Tag Archives: Lauren Kieffer

US Pan Am Eventing Team Members to Ride at Virginia Horse Center This Weekend

Phillip Dutton.

Lexington, VA – May 21, 2015 – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) announced the U. S. eventing team for the 2015 Pan American Games on Wednesday, and this Friday through Sunday, three of those top eventing riders will head to the Virginia Horse Center for the Virginia Horse Trials. With free admission, local spectators have the rare opportunity to watch these Olympic-level riders right in their own backyard at no cost.

Phillip Dutton, Lauren Kieffer and Marilyn Little have all been named to the team and all are scheduled to compete at the Virginia Horse Trials, to be held at the Horse Center on Friday, May 22, through Sunday, May 24. Also competing at the Virginia Horse Trials are team alternates Will Faudree and Michael Pollard.

The Virginia Horse Trials continually attract top riders from throughout North America for the CIC1* and CIC2* level competition, in addition to welcoming riders competing at all levels starting at Beginner Novice.

Dutton, a frequent attendee to the Virginia Horse Trials, is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and a former winner of the renowned Rolex Kentucky CCI****. Faudree, Kieffer, Little and Pollard all share impressive accolades, having each secured victories at top events around the world.

Spectators wishing to watch the highest levels of competition this weekend can plan to attend from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday for the cross-country phase and on Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. for the show jumping phase.

To find out more about the Virginia Horse Trials, view a full list of entries for the weekend and see the complete schedule, please visit www.vahorsetrials.com.

The Virginia Horse Center is situated on a 573-acre site with eight barns to accommodate 750 horses in permanent stabling. Indoor stabling can be increased to 1,200 horses with the use of temporary stalls. The Virginia Horse Center hosts 19 show rings, including two large arenas and a five-mile Olympic cross-country course. Four of the Virginia Horse Center barns are winterized with close access to the 4,000 seat indoor coliseum. The Virginia Horse Center is recognized for the excellent footing of its show rings and the durable construction of the concrete stalls. The Virginia Horse Center also offers camping facilities and on-site food and beverage services. Find the Horse Center online at www.horsecenter.org.

Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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Kieffer Claims Both Adequan USEA Gold Cup Divisions at Red Hills

Lauren Kieffer and Czechmate won the CIC3* division at Red Hills Horse Trials in Tallahassee, Florida. StockImageServices.com photo.

Lauren Kieffer stole the show this weekend, riding her way to two Adequan USEA Gold Cup Division wins. She was the overnight leader in both the Advanced and CIC3* divisions after cross-country, and managed to pilot both horses flawlessly around William “Fuzzy” Mayo’s technical show jump course today.

The crowds showed up to support the Red Hills International Horse Trials in the sunshine today, providing a lot of atmosphere in the newly renovated show jump arena at the Elinor Knapp-Phipps Park. The Advanced Division went before the CIC3* Division, and Kieffer rode Team Rebecca’s mare Veronica to an effortless double-clear round.

“Veronica was great, and she’s the type of horse that feeds off the atmosphere: the more of it, the better she gets,” said Kieffer. “She’s such a professional and experienced horse at this point, and she was such a pleasure to ride all weekend.”

Czechmate on the other hand did not take a liking to the atmosphere, but Kieffer handled the situation with poise and rode the Ramsay’s Czech Warmblood gelding through a very systematic round in the CIC3* Division.

“Being new to this level and this type of atmosphere, Czechy was a little spooky at the beginning, but I was happy with the way he got better as he went,” she said. “He really handled himself well this weekend and I’m proud of him.”

Liz Halliday-Sharp certainly kept the pressure on Kieffer in the CIC3*, leaving no room for error after her seamless double-clear round aboard Deborah Halliday’s Irish Sport Horse gelding HHS Cooley.

“He jumped out of his skin today, and I couldn’t have asked for more,” stated Halliday-Sharp, who has had the gelding since the beginning of his eventing career. “He had a bit of time off, and then I had a difficult time with him at the last two events, but he was just fabulous here all weekend. I really felt like I got my horse back this weekend, and that’s a wonderful feeling.”

Jennie Brannigan secured third place in the CIC3* with a beautiful double clear round aboard Nina Gardner’s Irish Thoroughbred gelding Cambalda.

Elinor MacPhail earned the Jockey Club’s Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) award with her 13-year-old OTTB mare, True Dynamite, coming in as the highest placed Thoroughbred in the CIC3* Division.

