Tag Archives: Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event

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

Michael Jung Leads Dressage at Kentucky

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Dressage leaders Michael Jung (GER) and FischerRocana FST make a superb start to their title defence at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, third leg of the FEI Classics™ 2015/2016 (Red Bay Group, LLC/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 29 April 2016 – Michael Jung (GER) and his wonderful mare FischerRocana FST were in a class of their own at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA), third leg of the FEI Classics™ 2015/2016, where their flawless performance has put them at the head of the leaderboard after the Dressage phase.

Last year’s winners have a 5.3 penalty lead over the evergreen American combination of Alison Springer and the 17-year-old Arthur, runners-up in 2012.

“FischerRocana did a wonderful test, very concentrated and nice to ride,” said Jung, the reigning Olympic champion, who has revealed that his first choice for Rio is his 2015 European Champion FischerTakinou.

“I think FischerRocana likes it here. She travelled very well and she likes the stadium. I think it’s a great competition for her. She is a beautiful mare.”

Springer was last of the 71 competitors into the stadium and had a packed home crowd on the edge of their seats. Her big liver-chestnut gelding is always a magnificent sight in this phase yet few riders can match Jung for sheer fluidity and accuracy.

“Arthur was awesome,” said a breathless Springer afterwards. “One walk section and a couple of flying changes perhaps weren’t great, but it’s just emotional to be here after so many years together. I’m blessed. And tomorrow I’m going to have to ride as dynamically as that German!”

Aside from Jung, Sir Mark Todd (NZL) – who is handily placed in equal sixth place (with Hannah-Sue Burnett on Harbour Pilot) on NZB Campino on 43.2 – and Canada’s Jessica Phoenix, 10th on Pavarotti (44.7), make the top of the scoreboard after Dressage a sea of American flags.

Marilyn Little produced a smart test to lie third on RF Demeter on a score of 42.5, ahead of Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp, fourth on Fernhill By Night.

Another Fernhill horse, Fernhill Fugitive, is in fifth with Phillip Dutton, who has three horses in the top 20, with the handsome Mighty Nice in 11th place and Fernhill Cubalawn in 19th. Dutton is dedicating his performance this weekend to Mighty Nice’s late owner Bruce Duchossois, a great supporter of US Eventing, who died recently.

The 12-year-old Irish-bred gelding is now owned by a syndicate who banded together to keep the horse with Dutton.

Dutton’s former pupil Boyd Martin is also three-handed, with Shamwari 4 the best placed in ninth. The horse is also owned by a syndicate, comprising some 20 people. “I love the chaos and they’re all good friends,” said the always affable Martin. “I’m lucky to have the best horses money could buy.”

Jung, Martin and Springer all mentioned that they thought course designer Derek di Grazia’s Cross Country track looked more difficult and twisty than last year and suggested that it would require considerable mental concentration.

Seventy-one horses go forward to the Cross Country phase, with Dutton the first on course, on Fernhill Fugitive, at 10am (local time). With marks so closely bunched – there are 26 riders with sub-50 scores – it promises to be a thrilling day.

All the action will be on FEI TV (www.feitv.org) and live results on www.rk3de.org.

Use hashtags #FEIClassics #Eventing.

See FEI Classics™ hub: www.fei.org/fei/events/fei-classics.

By Kate Green

Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Media Contact:

Marty Baumann
Press Chief
info@classic-communications.com
508-698-6810 x 10

FEI Media Contacts:

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
Email: ruth.grundy@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 145

Leanne Williams
Manager Press Relations
leanne.williams@fei.org
+41 79 314 24 38

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

Michael Jung Leads Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event 2016 to Contend for the Rolex Grand Slam

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Photo courtesy of Rolex.

28 April 2016, Lexington, USA – Michael Jung riding Fischerrocana FST put in a near flawless dressage performance on Day 1 of the 2016 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event to put himself firmly in contention for the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing prize.

Elizabeth Halliday-Sharp (USA) riding Fernhill by Night are currently in second place behind Jung, with Phillip Dutton (USA) riding Fernhill Fugitive in third place after the Day 1 Dressage. 35 competitors completed their dressage tests on Day 1, with riders represented from seven international nations.

