Tag Archives: Rolex

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2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Dressage Day 2

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William Fox-Pitt (GBR) remains on target for $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam at the 2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. Photo courtesy of ROLEX

(USA, 27 April 2012) Allison Springer (USA) riding Arthur, today Friday 27 April 2012, is the current leader after the Dressage phase, with William Fox-Pitt (GBR) riding Parklane Hawk in 2nd place, and Clark Montgomery (USA) riding Loughan Glen in 3rd place at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, in Lexington.

Quotes from William Fox-Pitt post media conference (link to audio of full interview below):

Q. How did the test feel, how does it feel to go into cross country tomorrow: “The pressure is on. I’m very excited about Parklane – he is a good horse, we did a good test. A few little mistakes here and there but you always do have things that don’t quite go to plan. But lying second behind Allison who did a superb test. I think at this stage it’s a good position to be in but I am going to have my work cut out with the pressure on and I am going to have to go for it tomorrow.

Q. Any tactics in particular – how are you going to attack the cross country tomorrow? “I think the course is there to be jumped. There are not a lot of options really if you are going to be competitive – you’ve got to get out there and attack it. I’m just going to set out and see how he feels, certainly at this stage I am not planning any long routes and hoping to come back nicely inside the time after a big galloping round, but you have to dream the day before don’t you because otherwise you would be running off home.”

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Eventing/H.T., Events, Kentucky Three-Day, Western/Reining

Martin Takes Early Dressage Lead!

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Boyd Martin - photo © Ben Radvanyi

Boyd Martin of the United States and Remington XXV set the standard on the first day of dressage at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Bridgestone. All three judges placed him first, with a total of 45.3 penalties.

Karen O’Connor of the United States rode Veronica into second place (47.8), and Andrew Nicholson of New Zealand rode Calico Joe into third place (48.7).

Becky Holder of the United States, on Courageous Comet, is fourth (48.8).

Martin, 32, of West Grove, Pa., said that Remington XXV, 16, was one of the first horses he competed when he moved from his native Australia seven years ago. The Hanoverian gelding, owned by Henley House Stables, had only foxhunted before Martin began working with him.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, Kentucky Three-Day, USEF

Martin and Remington XXV Seize the Early Lead at the 2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event

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Boyd Martin and Remington XXV (Photo by Shannon Brinkman)

Lexington, KY – Competition at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Bridgestone officially got underway Thursday in the Rolex Stadium, with the first half of the order performing their dressage. With 28 combinations riding in front of the Ground Jury composed of Nick Burton (GBR), Michel Asseray (FRA) and Anne-Mette Binder (DEN).

Boyd Martin and Henley House Stables’ Remington XXV jumped out to the early lead and head the field on a score of 45.3. Martin (Cochranville, PA) and the 16-year-old Hanoverian gelding produced a near flawless test as the penultimate combination Thursday. The pair surged to the pole-position on the strength of fluid movement, bold lengthenings, and correct lateral work.

Martin was very pleased with his seasoned partner and their performance.

“We have done that test a number of times, so it was wonderful just to ride a horse that knew where he was going.”

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Eventing/H.T., Events, Kentucky Three-Day, USEF

Ready to Roll at the 2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event

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Karen O'Connor presenting Mr. Medicott (Shannon Brinkman)

Lexington, KY – The 31st Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Bridgestone gets rolling this week at the Kentucky Horse Park. Fifty-eight horses were presented at the first horse inspection and of those all but one was accepted. Entries from five countries are looking for a shot at the title at America’s only CCI4* event which also serves as the Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Eventing Championship.

The competition begins tomorrow with the first of two days of dressage – it will be live streamed on the USEF Network presented by SmartPak. In addition to the webcast, the order of go, results, daily reports and photos can be found here: http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/Rolex3Day2012.

This year’s field doesn’t include the 2011 winner (Mary King from Great Britain) or the 2011 National Champion (Sinead Halpin) but it does include former winners (and Olympic medalists), Americans Phillip Dutton and Karen O’Connor and Australia’s Andrew Hoy. Dutton has contested every single running of the CCI4* in Kentucky.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, FEI, Kentucky Three-Day

HSBC FEI Classics 2012: The Season Resumes with Record Entries at Kentucky

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William Fox-Pitt, winner of Pau (FRA) last year with Oslo and current leader of the HSBC FEI Classics 2012, heads into Kentucky with Parklane Hawk. Image: Kit Houghton/FEI.

Lausanne (SUI), 24 April 2012 – Great anticipation surrounds the resumption of the HSBC FEI Classics 2012 season, with record entries for the third leg, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA) presented by Bridgestone this week (26-29 April).

With CCI4* competitions having taken place in France and, for the first time Australia, the HSBC FEI Classics has become truly global, prompting the first and third-placed riders in the current standings to fly to Kentucky in the hope of maintaining their momentum in this series, which carries the most valuable single prize in Eventing.

William Fox-Pitt (GBR), winner of Pau (FRA) last year and current leader in the HSBC FEI Classics from Adelaide (AUS) winner Stuart Tinney (AUS), is a perennial visitor to Kentucky – he won it two years ago on Cool Mountain. This time the three-time Olympian, who will be wearing the HSBC Rider Rankings armband as points leader, brings an exciting new talent in Parklane Hawk, the Australian-bred Thoroughbred that gave him a record sixth Burghley victory in 2011.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Events, Kentucky Three-Day, Western/Reining

O’Connors Go Reining at Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event

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Lyle Lovett

It’s not just Gold Medal Reiners competing in the Alltech Arena this year – some of the world’s best Eventers are headed down the road to try their hand at Reining! Don’t miss our very own celebrity slide featuring Olympic Eventing riders David and Karen O’Connor, and Gina Miles alongside two-time Eclipse Award winning Jockey Chris McCarron on Saturday night at the World Freestyle Championship! Tickets are still on sale; purchase online today and your tickets can be picked up at the Alltech Arena Box Office. Hurry, seats are going fast!

