Steering Clear of the Competition
Monday, April 30 2012
The atmosphere outside the arena is intoxicating, both players and spectators giddy with excitement.
- Published in General, The Offside, Z-Blogs
Rolex Kentucky – 27 Jumped, Fox-Pitt & Parklane Hawk Won 2nd Leg of Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing, Allison Springer & Arthur USEF Nat’l…
Sunday, April 29 2012
Sunday – the grand finale of Rolex Kentucky 3-Day Event, presented by Bridgestone, spotlighted 27 horses in the show jumping, which began at 12:45 pm. At this morning’s final veterinary inspection, of the 30 horses presented, one did not receive the ground jury’s nod and two horses, held for re-inspection, withdrew. Before the jog, two horses were withdrawn: RF Rovano Rex, but Marilyn has her second horse RF Demeter (one of the few mares entered in this year’s Rolex) and Saturday night, after cross-country, Sara Kozumplik withdrew Manolo Blahnik, who comported himself great at his first-ever four-star even though he didn’t complete. Kudos to Sara for putting her horse first – she’s a class act rider and trainer all the way. This morning, Sara texted to me: “He was amazing yesterday. I had silly mistake at easy fence. so proud of him.” Manny is fine, by the way.
- Published in Lauren Gallops, Z-Blogs
Rolex Kentucky: Fox-Pitt (GBR), Springer (USA), Paget (NZR), Martin (USA), O’Connor (USA)
Sunday, April 29 2012
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes – Ka-CHANG! Yep, Derek di Grazia created a cross-country test that demanded precision and riders minding their Px & Qs every step of the way.
- Published in Lauren Gallops, Z-Blogs
ROLEX KENTUCKY – AM Cross-Country CH-CH-CH-CHANGES!!!
Saturday, April 28 2012
Wowie zowie – what a morning – we’re still reeling from the changes in the leaderboard. Even before the XC began, there were three withdrawals: Buck Davidson pulled out with Absolute Liberty, who would have been first out of the start box this morning, & his Pan Titanium, Jolie Wentworth & Killian O’Connor. Then, only two completed the cross-country out of the first seven horses to start this morning! Two retired on course: Andrew Nicholson (NZL) took out a frangible pin at 9abc – Bridgestone Park Question (coffin combination), picking up 21 penalties, and James Alliston (GBR) and Jumbo’s Jake after they accumulated 20 penalties at 9abc – and 17abcde, the Sunken Road. Three were eliminated – Karen O’Connor had a splash crash at the HSBC Water Park (5abcd) – no injuries to horse or rider, just dampened spirits, but Karen has another chance with Mr. Medicott this afternoon. Becky Holder and Courageous Comet got to #22abc, the HSBC FEI Classic Series Normandy Bank, but parted company and Becky bought a cheap piece of real estate that cost dearly in terms of her goals with her wonderful ex-racehorse
- Published in Lauren Gallops, Z-Blogs
Rolex Kentucky: Where The Action Is!
Saturday, April 28 2012
Sara Kozumplik and Manolo Blahnik, exuding class at Manny's first ever four-star in spite of boogie moments during their waltz... © Lauren R Giannini Okay, so we’re only one person and we can’t be everywhere & do everything, but on Friday, we made a point of getting to the dressage arena to watch our friend Sara Kozumplik and Manolo Blahnik who was ready and eager for the cross-country, but a day early. Their score put them well down on the leaderboard standings, but ya wanna know something? That test might have been a disappointment to Sara and Brian Murphy and Lara, who’s grooming her first Rolex – understandable after all the years of preparation to get here, but we felt very proud of Manny for not leaping out of the ring and thundering off to the XC. It’s his first four-star and he’s a bit of a sensitive, complex creature under the best of circumstances and the horse gods know what an electric atmosphere Rolex tends to be
- Published in Lauren Gallops, Z-Blogs
Allison Springer & Arthur In First Place After Dressage, Stalked by Fox-Pitt & Parklane Hawk
Friday, April 27 2012
Allison Springer has been in the catbird seat after dressage before, but not on the last day. This is her fifth Rolex with Arthur, and she entered the arena at 11:30 a.m. with the brilliant but somewhat quirky gelding who gave her pretty much everything she asked. The judges rewarded the duo’s test with a score of 39.8 penalty points, thereby ousting Parklane Hawk and William Fox-Pitt (GBR) on 41.3pp from the first place berth they had earned a couple of hours earlier
- Published in Lauren Gallops, Z-Blogs
Rolex Kentucky – New Vocations & Retired Racehorse Training Project Fundraiser & Dubarry Babies
Friday, April 27 2012
Dawn comes early, especially during Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Bridgeston. Last night, however, we feasted very well at the Alltech Press Dinner hosted by Dr. Pearse Lyons at his Alltech Brewery, home of Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale.
- Published in Lauren Gallops, Z-Blogs
Rolex KY 3-Day Event: Early Leaders After 1st Day of Dressage
Friday, April 27 2012
Rolex Kentucky 3-Day Event, presented by Bridgestone: okay, we’re not surprised at all by the early leaders after day one of dressage – after all, the “brand” for Rolex is that crown of excellence!!! In first place, after being next to last to go on Thursday’s dressage schedule, is Remington XXV and Boyd Martin. We’re very pleased to rely on the press release produced by chief press officer Marty Bauman and his Classic Communications staff, considering the lateness of the hour and encroaching exhaustion… Boyd Martin & Remington XXV - all three judges put this duo into first place after day one of dressage. © Beth Harpham/equidigital.com All three judges placed Boyd and Remington XXV first – on a score of 45.3 penalty points. Boyd, 32, (West Grove, PA) said that Remington XXV, 16, was one of the first horses he competed when he moved from his native Australia seven years ago. The Hanoverian gelding, owned by Henley House Stables, had only foxhunted before Martin began working with him. “He’s a good old horse,” said Boyd, grinning. “He’s taken me all around the world now, and it was wonderful to ride a test on a horse who knows what he’s doing.” Boyd rode on his first U.S
- Published in Lauren Gallops, Z-Blogs
ROLEX 3-Day: Dubarry Style Awards, Cross-Country Course Walks, Things To Do, ETC
Thursday, April 26 2012
Welcome to Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Bridgestone – and the first day of dressage. We had just enough time to get to the stadium where we took a few pix of Sinead Halpin and “Tate” – Manoir de Carneville, who performed the test ride. Last year they finished third at Rolex, winning the USET Foundation Pinnacle Cup as the highest-placed US rider/horse combination as well as Best Conditioned Horse.
- Published in Lauren Gallops, Z-Blogs
Rolex Kentucky – 57 Horses Will Start
Thursday, April 26 2012
The first veterinary inspection took place at Kentucky Horse Park at 3 p.m. today under sunny, balmy skies: 57 of the 58 horses presented were passed by the jury composed of Anne-Mette Binder (Denmark), Michel Assaray (France) and Nick Burton (Great Britain). The jury did not accept Llewellyn, ridden by Brittany Kart (USA), they also held two other horses and accepted them when they re-presented. It was a pretty parade of ponies, all things considered and the riders went all out, fashion-wise. We can’t hope to prognosticate in the same league as Jimmy Wofford, and we will admit with unabashed honesty that often sentiment and friendship drives our partisanship toward certain horses and riders. We certainly have a healthy respect for anyone who gets to the four-star level: it takes guts, determination and over the top horse craziness, but we digress. Karen O'Connor & Veronica, owned by Team Rebecca LLC © Lauren R Giannini Karen O’C looks fit and ready for Rolex
- Published in Lauren Gallops, Z-Blogs