Tag Archives: Andrew Nicholson

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T., FEI

Nicholson Is the Man to Watch at Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials

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Andrew Nicholson, pictured here at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials 2012 with Calico Joe, is all set for this year’s edition (5-8 September), which will be the last leg of the HSBC FEI Classics 2012/2013 series. (Photo: Kit Houghton/FEI).

Lausanne (SUI), 4 September 2013 – World number one Andrew Nicholson (NZL) will be the rider in the spotlight at this weekend’s Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR) on 5-8 September, the last leg of the HSBC FEI Classics 2012/2013 series.

The runaway leader of the current HSBC FEI Classics series followed victory at Burghley 2012 with a remarkable run of three more CCI4* wins (at Pau, Kentucky and Luhmühlen), and few would bet against this superb horseman extending his winning run to include a fourth trophy at the beautiful Lincolnshire venue.

Nicholson, also the leader of the HSBC Rider Rankings, is the only competitor with three rides: he has last year’s winner, the attractive grey Avebury, plus Pau winner Nereo and the racing-bred Irish Thoroughbred Calico Joe, a strong galloping horse with good CCI4* form.

His perennial rival William Fox-Pitt (GBR), second on the HSBC FEI Classics leader board and also lying second in the HSBC Rankings, has two chances to extend his remarkable Burghley record to a historic seventh win. Fresh from his individual bronze medal success at the HSBC FEI European Championships in Malmö (SWE), he rides the 2011 winner Parklane Hawk, a quality New Zealand Thoroughbred, and the classy Selle Francais Neuf des Coeurs.

There’s more to this fascinating competition than the old Nicholson/Fox-Pitt rivalry, however. At Badminton in May, both riders were quietly trumped by Jock Paget (NZL), who is breathing down Fox-Pitt’s neck in third place on the HSBC FEI Classics leader board. The stylish Kiwi brings his two best horses, Badminton winner Clifton Promise plus the equally talented Clifton Lush, and he could easily join the elite band of riders who have won both of Britain’s CCI4*s in the same 12 months.

Much interest will surround the Burghley début of Ingrid Klimke (GER), the newly crowned European team gold and individual silver medallist. She rides the 16-year-old FRH Butts Abraxxas, her partner in the last six team championships, and if they can show improved form in the final Jumping phase, they could take the top prize.

Klimke’s team mate, Andreas Dibowski, reunited with his top horse FRH Butts Leon, has winning credentials too, and if all goes right for Bettina Hoy with the enigmatic but talented Lanfranco, 10th last year, the German national anthem could ring out over Burghley for the first time in its 52-year history.

Other notable newcomers to Burghley are Paget’s friend and trainer Kevin McNab (AUS) with Clifton Pinot, fifth at Luhmühlen this year, Canadian Rebecca Howard with Riddle Master, 12th at Badminton, and Astier Nicolas, winner of a European team bronze for France in Malmö on Sunday. The 23-year-old Frenchman rides one of the youngest horses in the field, the nine-year-old “flying pony” Quickly Du Buguet.

Aside from the ever-reliable Fox-Pitt, British hopes also rest with the 2009 winner Oliver Townend, this time on the former Nicholson ride Armada, fourth last year; the 2003 victor Pippa Funnell, on the magnificent Redesigned; and Kristina Cook on the up-and-coming De Novo News.

Contenders for the HSBC Training Bursary, worth $1,000 to the highest-placed CCI4* newcomer, include Britons Matt Heath and Alex Postolowsky, as well as Wills Goodhew and Sophie Jenman, who are both just 21 years old.

Burghley’s undulating parkland always offers a true Cross Country challenge, but this year Course Designer Captain Mark Phillips has kept everyone guessing as he has re-routed the track. It starts in the opposite direction to last year, which means the arena fences, including Lord Burghley’s Hurdles, come early; the influential Discovery Valley (fence 5) asks a completely different question, and the famous drop at the Classics Leaf Pit is at fence 7.

Over 70 horses representing 11 nations will trot-up in front of the Ground Jury at the first horse inspection this afternoon. The Dressage phase, which opens what promises to be a thrilling competition, starts at 9am tomorrow.

Follow the action on www.burghley-horse.co.uk.

View full standings: www.fei.org/fei/sponsors/hsbc-and-fei/fei-classics.

Download the HSBC FEI Classics 2012/2013 press kit: www.feipresskits.org.

HSBC’s Training Bursary

At the centre of HSBC’s sponsorship is a commitment to the development of the sport of Eventing at every level. As part of its support of the HSBC FEI Classics, HSBC has introduced a Training Bursary. This is a unique award which is presented to the highest placed rider never to have previously completed a 4-star level event. The winning rider receives a training voucher to the value of US $1,000 to be spent on sessions with a trainer of the athlete’s choice approved by the FEI and National Federation.

HSBC, the platinum partner of the FEI and global sponsor of Eventing, has supported the HSBC FEI Classics series, which unites the top end of the international Eventing circuit, since 2008.

In our HSBC FEI Hub, you can access the HSBC FEI Classics 2012/2013 series standings, HSBC Rankings and all news relating to the current and past series.

Prize money

The HSBC FEI Classics prize fund is the largest on offer in the sport of Eventing on an annual basis. At the end of the HSBC FEI Classics 2012/2013 season, the five riders with the highest number of points collected across the six HSBC FEI Classics events will share a total prize fund of US$333,000 split as follows: 1st – US$150,000 (Series Champion); 2nd – US$75,000; 3rd – US$50,000; 4th – US$33,000; 5th – US$25,000.

HSBC Rankings

The rider at the top of the HSBC Rankings at the end of the 2013 Eventing season will receive a US $50,000 bonus. The winning rider will be announced in December 2013.

Join the FEI on Facebook & Twitter.

