10 SIDELINES MAY 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
Karen O’Connor will make every effort to give Mr. Mendicott
and Veronica (pictured), both frst timers at the four-star level,
the kind of Rolex experience that catapulted the late Theodore
O’Connor to the international stage. Eventing won’t be the same
without the frst lady of the three-day: Karen plans to retire after
the London Olympics and it would be awesome for her to wave
farewell from that podium in Greenwich Park.
Photo by Elisabeth Harpham
William Fox-Pitt (GBR) is the only Grand Slam contender,
having won Burghley last Fall. A single chance with Parklane
Hawk doesn’t faze Fox-Pitt: in 2010 he trumped the odds by
masterminding Cool Mountain (pictured) to victory in the horse’s
debut at the four-star level.
Marilyn Little-Meredith made headlines when she took a big
leap from show jumping to eventing. She has competed
successfully from Novice to Advanced to the three-star level,
including the championship at Fair Hill. Marilyn will take her
Rolex debut in stride with RF Rovano Rex and RF Demeter.
Photo by Elisabeth Harpham
James Alliston (GBR) hopes to improve on last year’s fnishes
with Parker (14th) and Jumbo’s Jake (17th) when horses and
rider made their four-star debut. He fnished 2011 tied for ffth in
the USEA Overall leader board. A Featured Rider on rk3de.org
he wrote about his preparations for this very pivotal Rolex.