“This is [True Dynamite’s] first CIC3* and I’m really happy with the way she jumped all weekend,” stated MacPhail. “Cross-country is her best phase, as she’s a quick horse, and my goal is to get her to the Jersey Fresh three star this spring.”

Once again, Red Hills proved to be a weekend of top class entertainment for the local community, and fierce competition for the competitors.

The Adequan USEA Gold Cup and PRO Tour Series now moves to the Carolina International CIC3* on March 19-22 in Southern Pines, North Carolina and then heads west to the Galway Downs CIC3* in Temecula, California.

To see the full list of this weekend’s results at Red Hills International, go here.

About the Adequan USEA Gold Cup and PRO Tour Series

Qualifying for the 2015 Adequan USEA Gold Cup began last fall with the Plantation Field CIC3* (PA) and the Woodside CIC3* (CA) and features 11 qualifying competitions throughout the United States at the Advanced Horse Trials and CIC3* levels. The final will take place at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships September 2015 in Tyler, Texas. Riders who complete a qualifier earn the chance to vie for $40,000 in prize money in the Adequan Advanced Division and the title of Adequan USEA Gold Cup Champion.

The 2015 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series is made possible through the support of its many loyal sponsors: Adequan, Standlee Forage, Nunn Finer, Nutrena, Broadstone Equine Insurance Agency, Point Two, Dubarry, and FITS.

The PRO Tour Series consists of 13 premier destination events in the United States and Canada, featuring the best riders and most entertainment. Riders and Horses are awarded points on the PRO Tour Rider Leader Board and PRO Tour Horse Leader Board.

Authored By: USEA

USET Foundation Awards Pinnacle Cup to Lauren Kieffer

Lauren Kieffer was awarded the USET Foundation’s Pinnacle Cup Trophy as the highest placed American rider at the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI 4*. Photo By: Shannon Brinkman.

Lexington, KY – April 30, 2014 – The USET Foundation is pleased to announce that this year’s recipient of the Pinnacle Cup Trophy at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI**** is Lauren Kieffer of Middleburg, VA. Kieffer rode Veronica to a second place finish at the prestigious event and was the highest placed American rider, which earned her the trophy.

Veronica is a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare owned by Team Rebecca, LLC. Although Kieffer only took over the reins from Olympians Karen O’Connor a year ago, the duo has already developed a strong partnership. They finished with 46.7 penalties in the dressage phase and continued to move up the rankings after completing a clear cross-country phase. The pressure was on when they returned for stadium jumping on the final day. The pair was perfect though, completing a double clear round to finish on their dressage score, taking home the second place honors overall behind William Fox-Pitt, and earning the Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Championship title.

“I am thrilled,” smiled Kieffer. “Veronica could not have gone any better. It’s what we work for every day for years and years, and other riders have worked just as hard, if not harder. I am thrilled that it happened to be my day.”

Kieffer continued, “Veronica is a really talented mare. She’s a real fighter, and she’s very competitive in her own head. She always wants to go out there and play the game, which is really nice. I got the ride on her after Karen was injured at the beginning of last year, and so we spent that time getting to know each other and we’ve gotten along really well from the beginning. It really came together at Kentucky.”

Looking ahead, Kieffer is heading to the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event next, where she will be riding Jacqueline Mars’ RF Cosima and Shannon O’Roark’s Lucky Devil.

Kieffer also hopes to make the team for the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France. “It would be really amazing, and it’s definitely a goal,” she explained. “There is a lot of depth to the U.S. Team right now. There are a lot of horses to choose from that did really well this past weekend and a lot of horse and rider pairs in Europe competing soon. It’s a goal, and I will be thrilled if I get a chance at it. Once Veronica has had a break we will come out and try to be as good as we were in Kentucky.”

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.

Previous Pinnacle Cup Trophy Winners:

2013: Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM
2012: Allison Springer and Arthur
2011: Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville
2010: Phillip Dutton and Woodburn
2009: Buck Davidson and My Boy Bobby
2008: Phillip Dutton and Connaught
2007: Phillip Dutton and Connaught
2006: Heidi White Carty and Northern Spy
2005: Kim Severson and Winsome Adante
2004: Kim Severson and Winsome Adante
2003: Bruce O. Davidson, Jr. and Mystic Mike
2002: Kim Vinoski (Severson) and Winsome Adante
2001: David O’Connor and Giltedge
2000: David O’Connor and Rattle N Hum
1999: Karen O’Connor and Prince Panache
1998: Dorothy Crowell and Molokai

Previous to this date, the top American finisher was awarded the Gladstone Challenge Trophy.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
USET Foundation
phone 561.753.3389  fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
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Kieffer Claims Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Championship, Fox-Pitt Wins at Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event

William Fox-Pitt and Bay My Hero, 2014 Rolex Kentucky Champions (Shannon Brinkman Photo)

Lexington, Ky. – The 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover came to a close Sunday afternoon with 37 horse-and-rider combinations entering the final phase of competition. Richard Jeffery’s 13 obstacle show jumping course set the stage in the Rolex Stadium for an exciting finish to Kentucky’s CCI4*. A sold-out crowd of 22,388 saw 10 pairs went double clear with five of those being the top five riders.