Our signature twitter hashtags for this series are #HSBC and #Eventing. We encourage you to use them, and if you have space: #HSBC FEI Classics #Eventing

By Kate Green

Media Contacts:

Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials:

Bridget Jennings, Press Officer
burghleypress@jbpromotions.co.uk
+447850 822820
+441458 250200

FEI Media Contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T., FEI, Show Jumping

Nicholson Cruises to Victory at Luhmühlen

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Simply the best: the matchless Andrew Nicholson and Mr Cruise Control, winners at Luhmühlen CCI4* (Photo: Kit Houghton/FEI).

Lausanne (SUI), 16 June 2013 – There were emotional scenes when Andrew Nicholson and Mr Cruise Control triumphed at Luhmühlen, presented by DHL Paket, the penultimate leg of the HSBC FEI Classics.

It was the 51-year-old New Zealander’s fourth CCI4* victory in a year, but the first for his long-time loyal owners, Robin and Nicky Salmon, who have often seen their striking-looking grey gelding come close to major honours without ever taking the big prize.

“He’s a big horse that’s taken time but he’s kept improving through all his training, and that means that out of all my four-star wins this one is particularly rewarding,” said the invincible Nicholson, who has now won four of the world’s six CCI4*s.

Zara Phillips (GBR), who finished second on Trevor Hemmings’ High Kingdom, put pressure on Nicholson right until the end with a beautifully ridden clear Jumping round.

However, the six-time Olympian rose to the occasion magnificently, just rattling the second fence but soaring over the rest to finish on his Dressage score of 38.0.

“He was too ice-cool,” Phillips smiled sportingly. “Thank goodness he can’t ride at the Europeans!”

Phillips was clearly thrilled by the continuing improvement shown by her Olympic team silver medallist. “He’s getting better all the time,” she said.

Both the two leading horses are Irish-bred: Mr Cruise Control is by the great jumping sire Cruising and High Kingdom is by Master Imp.

In contrast, William Fox-Pitt’s two horses, which rose to third and fourth places with immaculate clear rounds, are both from continental stock. Neuf des Coeurs, third, is a smart Selle Francais by Nidor Platier, and Lionheart, fourth, is a majestic German-bred by Lancer lll. Neuf des Coeurs missed much of last season through injury and Lionheart, one of the best jumpers on the circuit, is clearly back to his best after inexplicably tiring on the Olympic Cross Country last year.

“It’s been a happy weekend,” said Fox-Pitt, who has now overtaken Jock Paget (NZL) in the HSBC FEI Classics to lie second on the leaderboard behind Nicholson. “It was great to have both horses jumping and galloping so well and I couldn’t be more pleased.”

Kevin McNab (AUS) had modestly predicted that he wouldn’t be making either Nicholson or Phillips too nervous in the final phase, but he only had one rail down on Clifton Pinot, slipping from overnight third to fifth place.

Fellow Australian, Andrew Hoy, who had been in fourth after Cross Country with Rutherglen, did not present the 10-year-old at this morning’s horse inspection.

The winner, Nicholson, again proved his skills with a top-10 finish on his catch ride, Rathmoyle King. He hit two rails on the 15-year-old grey, but that wasn’t enough to drop him in the final placings and he held onto sixth. With just Burghley to come in the HSBC FEI Classics, it seems that 2013 is going to be Nicholson’s year.

About the winner

Andrew Nicholson (NZL), 51, who currently heads both the HSBC Rankings and the HSBC FEI Classics, is acknowledged as one of the most hard-working and naturally talented horsemen in Eventing. He first came to England as an 18-year-old in 1979 and worked with racehorses.

His first CCI4* was Badminton in 1984 where he earned a place on the first New Zealand Olympic team, at Los Angeles. He has since ridden at five more Olympic Games, winning team silver in 1992 and team bronzes in 1996 and 2012, when he finished fourth individually on Nereo. He also won team gold at the 1990 FEI World Equestrian Games in Stockholm (SWE) and team and individual bronze on Nereo at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky (USA).

This is his sixth CCI4* win, following three Burghley victories, in 1995 on Buckley Province, in 2000 on Mr Smiffy, and in 2012 on Avebury, plus Pau in 2012 on Nereo and Kentucky this year with Quimbo. Last year, he finished second in the 2011-2012 HSBC FEI Classics and won the HSBC Rider Rankings.

Andrew has two adult daughters, Rebecca and Melissa, and two young children, Lily and Zak, with his partner Wiggy Channer. They live near Marlborough, Wiltshire.

Full details on www.luhmuehlen.de.

View full standings: www.fei.org/fei/sponsors/hsbc-and-fei/fei-classics.

16 June – Jumping: 13.45 local time

Join the FEI on Facebook & Twitter.

Our signature twitter hashtags for this series are #HSBC and #Eventing. We encourage you to use them, and if you have space: #HSBC FEI Classics #Eventing.

By Kate Green

Media Contacts:

Luhmühlen CCI 4* presented by DHL PAKET:

Friederike Stüvel-Huck
Press Officer
media@luhmuehlen.de
+49 171 5382900

FEI Media Contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T., FEI

Nicholson Presses Cruise Control Button at Luhmühlen

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Andrew Nicholson and Cruise Control sailed into the lead after Cross Country at Luhmühlen CCI4* (Photo: Kit Houghton/FEI).

Lausanne (SUI), 15 June 2013 – Andrew Nicholson (NZL) opened and closed Cross Country day with two perfect rides and is now in the lead on Mr Cruise Control, the last horse on the course at Luhmühlen, presented by DHL Paket, the penultimate leg of the HSBC FEI Classics.

Nicholson is also sixth on the pathfinder Rathmoyle King, but he got soaked in the middle of the day when Qwanza fell on landing in the influential first water complex, fence 4.

Zara Phillips (GBR), who is only 1.7 penalties behind Nicholson in second place, was the heroine of the day as a violent storm broke when she was midway round the course. However, neither she nor her horse High Kingdom appeared inconvenienced by the blinding rain and howling wind.

