses and riders who made the journey to Kentucky – the hard-working volunteers are en route, too:
As, evidently, are the wayward wieners:
The course has been a hive of activity as it gets its final dressings:
While members of the media opt for another complimentary gin and tonic for the long flight over the pond:
We’ve been busy picking our teams for the Eventing Manager fantasy league game – have you signed up yet?
Tomorrow will see us hit the ground running with the first horse inspection and, of course, plenty of content to bring Kentucky straight into your home. Until next time, folks: Go Eventing!
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