William Fox-Pitt (GBR) today, 24th April 2010, is currently lying 1st after Day Two (Cross Country) at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, in Lexington. Rolex Grand Slam contender Oliver Townend (GBR) is 7th with ODT Master Rose, but had a fall on his second ride, Ashdale Cruise Master, and has been taken to hospital.
Audio interviews with William Fox-Pitt, Phillip Dutton, the post cross country press conference with the leading three riders and the official statement from the event on Oliver Townend’s fall are also available to listen to, and download for free, on the links below:
Having won both the Badminton Horse Trials and the Burghley Horse Trials in 2009, Townend’s wins have set up a thrilling competition in Lexington, Kentucky, when he could become only the second rider, after Pippa Funnell, to scoop the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam for winning the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, and the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, all in succession. So far the Rolex Grand Slam feat has only been achieved by Pippa Funnell, who won all three competitions in 2003 on two different horses.
The 2010 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, 22-25 April 2010.
Oliver Townend (GBR) currently lying 6th & 9th after Day 1 (Dressage) at Rolex KY Three-Day Event
(Click on images to open into a larger view)
April 23, 2010, Lexington, KY – Riding Ashdale Cruise Master (6th with a score of 46.2) and ODT Master Rose (9th with a score of 49.8), Townend is in a good position for the coveted Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing prize. William Fox-Pitt is currently lying 1st on Cool Mountain with a dressage score of 42.8.
Audio interviews with Oliver Townend and other key figures are also available to listen to, and download for free, on the links below:
Having won both the Badminton Horse Trials and the Burghley Horse Trials in 2009, Townend’s wins have set up a thrilling competition in Lexington, Kentucky, when he could become only the second rider, after Pippa Funnell, to scoop the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam for winning the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, and the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, all in succession. So far the Rolex Grand Slam feat has only been achieved by Pippa Funnell, who won all three competitions in 2003 on two different horses.
The 2010 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, 22-25 April 2010.
Oliver Townend (GBR) currently lying 6th & 9th after Day 1 (Dressage) at Rolex KY Three-Day Event
April 23, 2010, Lexington, KY – Riding Ashdale Cruise Master (6th with a score of 46.2) and ODT Master Rose (9th with a score of 49.8), Townend is in a good position for the coveted Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing prize. William Fox-Pitt is currently lying 1st on Cool Mountain with a dressage score of 42.8.
Copyright free hi-res photography of Oliver Townend from Day One is now available to download and overnight leader – William Fox-Pitt. This is a complimentary service provided by Rolex. Please find the photographs below:
Audio interviews with Oliver Townend and other key figures are also available to listen to, and download for free, on the links below:
Having won both the Badminton Horse Trials and the Burghley Horse Trials in 2009, Townend’s wins have set up a thrilling competition in Lexington, Kentucky, when he could become only the second rider, after Pippa Funnell, to scoop the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam for winning the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, and the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, all in succession. So far the Rolex Grand Slam feat has only been achieved by Pippa Funnell, who won all three competitions in 2003 on two different horses.
The 2010 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, 22-25 April 2010.
Karen O’Connor (USA), aboard Mandiba, is joint second after the Dressage phase of the first leg of the HSBC FEI Classics™ at Lexington, KY (USA). (c) Amy Dragoo/FEI
23 April 2010, FEI TV (www.feitv.org) will offer live streaming and extensive Video on Demand coverage from the first leg of the HSBC FEI Classics™, the Rolex Three Day Event. The provisional schedule for the live broadcasts is as follows:
Saturday, 24 April 2010: 15:00-22:00 CEST / 13:00-20:00 GMT Cross Country
Sunday, 25 April 2010: 19:00–20:30 CEST / 17:00-18:30 GMT Jumping
Please check www.feitv.org for broadcasting times and further details!
FOX-PITT BEGINS ASSAULT ON HSBC FEI CLASSICS™
William Fox-Pitt (GBR) has made the best possible start to the 2010 HSBC FEI Classics™ season and is poised to add the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event (USA) to his many other 4-star trophies. A perennial visit to Kentucky, he leads the Dressage phase on the rising star Cool Mountain, a 10-year-old gelding by Primitive Rising and already a 3-star winner (at Blair Castle last year).
However, Fox-Pitt, who won the inaugural HSBC FEI Classics™ in 2008, has snapping at his heels the senior US rider here, Karen O’Connor on the 10-year-old Irish Thoroughbred Mandiba, who has clearly matured since he was sprung into the frontline as a youngster at the 2008 Olympics. O’Connor is in joint second place with Allison Springer (USA) on the handsome Arthur, one of the smartest Dressage horses in the business.
“He’s more confirmed in his flatwork than he’s ever been, for sure, so I can ride down the centreline with more confidence than ever before,” said O’Connor, an Olympic team silver medallist in 1996. “Plus, he’s such an elegant horse and has such try in him, so I was just over the moon.”