“It was a bit hairy near the end of the course when I could hardly see, but I’m so happy with the horse – he was listening to me for once!” said Phillips, who lost the silk on her helmet in the wind. “The hurricane was a bit interesting, with all the leaves blowing around, but the horse was fantastic. I pointed him and he jumped.”

Kevin McNab (AUS), the man who taught this year’s Badminton winner Jock Paget (NZL) to ride, is now having his moment in the spotlight and is third on Clifton Pinot.

“I was lucky to go early I think,” said McNab, who has left his Queensland home to have a spell competing in Europe. “My horse gallops really well and, as my owner was confident we’d get the time, I was under orders.”

The top of the leaderboard has been considerably rearranged. Dressage leader Ingrid Klimke (GER) retired after Tabasco TSF tripped out of the DHL Paket Komplex (fence 4) and ran past the boathouse which was the final element.

Lucinda Fredericks (AUS), second on Flying Finish, clocked 19.6 time penalties and is now 11th. She explained that she and Flying Finish were not fully fit due to her being injured in a fall in March.

“I’m out of breath just running up the hill here, so today was a very big step for me,” said Fredericks. “My plan for the weekend was to have a good competition and get a qualification. I’m just pleased to be here and am very happy with my round.”

Dirk Schrade (GER), seventh after Dressage on Edino, also retired after a steering problems at fence 4. Peter Thomsen (GER), fifth after the first phase on Horseware’s Cayenne, incurred 22.4 time penalties and is now 16th and Kai Rüder (GER), sixth after Dressage, had a runout on the onward-bound stallion Le Prince des Bois at fence 28.

Andreas Dibowski (GER) and FRH Butts Avedon are now best of the home side, having risen from 16th to ninth with just 3.6 time penalties.

Like Nicholson, William Fox-Pitt (GBR) produced two clear rounds inside the optimum time of 11 minutes 14 seconds, and is now fifth on Neuf des Coeurs and seventh on Lionheart.

Jonelle Richards (NZL), Nicholson’s Olympic team mate, was another to finish on a clean sheet and is in eighth place on Flintstar.

There were 25 clear rounds, 10 of which were inside the time, and 34 horses completed.

The most surprising mishap was for the usually foot-perfect combination of Nicola Wilson (GBR) and Opposition Buzz. The black gelding tripped in the water at fence 4, took off early at the step out and tipped over the boathouse. Neither he nor his rider was hurt.

The only serious accident of the day was the fall of French rider Emeric George and P’tite Bombe at fence 12, a rounded obstacle topped with brush, in the main arena where there were no other incidents. The horse was taken to a veterinary clinic for examination where, sadly, the decision was taken to have him humanely put down.

Andrew Nicholson, the only competitor to have three horses, talked through his busy day. “I’ve only ridden Rathmoyle King once before, but Carolyne Ryan-Bell [his owner] has done a great job producing him and it felt as though I’d ridden him for all of his career.”

He continued: “Qwanza didn’t do anything wrong when she jumped into the water and I don’t think I did. It was just one of those things. So I had a shower and dried my boots and then I got on Mr Cruise Control. He is very experienced at this level and was a pleasure to ride.”

Nicholson, 51, who is having the best run of success in his long and hardworking career, is now in line to win his fourth CCI4* in 12 months. This would greatly enhance his lead in the HSBC Rider Rankings and the HSBC FEI Classics, but he said he was “just going to live for the moment tonight”.

Full details on www.luhmuehlen.de.

View full standings: www.fei.org/fei/sponsors/hsbc-and-fei/fei-classics.

Watch the action LIVE on FEI TV (www.feitv.org/live), the FEI’s official video website from Luhmühlen (GER):

16 June – Jumping: 13.45 local time

Join the FEI on Facebook & Twitter.

Our signature twitter hashtags for this series are #HSBC and #Eventing. We encourage you to use them, and if you have space: #HSBC FEI Classics #Eventing.

By Kate Green

Media Contacts:

Luhmühlen CCI 4* presented by DHL PAKET:

Friederike Stüvel-Huck
Press Officer
media@luhmuehlen.de
+49 171 5382900

FEI Media Contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T., FEI

Nicholson Means Business at Luhmühlen

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Andrew Nicholson, pictured here with Nereo at Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, has maintained his lead of the HSBC FEI Classics into the penultimate leg at Luhmühlen CCI4*. (Photo: Kit Houghton/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 12 June 2013 – Andrew Nicholson (NZL), who holds a commanding lead in the HSBC FEI Classics, heads to Germany this week for the penultimate leg of the series at Luhmühlen CCI4*, presented by DHL PAKET (13-16 June).

Nicholson, the 2012 HSBC Rankings champion, is clearly not about to squander his excellent chance of becoming the first Kiwi to head the HSBC FEI Classics, and is travelling to the premier German event with three good rides.

He brings the Spanish-bred mare Qwanza, seventh at Kentucky last year, the striking grey Mr Cruise Control, by Cruising, fourth at Luhmühlen in 2010, plus Rathmoyle King, previously ridden at CCI4* level by Carolyne Ryan-Bell (GBR).

Nicholson has a 13-point advantage in the HSBC FEI Classics over his compatriot Jock Paget, winner of a thrilling Badminton (GBR) last month. Paget is also intent on maintaining his foothold on the HSBC FEI Classics and rides CCI4* débutant Bullet Proof.

William Fox-Pitt (GBR), three times a winner of the HSBC FEI Classics and currently third in the rankings, also has three top rides: his 2012 Olympic horse Lionheart, Neuf des Coeurs and Cool Mountain. The latter, a CCI4* winner at Kentucky in 2010 and a world team gold and individual silver medallist, is back in work after a season’s absence through injury.

Two more combinations from Britain’s Olympic silver medal team will be in action at Luhmühlen: Nicola Wilson rides the crowd-pleasing Opposition Buzz, a brilliant Cross Country horse, and Zara Phillips has re-routed High Kingdom after his run-out in the Badminton lake.

