United States Eventing Association

Afternoon Cross-Country Rounds at Rolex Kentucky

Afternoon Cross-Country Coverage of the 2008 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in Lexington, Kentucky including quotes from the riders and pictures of everyone.

Photos by Joshua A. Walker

(Pardon the "shorthand" style – I was typing this up literally as cross-country was going on!) – below my "synopsis of the ride" are actual quotes from the riders themselves on how their trip went.

Check out the course on the Rolex site. There’s a virtual tour!

Tipperary Liadhnan/Kim Severson

First to go after the lunch break were Kim Severson and Tipperary Liadhnan (competing in his first four-star). They’re off and running, with the big-strided grey Irish gelding eating up the ground with his huge stride. They took a big jump over the Picnic Table at #2, followed by another sizeable leap over the Rock Walls – leaving out a stride! They jumped nicely over the Downhill Oxers, but were a little off their line at the Cedar Hop, though they completed it well. Liadhnan (aka “Paddy the Grey”) has a huge ground-covering gallop and really opened up his stride up the hill to the Hammock. He really makes the big tables look like a piece of cake! They slipped easily through the Sunken Road, and took a big leap over the Footbridge. He’s looking very confident across the course, and is jumping extremely well. Kim looks like she’s having a good time – such an exciting new partnership for her! They skipped easily through the Hollow ( not many problems there today) and took the left side of the Double Diamond corners. They had an easy four strides through the Squirrels, and then had a very forward ride into the HOTL. They got pretty close to the lighthouse in the middle of the lake, but jumped out alright though over the Triple Brush element. Paddy and Kim are looking very fit – he’s galloping easily over the country. He had a slight trip over the Sycamore Logs before the 2^nd water, and a bit of a bobble through the water, but she stuck in the tack. She had a good ride through the Duck Marsh – much better than last water, and were fine through last combo. They gallop for home up the big hill towards the finish, with Paddy seeming a bit tired, but still full of running. Finished inside the time at 10:46. Kim should be pleased!

“He was great. There were some questions I didn’t get right, but he was wonderful.”

Apparently this horse has only been jumping for two years! “He’s a prodigy and I’m really happy with him.”

Buenos Aires/Sandra Donnelly

Another Canadian pair – they’re out easily over the first and off and running looking confident and getting into a rhythm. He’s a heavy-boned horse, so time could be a factor for them. They take a big leap over Rock Wall, and a short stride into the Flower Basket. Buenos Aires was a bit sticky through Cedar Hop –she got a little ahead of him there! Out okay though, and looking a bit more confident. They galloped nicely though the Sunken Road, and dropped neatly through the Hollow, followed by a BIG jump over the Creek Oxer. They rode very nicely into the HOTL, skimmed carefully over the Lighthouse, and had another BIG jump out. They followed this up with a very good ride through the second water, very fast and neat through the Duck Marsh, and galloped home with a handful of time faults.

This was her first four-star. “I was nervous about the size and the length of the course. There were lots of things that felt fabulous, and he got better as he went. He got tired at the end, but that’s what I expected.”

Northern Spy/Heidi White

This experienced pair busted out of the start box! They took a HUGE leap over the first jump out of stride – lookin good! “Farley” has a huge stride – really eatin’ up the distance, looking very confident. He took a massive effort over the Rock Walls and a big jump over Down Hill Oxers. Heidi rode VERY well riding through the Cedar Hop – got a funny distance, but she rode it great. Here’s where you see their partnership and experience together kick in. He trusts her! So now they’re having to get their confidence back, and do so by having a great go through Sunken Road. Heidi’s really riding strong, and Farley let loose with a HUGE gallop up the hill to the Hollow, wasting NO time. They galloped nicely and very fast through the Hollow, and Heidi had a good careful ride to the Double Diamonds. They were very quick through the Squirrels, and had lots of hangtime over the Creek Oxer. Farley took a BIG jump into the HOTL, and was very lovely through the water & had a great ride out. They had another HUGE jump over the Dray wagon – she’s really going for time! They rode great through the 2^nd water, really covering the ground well. They twisted a bit over the first Duck in the Duck Marsh and then over the last Duck element, he “beheaded” one of the ducks, which catapulted Heidi out of the saddle. Both were fine, and after a brief moment, she hopped back in the saddle to finish the course. Too bad! They were really going quite well up to that point.

