Boyd Martin of the United States and Remington XXV set the standard on the first day of dressage at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Bridgestone. All three judges placed him first, with a total of 45.3 penalties.
Karen O’Connor of the United States rode Veronica into second place (47.8), and Andrew Nicholson of New Zealand rode Calico Joe into third place (48.7).
Becky Holder of the United States, on Courageous Comet, is fourth (48.8).
Martin, 32, of 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 Martin with a grin. “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.”
Interview with Karen O’Connor in second place…
O’Connor, 54, is pleased to be in such a contending position on the less experienced of her two horses. Rolex Kentucky is the first four-star start for Veronica, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare owned by Team Rebecca LLC. Tomorrow she’ll ride Mr. Medicott.
O’Connor scored the first of her three Rolex Kentucky victories in 1991, and now her goal is to ride on her fifth Olympic team. She said that last fall she put herself on a demanding exercise program to be sure she was as fit as her horses.
“This competition is extremely important to me, and I owe it to myself and everybody who’s put a lot of time and effort into me to be ready for it and for whatever may be beyond,” said O’Connor. “If I don’t give it 110 percent, then shame on me.”
Click here to watch Karen’s interview!
Watch Live!
Can’t join us here at the Kentucky Horse Park? Check out the action live on USEF Network or FEI TV. Visit www.rk3de.org to view wall to wall coverage.
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Eventers go Reining…
It’s not just Gold Medal Reiners competing in the Alltech Arena this year – some of the world’s best Eventers are headed down the road to try their hand at Reining! Don’t miss our very own celebrity slide featuring Olympic Eventing riders David and Karen O’Connor, and Gina Miles alongside two-time Eclipse Award winning Jockey Chris McCarron on Saturday night at the World Freestyle Championship! Tickets are still on sale, purchase online today and your tickets can be picked up at the Alltech Arena Box Office. Hurry, seats are going fast!
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