Two members of Australia’s Olympic team return to Luhmühlen after good placings here last year: Lucinda Fredericks, back in action after breaking her collarbone in a fall this spring, comes back with Flying Finish, the 2012 runner-up, and Andrew Hoy has Rutherglen, who finished sixth in 2012.

Olympic champion Michael Jung (GER), currently lying fourth in the HSBC FEI Classics, will ride last year’s Luhmühlen winner, Leopin, another to have a Cross Country refusal at Badminton.

A strong home entry includes double Olympic gold medallist Ingrid Klimke on Tabasco TSF, a dual CIC3* winner, Bettina Hoy on Lanfranco TSF, the horse that has brought her back to top level with 10th place at Burghley last year, and Julia Krajewski, who rides London-Return and has strong claims to the HSBC Training Bursary awarded to the best first-time CCI4* completion.

Luhmühlen is an important event for the German squad, as it is the major selection trial for the HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships in Malmö (SWE) in August.

There are 51 horses entered from 11 nations: Australia, Belgium, Ecuador, France, Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden and USA.

Cross Country Course Designer Mark Phillips (GBR) says that although his track runs on a similar route to last year, it is “a very different CCI4* test which will require concentration all the way round”.

The first water complex comes up at fence 4, the DHL PAKET Komplex, with a big boat fence into the water and a bounce distance out up a step and over another boat. The biggest fence on the course is the Gärtnerei Wredes Rennbahnsprung at 7, which is 1.45m and 2m wide at the top and 3m wide at the bottom.

Capt Phillips says the HSBC Complex at 9-12 in the main arena is, again, the most technical, with two hedge to corner questions on acute angles. “Hopefully, all horses and riders will come home with a smile on their faces,” he says.

Full details on www.luhmuehlen.de.

View full standings: www.fei.org/fei/sponsors/hsbc-and-fei/fei-classics.

Watch the action LIVE on FEI TV (www.feitv.org/live), the FEI’s official video website from Luhmühlen (GER):

15 June – Cross Country: 12.20 local time
16 June – Jumping: 13.45 local time

Join the FEI on Facebook & Twitter.

Our signature twitter hashtags for this series are #HSBC and #Eventing. We encourage you to use them, and if you have space: #HSBC FEI Classics #Eventing.

By Kate Green

Media Contacts:

Luhmühlen CCI 4* presented by DHL PAKET:

Friederike Stüvel-Huck
Press Officer
media@luhmuehlen.de
+49 171 5382900

FEI Media Contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

Competitions, Dressage, Eventing/H.T.

Duo Has One Hand Each on Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing Prize at 2013 Badminton Horse Trials

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Andrew Nicholson (top) & William Fox-Pitt.

(Badminton, UK, 3 May 2013) Christopher Burton (AUS) riding Holstein Park Leilani is currently in 1st place after Day 1 of Dressage. Sam Griffiths (AUS) riding Happy Times is in 2nd place, with Andrew Nicholson (NZL) riding Avebury in 3rd place.  William Fox-Pitt (GBR) riding Oslo is lying in 4th place.

Results after Day 1 Dressage

1 Christopher Burton/Holstein Park Leilani (AUS) 43.0
2 Sam Griffiths/Happy Times (AUS) 43.3
2 Andrew Nicholson/Avebury (NZL) 45.0
4 William Fox-Pitt/Oslo (GBR) 45.8
5 Aoife Clark/Master Crusoe (IRL) 45.8

For more information on the 2013 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials and full Results/Leaderboard, please visit www.badminton-horse.co.uk.

Two Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing Contenders

With two of three successive wins of the Rolex Grand Slam – the 2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and the 2011 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials – William Fox-Pitt is the current live contender of the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. Due to adverse weather conditions, the 2012 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials was unfortunately cancelled. Therefore, Fox-Pitt has had to wait until the 2013 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials ends before he can contend for the coveted US$ 350,000 Rolex Grand Slam Prize.

However, now that Andrew Nicholson, who won the 2012 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, has also accomplished the feat of successively winning the 2013 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, there are now uniquely be two live contenders for the sport’s most coveted prize at the 2013 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials.

Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing

In 2001, Rolex created the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. This trophy is awarded to the rider who manages to win the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials and the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials event in any consecutive order. Until now, only British rider Pippa Funnell has managed this staggering achievement, winning the title in 2003.

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T: +44(0)207 592 1207
E: tim@revolutionsports.co.uk

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T., FEI

Dream Team Lines Up for Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials

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William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and (right) Andrew Nicholson (NZL) – the HSBC Rankings and HSBC FEI Classics series leader – have set the scene for the most thrilling running yet of the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR) on 3-6 May, fourth leg of the HSBC FEI Classics 2012/2013. (Photo: Kit Houghton/FEI).

Lausanne (SUI), 1 May, 2013 – The scene is set for the most thrilling running yet of the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR) (3-6 May), fourth leg of the HSBC FEI Classics 2012/2013, and a showdown between two riders who are at the height of their powers.

Andrew Nicholson (NZL), current HSBC Rankings leader and holding a 10-point-lead in the HSBC FEI Classics standings, scored a stunning victory over William Fox-Pitt (GBR) at Kentucky last weekend.

The two riders, who finished first and second in the 2012 HSBC Rankings, are at the peak of their careers, with the strongest strings of horses they’ve ever had. Between them, their four Badminton horses have won five CCI4*s, and they have set up a fascinating head-to-head for the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing.

Fox-Pitt, who has won 11 CCI4*s, including Badminton in 2004, will ride Parklane Hawk, winner of Burghley in 2011 and Kentucky in 2012, and Oslo, who topped the line-up at Pau in 2011. Nicholson, who has five CCI4* victories to his name, competes on Nereo, winner of Pau 2012, and Avebury, first at Burghley last year.