Lynn Symansky/ No It Tissant

These guys are looking good out the start, though he’s fighting with her a bit – he wants to gallop on! But he is jumping very well, and was very tidy over the Rock Wall. The grey gelding took a big leap through the Flower Basket, and got off their line a bit on the Cedar Hops, made it through okay. They leapt neatly through the Hollow and galloped well through the Double Diamonds (she smothers him in pats, ) and took huge leaps over the squirrels. The grey took another massive leap over the Footbridge, popped easily into the HOTL, finishing the combination with a good ride out over the Triple Brush. He’s really jumping well for Lynn, and gives her a nice big jump over the wide Dray wagon. They’re getting in a nice rhythm, and have a great ride through the 2^nd water. They have a tiny chip into the table before Duck marsh, and then have a big leap there, but finish with a great ride through Duck Marsh – jumping out of stride, looking very comfortable and confident, much better than their dressage test yesterday! They finish up their course with nice gallop up the long hill to the finish, one second inside the time! Fabulous ride! Lynn looks absolutely thrilled.

“I finally actually enjoyed myself out there. He was fantastic.”

Hawley Bennett/ Livingstone

Hawley & her longtime partner are looking ready to tackle the course in fine style with a big athletic leap over the Rock Wall. These guys have a great partnership! Livingstone gives her another BIG jump over the Downhill Oxers, and they have a great ride through the troublesome Cedar Hop. He’s looking quite fit for an 18-year-old! Lovely ride over the Hammock, easily over the Red Oak Rail at 9, and carefully eased down into the Sunken Road – good ride! Not the hugest striding horse, but they’re certainly making good time, with another big leap over the Footbridge as they turn towards the Sheep Shelter, really opening up their stride as they head to the Hollow. They got a bit close to the last element of the Hollow, but popped neatly out. Added a stride in the Squirrels, with some serious hangtime over the Creek Oxer. They had a easy ride into the HOTL, and she really had to push to make the striding out on the triple brush. Still looking good on the time, they had a great ride down the hill to the 2^nd water – taking the short route as well. Livingstone looked very athletic through the Duck Marsh – great ride for Hawley, gallop up the hill to the finish after digging down deep to find that extra boost.

“He’s amazing. I love him – from the start box, to the finish line.”

This was their fourth start at Rolex Kentucky. “I still wanted to barf this morning. I guess if it gets too easy you shouldn’t be doing it.”

She wanted to keep her pinney after going clean. “I’ll pay for it!”

Sarah Hansel/The Quiet Man

These guys had a great jump out over the first with The Quiet Man looking confident with ears pricked. This horse is jumping well during his first four-star, looking very alert. He jumped nimbly over the Rock Wall, taking in the atmosphere and the crowds. They’re looking very much in rhythm. The dark gelding was a bit sticky to the Cedar Hop, so she takes the long route (wisely!). This guy has quite a large stride when he opens up! They slink into the Sunken Road, but hop out okay, taking it slow and steady to give him some more confidence. Unfortunately, they had a fall at The Footbridge, and though Sarah was okay, The Quiet Man apparently injured his right front leg but is stabilized and resting comfortably (there will be an official press release on this later). Due to their fall, there was then a long hold on course.