William Fox-Pitt (GBR) held onto his lead with Bay My Hero to claim the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover win, adding nothing to his dressage score of 44.0. With Catherine Witt’s 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, Fox-Pitt finished with his usual winning style, jumping double clear to claim his third win in Kentucky.

“Each win is very special for its own merits. I think that with every one you still can’t believe that it happened,” Fox-Pitt shared. “The odds are always so stacked against you in our sport. I didn’t come here expecting to win; I came with two lovely horses hoping they would go well. To come out on top is just fantastic; it’s very special.”

Bay My Hero has been in Fox-Pitt’s yard since he was five, so he has long been part of his team and feels like a family member, making the win all the more meaningful. Their long relationship with one another paid off on Sunday at the Kentucky Horse Park.

“He felt fantastic today. I think he’s a real little fighter. He came out this morning thinking he was kingpin. He enjoys every minute of it,” Fox-Pitt fondly said of Bay My Hero. “He got a little bit excited when the crowd went wild after Lauren [Kieffer] jumped a clear round and he tried to leg it back up the chute. I felt a bit the same actually. I thought ‘the two of us, let’s go home now. I will settle for second; that’s fine.’ But he was definitely on his toes today. When he has a job to do, he does it and he really enjoys it.”

Lauren Kieffer and Veronica, 2014 Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Champions (Shannon Brinkman Photo)
Lauren Kieffer and Veronica, 2014 Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Champions (Shannon Brinkman Photo)

Lauren Kieffer (Middleburg, Va.) and Veronica rose to the occasion and handled the pressure to finish in second place on their dressage score of 46.7. She and Team Rebecca, LLC’s 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare looked like a veteran pair in Sunday’s jumping phase, putting the pressure on Fox-Pitt and Bay My Hero with a double clear round. While it seemed possible that an American might win the country’s CCI4*, it wasn’t mean to be. However, Kieffer has risen to the top of the sport in the U.S., earning the Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Championship title for her efforts.

“It felt great. You know it took lot of mental focus to try and stay cool but I really tried to go in there and ride it like it was anything else,” Kieffer said of her impressive finish in only her second appearance at Rolex. “I have been working with Scott Keach show jumping all winter and it has paid off hugely. I think he would be happy with me today.”

Though Kieffer has only had the ride on Veronica for about a year, taking the majority of that time to develop their partnership, she has known the mare since she was imported as a young horse and rode her briefly at that time. With the barn name of “Troll” for her lack of appreciation for affection, Kieffer noted that her fighting spirit comes in handy when it counts.

“I’m thrilled with her this weekend. She came out of it great,” Kieffer said of Veronica. “She came into show jumping feeling like her normal self, not like she’d run a four-star so I was really excited about that.”

The pair that won last year’s Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Championship title, Buck Davidson (Ocala, Fla.) and Ballynoe Castle RM, maintained their top form from a year ago and earned a third-place finish. Having a solid double clear round, Davison and Cassandra Segal’s 14-year-old Irish Thoroughbred gelding ended up on their dressage score of 51.7. The pair became the 2014 Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Reserve Champions for their strong finish.

“Reggie has been a consistent horse his whole career. I really didn’t change anything,” Davidson said of having another top finish in Kentucky with longtime partner Ballynoe Castle RM.

Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM, 2014 Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Reserve Champions (Shannon Brinkman Photo)
Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM, 2014 Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Reserve Champions (Shannon Brinkman Photo)

Davidson had to deal with a bone bruise that Ballynoe Castle RM had last year, after the horse had no previous injury throughout his career. He gave “Reggie” the fall season off and after starting him back successfully early this year, the horse developed pneumonia but made a full recovery.

“The heart that that horse has is unbelievable,” Davidson noted. “I got some help in the show jumping from Silvio [Mazzoni] and David [O’Connor] has helped me out on the flat.”