“This is a dream scenario for Badminton,” said Fox-Pitt. “It’s going to be really exciting, although at the end of the day it’ll probably be neither of us winning – hello, Michael Jung! So many things have to come right to win any three-day event. But we’ve both got lovely horses and we’ve both had a great preparation for Badminton, so we’ll see.”

Badminton has received an exceptionally star-studded entry this year, and, as Fox-Pitt mentions, it is Michael Jung (GER), the reigning Olympic, World and European champion, who will undoubtedly start favourite on his best horse, La Biosthetique Sam. He also has a strong back-up in first ride Leopin, third at Pau in 2012.

The unassuming Jung first visited Badminton as a youngster, and has wanted to ride here ever since, but his only public appearances in Britain have both been at Greenwich Park – at the Test Event and last year’s Olympic Games where he won team and individual gold. As a result, many British spectators have never seen him ride, so they will be in for a treat when they see the master at work. Interestingly, no first-timer has won at Badminton since Mark Todd (NZL) in 1980 – could Jung, with his impressive credentials, break this record?

Jung’s Olympic team mates also have the credentials to win – individual bronze medallist Sandra Auffarth (Opgun Louvo), Dirk Schrade (King Artus) and Ingrid Klimke (Butts Abraxxas).

Fox-Pitt’s fellow Olympic team members Mary King (Imperial Cavalier and Kings Temptress), Kristina Cook (Miners Frolic and De Novo News) and Zara Phillips (High Kingdom) should also feature in what promises to be a highly international line-up, and much interest will follow the reappearance of Redesigned, fifth at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, with Pippa Funnell.

Since Badminton began 64 years ago in 1949, British riders have dominated. However, this year’s contest is wide open. Two rising stars from the Antipodes are Jock Paget (NZL) with Clifton Promise, second at Pau, and Clifton Lush, and Chris Burton (AUS) on Holstein Park Leilani.

Ireland’s Aoife Sisk is sure to go well on Master Crusoe, seventh at the London Olympic Games, and Italy has two stars in Stefano Brecciaroli (Apollo VD Wendi Kurt Hoeve) and Vittoria Panizzon on the bouncing grey mare, Borough Pennyz.

There are six former winners in the field, headed by 57-year-old Sir Mark Todd (NZL), the defending champion who first won Badminton 33 years ago, following up with victories in 1994, 1996 and 2011. He rides Major Milestone and Ravenstar, the latter for Irish rider Jayne Doherty, who is pregnant.

The other previous Badminton winners are Mary King (1992, 2000), Pippa Funnell (2002, 2003, 2005), William Fox-Pitt (2004), Oliver Townend (2009) and Paul Tapner (2010).

Since 1949, there have been five Australian winners of Badminton (Bill Roycroft, Laurie Morgan, Andrew Hoy, Lucinda Fredericks and Paul Tapner); two from the USA (Bruce Davidson and David O’Connor), one Swiss (Hans Schwarzenbach), one French (Nicolas Touzaint), one Irish (Eddie Boylan) plus Mark Todd’s four wins for New Zealand.

The in-form Andrew Nicholson (NZL), who has just won three consecutive CCI4*s, holds the record for Badminton completions – 31 times – but has yet to win. His best result to date is second in 2004 on Lord Killinghurst. Could 2013 be his year?

Badminton is also a place where young riders make their mark – and this year, there are three candidates for the HSBC Training Bursary, which is presented to the highest placed rider never to have previously completed a 4-star level event: Jamie Atkinson (GBR) on Celtic Fortune, Sarah Ennis (IRL) with Sugar Brown Babe and Manuel Grave (POR) on Samaritano.

Dressage starts on Friday at 9.30am (British time) with Oliver Townend (GBR) first into the arena on Armada. Follow live results: www.badminton.co.uk.

HSBC FEI Classics leaderboard (after 3 of 6 events)

  1. Andrew Nicholson (NZL) 30 points
  2. William Fox-Pitt (GBR) 20
  3. Craig Barrett (AUS) 15
  4. Jonathan Paget (NZL) 12
  5. Natalie Blundell (AUS) 12
  6. Michael Jung (GER) 10
  7. Murray Lamperd (AUS) 10
  8. Buck Davidson (USA) 8
  9. Jessica Manson (AUS) 8
  10. Lynn Symansky (USA) 6

View full standings here.

Join the FEI on Facebook & Twitter.

Our signature Twitter hashtags for this series are #HSBC and #Eventing. We encourage you to use them, and if you have space: #HSBC FEI Classics #Eventing.

By Kate Green

Mitsubishi Badminton Horse Trials Media Contact:

Julian Seaman
j.seaman2@sky.com
+44 7831 515736

FEI Media Contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Kentucky Three-Day

Nicholson Clocks Timely First Rolex Kentucky Win

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Andrew Nicholson (NZL) rode Quimbo to a clear jumping round for his first-ever win at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (Anthony Trollope/FEI).

Lausanne (SUI), 29 April 2013 – Andrew Nicholson (NZL) rode with a winner’s confidence on Libby Sellar’s beautiful black horse, Quimbo, to secure his first-ever win of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA), third leg of the 2012/2013 HSBC FEI Classics.

Nicholson has made no secret of the fact that for him this season is “all about the HSBC FEI Classics – if William lets me!” and, at this halfway stage, he now holds a commanding 10-point lead over William Fox-Pitt (GBR), who jumped clear to finish second on Seacookie TSF.

This was Nicholson’s first Rolex watch, the fifth CCI4* win of his 30-year career, and the third on the trot, following victories last year at Burghley and Pau.

Most significantly, it sets up an enthralling head-to-head with Fox-Pitt in the Rolex Grand Slam this weekend at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR) on 3-6 May.