Polly Stockton/Tangleman

After the hold, our lone British rider was off and running, looking full of steam. At their start, they have the course all to themselves, actually. The big-strided chestnut gelding nipped carefully over the Rock Wall, and galloped boldly down the hill to the Down Hill Oxers, with Polly having to balance a bit. They did have a good ride through there the Oxers. This horse has a big engine, and though they were a bit crooked through the Flower Basket , they were out okay. They were very careful through the Cedar Hop – a bit off their line, though. This big guy can easily make the time with his ground-covering stride. He takes a big leap over the Hammock, with horse and rider looking very comfortable in their element. Tangleman fought a bit before the Sunken Road – so they got a bit tight in the striding, but jumped out alright. They followed this up with a huge leap over the Footbridge, and with Tangleman’s MASSIVE stride, they galloped easily through the Hollow. Unfortunately, they retired at the Diamonds after a run-out. Must not be her day!

Waylon Roberts/Paleface

Canadian Young Rider Waylon Roberts is off and running, looking very eager over the first flower jump. The spritely little horse leaped easily over the Rock Wall and tore down the hill to the Down Hill Oxers, look good so far! Waylon’s only 19, I believe, or somewhere close to that. They took a big, wide jump over the Flower Basket, and there was some good riding on Waylon’s part through the Cedar Hop. They’re making good time up the long galloping stretches, and gear up for a big leap over the Hammock. They galloped nicely through the Sunken Road – wasting no time! Really looking good as they gallop towards the Hollow, jumping out of stride, and galloping easily through the Hollow. They had a lovely ride through the HOTL. These guys are really on target! Breezed around the rest of the course – clean and just under the time. 10:54

“I spent this morning thinking about the course, and I knew he could do it all. He ran so well and it even went a little bit better than I expected. He reacted to the crowds better than I expected he would.”

Allison Springer/Arthur

Allison’s running this athletic gelding in his first four-star this weekend, and he’s taking in the crowds, spooking just a bit, trying to adjust to the atmosphere. He’s looking energetic and eager – and she’ll give him a good ride. You can tell she’s trying to build up his confidence, and he’s jumping really spectacularly. This big chestnut has a huge ground-covering stride, but they have a bit of a chip in on the Rock Wall – probably due to a confidence issue. Allison has her work cut out for her to keep his mind on task. Arthur takes a big leap over the Down Hill Oxers, followed b y another hefty jump through the Flower Basket – Arthur still seems a bit peeky. Best moment of the day: Allison had a scary moment at the Cedar Hop – she ended up between his ears when he crawled in over the first element, and she must’ve whispered in his ear to “JUMP” because he hopped the coffin, and she popped back into the saddle to jump cleanly over the last element… amazing horse!!! Best save of the day, for sure. She’s got to build his confidence back now after that tricky moment. They creeped into the Sunken Roads, but she gave him a good ride out. Good for her! Still looking a bit peeky over the Footbridge, but jumped nicely down over the Sheep Shelter, and are starting to get into a better rhythm as they head to the Hollow, where very good ride through there. They had a great ride into the HOTL, and are seeming really on target now. Arthur takes a big leap over The Dray – looking much more confident! She’s giving him a fabulous ride, even though he’s still peeking at the footing and the crowds. She gets a great ride through Duck Marsh – textbook! Afterwards, they head up the hill for home, inside the time! 10:50 – she had to have been pleased.

“I knew I was going to get to [Fence 6] and be aggressive. But I may have been a little too aggressive and he got careful. He was a good boy not to stop. He knew his job. I got back into the tack somehow and went on. But I was disappointed because I wanted to have a textbook round.”

Corinne Ashton/ Dobbin

These guys are lookin’ ready for the course – Dobbin’s checking out the crowds, but galloping strongly and jumping well. They had a big leap over the Rock Wall, with the chestnut gelding looking very fresh. They leapt nicely over the Down Hill Oxers, and had a quick peek at the Cedar Hop but nipped cleverly over it. They left out a stride over the Hammock, and dropped carefully through Sunken Road. They jumped very neatly into the Hollow, and were a bit sticky to the Squirrels, but look good. Dobbin had some serious hangtime over the Creek Oxer! Corinne had a good ride into the HOTL, popping neatly over Lighthouse, with a great jump out over the Triple Brush. They got to a long spot over the Dray, but Dobbin’s looking very fit, and galloping easily, so it wasn’t an issue. They took a big leap over the Sycamore Log before 2^nd water, lost their line a bit in the water, but he held steady and kept on truckin’ through. Dobbin was sticky into the Duck Marsh – it looked as if her reins broke, she was struggling to stay in the saddle, but just slipped off after the 2^nd Duck. Bad luck! Poor Corinne… She hops back on to finish after her equipment malfunction.