An exciting addition to the competition this year was the Dubarry of Ireland Nations Team Challenge, which awarded $20,000 in prize money while helping national teams prepare for the team competition at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. For their impressive performances, Team USA won with a total score 150.1. The scores of Kieffer and Veronica (46.7), Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM (51.7), and fourth-place finishers Sinead Halpin (Oldwick, N.J.) and Manoir de Carneville, Manoir de Carneville Syndicate LLC’s 14-year-old Selle Francais gelding (51.7), were combined to give the home country the victory. Second place went to Great Britain with a score of 163.8, while third place went to Canada with a score of 209.9.

By Kathleen Landwehr

Catch all the excitement with on-demand video on the USEF Network presented by SmartPak here: http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2014Rolex/.

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

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

William Fox-Pitt (GBR) Wins the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event

1st – William Fox-Pitt and Bay My Hero.

(USA, 27 April 2014) William Fox-Pitt (GBR) riding Bay My Hero, today Sunday 27 April 2014, wins the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, with Lauren Kieffer (USA) riding Veronica in 2nd place and Bruce (Buck) Davidson Jr. (USA) riding Ballynoe Castle RM in 3rd place, in Lexington.

William Fox-Pitt won the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event after a dramatic day’s show jumping in the Rolex Stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park. Having earlier completed another superb clear round on his first ride of the day aboard Seacookie, Fox-Pitt kept his nerve riding the beautiful Bay My Hero to complete a perfect clear round of show jumping in front of the packed stadium. Lauren Kieffer (USA) finished in second place after a superb clear round finishing on her dressage score and the leading USA rider. Bruce (Buck) Davidson Jr. finished in third place after fellow Americans Michael Pollard and Marilyn Little dropped down the leaderboard after hitting rails.

Sinead Halpin (USA) riding Manoir De Carneville, finished on the same score as Buck Davidson, but as Buck was nearest to the optimum time on the Cross Country phase, he took third place. Marilyn Little (USA) finished with two in the top 10, and William Fox-Pitt also finished on Seacookie in ninth place too, to complete another great Rolex Kentucky Three-Day event for the Fox-Pitt Eventing team.

Final Results after the Show Jumping Phase:

1. William Fox-Pitt/Bay My Hero (GBR) 44.0
2. Lauren Kieffer/Veronica (USA) 46.7
3. Bruce (Buck) Davidson Jr/Ballynoe Castle RM (USA) 51.7
4. Sinead Halpin/Manoir De Carneville (USA) 51.7
5. Marilyn Little/RF Smoke on the Water (USA) 52.5
6. Marilyn Little/RF Demeter (USA) 55.3
7. Jan Byyny/Inmidair (USA) 56.7
8. Phillip Dutton/Trading Aces (USA) 52.5
9. William Fox-Pitt/Seacookie (GBR) 59.1
10. Selena O’Hanlon/Foxwood High (CAN) 59.4

2nd - Lauren Kieffer and Veronica
2nd – Lauren Kieffer and Veronica

New Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing Contender

As the winner of the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, William Fox-Pitt now becomes the new live contender of the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing prize and will go to the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials in two weeks in search of victory and the second leg of the Rolex Grand Slam events.

Quote from William Fox-Pitt (GBR) (link to audio of full press conference below):

Q. William – Bay May Hero – that was a nail-biting finish – but your horse was brilliant.

He was superb. Lauren really put the pressure on so I was going in there thinking I am so pleased that even if it’s not me then it’s going to be an American because the support is so amazing over here. The atmosphere in there was crazy – he jumped so well – he was magic! It’s very, very exciting and so good to have an American second as well is great for the sport and USA is looking in great shape for WEG, but I am so pleased with my chap. I’ve had some huge fun here and this is another bit of it.

Quote from Lauren Kieffer (USA) (link to audio of full press conference below):

Q. Lauren – were you as cool as you looked?

It took a lot of mental focus to stay cool, but I really tried to go in there and ride it like anything else – I think my coach will be pleased with me!

Quote from Bruce (Buck) Davidson Jr. (USA) (link to audio of full press conference below):

3rd - Bruce (Buck) Davidson Jr. and Ballynoe
3rd – Bruce (Buck) Davidson Jr. and Ballynoe

Q. Buck – great horse and great ride.

Reg (Ballynoe Castle RM) has been a consistent horse his whole career. It was only a couple of months ago that he was in hospital with pneumonia – the heart that that horse has is unbelievable – basically if you tell him it’s Kentucky and he’ll go!

Copyright Free Audio

Please click on the following links for copyright free audio of the post-event Press Conference after the final Show Jumping Day with the top three placed riders:
http://po.st/R0cu6p

For more information on the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and full Results/Leaderboard, please visit www.rk3de.org.