TOP FIVE RESULTS AFTER DAY 1 DRESSAGE

1. Michael Jung (GER), Fischerroncana FST, 34.1
2. Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp (USA), Fernhill By Night, 43.0
3. Philip Dutton (USA), Fernhill Fugitive, 43.1
4. Boyd Martin (USA), Shamwari, 44.6
5. Maya Black (USA), Doesn’t Play Fair, 45.5

ROLEX GRAND SLAM OF EVENTING

Michael Jung has traveled to the Kentucky Horse Park as the new Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing ‘live contender’ and as defending champion of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover.

All eyes are now on Jung to see if he can repeat the form he demonstrated in 2015, by winning this year’s Rolex Kentucky, which will put him one competition away from the coveted USD$350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing prize.

Speaking after today’s Dressage test, Michael Jung said, “It [Rolex Grand Slam] is on my mind and that is the reason why I take one horse here and one horse to Badminton next week. When we go to the competition we try to win, but at the end of the day you have to listen to your horse. In the cross-country when you have a very good feeling in the warm up and that your horse is really ready and the weather, the ground and the conditions are all good then you can try and go forward.”

HISTORY OF THE ROLEX GRAND SLAM

In 2001 Rolex was inspired to link the three foremost eventing competitions in the world into a Grand Slam. Badminton – the British horse trials on which the modern sport of eventing was founded, Kentucky – the premier US event, and Burghley – the East of England’s showpiece event, formed the competition.

Every year these three events attract world class competition and crowds of enthusiastic supporters eager to bear witness to equestrian greatness. It became immediately apparent that, completing the challenge and winning the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing, would require a series of outstanding performances from a remarkable athlete.

Since its inception in 2001, only one rider has risen to the challenge: Britain’s much loved and highly decorated team member, Pippa Funnell. In April 2003 she rode Primmore’s Pride to victory at Rolex Kentucky, beginning her Rolex Grand Slam campaign. A week later, this time riding double European champion Supreme Rock, Funnell was crowned Badminton winner. A few months later, Funnell reigned supreme at Burghley, riding Primmore’s Pride again, outperforming fellow Rolex Testimonee Zara Phillips, who finished in second place. Pippa Funnell immediately joined the ranks of sporting greats and became a Rolex Testimonee.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Rolex SA
Virginie Chevailler
virginie.chevailler@rolex.com
+41 (0)22 302 2761

Revolution Sports + Entertainment
Rod Kohler
rod@revolutionsports.co.uk
+44 (0)7770 647 662

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

World Equestrian Brands Gets Ready to Celebrate Riders at 2016 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event

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Bruce ‘Buck’ Davidson (photo courtesy of Mike McNally).

Buena Vista, VA (April 27, 2016) – The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Land Rover, is almost upon us, and World Equestrian Brands is looking forward to celebrating many of its top sponsored riders at this highly anticipated annual event. The year 2016 is a big year at Rolex for World Equestrian Brands, the Virginia-based distributer of top brands Vespucci, Amerigo, E. A. Mattes, and Equilibrium. World Equestrian Brands’ sponsored riders Bruce ‘Buck’ Davidson Jr., Kim Severson, Allison Springer, and Alexandra Knowles are all competing in this premier North American CIC 4* Eventing competition. World Equestrian Brands will also be partnering with the fan-favorite website, Eventing Nation, for a tailgating party during the competition.

The prestigious Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CIC4* will be held April 28 – May 1, 2016. The competition is held every year at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, and draws record number crowds. Top international horse and rider combinations will be vying for an opportunity to win a piece of the competition’s $350,000 prize, as well a chance to prepare their horses to potentially be chosen to represent their countries at the 2016 Olympic Games, to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Buck Davidson, the alternate for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team, has three horses that will compete at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event – Copper Beach, Petite Flower, and Park Trader. Davidson, whose many accomplishments include being the #1 Ranked Eventing Rider in the United States in 2011, competing in the Pan American Games in 2011, and being the #2 Ranked Eventing Rider in the United States in 2010 and 2009, runs a training and competition facility during the winters in Ocala, Florida and in the summers in Riegelsville, Pennsylvania.

Kim Severson has won the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event three times and is hoping to make 2016 a fourth. Severson has competed internationally on Olympic teams and in World Equestrian Games. This year, Severson is making the trek to the Kentucky Horse Park with her own Fernhill Fearless, a 16-year-old Irish Thoroughbred gelding.