Kimberly Severson, the 2004 Olympic silver medallist, is in close contention, in 4th place on Tipperary Liadhnan, ahead of 2008 Olympian Becky Holder on the consistent grey Courageous Comet.
Phillip Dutton (USA) probably the most prolifically successful rider in the States, has three horses in the top 10: The Foreman, 7th, Woodburn, who has been withdrawn from the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials due to the volcanic ash crisis, in 8th and Waterfront in 10th.
Townend’s travels
The organisers took pity on Oliver Townend (GBR) after his marathon 55-hour journey to Kentucky and rescheduled his first horse, ODT Master Rose, to the second day of Dressage. Bidding to be only the second rider to achieve the Rolex Grand Slam, he is lying 6th on new ride Ashdale Cruise Master and 9th on ODT Master Rose.
Townend, who won the 2009 HSBC FEI Classics™, travelled from his home in Shropshire by several trains to Paris, where he found there was a train strike. Undaunted – and unable to speak any French – he struck a bargain with a taxi driver to take him on a 14-hour drive to Madrid, where he met up with William Fox-Pitt and Ireland’s Geoff Curran and flew on to Miami.
“My entire career has been building up to this and I wasn’t going to let it slip away just because of a volcano in Iceland!” said Townend, who was 8th at Kentucky last year on Carousel Quest. “I’m going to stay positive and see how I get on. It’s all a bit of a chance, but they’re good horses.
“Ashdale Cruise Master is potentially the best Cross Country horse I’ve ever had, but there’s still some work to do on the Dressage.”
Official changes
There had to be a hasty switch round of Ground Jury at Kentucky, due to the lack of flights from Europe. Marilyn Payne (USA) has replaced Anne-Mette Binder (DEN) and Christian Landolt (SUI) has taken over from Sue Baxter (GBR), both of them joining Ulrich Schmiz (USA). Technical Delegate Tom Ryckewaert (BEL) was also delayed – Gretchen Butts (USA) was holding the fort until he arrived, and Derek di Grazia (USA) was performing Course Designer duties until Mike Etherington-Smith (GBR) could arrive.
Statistics
There are 3 former Kentucky winners in the field, all US: Karen O’Connor (1999, Prince Panache), Kim Severson (2002, 2004, 2005, Winsome Adante) and Phillip Dutton (2008, Connaught)
William Fox-Pitt, 41, a member of the British team since 1993, won the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials in 2004 and has won the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials 5 times
52 horses go through to the Cross Country
1 withdrawal (Phillip Dutton on Kheops du Quesnay)
The Rolex Grand Slam (worth $350’000 to the winner) is for the rider who can win Kentucky, Badminton and Burghley consecutively; it has only been won once before, by Pippa Funnell (GBR) in 2003. Last year, Oliver Townend won Badminton and Burghley
Results (Click on thumbnail images below to open into larger view. Click image to close & return to post.)
Prize Money
HSBC will contribute US$ 1million to the series over three years. Prize-money is awarded, as follows, to the top five riders on the leaderboard after the fifth and final event:
WINNERS OF THE 2009 SEASON
1. Oliver Townend (GBR) – US$ 150,000 (Series champion);
2. Dirk Schrade (GER) – US$ 75,000;
3. Andreas Dibowski – (GER) US$ 50,000;
4. William Fox-Pitt (GBR) – US$ 33,000;
5. Sam Griffiths (AUS) – US$ 25,000
Notes to Editors
HSBC, the world’s local bank, is a platinum partner of FEI and global sponsor of the eventing discipline.
As part of this partnership, HSBC is title sponsor of the HSBC FEI Classics™ and HSBC FEI World Cup™.
At the centre of all HSBC’s sponsorships is a commitment to youth, education and community. The Pony Club and HSBC have teamed up to create the HSBC Pony Club Eventing Training Programme.
For further information on the HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing, including Rules and Standings, visit www.feiworldcup.org. Previews, reports, results and photographs for each event will be available from the FEI throughout the season.
Day 2 of Dressage at the 2010 Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event as William Fox-Pitt takes the lead on Cool Mounting. Listen in as we speak to the leaders after Dressage and we look forward to Cross Country on Saturday….
Eventing Radio Show Episode 75 – Rolex 2010 Dressage Day 2, William Fox-Pitt Leads:
Picture: With four leaders after four sessions of dressage at the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event, Great Britain’s William Fox-Pitt took the lead aboard Cool Mounting, scoring a 42.8. Allison Springer, aboard Arthur, remains tied with Karen O’Connor and Mandiba with a score of 43.7, while Kim Severson and Tipperary Liadhnan marched into fourth place with a score of 44.8. Photo by Josh Walker from useventing.com.