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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Fox-Pitt Moves into Lead with Kieffer a Close Second on Cross Country Day of Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event

William Fox-Pitt and Bay My Hero (Shannon Brinkman Photo)

Lexington, Ky. – An exciting day unfolded at the Kentucky Horse Park for the cross country phase of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover. A crowd of 35,471 turned out to see the influential phase that caused a change-up to the leaderboard. Fifty-five horse-and-rider combinations began the trek across Derek di Grazia’s substantial course made up of 45 jumping efforts with 19 pairs going double clear, six retiring on course, and 10 being eliminated.

William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and Bay My Hero moved up into first place after overnight leader Allison Springer (Middleburg, Va.) and Arthur had an unfortunate runout at 21c, the curvy brush of the Normandy Bank complex. Fox-Pitt rode Catherine Witt’s 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding to a double clear round to remain on his dressage score of 44.0 heading into the final phase of competition. Despite a sticky ride through 19abc, the second part of the Rolex Head of the Lake complex, the pair put together a solid round over the track covering 6,430 meters.

“I think that the course really encouraged forward riding and as you saw a lot of horses did go well for that. I was delighted with how the course rode,” Fox-Pitt shared. “I knew for my two horses that it was a decent track and a big test. There were certain things on the course here that do throw out surprises, you never quite know how the coffin is going to ride and some of the waters… it just shows how you have to have confidence in the course designer and you have to ride how he would hope you would ride and the horses will respond.”

Commenting further on his two rides, Fox-Pitt said, “I was thrilled with both my horses but particularly Bay My Hero who is much less experienced. It’s actually the first time he has done a three-day up and down hills like that. A lot of his three-days in the past have been rather flat… I’m very happy with him. He was a little bit surprised by the Head of the Lake but in the end I know if he can see where to go he is going to go there. He is as clever as a cat and super genuine. He carried his tubby little body inside the time as well.”

Lauren Kieffer and Veronica (Shannon Brinkman Photo)
Lauren Kieffer and Veronica (Shannon Brinkman Photo)

Moving up one place into second with a score of 46.7 were Lauren Kieffer (Middleburg, Va.) and Veronica on the strength of a double clear round. Kieffer and Team Rebecca, LLC’s 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare were having a great round when they were held shortly before the Rolex Head of the Lake. The pair found their rhythm again after the complex and to finish the course strongly. As the top U.S. pair, Kieffer and Veronica are currently in contention for the Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Championship title.

“I was thrilled with my mare; she really fought for it,” Kieffer said of her round. “You know I went out knowing I had to ride every combination, there were a lot of big questions. Especially after the hold we had to fight for it through the Head of the Lake. We had to get back in a rhythm and everything… you had to really focus on being accurate.”

Lying in third after a great round over the demanding track were Phillip Dutton (West Grove, Pa.) and Mr. Medicott. He and Mr. Medicott Syndicate’s 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding never looked in doubt of anything but an excellent go over the beautiful cross country course.

“I think the conditions were ideal for the running today. My first horse [Trading Aces] really learned a lot today. I tried to ride him forward and aggressively but still give him time to look at jumps and I think he went better and better. Mr. Medicott has been around so many courses throughout the world I was just hanging on and letting him do it. It was a pretty easy ride for me.”

Dutton finished exactly on the optimum time of 11:12 with Trading Aces, the 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Trading Aces LLC. As the top U.S. rider to finish closest to the optimum time without penalty, Dutton was deemed to have the Land Rover Best Ride of the Day, resulting in a two-year lease on 2014 Range Rover Evoque.

Looking towards the final phase on Sunday, the riders hope to have jumping rounds as good as their cross country rounds. Kieffer noted that all spring the horse trials and CICs have mostly had show jumping before the cross country so it will be a different ride with horses who have just completed a CCI4* cross country course. Dutton added that it is a long competition for the horses and that it should be an interesting day.

“Hopefully the horses will come out and hopefully Bay My Hero will feel good,” Fox-Pitt said. “He can jump very well; he’s a real tryer. He will also find it quite exciting in there. He will be peaking at everything. If he’s concentrating he should jump well.”

The final horse inspection takes place at 9:00am ET with the jumping phase getting underway at 12:30pm ET.

By Kathleen Landwehr

Watch the live stream on the USEF Network presented by SmartPak here: http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2014Rolex/.

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

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

William Fox-Pitt (GBR) Leads the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event after Cross Country

1st place – William Fox-Pitt and Bay My Hero.