Allison Springer, from Upperville, Virginia, is bringing the Team Arthur Syndicate’s 17-year-old Irish Thoroughbred gelding, Arthur, to Rolex for the fifth time. The pair has had a successful partnership since 2007, and has competed around the world, most recently in the Carolina Horse Trials CIC3* Advanced. There, Springer and Arthur triumphed out of a tough field of 70 competitors. They are listed as a top pair to watch in the upcoming Rolex CIC 4* competition.

Allison Knowles (photo courtesy of JRPR)
Allison Knowles (photo courtesy of JRPR)

Alexandra ‘Allie’ Knowles will be competing Sound Prospect at this year’s Rolex event. Knowles competed in her first Rolex Kentucky CIC4 * event in 2013 and has been one to watch in upper level competitions ever since. Sound Prospect is one of four Thoroughbreds in this year’s competition, and the pair seems in top form after placing second in the CCI 3* event at Galway Downs at the end of 2015.

While keeping an eye on the exciting riding that will be taking place, World Equestrian Brands will also be helping to sponsor Eventing Nation’s “Insanity in the Middle” Rolex Tailgate Party, presented by Amerigo, all day on Saturday during the Cross-Country competition. The public is invited to attend this fun-filled party that will host Jimmy Wofford and his Top Dog contest. Spectators who are interested in learning more about the cross-country portion of the event can meet at the head of the lake to participate in a course walk with Allie Knowles and Sharon White on Friday evening at 5:30.

“We are really excited to be partnering with Eventing Nation on the tailgate party at Rolex this year! I hope everyone will stop by for the opportunity to win some prizes from Vespucci and Equilibrium and catch up on all the action of the event,” says Robin Moore, CEO of World Equestrian Brands.

World Equestrian Brands distributes popular tack and equipment throughout North America from the brands Amerigo, Vespucci, Equilibrium, and E. A. Mattes. For more information about this premier distributor of high-quality equestrian brands, visit www.worldequestrianbrands.com. For more information on the 2016 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day event, visit www.rk3de.com.

Robin Moore
World Equestrian Brands
540-264-0154
rmoore@worldequestrianbrands.com
www.worldequestrianbrands.com

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

Olympic Champion Jung Bids for Kentucky Double

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Michael Jung (GER) and FischerRocana FST (StockImageServices/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 27 April 2016 – Germany’s Olympic champion Michael Jung returns to the scene of his 2015 triumph, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA), third leg of the FEI Classics™ 2015/2016, in an attempt to score back-to-back wins on the same horse, his brilliant mare FischerRocana FST.

If successful, Jung, who also won the world title here in 2010, would be the first rider to achieve this since Kim Severson (USA) on Winsome Adante in 2004 and 2005. Severson herself is entered this time, on the Irish-bred Fernhill Fearless.

Another big story is the return to CCI4* level of Blyth Tait (NZL), whose glittering career included a win at Kentucky on Welton Envoy in 2000. Tait, now 54, had won Olympic gold (in 1996) and two world titles (1990 and 1998) by the time he retired to pursue a career in the Thoroughbred industry back in his native New Zealand in 2004.

But the lure of the sport proved too great, and a few years ago he returned to Britain, where he has been building up his string, finishing 15th at Pau (FRA) CCI4* last year on Bear Necessity V, which is entered for Badminton next week. Tait brings Xanthus lll to Kentucky following their excellent second place at Boekelo (NED) CCI3* in 2015.

Tait’s welcome return to competition came in the wake of his old team mate Sir Mark Todd’s comeback in 2008. Kentucky is one of very few competitions Todd, 60, has not yet won, and he could easily rectify this omission with NZB Campino, his Olympic team bronze medalist at London 2012.

Another New Zealander, Tim Price, has winning credentials. Runner-up last year on Wesko, which has just been withdrawn from Olympic contention due to injury, Price could go close on the 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse Bango, 15th at Luhmühlen (GER) 2015. Both Jung and Price, currently third and fourth in the FEI Classics™ 2015/2016, are likely to be vying for supremacy on the leaderboard at this halfway mark in the series.

Kentucky has received a bumper entry and up to 90 horses from eight nations are expected to start the Dressage phase tomorrow. Phillip Dutton (USA), the last American rider to win America’s premier event, in 2008, is first into the historic stadium at 8.30am local time on Fernhill Fugitive.