Star-studded Friday…

The Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup draws competitors from all over the country including WEG Gold Medal Team members Tom McCutcheon, Craig Schmersal, Tim McQuay and Shawn Flarida. They will be joined by country singer Lyle Lovett who performed at the closing ceremonies for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Click here to buy your tickets online today!

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Events, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

Fellers and Flexible Record First US Victory in 25 Years at Thrilling Rolex Finale

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FEI YouTube Channel: http://youtu.be/d2JtelPdJVE

On the podium at the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Final in 's-Hertogenbosch (NED) today, (L to R), runner-up, Switzerland's Steve Guerdat, winner USA's Rich Fellers and third-placed Pius Schwizer from Switzerland. Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton.

‘s-Hertogenbosch (NED), 22 April 2012 – America’s Rich Fellers and the amazing Irish-bred stallion Flexible stormed to victory in a thrilling third-round jump-off at the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Final in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands today. Only Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat and his 11-year-old gelding, Nino des Buissonnets, were left to challenge the US partnership against the clock in the closing stages, but despite a superb effort, they had to yield to the pure determination of a horse and rider who, quite simply, never give up.

Flexible was all but written off twice during his career due to severe injury, but overcame the odds to return to the top of the sport each time. For the legion of fans who have followed the 16-year-old son of Cruising and his rider from Oregon (USA) who bought the chestnut stallion in Cavan, Ireland 10 years ago, today was a dream come true. Unorthodox in his movement and jumping style, and the oldest in the competition at 16 years of age, Flexible showed the same kind of spirit as his sire, Cruising, who was runner-up at the FEI World Cup Jumping Final 13 years ago in Gothenburg (SWE). Flexible was second at the same venue himself in 2008, and has competed at all of the last five Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Finals, but today it was his turn to stand under the spotlight. And the courageous stallion and his rider fought every inch of the way, bringing the packed stadium at the Brabanthalle in ‘s-Hertogenbosch to their feet in an emotional tribute after their incredible round in the jump-off, while it was Guerdat who stood second on the podium ahead of fellow-countryman Pius Schwizer in third.

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Competitions, Contributors/Press, Events, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping, USEF

Fellers Ends 25 Year Drought and Wins the 2012 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final for the U.S.

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Fellers and Flexible (Susan J. Stickle/PhelpsSports.com)

‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands – The 2012 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final came to an exciting conclusion Sunday afternoon at the Indoor Barbant in the final competition, held over two rounds. Louis Koninck once again challenged riders over two stiff courses. However, a total of four rounds of competition were not enough to crown a winner of the 2012 Finals. Rich Fellers of the United States and Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat remained tied on one fault following the conclusion of the second round. They would need to return to the ring for a final jump-off to decide a winner.

When Fellers (Sherwood, OR) and Harry and Mollie Chapman’s Flexible entered the ring as the second combination in the jump-off the U.S. was amidst a 25 year drought of Rolex/FEI World Cup Finals winners.

No more.

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Competitions, Contributors/Press, Events, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

Weishaupt Wins Second Leg, but Schwizer Heads Rolex Leaderboard Going into Sunday’s Final

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FEI YouTube Channel: http://youtu.be/WCejiOhGoIw

Philip Weishaupt on the way to victory in the second leg of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Final. (Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton)

Germany’s Philipp Weishaupt won tonight’s second leg of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Final at ‘s-Hertogenbosch (NED) in a thrilling three-way jump-off against the clock. But it is runner-up, Switzerland’s Pius Schwizer, who holds the advantage going into Sunday’s final competition which will decide the fate of the 2011/2012 title.

As the going got tough this evening, the cream rose to the top, and clear rounds proved very elusive indeed. Weishaupt’s fellow-countryman, Marco Kutscher, was the only other starter to find the key to the course set by Louis Konickx, but reigning Olympic champion, Canada’s Eric Lamaze, was unlucky to miss out on the final barrage when stopping the clock just 500ths of a second off the pace for a single first-round time penalty to finish fourth and is in serious contention going into the closing stages.

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Awards, Contributors/Press, FEI, FEI, Media/Radio/TV Sources, Show Jumping

Jumping Verona Wins Rolex FEI World Cup Press Office Award for 2011/2012

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Left to right: Grania Willis (Director of Press Relations, FEI), Anthony Schaub (from Rolex), Caterina Vagnozzi (Jumping Verona Press Officer), Eleonora Ottaviani (Jumping Verona Event Director) and Magali Dubois Vaucher (of Rolex). Image: Kit Houghton/FEI.

Lausanne (SUI), 21 April 2012 – Jumping Verona has won the Best Press Office award for the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Western European League 2011/2012 as voted by journalists and photographers covering the series’ 12 Western European League qualifiers.

The Best Press Office award was introduced at the start of the Rolex FEI World Cup 2010/2011 season to celebrate the hard work of the event organising teams. Press offices were judged on several key media services, including on-site and online media services, press conferences and swift information supply throughout the qualifiers.

The Jumping Verona media team numbers eight, and is led by Caterina Vagnozzi. Caterina has been press officer of Jumping Verona, which hosted the fourth qualifier of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Western European League 2011/2012 series, since 2003. She has also been press officer at the Rome CSIO for the past 23 years, was Press Officer at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Rome in 1998, and at all the Pavarotti International Horse Shows at Modena.

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