(USA, 26 April 2014) William Fox-Pitt (GBR) riding Bay My Hero, today Saturday 26 April 2014, is the current leader after the Cross Country phase, with Lauren Kieffer (USA) riding Veronica in 2nd place and Phillip Dutton (USA) in 3rd place, at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in Lexington.

William Fox-Pitt leads the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event after a thrilling day’s cross country at the Kentucky Horse Park. Having completed another superb clear round on his second ride of the day, Fox-Pitt judged the time perfectly and sits in pole position going into the final show jumping day tomorrow. The overnight leader after the Dressage, Allison Springer (USA) riding Arthur, came unstuck at the Normandy Bank with a run-out, which cost her a hefty 20 penalty points. Phillip Dutton has two rides in the top 10, where he is lying in third and ninth place. Marilyn Little (USA) also has two in the top 10 with her rides lying in fourth and tenth position.

After a great clear round by Andrew Nicholson (NZL) on Avebury in today’s Cross Country phase, the pressure is now on Nicholson to see if he can repeat the form he demonstrated in 2013, by winning the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, which will put him one competition away from the coveted USD$ 350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing Prize. Nicholson is currently lying in 7th place after Cross Country on a score of 51.7.

Results after the Cross Country Phase

1. William Fox-Pitt/Bay My Hero (GBR) 44.0
2. Lauren Kieffer/Veronica (USA) 46.7
3. Phillip Dutton/Mr Medicott (USA) 49.5
4. Marilyn Little/RF Demeter (USA) 51.3
5. Michael Pollard/Mensa G (USA) 51.5
6. Bruce (Buck) Davidson Jr/Ballynoe Castle RM (USA) 51.7
7. Andrew Nicholson/Avebury (NZL) 51.7
8. Sinead Halpin/Manoir De Carneville (USA) 51.7
9. Philip Dutton/Trading Aces (USA) 52.5
10. Marilyn Little/RF Smoke on the Water (USA) 52.5

2nd place - Lauren Kieffer and Veronica
2nd place – Lauren Kieffer and Veronica

Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing Current Contender

Andrew Nicholson (NZL) has travelled to the Kentucky Horse Park as the new Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing ‘live contender’ and the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event defending champion. This follows the news announced on 23 April 2014 that last year’s winner of the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, Jonathan Paget (NZL), has officially been disqualified following a “partial decision” by the sport’s governing body Tribunal. As a result of Paget’s disqualification Andrew Nicholson and Avebury have now been promoted and are the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials 2013 winners.

Quote from Phillip Dutton (USA) (link to audio of full post-event press conference below):

Q. Phillip – the course for you?

I thought the conditions were ideal for the running today and my first horse really learned a lot today and Mr Medicott has been around so many courses throughout the world I was just hanging on and letting him do it so it was a pretty easy trip for him!

Quote from William Fox-Pitt (GBR) (link to audio of full press conference below):

Q. William – Bay May Hero – how was the course for you?

I think the course really encouraged forward riding and as your saw a lot of horses did go well – I was delighted with how the course ride. I knew for my two horses that it was a decent track and a big test. I was thrilled with both my horses but particularly Bay My Hero, who’s much less experienced. He was a little bit surprised by the Head of the Lake but it didn’t seem to matter; I know that with him when he can see where he has to go he will go there. He is as clever as a cat and super genuine and I was delighted with him and he carried his tubby little body around in the time as well so that was a bonus!

Quote from Lauren Kieffer (USA) (link to audio of full press conference below):

Q. Lauren – any surprises out there today?

I was thrilled with my mare; she really fought for it. We knew we had to ride every combination and it had big questions. Everything rode the way I expected it to – I knew going out I was going to have to fight and focus on being accurate and so I was quite happy with him.

Quotes from Andrew Nicholson (NZL), currently live contender of the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing:

Q. Andrew – how was that ride and what happened at the water park?

It was a bit my fault there. Avebury when he lands he always lands after a jump on his left lead which means a turn to the right you lack a bit of distance so I thought when I walked the course if I just took my time and do four strides where it should be three, but I jumped in too big and I should have kept going on the three but I tried for the four and the fourth was very deep – but he’s experienced and that’s what he’s fed for!

3rd place - Philip Dutton and Mr Medicott
3rd place – Philip Dutton and Mr Medicott

Q. So you are currently lying in around fifth?

Yes, it’s a big day tomorrow, we hope. We’ll go back may sure the horse is all good – he’ll get washed off now a few times, cool him off and try and freshen him up for tomorrow and it will be pretty much the same for me!