Cross Country Course Designer Derek di Grazia is known for producing spectacular competition in the famous Kentucky Horse Park; among his new fences this year is a brand new water complex, one of four waters on the track, at fence 18.

Follow all the action on FEI TV (www.feitv.org) and live results on www.rk3de.org.

Use hashtags #FEIClassics #Eventing.

See FEI Classics™ hub: www.fei.org/fei/events/fei-classics.

By Kate Green

FEI Media Contacts:

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
Email: ruth.grundy@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 145

Leanne Williams
Manager Press Relations
leanne.williams@fei.org
+41 79 314 24 38

Eventing/H.T., Kentucky Three-Day, Revolution Sports

International Field Returns to Kentucky to Contend for 2016 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing

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18 April 2016, Lexington, USA – Three-day eventing is considered by many to be the ultimate equine test. The triathlon of equestrianism, the competition sees horse and rider partnerships compete across gender and age boundaries in three different disciplines: dressage, cross-country and show jumping, requiring a unique range of skills from precision and elegance to accuracy, bravery and perfect timing. It tests the resolve of the timeless partnership between horse and rider.

In 1998, Rolex Kentucky became the third annual CCI4* event in the world and remains the only one on the American continent. There are now six CCI4* events in total, but only three offer the chance to claim the sport’s greatest prize, the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. In order to make history and lift this prestigious trophy, riders must win at all three Rolex supported events in succession: Rolex Kentucky, Mitsubishi Motors Badminton and Land Rover Burghley CCI4*.

Rolex Kentucky attracts the world’s leading riders and is considered the highlight of the US eventing calendar. As a result, the 2016 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented by Land Rover will also act as the last major official trial for the 2016 US Olympic eventing team. Located at the impressive Kentucky Horse Park, the state-of-the-art, outdoor, Rolex-sponsored stadium, with its 30,000 seating capacity, is the centrepiece of the event.

THE ROLEX GRAND SLAM OF EVENTING

In 2001 Rolex was inspired to link the three foremost eventing competitions in the world into a Grand Slam. Badminton – the British horse trials on which the modern sport of eventing was founded, Kentucky – the premier US event, and Burghley – the East of England’s showpiece event, formed the competition.

Every year these three events attract world class competition and crowds of enthusiastic supporters eager to bear witness to equestrian greatness. It became immediately apparent that, completing the challenge and winning the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing, would require a series of outstanding performances from a remarkable athlete.

Since its inception in 2001, only one rider has risen to the challenge: Britain’s much loved and highly decorated team member, Pippa Funnell. In April 2003 she rode Primmore’s Pride to victory at Rolex Kentucky, beginning her Rolex Grand Slam campaign. A week later, this time riding double European champion Supreme Rock, Funnell was crowned Badminton winner. A few months later, Funnell reigned supreme at Burghley, riding Primmore’s Pride again, outperforming fellow Rolex Testimonee Zara Phillips, who finished in second place. Pippa Funnell immediately joined the ranks of sporting greats and became a Rolex Testimonee.

Since then, two of the three legs of the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing have been won by four different riders: Australia’s Andrew Hoy, Britain’s William Fox-Pitt and Oliver Townend, and New Zealand’s Andrew Nicholson. None of these top-class riders have yet succeeded in triumphing over the series and winning the final element of the Rolex Grand Slam.

THE CURRENT CHALLENGE

Here to contest for the 2016 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing is reigning champion and the current live contender Michael Jung. Jung won individual gold at the World Equestrian Games when held in Kentucky in 2010 and claimed victory at the 2015 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, riding Fischerrocana FST.

Jung will be looking to continue his winning form from Burghley and stake his claim for the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing prize in 2016. Should Jung be victorious on Fischerrocana FST, they will be only the third horse and rider combination in the history of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event to retain their Lexington title.

INTERNATIONAL FIELD OF ENTRIES

The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day event attracts the world’s most talented eventers and 2016 is no exception, the competition will welcome 71 elite riders from nine different nations. For the third year running, the nations will compete in teams as well as individually. The team – comprised of a minimum of three competitors – that ends on the fewest penalties will be victorious.

VALUED PRIZE MONEY

For the second year running the prize money at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event has increased thanks to the ongoing support from the events long-term partners and sponsors. Event organizer and EEI President Stewart Perry remarked, “We proudly award prize money to the top 20 finishers and this record level of prize money fits with our position as one of the sport’s premier events.”