He put his current run of success down to: “The realisation about the sort of quality of horses you need nowadays and great team work at home. When it dawns on you that you’ve won a four-star competition on a young horse, it’s a great buzz, and this is no ordinary four-star.”

He said of Quimbo: “He’s a proper horse! He is exceptional and smart and very easy to ride. A win like this is great for the future. Nereo [Olympic bronze medallist] is my best horse at the moment because he’s a hardened campaigner, and Quimbo is the new kid on the block, but I can see him nudging Nereo aside.”

Buck Davidson (USA), who finished best of the home side in fourth place on Ballynoe Castle RM, hit two rails, giving Nicholson a comfortable two-fence margin over Fox-Pitt. This meant that Nicholson, who was helped in the warm-up by the former Spanish rider Luis Alvarez Cervera, could take his time and afford three time penalties on the smooth-jumping Quimbo. He also finished third on Calico Joe, dropping one place when, as he had predicted, the Irish Thoroughbred knocked three fences.

Nicholson has produced Quimbo since a youngster. The 10-year-old gelding, bred in Spain by Anna Beca, is by Lacros, a son of the top jumping sire Landgraaf. Nicholson has long favoured horses bred in Spain on Jumping lines. The mare Qwanza, bred on similar lines, was seventh at Kentucky last year, and Nereo, which he will ride at Badminton next weekend, was bred by Anna Beca’s brother Ramon.

Lynn Symansky (USA), who was competing with a broken finger, scored her best international result with a meteoric rise from 25th place after dressage to eventual fifth on her 10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding Donner, ahead of Will Faudree (USA) and Pawlow, sixth.

Canadian Olympian Hawley Bennett and the veteran Gin & Juice, world silver medallists in 2010, rose from 29th place to eventual seventh after adding just 0.4 in Cross Country time penalties to a Dressage score of 59.8.

Buck Davidson was ninth on Mar de Amor, and gained a bonus prize with the two-year lease on a Land Rover due to being the American rider nearest the optimum Cross Country time. Davidson admitted he was a little disappointed with his two rails down in the jumping phase on “Reggie”, but he said: “My little horse was great. This is my third national championship here [as highest-placed US rider], all on three different horses. Maybe we can keep these New Zealanders and Brits away and I’ll win here one of these days. But all my three horses are in great shape, and that’s exciting for me for the future.”

Peter Atkins (AUS) moved up to 10th place on Henry Jota Hampton, one of the most popular horses on the US circuit. The most significant changes to the final order were Kiwi rider Jonelle Richards’ departure from seventh place when The Deputy incurred 20 penalties, and the elimination of California-based British rider James Alliston’s Tivoli, ninth overnight, at the final horse inspection.

HSBC Training Bursary

Meghan O’Donoghue (USA), a member of the USA’s under-25 training squad, made a brilliant CCI4* début to win the HSBC Training Bursary worth $1,000.

Riding her own Pirate, an 11-year-old American Thoroughbred, O’Donoghue climbed from 25th place after the Dressage phase to eventual 11th, adding only four Cross Country time penalties and seven Jumping penalties.

She only rode in her first CCI3* last year, finishing 12th at Fairhill (USA) on Pirate, a horse she has produced from a youngster since she spotted him as a three-year-old on the racetrack, where he was being used to ‘pony’ racehorses to the start. O’Donoghue previously worked as barn manager and assistant trainer to Jan Byyny, and is now based in Illinois.

About the winner

Andrew Nicholson (NZL), 51, leader of the HSBC Rankings and the HSBC FEI Classics series, is acknowledged as one of the most hard-working and naturally talented horsemen in Eventing. He first came to England as a 19-year-old in 1979 and worked with racehorses. His first CCI4* was Badminton in 1984 where he earned a place on the first New Zealand Olympic team, at Los Angeles. He went on to ride at five more Olympics, winning team silver in 1992 and team bronzes in 1996 and 2012, when he finished fourth individually on Nereo. He also won team gold at the 1990 FEI World Equestrian Games in Stockholm (SWE), and team and individual bronze on Nereo at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky (USA).

This is his fifth CCI4* win, following three Burghley victories – in 1995 on Buckley Province, in 2000 on Mr Smiffy, and in 2012 on Avebury – plus Pau in 2012 on Nereo. Last year, he won both the Blenheim CIC3* and Boekelo CCI3* on Quimbo and finished second in the HSBC FEI Classics 2011-2012.

Andrew has two adult daughters, Rebecca and Melissa, and two young children, Lily and Zak, with his partner Wiggy Channer. They live near Marlborough, Wiltshire.

Final results

  1. Andrew Nicholson/Quimbo (NZL) 38 + 0 + 3 = 41
  2. William Fox-Pitt/Seacookie TSF (GBR) 46.2 + 0 + 0 = 46.2
  3. Andrew Nicholson/Calico Joe (NZL) 40.8 + 0 + 12 = 52.8
  4. Buck Davidson/Ballynoe Castle RM (USA) 45.2 + 0 + 8 = 53.2
  5. Lynn Symansky/Donner (USA) 54.8 + 0 + 0 = 54.8
  6. Will Faudree/Pawlow (USA) 47.2 + 6.3 + 4 = 57.6
  7. Hawley Bennett/Gin & Juice (CAN) 59.8 + 0.4 + 0 = 60.2
  8. Kristi Nunnink/R-Star (USA) 55.3 + 4.4 + 4 = 63.7
  9. Buck Davidson/Mar de Amor (USA) 55.2 + 0 + 9 = 64.2
  10. Peter Atkins/Henry Jota Hampton (AUS) 59.2 + 1.6 + 4 = 64.8

Full results on www.rk3de.org.

HSBC FEI Classics leaderboard (after 3 of 6 events)

  1. Andrew Nicholson (NZL) 30 points
  2. William Fox-Pitt (GBR) 20
  3. Craig Barrett (AUS) 15
  4. Jonathan Paget (NZL) 12
  5. Natalie Blundell (AUS) 12
  6. Michael Jung (GER) 10
  7. Murray Lamperd (AUS) 10
  8. Buck Davidson (USA) 8
  9. Jessica Manson (AUS) 8
  10. Lynn Symansky (USA) 6

View full standings here.