The first daily coverage of the 2010 Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event. Today was the First Horse Inspection. Time to dress up and show off for the vets and the crowd. Did anyone have trouble? Also, we speak to Oliver Townend and William Fox-Pitt about their adventure getting to Kentucky, listen in…
Eventing Radio Show Episode 73 – Rolex 2010 Day 1 Horse Inspection & Preview:
Picture: Oliver Townend (GBR) and ODT Master Rose, joined 51 other entries at the first horse inspection at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, for the Rolex Kentucky CCI4*. While every pair passed to the next round, Bonnie Mosser and Merloch, Boyd Martin and Rock On Rose, and Ian Roberts and Napalm were all held for re-inspection, but eventually passed. Josh Walker photo from useventing.com.
Eva Salomon, U.S. Equestrian Federation’s Managing Director & Chef d’Equipe, Dressage shares first impressions of her new job with us, and Heather Blitz offers more words of wisdom. Listen in.
Kentucky Horse Park Chosen for Theatrical Debut of Tribute to Two-Time Horse of the Year
LOS ANGELES (April 21, 2010) Open Sky Entertainment, in cooperation with Launchpad Releasing, is rolling out their new documentary film entitled “JOHN HENRY: A STEEL DRIVING RACEHORSE.”
The film about one of the most successful and beloved horses in U.S. horseracing history will make its theatrical debut on May 2nd at the Kentucky Horse Park. The film will simultaneously be available to purchase on DVD at the film’s official Web site, www.johnhenrymovie.com, as well as several other major online retailers and retail chains to be announced.
There will be two shows in the theatre at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, one at 6pm and one 8pm on Sunday, May 2. There will be special DVD give-aways at both shows. Space is limited so the public is encouraged to immediately reserve tickets at tickets@johnhenrymovie.com.
April 8, 2010 – ReRun Inc., the nonprofit Thoroughbred adoption program, announced it will be holding its spring eBay auction of Moneighs on April 25, 2010. The auction of 30 paintings created by famous equine artists will feature current superstar Zenyatta and her recently-retired stablemate, Life Is Sweet, as well as Kentucky Horse Park Hall of Champions Cigar, Funny Cide and DaHoss. The auction will also feature paintings by leading New York and Florida Stallions and a painting by the beloved champion Evening Attire.
The spring auction, which ends on May 2nd, will include several paintings created by famous horses of other breeds including one by Rolex W., who will compete in the combined driving event at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games this fall. Champion Standardbred Staying Together also created a painting even though he is blind. Each Moneigh is an original, abstract painting created by a horse, using the horse’s muzzle, whiskers, hoof, and tail. Some artists, such as Funny Cide and Cigar, will paint by holding a paintbrush in their mouths.
The Cornell University Oxley Equestrian Center hosts 41st annual Championships
April 21, 2010 (Ithaca, NY) – The Cornell University Oxley Equestrian Center in Ithaca, NY will host the 41st annual USPA National Interscholastic Championship from April 21 – 24, 2010. The annual polo competition is organized by the United States Polo Association (USPA). Teams scheduled to compete include Culver Military Academy, Eldorado, Poway, Toronto, and Virginia Junior Polo Clubs and Cowtown Work to Ride (WTR). The Cowtown WTR program is part of a 501 c3, non-profit community-based prevention program that aids disadvantaged urban youth though constructive activities centered on horsemanship, equine sports and education located in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia.
The National Interscholastic Championship is part of the USPA’s Intercollegiate/Interscholastic (I/I) program. One hundred and twenty-six teams participated in the program during the 2009/2010 season. The teams compete in regular games throughout the season to qualify for tournament play. Fourteen interscholastic Girls’, 25 Interscholastic Open, 28 Intercollegiate Women’s and 16 Intercollegiate Men’s teams played in seventeen preliminary and regional tournaments throughout the country, all culminating in the national championships.
We take a look at what’s ahead at the Kentucky Horse Horse Park this week with the final test events, and catch up with two of our spotlight athletes: canadian eventer and new mother Jessie Phoenix, (aaah!) and The English Vaulting Squad. Listen in…
2010 Radio Show Episode 87 – Previewing the Final Three Test Events:
News:The FEI Bureau has given it’s unanimous approval to new Stewards’ guidelines on warm-up techniques produced by the Working Group formed after the round table conference held in Lausanne, Switzerland in February. These new guidelines will be implemented on 15th May this year.
News: Eight time national Champion four in hand driver Chester Weber has an artist in his team. Rolex W, is the latest equine celebrity to paint a “Moneigh” in aid of the ReRun Charity, and his artwork will be displayed here in Lexington during the three day event that bears his name.
News: At their recent Annual Convention, the American Vaulting Association (AVA) presented Lifetime Achievement Awards, the highest award of the AVA, to Jeffrey Ashton Moore and Jan F. Garrod, whose efforts over the past 40 years have been instrumental to the recognition, growth and continued high standards of the sport of equestrian vaulting. At the same event, the Annual Trainer of the Year award was presented to Patti Skipton of Warm Beach Vaulters in Washington.