EVENTING HISTORY

As the crown in equestrianism for over 50 years, Rolex is proud to be a major force at play behind the sport’s finest events, riders and organizations. Whether supporting leading eventing athletes including Zara Phillips and Pippa Funnell, or maintaining tradition and excellence with the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Rolex has cultivated a privileged relationship with the elite world of equestrian sports.

Rolex has been closely associated with this exceptional equestrian challenge in the beautiful surroundings of the Kentucky Horse Park since 1981.

Its facilities are recognized as the best of any three-day event in the world and it is renowned for testing the courage and stamina of both horse and rider. Rolex’s support has seen the event develop into one of the most prestigious in the world, with top riders from round the globe now vying to compete there.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Rolex SA
Virginie Chevailler
virginie.chevailler@rolex.com
+41 (0)22 302 2761

Revolution Sports + Entertainment
Rod Kohler
rod@revolutionsports.co.uk
+44 (0)7770 647 662

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

USEF Announces Land Rover/USEF Eventing Competition Grant Recipients for Spring Competitions

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Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the recipients of Land Rover/USEF eventing competition grants for the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover CCI4* and the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials CCI4*.

The following athlete has received a grant for Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover CCI4* taking place April 28 – May 1 in Lexington, Ky.:

Tiana Coudray will ride Jatial, Inc’s Ringwood Magister, a 2001 Irish Sport Horse gelding.

Find out more about the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover CCI4*.

The following athletes have received grants for Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials CCI4* taking place May 4-8 in Badminton, Gloucestershire, England:

Boyd Martin (Cochranville, Pa.) will ride Lucy Boynton Lie’s Cracker Jack, a 2003 Thoroughbred gelding, and Stephen Blauner and Kenneth Shelley’s Master Frisky, a 2004 Irish Sport Horse gelding.

Lynn Symansky (Middleburg, Va.) will ride The Donner Syndicate, LLC’s Donner, a 2003 Thoroughbred gelding.

Find out more about the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials CCI4*.

From the USEF Communications Department

Community/Charity, Eventing/H.T., Kentucky Three-Day

Hunter Hayes to Perform during Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event

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Lexington, KY – Feb. 1, 2016 – The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Land Rover, will feature a special concert – Hunter Hayes & Friends – following Saturday’s Cross-Country. Known as the “Best Weekend All Year,” Rolex Kentucky takes place April 28 – May 1 at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Hayes, a 5-time GRAMMY nominee whose hits include his most recent single “21” and the No. 1 smashes “Wanted,” “Somebody’s Heartbreak” and “I Want Crazy,” will perform at the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington after the completion of the Cross-Country phase on Saturday, April 30. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. and the first act will go on at 6:00 p.m. (EDT). To purchase tickets to the concert, please visit the official Hunter Hayes website at hunterhayes.com, click on the “Tour” section and select the April 30, 2016, concert date.

A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the official charity of the 2016 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA). The TAA is a Lexington-based, non-profit organization that accredits, inspects and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retire, retrain and rehome Thoroughbreds. Ticket proceeds will also benefit The USO, which is a nonprofit organization that provides programs, services and live entertainment to United States troops and their families, and the United States Equestrian Team Foundation in support of the U.S. teams competing in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

“Having Hunter Hayes perform during the 2016 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event adds a new element to the excitement of our event and supports not only the U.S. Eventing team, but all U.S. equestrian teams in their preparation for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro,” said Stewart Perry, President of Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), organizer of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event.

The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is the nation’s premier Three-Day Event and one of the most prestigious equestrian competitions in the world. The Fédération Equestre Internationale (International Equestrian Federation – FEI), the world’s governing body of equestrian sports, has designated the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event as a ‘Four Star’ Eventing competition, the sport’s highest designation, which is given only to the Olympic Games, World Championships, and six annual events around the world. “Rolex Kentucky” is the only Four-Star event in the Western Hemisphere.

