68 SIDELINES JUNE 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
e
By Lauren R. Giannini
R
olex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by
Bridgestone, means superb horses, world class
riders and a great cross-country sandwiched
between dressage and show jumping. This year, the
15th Rolex/USEF CCI**** Championships at Kentucky
Horse Park, April 25-29, served as a major stepping stone
for American riders hoping to make the US team for the
London Olympics later this summer.
The fact that it was won by previous Rolex champion William
Fox-Pitt (GBR) riding Parklane Hawk, his partner for last fall’s
win at the Burghley CCI****, takes nothing away from the
American riders who proved themselves and their horses.
Allison Springer and Arthur finished in second place overall,
thereby earning the USEF National Four-Star Championship
as well as Best Conditioned Horse. Boyd Martin piloted
Otis Barbotiere to third place with Karen O’Connor and Mr.
Medicott in fourth, followed by Twizzel and Will Coleman.
Derek di Grazia’s cross-country course raised the stakes
and earned praise from the riders who found their precision
and concentration put to the test.
“It’s a great course,” said Phillip Dutton, who finished 10th
on Mighty Nice, owned by Bruce Duchossois, and 12th on
Fernhill Eagle, owned by Team Rebecca LLC. “I have nothing
but praise for what Derek has done here. He hasn’t done
anything tricky. He’s just built big jumps that we have to jump.
He’s really stamped this as a challenging four-star course.”
The show jumping course designed by Richard Jeffery
(GBR) also demanded concentration and precision. The flat
cups don’t allow much of a ‘touch’ and Fox-Pitt called it “a
serious show jumping track” – only five recorded fault-free
rounds of the 27 horse and rider combinations that jumped
on Sunday.
Rolex Kentucky is one of the greatest shows on earth. In
addition to the eventing action, the Ariat Kentucky Reining
Cup and Freestyle gave horse sports fans two evenings of
action in the Alltech Arena. Nearly 47,000 attended, some
shopped ‘til they nearly dropped, the US Pony Club Games
held court in the Walnut Ring and lines were uber-long for
autograph sessions and book signings.
For more complete results and more information: rk3de.org
Photos By Lauren R Giannini, except where noted otherwise
William Fox-Pitt won his
second Rolex, this time with
Parklane Hawk, the horse
he piloted to frst place at
Burghley last fall. His visit to
Rolex Kentucky harvested the
winner’s check of $80,000,
along with incredible trophies
and loot, including the
signature Rolex watch. The
brilliantly bred Parklane Hawk
wasn’t much good on the
racetrack; but is turning into
one of those Off The Track
Thoroughbred ambassadors
for ex-racehorses.
Rolex Kentucky
– An American
Four-Star Triumph