Bonnie Mosser/ Merloch

These guys galloped out of the box looking fresh – he’s such a very balanced little horse, like a big pony! “Murray’s” looking very confident, and jumped the Rock Walls very well out of stride. They had another great jump through the Flower Box, and a fabulous ride through the trappy Cedar Hop – very neat and tidy. They dropped down beautifully through the Sunken Road, a textbook ride so far! They had a big leap over the Footbridge, with Merloch still galloping strong, and quickly nipped through the Squirrels. She’s having a great round! They had a superb ride into HOTL, with an excellent trip out over the Triple Brush. Merloch took a huge leap over the Big Dray wagon – Bonnie’s easy to spot with her blazing red helmet cover. The friendly grey gelding seems very fresh and full of running halfway through the course. They were excellent through the 2^nd water, and spot on with their accuracy. Bonnie really had to work to get the striding on the Duck Marsh, then lost her reins over the 2^nd element and had a run-out at the last. She then took the longer route. Darn!

“It was a tricky moment because I was trying to figure out how to not cross my tracks after I lost my reins. I fell off at the ducks last year, so at least I didn’t do that this time.”

Kings Whisper/Blair King

Let’s hope they have a better go than their dressage test! The big grey gelding seem to be jumping very well – he’s a huge jumper, in fact. Blair’s riding very carefully to the Down Hill Oxers, giving him a good ride. He has lots of hangtime over his fences! A bit untidy through the Cedar Hop, but fine out. They inched in very carefully through the Sunken Road, but they’re still having a good ride. They went very fast and careful through the Squirrels, and took a huge leap into the HOTL, followed by a great jump over the Dray. He’s looking much calmer than yesterday, really getting into a good rhythm. They galloped fine through the 2^nd water, if not a little flat, with Blair having a bit of trouble getting the horse back before the jumps. They went off their line just a bit through the Duck Marsh, but out okay.

The Good Witch/ Jennifer Wooten

These West Coasters bolted out of the start box fast and careful. The Good Witch is a quick little black mare who wastes no time in the air! They nipped over the Rock Wall, a the mare seemed little distracted by the crowd. However, she was very clever through the Cedar Hop, and took a big leap over the Hammock. They were a little too careful heading into the Sunken Road, but made it out okay. They’re really tearing the hill to the Hollow – she’s a speedy little mare! They jumped nicely through the Hollow, looked very well through HOTL, and hopped neatly through the 2^nd water. They had a great ride through the Duck Marsh, and she seemed very pleased so far. She’s looking quite good on the time, but she’ll be a bit over though – 11:07

“She finished full of run. I’m in shock. I’ve always dreamed about going to Rolex, and I took a look around the warm-up and said, ‘Here I am.’”

Emilee Libby/Cahir –

This Young Rider aboard her big bay gelding was looking ready to roll, with Cahir galloping boldly. They took a HUGE long spot over the Rock Wall, and then crawled over the first of the Downhill Oxers. Unfortunately, she then had a stop at the 2^nd, and circled around for the option. He seemed to have lost his confidence a bit as they had another stop at the first element of the Cedar Hop, and then wisely decided to call it a day and retire.