Ticket sales to 2016 Rolex Kentucky are available at RK3DE.org, with options that include four-day, three-day (Fri-Sat-Sun) and single-day general admissions, group sales and tailgating. All grounds admission tickets include parking, admission to the Kentucky Horse Park and International Trade Fair. Tickets for the Hunter Hayes and Friends concert taking place on Saturday, April 30 beginning at 6 PM at the Alltech Arena may be purchased on Hunter Hayes’ website hunterhayes.com. Please go to the website and click on “Tour” at the top of the landing page, then click on the link to purchase tickets for the April 30, 2016 concert.

TICKET TYPES AVAILABLE: $35 General Admission & $150 Taylor Harris Insurance Services VIP Access Package which includes: VIP Pit Pass (front of stage with full cash bar), VIP Lounge with full cash bar and food, invitation to the VIP After-Party and memorabilia signed by Hunter Hayes.”

Equestrian Events, Inc. is a non-profit charitable Kentucky corporation that was established initially to produce the 1978 World Three-Day Event Championships at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the success of those championships, EEI established an annual event that evolved into the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented by Land Rover.

For more information, or to purchase tickets to the 2016 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented by Land Rover, please visit the Rolex Kentucky website.

The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (www.uset.org) is the non-profit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international, high-performance horses and athletes in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
USET Foundation
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

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

Michael Jung Conquers Kentucky

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Michael Jung (GER) and FisherRocana FST finish on their Dressage score to win the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA), third leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015. (Anthony Trollope/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 27 April, 2015 – The phenomenal Michael Jung (GER) can now add victory at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA), third leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015, to his ever growing list of major accolades. Riding the courageous little mare FisherRocana FST, he was the only rider to finish on his Dressage score.

The competition went right to the wire in front of a packed crowd enjoying some welcome sunshine in the Kentucky Horse Park. Although Jung hit two fences on La Biosthetique Sam FBW, his Cross Country runner-up, his earlier clear round on Rocana, third at that stage, left overnight leader Tim Price (NZL) on Wesko no leeway for error.

Wesko, a horse Price found in a Jumping yard, looked superb, but the Dutch-bred gelding just caught the upright at fence 10 and so Price had to settle for second place behind Jung and Rocana in a reversal of their placings at Luhmühlen (GER) last year.

Jung also finished third on Sam, ahead of last year’s winners William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and Bay My Hero, fourth, who jumped clear to rousing applause.

Phillip Dutton (USA) had to withdraw Mighty Nice, seventh after Cross Country, but a clear on Fernhill Cubalawn elevated him four places to fifth. Dutton was also ninth on Fernhill Fugitive.

His former pupil Boyd Martin (USA) was seventh on Master Frisky, having dropped a place with eight faults, and Britain’s Nicola Wilson on the Irish-bred mare Annie Clover moved up three places to eighth with a penalty-free round.

The sole Australian in the field, Bill Levett, slipped five places to 10th on Improvise with an unfortunate 12 faults. There were nine clear rounds from the 40 finishers.

Jung received a great reception from the American audience who clearly realised they had seen a great horseman at work. “I have nice memories of Kentucky from 2010 [when he won the world title]. The people are very friendly and I’m happy that there are so many spectators. Thank you for everything!”

About the winner

Michael Jung (GER), 32, was the first rider in history to hold Olympic, World and European titles simultaneously and the first to win four championship titles consecutively. He first came to prominence in 2009, when he won the Luhmühlen CCI4*, the FEI World Cup™ Eventing final in Strzegom (POL) and an individual European bronze medal in Fontainebleau (FRA), all on La Biosthetique Sam FBW. The pair went on to win the world title in Kentucky (USA) in 2010, double European gold in Luhmühlen in 2011 and double Olympic gold in London (GBR) in 2012 and, in 2013, they were second at Badminton CCI4*. Jung won a second European title, at Malmö (SWE) in 2013 on Halunke, and last year finished second at Luhmühlen and won world team gold and individual silver medals on FisherRocana FST, a 10-year-old mare by Ituango XX owned by Jung’s parents, Joachim and Bridgitte. He lives at Horb, Germany, where his family owns a riding establishment.

Full results on www.rk3de.org.

Use hashtags #FEIClassics and #Eventing.

By Kate Green

Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Media Contact:

Marty Baumann
marty@classic-communications.com
+001 5088782394

At FEI:

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, Show Jumping

Michael Jung Claims Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event with 1st and 3rd Place

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Michael Jung and Fischerrocanna FST.

