In a morning that had already seen every horse entered at Rolex evacuated to the Alltech Indoor Arena, the trot-up was delayed an hour, and then ran the gamut weather-wise, beginning in a downpour, and finishing under blue skies and a determined sun.
Oliver Townend with ODT Sonas Rovatio, was first to present, here walking up with GB chef Yogi Breisner, and kicking off Rolex 2011.
Mark Todd and NZB Grass Valley
Mary King’s homebred King’s Temptresss and Portugese Fernhill Urco
Phillip Dutton did not present Truluck, but Fernhill Eagle passed
Jessie Phoenix and Exploring for Canada
Team Cavalor, Michael Pollard leading the gorgeous Icarus.
Kelly Prather & Ballinakill Glory
Hot favourite to win the Dubarrys for Best Dressed Man, Boyd Martin and Remington
Katie Ruppel and Sir Donovan
Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master
Hannah Sue Burnett and St Barths
RIngwood Magister, whose tail so impressed John (!), and Tiana Coudray
Karen O’Connor, happy to be back in the US. She told me that Mandiba actually broke six ribs, and will stay in England a little bit longer to get more comfortable before flying back.
Susan Beebee and Prowler
New Zealand’s Joe Meyer has spent the last couple of months prepping in Florida
Hamish sans Dave and sans horse, looking serious but stylish.
A serious contender for the women’s Dubarrys, Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville
Buck Davidson, Jessica Ransehousen and Titanium
Jessica’s daughter, Missy with Critical Decision
Most people took advantage of the sun after the trot-up to squeeze in a quick ride before the riders’ briefing at 1pm. Some of the hardy crowd stayed to treat themselves to the sight of William Fox-Pitt (note the watch on his left hand, last year’s Rolex), and Mark Todd working their horses in the same arena.
After the briefing, and a delicious lunch, most riders were heading out to walk the course, hoping to beat the rain that’s forecast to fall again this afternoon. I’m off to see what’s going on and will bring you more reports later. Thanks for reading, hunker down and go eventing!