Join the FEI on Facebook & Twitter.

Our signature Twitter hashtags for this series are #HSBC and #Eventing. We encourage you to use them, and if you have space: #HSBC FEI Classics #Eventing.

By Kate Green

FEI Media Contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T., Kentucky Three-Day

Andrew Nicholson Riding Quimbo Wins the 2013 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event

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(USA, 28 April 2013) Andrew Nicholson (NZL), riding Quimbo, today won the 2013 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, with William Fox-Pitt (GBR) riding Seacookie in 2nd place, and Andrew Nicholson also in 3rd place riding Calico Joe.

Quotes from Andrew Nicholson, Quimbo:

Q. Andrew – what a round – congratulations – Quimbo is a special horse isn’t he?

Ah he is class – he’s a special horse – he’s a performer and very cool in his mind. It’s great to win here and to make things this exciting at Badminton next week – I think Hugh Thomas must be rubbing his hands – and he hasn’t had to part with any cash!

Q. So it’s game on next week for the Rolex Grand Slam next week?

Oh for sure. I went into the start box on the cross country when I knew William had pulled up Chilli Morning and I thought I would like to be on another of mine, but after the third fence I thought I am quite happy with what I’ve got and remembered how classy he is – it is days like that which are great – I think I am in with a big chance next week.

Quotes from William Fox-Pitt, Seacookie:

Q. William – that was fantastic what a great ride – how were you feeling going in?

I was delighted with him and he has come through this event so well – i was thrilled with him over cross country yesterday – he’s only a little horse but he has a big heart – you never know what the cross country has taken out of them for the show jumping – basically he is a very careful jumper and he was today.

I was so happy with the way he jumped today – he gave me such a nice feeling – he tried his heart out. I had one little moment coming to the water tray where I was riding on either six or seven strides and I was thinking six and then “oh I’m not going to get there on six” so I pulled and he was very good to add and I was thrilled with that.

Q. Were you nervous going in?

Of course you are always nervous going in but I wasn’t in the lead and had it all to go for and nothing to lose, and as I say I was very pleased with my horse all week and just hope that my luck can carry on until next week!

Audio Interviews

For an audio interview of Andrew Nicholson post Show Jumping on Quimbo, please click link here: https://www.yousendit.com/download/UVJnY05ucHZuSlJqQThUQw.

For an audio interview of William Fox-Pitt post Show Jumping on Seacookie, please click link here: https://www.yousendit.com/download/UVJnY05wYUlUME85TE1UQw.

Audio Post Show Jumping Press Conference

Please click here for link: https://www.yousendit.com/download/UVJnY05wYUlwaFE5WThUQw.

Final Results after Show Jumping

  1. Andrew Nicholson/Quimbo (NZL) 41.0
  2. William Fox-Pitt/Seacoookie (GBR) 46.2
  3. Andrew Nicholson/Calico Joe (NZL) 52.8
  4. Buck Davidson/Ballynoe Castle RM (USA) 53.2
  5. Lynn Symansky/Donner (USA) 54.8

For more information on the 2013 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and full Results/Leaderboard, please visit www.rk3de.org.

Two Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing Contenders

With two of three successive wins of the Rolex Grand Slam – the 2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and the 2011 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials – William Fox-Pitt is the current live contender of the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. Due to adverse weather conditions, the 2012 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials was unfortunately cancelled. Therefore, Fox-Pitt has had to wait until the 2013 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials before he can contend for the coveted US$ 350,000 Rolex Grand Slam Prize.

However, now that Andrew Nicholson, who won the 2012 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials has also accomplished the feat of successively winning the 2013 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, there will now uniquely be two live contenders for the sport’s most coveted prize at the 2013 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials.

Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing

In 2001, Rolex created the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. This trophy is awarded to the rider who manages to win the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials and the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials event in any consecutive order. Until now, only British rider Pippa Funnell has managed this staggering achievement, winning the title in 2003.

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Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Kentucky Three-Day

Nicholson Wins Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event

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Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM (Shannon Brinkman/USEF photo)

Davidson Wins Third Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Eventing Championship

Lexington, KY – The final phase of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover provided an exciting finish to the Kentucky Horse Park’s staple event. A sold-out Rolex Stadium crowd witnessed Andrew Nicholson (NZL) win North America’s only CCI4* event for the first time. With Quimbo, he held onto the overnight lead, only adding three time penalties to their dressage score, finishing with a score of 41.0. Deborah Sellar’s 10-year-old Spanish Sport Horse gelding sailed over the fences in Richard Jeffery’s stadium jumping course, expertly guided by HSBC World Rankings Leader Nicholson.

“To go round and jump the last fence and you have gone clear is a little bit what you expect to do if you ride them half properly when they are that good,” commented Nicholson of Quimbo’s exceptional jumping style.

Nicholson won his second leg of the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing after winning the 2012 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials and will be competing against William Fox-Pitt (GBR) at the Mitsubishi Badminton Horse Trials for the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing, an unprecedented situation. After winning the 2011 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials and the 2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, William Fox-Pitt (GBR) is currently in the running to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. After the 2012 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials was canceled due to excessive rain leading up to the event, a win next week at the 2013 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials could win Fox-Pitt or Nicholson the coveted title.

“We both have a few more days of peace before it all kicks off. It will certainly be exciting,” said Fox-Pitt. “I think this is Rolex’s dream.”

Fox-Pitt and Seacookie TSF finished second after having one of only four double clear rounds to finish on a score of 46.2. He made the course look easy with Catherine Witt’s 14-year-old Trakehner gelding after rails had been falling all day.