Lexington, USA, 26 April 2015 – Michael Jung (GER) reigned supreme at the Kentucky Horse Park in front of a packed crowd to take both first and third place in the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event on his two horses Fischerrocana FST and La Biosthetique – SAM FBW. The overnight leader going into the final day’s show jumping, New Zealand’s Tim Price, took second place with Great Britain’s William Fox-Pitt finishing in fourth and USA’s Phillip Dutton in fifth.

Jung had the advantage of going into the stadium early with 13 to go on Fischerrocana FST instead of third as he was lying in both second and third place overnight going into the final day. Excitement was in the air for the 23,500-plus spectators that filled the Rolex Stadium under the brilliant sunshine and clear blue skies.

Price was last into the arena and the whole stadium fell completely silent. If Price was to claim his first Rolex Kentucky Three-Day victory he would have to go clear and also within the time. Despite skillfully guiding his horse Wesko around the first nine fences, and with just four obstacles to go, he just brushed a pole on fence 10 and that handed the title to Jung.

Speaking of his victory, Michael Jung said, “You always have pressure on yourself going into the competition. You always do the best dressage you can, a clear round in the cross-country and show jumping. This is what we train for at home and prepare everything – but you are always thinking what you can do better so that is always the reason why you have pressure on yourself. Of course after my clear round on Fischerrocana FST I was a little bit more relaxed, but also I stayed focused and was concentrating on my second horse. But then I was a little bit too fast into the combination and this was the reason because of my first horse who she needs more gallop and a little bit more speed – I then did a little bit the same with Sam and this was my mistake.”

Tim Price and Wesko
Tim Price and Wesko

Course designer Richard Jeffery from the UK set a formidable course over 13 fences with a total time allowed of 91 seconds, meaning riders had to maintain a healthy speed of 375 metres per minute. All the jumps were previously used at the 2010 Kentucky World Equestrian Games and were staged to thrill the crowd and global TV audiences. The final day of the competition saw 41 starters with riders representing six nations, with just eight double clears and also featured five riders riding two horses in the final show jumping phase.

Jung could have also won on his other horse, La Biosthetique – Sam FBW, the horse who he also guided to become world champion in the same venue back in 2010. Uncharacteristically, ‘Sam’ had two poles down and this moved him down from second to third position. Last year’s Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event winner, William Fox-Pitt, a true veteran of the sport, knew he could not catch Jung, but that did not affect his ride. To the thrill of the crowd who were willing him over each fence, Fox-Pitt delivered another impeccable clear round with an almost standing ovation from the delighted fans.

The win for Jung was his first Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event title and it now puts him on course for the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing prize with one step towards claiming the new Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing Trophy, which was officially unveiled earlier in the week by Rolex Testimonee Zara Phillips.

Staged over four days with riders representing nine nations, the 2015 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day event was another huge success with the Kentucky Horse Park thrilling over 75,000 spectators. This was the 35th consecutive year that Rolex Watch USA has sponsored the Kentucky Three-Day Event.

TOP 5 PLACINGS AFTER THE FINAL DAY, SHOW JUMPING

1st   Michael Jung (GER), Fischerrocanna FST, 39.3
2nd   Tim Price (NZL), Wesko, 40.3
3rd   Michael Jung (GER), La Biosthetique – SAM FBW, 44.7
4th   William Fox-Pitt (GBR), Bay My Hero, 46.9
5th   Phillip Dutton, (USA), Fernhill Cubalawn, 54.1

For full results, please visit: www.rk3de.org/results.

Michael Jung and La Biosthetique - SAM FBW
Michael Jung and La Biosthetique – SAM FBW

THE ROLEX GRAND SLAM OF EVENTING

When Rolex was inspired to link the three foremost eventing competitions in the world into a Grand Slam in 2001, it was immediately apparent that it would require a series of outstanding performances from a remarkable athlete to complete the challenge.

Kentucky and Badminton – the British horse trials on which the modern sport of eventing was founded – run two weeks apart in the spring, and Burghley, in the east of England, is the autumn highlight of the global sport. All three have stunning settings and attract vast crowds over the four days of competition.

To date, only one rider – Rolex Eventing Testimonee Pippa Funnell – has won this most prestigious series. In 2003 the much-medalled mainstay of British teams for many years took the Rolex Kentucky crown on Primmore’s Pride. She progressed to Badminton a week later and won there on Supreme Rock, her double European Champion, and added the Burghley title that autumn on Primmore’s Pride – beating Zara Phillips into second place on her four-star debut at the same time. Pippa Funnell immediately joined the ranks of sporting greats, respected by her peers and the media alike as an exceptional athlete.

