FORHORSEPEOPLE • ABOUTHORSEPEOPLE
SIDELINESMAY 2014 25
In1999, Rolex
Kentucky hosted
the three star
competition for
the last time. The
newRolexGrand
Slamof Eventing,
offering $250,000 to
any rider whowins
RolexKentucky,
Badminton,
andBurghley in
succession, added
to theexcitement
at each of these
events.
KimSeverson andWinsomeAdante
won the classicRolexKentucky
CCI**** for the second time in 2004
andwent on towin the Individual
SilverMedal at theOlympicGames
and aTeamBronzeMedal.
KimSeverson-Vinoski AndWinsome
Adante, 2004Rolex Champions.
In 2005, RolexKentucky returned to
the classic format as its only division.
KimSeversonandPlainDealing
Farm’sWinsomeAdantewon the
RolexKentucky four star for the third
time and back toback, a feat that, in
the classic eventing format, will never
be repeated. Their 2005win put them
in the history books and stamped
“Dan” aswhat will forever be looked
to as a true event horse.
PhillipDutton during the 2005Rolex.
In 2000, RolexKentucky became the
first four star of the newmillennium
and served againas the primaryU.S.
EquestrianTeamOlympicGames
SelectionTrial. Commensuratewith
the importance of the four star, prize
moneywas raised to $150,000, with
title sponsor RolexWatchU.S.A.
providing $100,000 and organizer
EEI putting in the additional $50,000.
Mr.Walter Fischer, President of
RolexWatchU.S.A., andBlythTait.
PhotobyBrant Gamma.
TheRolex
Equestrian
Championship
was shown on
NBC television
onMay 9,
2004, a first
for an eventing
competition in
theU.S. outside
of theOlympics.
The ratings for
this program
weremuch
greater than
NBC expected,
and the network
agreed toair the
RolexKentucky
program for
another two
years.
The primaryU.S. Selection
Trial for theEventingWorld
Championships at theWorld
EquestrianGames inAachen,
Germany, the 2006 event
ran in the short format since
all FEI Championships are
currently run in the short
format. RolexKentucky 2006
was the first opportunity for all
U.S. riders to compete in the
standard short format four star
event on home soil.
In2010, the foreign riders
returned in force toRolex
Kentucky to visit theWEG
venue and to gain familiarity
with the terrainand the types of
questionsRolexKentucky and
WEGCross-CountryCourse
DesignerMikeEtherington-
Smithwouldbe asking in the
fall atWEG. RolexKentucky
also servedas aU.S. Team
SelectionTrial forWEG.
BeckyHolder andCourageous
Comet during theWorld
EquestrianGames.
Photo by LaurenR. Giannini
AndrewNicholson andQuimbo took
first during the2013Rolex.Andrew also
secured thirdwithCalico Joe.
AndrewNicholson andQuimbo,
owned byDeborahSellar.
Photo byBethGrant,
1999 2004 2005 2010
2000 2006 2013