Tara Ziegler/Buckingham Place

Tara and Buckingham Place head out jumping easily over the first, looking quite fit and ready to go! He’s a very light Thoroughbred who’ll probably have no trouble with the time as long as she doesn’t have to fight with him- he’s looking very energetic and confident. They got a bit off their line at the Down Hill Oxers, but she rode him well to it and they came out okay. Buckingham Place took a big leap through the Flower Basket, dropped down very cleverly through the Cedar Hop, and had some hangtime over the Hammock. The gelding took another BIG leap over the Creek Oxer, and then neatly negotiated the Sunken Road, which was very well-ridden by Tara. They banked the big Footbridge a bit, but easily cleared it. They jumped in very close into the Hollow – but out okay. They’re having a good ride so far! I spoke too soon – evidently, they had a fall at the Double Diamond Corners. But she’s up and back on course. It’s too bad, he was jumping well. They gallop very quick through the Squirrels, and she gives him a good ride into HOTL. They’re a bit sticky through 2^nd water, but out clean. He skimmed into the Duck Marsh, and had arun out at 3^rd element, but were clear on the 2^nd time, finishing with some hefty penalties.

(About her fall) “He actually kind of jumped into the first corner. He didn’t read it very well. I kept going because we both needed the experience at this level.”

Selena O’Hanlon/Colombo

Another pair of Canadians, Selena and her gelding Colombo tear out of the start box (he with his ears back to lower wind resistance!). He’s a big-strided horse, but he’s really feeling good and jumping well. They had nice ride through the Down Hill Oxers, jumped neatly through the Flower Boxers, and looked very confident through the Cedar Hop. Colombo looked excellent through the Sunken Road, and then really opened up his stride, making up some serious time before the Hollow, where they had a big leap I and popped neatly out. There were some problems at the Double Diamond (perhaps a stop there?), Selena really had to work to get over the triple brush of the HOTL. They were very strong down the hill through the 2^nd water, and Colombo put forth a nice ride for Selena through the Duck marsh.

Karen O’Connor/Hugh Knows

Karen O’Connor’s off and running on her 2^nd horse with huge jump over the Picnic Tables, a big leap over Down Hill Oxers. Karen gave him a great ride through the Oxers, and the gelding takes a massive jump through the Flower Basket. He seemed a bit sticky through the Cedar Hop – but jumped out well. He took a huge leap over the Creek Oxer – she’s giving him a good ride! They canter boldly through the Sunken Road, with Hugh Knows’ huge stride making up some serious time on the galloping stretches. Hugh takes a BIG leap into the Hollow, and Karen gives him a good ride out. Unfortunately, they had a stop at the Double Diamond corners, so they took the longer route. He’s a bit sticky through the Squirrels, looking quite strong. After this she was pulled up because she had to make way for the ambulance across the course to Laine Ashker, who fell.

(About their run-out) “He’s green at this level. I thought I had it, and then at the last stride he worried about it.” She noted that Hug Knows had not seen an open corner at advanced level before. “We’ll go home and train them properly, and I hope to come back next year and win here.”

On riding such different horses as Theodore O’Connor and Hug Knows. “Teddy has such an extraordinary length of stride for his size, and Hugh has such an incredible ability to shorten his stride for his size, so it’s a fun challenge to ride them both.”

Why did horses late in the day start having faults? “It could have been the shadows, causing the horses to maybe need a little more time to see the jumps. The course is riding extremely fast, and maybe I didn’t give him enough time to see that fence.”

Laine Ashker/Frodo Baggins

Laine’s off and galloping on her 2^nd ride, they’re already jumping comfortably out of stride, big long leap over the Rock Wall, and suddenly they had a terrible fall at the Basket (Fence #5). After the medics and vets spent a long time working on Laine and Frodo, they were both taken off the course to their respective hospitals – Laine was airlifted out to the University of Kentucky Hospital, and Frodo was taken to Hagyard Equine Medical Institute (right across the street from the KY Horse Park). Read the complete report on the USEA website – we will be updating as soon as we hear more about both of their conditions.