Copyright Free Audio

Please click on the following link for copyright free audio of the post-event Press Conference after Cross Country Day with the top three placed riders:
http://po.st/BUJiXw

For more information on the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and full Results/Leaderboard, please visit www.rk3de.org.

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.

Revolution Sports + Entertainment
team@revolutionsports.co.uk
www.revolutionsports.co.uk

Allison Springer (USA) Leads the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event after Dressage

1st – Allison Springer and Arthur.

(USA, 25 April 2014) Allison Springer (USA) riding Arthur, today Friday 25 April 2014, is the current leader after the Dressage phase, with William Fox-Pitt (GBR) riding Bay My Hero in 2nd place, and Lauren Kieffer (USA) riding Veronica in 3rd place at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, in Lexington.

Results after Dressage Phase:

1. Allison Springer/Arthur (USA) 39.5
2. William Fox-Pitt/Bay My Hero (GBR) 44.0
3. Lauren Kieffer/Veronica (USA) 46.7
4=. Jan Byyny/Inmidair (USA) 49.5
4=. Phillip Dutton/Mr Medicott 49.5
4=. Michael Pollard/Mensa G (USA) 49.5
7. Will Faudree/Pawlow (USA) 49.8
8. Doug Payne/Crown Talisman (USA) 51.2
9. Marilyn Little/RF Demeter (USA) 51.3
10. William Fox-Pitt/Seacookie TSF (GBR) 51.5

Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing Current Contender

Andrew Nicholson (NZL) has travelled to the Kentucky Horse Park as the new Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing ‘live contender’ and the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event defending champion. This follows the news announced on 23 April 2014 that last year’s winner of the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, Jonathan Paget (NZL), has officially been disqualified following a “partial decision” by the sport’s governing body Tribunal. As a result of Paget’s disqualification, Andrew Nicholson and Avebury have now been promoted and are the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials 2013 winners.

All eyes are now on Nicholson to see if he can repeat the form he demonstrated in 2013, by winning the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, which will put him one competition away from the coveted USD $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing Prize. Nicholson is competing in Kentucky on his grey gelding Avebury and is currently lying in joint 11th place after the Dressage phase on a score of 51.7.

Quote from Allison Springer (USA) (link to audio of full post-event press conference below):

Q. Allison – how does it feel to be back with Arthur?

We know each other well. As a competitor he has given me most of my mileage so I have learned to be a little bit more relaxed and understanding with him and he was pretty wild when I rode him at lunchtime – I thought, uh oh, I’m in a little bit of trouble here, but you just have to do the best job you can. It’s emotional; it’s been a big year and it’s emotional to have my horse back and strong and feeling great.

2nd - William Fox-Pitt and Bay My Hero
2nd – William Fox-Pitt and Bay My Hero

Quote from William Fox-Pitt (GBR) (link to audio of full press conference below):

Q. William – Bay May Hero – what a lovely horse – thoughts on that test?

He is a cool horse; he’s such a fun horse to ride and one that’s always on your side. You go in there and that atmosphere and that crowd in there was fantastic – you need a horse that’s good and he really tried.

It was a huge relief to get a 44 (as the scores have all been so high) and delighted with how he went. There were a couple of rusty moments as he hasn’t had a big day out for a while – I’m really excited.

Quotes from Lauren Kieffer (USA) (link to audio of full press conference below):

Q. Lauren – competing in just your second Rolex – how does it feel this time?

I’ve been riding Veronica for about a year now and it’s definitely a different mind-set this time around – I came to give a shot at it and there is a lot to do tomorrow – it certainly won’t be a dressage show, but I’m happy with how it went today.

Quotes from Andrew Nicholson (NZL), currently live contender of the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing:

Q. Andrew – how did you feel the test went for you?

It wasn’t as good as he is on grass – I thought he might be a bit like this on this surface [all weather] – grass gives him a little bit more balance. I was having to ride him a bit more strongly in there to keep him looking half active. But he’s good. I know he can do better than that.

Q. So you are currently within five points of the leaders?

If they stay scoring that for the last few and if I can finish on that, then I think I can probably win!

3rd - Lauren Kieffer and Veronica
3rd – Lauren Kieffer and Veronica

Copyright Free Audio

Please click on the following links for copyright free audio of the post-event Press Conference after Dressage Day Two with the top three placed riders:
http://po.st/0n8oIY

For more information on the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and full Results/Leaderboard, please visit www.rk3de.org.