“It is great to have him back on form again and we will how the autumn goes as to where he is,” said Fox-Pitt of having his partner performing well after a rough go at Burghley last year.

Nicholson also finished third with Calico Joe after having three rails to end on a score of 52.8. Despite stadium jumping not being Twenty Twelve in Mind’s 11-year-old English Thoroughbred gelding’s strongest phase, the pair still managed to finish in the top three.
Buck Davidson (Unionville, PA) and Ballynoe Castle RM settled for fourth place after having two unfortunate rails at fences 11 and 13. While he moved down the leaderboard, Davidson won the Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Eventing Championship with Cassandra Segal’s 13-year-old Irish Thoroughbred gelding.

“He has been amazing this weekend as he has been his whole life,” said Davidson of his beloved mount “Reggie.” “Of course I am bummed to have two down, it sort of fell apart at the end but to be sitting up here with these two guys who are obviously unbelievable, I feel fortunate to be up here. If I have got to lose it is two good guys to lose to.”

The second highest-placed American was Lynn Symansky (Middleburg, VA) with her own Donner who finished in fifth place with a score of 54.8. She rode the 10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding with determination around the horse’s first CCI4* event, having double clear cross country and stadium rounds to finish on their dressage score.

Another American with an impressive finish was Meghan O’Donoghue (Carbondale, IL). A 2013 Developing Riders/Eventing 25 listed rider, she rode her own 11-year-old Thoroughbred gelding to a 12th place finish in her first CCI4*. O’Donoghue added only a handful of penalties to finish with a score of 69.0.

Watch on-demand video of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover on the USEF Network presented by SmartPak here: http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/Rolex3Day2013/.

For more information about the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover, visit www.rk3de.org.

Follow the 2013 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team at http://usefnetwork.com/featured/2013Eventing.

By Kathleen Landwehr

Eventing/H.T., Kentucky Three-Day, USEF

Nicholson Cruises into Top Two Places after Cross Country at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event

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Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM (Shannon Brinkman/USEF photo)

Lexington, KY – Cross country day was an influential one at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover. Derek di Grazia’s 6500 meter, 28 obstacle cross country course caused some problems throughout the day but did not pose any issues for HSBC World Rankings Leader Andrew Nicholson (NZL) who holds the top two places on the leaderboard. Nicholson is in the lead with Quimbo after having a textbook round, adding nothing to their dressage score of 38.0. Deborah Sellar’s 10-year-old Spanish Sport Horse gelding galloped around the Kentucky Horse Park confidently in his first attempt at a CCI4* event.

“He felt very, very good. I was very, very impressed with him,” said Nicholson of Quimbo. “It’s his first time at this level so I quite wasn’t sure if he would have enough gallop to keep up the pace to the end. I was quite amazed when I got to eight minutes and told him we needed to up the pace a little bit and he was very happy to do it and he wasn’t slowing down at the finish.”

Nicholson sits a close second to himself with Calico Joe, adding no penalties to their dressage score of 40.8. He had a masterful round with Twenty Twelve in Mind’s 11-year-old English Thoroughbred gelding, easily coming in well under the optimum time of 11 minutes and 21 seconds.

“You can never have too much of a cushion going into show jumping,” quipped Nicholson of being in first and second going into the final phase. “I pretty much made the most of today and will worry about tomorrow tomorrow. For Calico Joe, [show jumping] is not his strongest phase. Quimbo is a very, very nice jumper. If I ride him half right he usually does the rest himself. So we will just worry about things tomorrow morning at the jog and worry about the show jumping after that.”

With a win tomorrow, Nicholson would win his second leg of the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing after winning the 2012 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials and be competing against William Fox-Pitt (GBR) at the Mitsubishi Badminton Horse Trials for the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. After winning the 2011 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials and the 2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, William Fox-Pitt (GBR) is currently in the running to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. After the 2012 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials was canceled due to excessive rain leading up to the event, a win next week at the 2013 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials could win Fox-Pitt, or possibly Nicholson depending on tomorrow’s outcome, the coveted title.

Buck Davidson (Unionville, PA) jumped a stellar double clear round over the demanding track to sit third with a score of 45.2 with Ballynoe Castle RM. The pair finished third at both the Red Hills CIC3* and The Fork CIC3*. Being the top placed American in the competition, Davidson cruised into the lead of the Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Eventing Championship with Cassandra Segal’s 13-year-old Irish Thoroughbred gelding.

“He’s been an amazing horse for me,” said Davidson of his longtime partner “Reggie.” “I am so fortunate to have him in my life and have the Segals who have given me such an amazing horse. He does everything I ask him, he shows up every single weekend and I am so lucky and thankful.”

For being the top American rider coming closest to the optimum time, Davidson was awarded the Land Rover Best Ride of the Day, receiving a 24 month lease of a 2013 Range Rover Evoque.

“Land Rover has been a huge supporter of American eventing and for them to come up with this is great. I am very thankful to Land Rover,” commented Davidson.

The second highest-placed American is Will Faudree (Southern Pines, NC) with Jennifer Mosing’s Pawlow. He and the 14-year-old Irish Thoroughbred gelding added 6.4 time penalties to sit in fifth place with a score of 53.6. The pair had a 15th place finish here in 2010 and hope to improve upon that performance this year.

Forty-two combinations contested the cross country phase but only 30 completed the course. Of the finishers there were 10 double clear rounds, while there were seven eliminations and 5 retirements on course. Three combinations withdrew before the start of competition Saturday.

The second horse inspection will take place Sunday at 8:30am ET and the show jumping will begin at 1:15pm ET.

Watch the live stream on the USEF Network presented by SmartPak. In addition to the broadcast, the order of go, results, and photos can be found here: http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/Rolex3Day2013/.

For more information about the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover, visit www.rk3de.org.

Follow the 2013 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team at http://usefnetwork.com/featured/2013Eventing.

By Kathleen Landwehr