Ying Yang Yo/Boyd Martin

First to go after the hour and half-long break was Australian Boyd Martin aboard his second ride, who looks good out of the start with a nice steady pace. The horse covers the ground well and didn’t seem too phased by their long wait. They take a big leap over the Rock Wall, and were a bit sticky to the Down Hill Oxers. Ying Yang Yo takes another huge leap over the Flower Basket, and peeked at the Cedar Hop, but a good ride by Boyd got them through unscathed. They have a nice easy-going pace, just cruising around the course. The TB had some hangtime over the Hammock, a was a bit looky at the Red Ditch Rail. They slid carefully through the Sunken Road, and galloped nicely through the Hollow. They were forward and confident through the tricky Double-Diamond corners, and Boyd gave him a good solid ride through the Squirrels. Unfortunately, Boyd fell in the HOTL – he was a bit off balance as he came into the water after the brush and then had an awkward fall in the water, very carefully walked off, with both horse and rider seemingly fine.

From/Stephen Bradley

From burst out of the box looking good and jumping very tidy over the first. He had a big scopey jump over the wide Picnic Table, followed by another huge jump over the Rock Wall. Stephen gave him a great ride through the Down Hill Oxers, looking very solid so far. They dropped neatly through the Sunken Road, and galloped nimbly through the Hollow. They had quite a nice ride through the Squirrels. They had a slight trip coming in the brushes at the HOTL, but were nicely out over the lighthouse in the middle, and Stephen had a good ride out over the triple, though he really had to work for it! Here’s where his experience comes into play. From leapt nicely over the big Dray wagon, galloped down the hill to the 2^nd water, and had a good go through there. They were very nimble to the Duck Marsh, but took a big leap in, crawled over B Element, and From was very clever to finish cleanly through the combo. 11:13, few seconds over

Had sticky moments at the Head of the Lake and the Duck Marsh. “He was getting a little bit tired and a little behind my leg. He was really genuine. That’s why I keep telling people that, as I get older, I only ride horses who are really good jumpers.” When asked about his time faults, he said, “I jumped around as quickly as I could, so I’m pleased.”

Connaught/Phillip Dutton

The last to go of the day came bursting forth with vigor – almost too ambitious to the first jump! Connaught has a huge ground-covering stride, and is really jumping very well and strong. The bay gelding took a very big leap over the Rock Walls. Phillip rode very well over the huge Down Hill Oxers, and they were pretty sticky through the Cedar Hop – good riding on Phillip’s part! Phillip’s giving the horse a very confident ride. They crept through the Sunken Road, and then took big wide leap over the Footbridge. Connaught springs lightly over the Sheep Shelter down the hill, with Phillip giving him a great ride through the Double Diamond corners – super-straight on their line. They were very fast through the Squirrels – Connaught’s jumping brilliantly and Phillip’s riding is spot-on. Connaught takes a HUGE leap over the Creek Oxer, and then went very smoothly into HOTL, with Phillip performing gorgeous riding on the way out, and Connaught leaping nimbly over the triple brush. They galloped big up the hill to the Dray, had a lovely wide jump over that and then boogied down the hill to the Cigar Lane Sycamores before the 2^nd water. They jumped lovely over the Sycamores, and Connaught was very clever into the 2^nd water, easily jumping out of stride, in a great rhythm, and very tidy with his knees. Phillip gave him a nice wide approach to the Duck Marsh, and they seemed perhaps a bit slow on the time as they turn for home, he’s trying to make up that loss of time as he gallops up the hill – Connaught still looking very fresh! They’re going to be close… 11:02 – VERY close! HUGE pats from Phillip who literally leapt off before Connaught stopped.

They currently sit in 2^nd place behind Becky and Comet. “I’m not thinking about tomorrow [show jumping]. I’m so proud of my horse. Galloping is really hard for him, but there’s not a better horse to ride over fences.”

This is Connaught’s fourth start at Rolex Kentucky. “This is the fastest I’ve ever gone with him. He just gets better and better all the time.”