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

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.”

This is the third consecutive year the pair has competed at the spring feature having come in 12th and ninth at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Bridgestone in 2010 and 2011 respectively. Martin, tenth place at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, will be the final horse of the day tomorrow with Otis Barbotiere at 3:52pm ET.

Martin competed both Remington XXV and Otis Barbotiere at 2011 Boekelo CCI3* last fall utilizing Land Rover Competition and Training Grants.

Lying second after Thursday’s dressage are Karen O’Connor and Team Rebecca’s Veronica. The pair produced a forward accurate test to score 47.8 as the third combination in the ring Thursday morning. The 2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented Bridgestone is the 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare’s first attempt at the CCI4* level, having placed 12th at Dansko Fair Hill International CCI3* in October, 2011. O’Connor will ride her second horse, Mr. Medicott, Friday at 2:34pm.

New Zealand’s Andrew Nicholson stands third with Calico Joe following the first day of dressage.

Dressage resumes in the Rolex Stadium Friday with Madeline Blackman and Gordonstown at 9:30am ET.

Watch the competition’s live stream 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.

For more information about the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Bridgestone, visit: http://www.rk3de.org/.

Follow the 2012 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team at http://usefnetwork.com/featured/2012Eventing/.