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.

Revolution Sports + Entertainment
team@revolutionsports.co.uk
www.revolutionsports.co.uk

Kieffer and Dutton Dominate Dressage at the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event

Lauren Kieffer riding Veronica leads the CCI3* division following the opening phase of dressage at Bromont. Photos by Cealy Tetley.

Bromont, Quebec – Lauren Kieffer and Phillip Dutton are the early leaders following the first phase of competition at the 2013 Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event, The Todd Sandler Challenge, running June 6 to 9 at the Bromont Olympic Horse Park in Bromont, Quebec.

The Olympic equestrian discipline of Three Day Eventing is often referred to as the triathlon of equestrian sport, with the phases of dressage, cross-country, and show jumping taking place over three consecutive days. The opening phase of dressage is now complete at the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event, and riders are preparing for Saturday’s cross-country phase, followed by the third and final phase of show jumping on Sunday.

Leading the CCI3* division after dressage is Lauren Kieffer of the United States. Kieffer, of Middleburg, VA, rode Team Rebecca’s Veronica to the top of a 22-horse starting field with a dressage score of 44.6 penalties. Kieffer has a comfortable lead over second placed William Coleman III, a member of the U.S. Olympic Eventing Team in London, who earned 50.2 penalties riding Obos O’Reilly.

“My horse was great with the atmosphere here and I’m really happy with her,” said Kieffer, who is impressed by the cross-country course she will face on Saturday. “This is my first time here and it’s beautiful. The course is big and bold, and the questions are right out there in front of you. There are lots of places for you to let your guard down and make a mistake.”

Phillip Dutton riding Ben leads the CIC3* after dressage
Phillip Dutton riding Ben leads the CIC3* after dressage

The CIC3* is a division held at the same level as the CCI3*, but on a shorter cross-country course with fewer jumping efforts. After dressage, Phillip Dutton of the United States leads the CIC3* after scoring 46.9 penalties for his test riding Ben, a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding also owned by Team Rebecca.

“Ben is a smart mover and has a really good head,” said Dutton, a two-time Olympic team gold medalist. “He gets a bit more forward in the atmosphere of the competition, but he doesn’t get silly. I was pleased with the trot work, but I could definitely improve the canter work still more.”

Dutton expects the real test to come on Saturday with the cross-country phase. “There are some big fences and there is some technical stuff in there as well. There are lots of different factors here.”

Dutton, an Olympic team veteran of both his native Australia and the U.S., holds a narrow lead over Canada’s Jessica Phoenix of Uxbridge, ON, who is less than one point behind Dutton with 47.7 penalties. Phoenix is riding Pavarotti, her partner at the 2011 Pan American Games where she won individual gold and team silver medals for Canada.

American Sharon White leads the CCI2* division with Don Sheffield on a score of 49.8 penalties. Holding down second place is Canada’s Jordan McDonald with 50.2 penalties. McDonald, from Oakville, ON, is also fifth in the CCI2* division with Glencanto with 57.2 penalties.

In the CCI1* division, Jennifer Bazan of the United States leads with 44.3 penalties riding Allegretta while Waylon Roberts of Port Perry, ON, currently sits second on 45.7 penalties riding Yarrow.

The cross-country competition, the most exciting phase of the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event, will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 8, with the CCI1* division, followed by the CCI3*, CIC3*, and CCI2* divisions. American FEI 4*course designer Derek Di Grazia, Bromont’s resident course designer since 2009, will challenge competitors with courses of world class standards. The cross-country fences have again been constructed by Canadian course builder Jay Hambly.

Spectators attending the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event have the opportunity to watch some of North America’s finest equestrian athletes compete at the only annual three day event held at a former Olympic site. The Bromont Olympic Horse Park was the site of equestrian events at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games. Over the past 27 years of its existence, the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event has become one of North America’s most prestigious three day events, and is the only competition of its kind in Canada sanctioned at the three star level by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI).

Volvo is the title sponsor of the Bromont Three Day Event for the second year. Bromont has also been included for a third year in the PRO Tour Series. The Professional Riders Organization (PRO) is a non-profit group of accomplished event riders dedicated to promoting the sport and advocating safety for horses and riders.

The Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event, The Todd Sandler Challenge, is made possible in part through a contribution from the Government of Canada. The organizing committee also wishes to thank the Gouvernement du Québec, Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport, for their support of this year’s event.

For more information about the Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event, please visit the bilingual website, www.bromontcci.com.  Live scoring will be available throughout the duration of the event.

Contact:  Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439
www.startinggate.ca