Since then, two of the three legs of the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing have been won by four riders: the Australian Andrew Hoy, Britain’s William Fox-Pitt and Oliver Townend, and the New Zealand hero of six Olympic Games and current live Rolex Grand Slam contender, Andrew Nicholson. None of these top-class riders have yet succeeded in triumphing over the series and winning the final element of the Rolex Grand Slam.

ABOUT ROLEX

Leading brand of the Swiss watch industry, Rolex, headquartered in Geneva, enjoys an unrivalled reputation for quality and expertise the world over. Its Oyster watches, all certified as chronometers for their precision, are symbols of excellence, performance and prestige. Pioneer in the development of the wristwatch as early as 1905, the brand is at the origin of numerous major watchmaking innovations, such as the Oyster, the first waterproof wristwatch, launched in 1926, and the Perpetual rotor self-winding mechanism introduced in 1931. Rolex has registered over 400 patents in the course of its history. A truly integrated and independent manufacturing company, Rolex designs, develops and produces in-house all the essential components of its watches, from the casting of the gold alloys to the machining, crafting, assembly and finishing of the movement, case, dial and bracelet. Rolex also actively supports the arts, sports, exploration, the spirit of enterprise, and the environment through a broad palette of sponsoring activities, as well as philanthropic programmes.

Website:
www.rolex.com

Revolution Sports + Entertainment
Merrick Haydon
merrick@revolutionsports.co.uk
+44 77481 868 33

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

Michael Jung Wins Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event

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Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Cubalawn (Ben Radvanyi Photography)

Phillip Dutton Secures Fourth Rolex/USEF CCI4* Eventing National Championship Title

Lexington, Ky. – The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover came to a conclusion this afternoon as 41 combinations went head-to-head over Richard Jeffery’s show jumping course inside Rolex Stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park. Michael Jung of Germany rode the impressive mare, fischerRocana FST, in yet another foot perfect jumping effort to win the title of Rolex Kentucky Champion on their dressage score of 39.3.

Jung said of fischerRocana FST, “She is very correct. She knows what she has to do in each phase. Every competition is easy with her and that is very special.”

Overnight leader Tim Price of New Zealand and Wesko had an extremely costly rail down to finish a close second on 40.3. Jung also took third place honors with La Biosthetique-Sam FBW who had two uncharacteristic rails down on course to finish on 44.7.

Earning the Rolex/USEF CCI4* Eventing National Championship title was highest placed American Phillip Dutton with Fernhill Cubalawn, owned by Thomas Tierney and Simon Roosevelt. The pair went clear and inside the time to take fifth place on 54.1. Going earlier in the order, Dutton rode a flawless round on Fernhill Fugitive, owned by Thomas Tierney and Ann Jones, to finish ninth on 59.3. Dutton was the only rider in the field not only to saddle two mounts on Sunday, but to ride both to double clear finishes on a day when clear efforts were scarce. Making this achievement more special is the fact that both horses were contesting their first CCI4*.

“I am excited about their futures,” said Dutton. “They are both still young, but really stepped up and improved this weekend.”

This marks the fourth time Dutton has been named the Rolex/USEF CCI4* Eventing National Champion having won the title in 2010, 2008, and 2007.

Will Coleman and OBOS O'Reilly (Ben Radvanyi Photography)
Will Coleman and OBOS O’Reilly (Ben Radvanyi Photography)

Will Coleman and OBOS O’Reilly, owned by the Four Star Eventing Group and Coleman, added four faults to their dressage score with a rail down at fence five to finish sixth on 56.6. Boyd Martin and Master Frisky, owned by Stephen Blauner, also ended the day on 56.6, but placed seventh behind Coleman as the classification is decided in favor of the athlete whose cross-country time was closest to the optimum time. Coleman finished his double-clear cross-country ride just one second under the optimum time. He was presented with two-year free lease on a 2015 Land Rover Discovery Sport having won the Land Rover Best Ride of the Day Award.

The complete competition is available on-demand on the USEF Network, in addition to complete results, post-ride interviews, and daily recaps from today and throughout the week.

From the USEF Communications Department