United States Eventing Association

The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event christened the newly designed outdoor arena as dressage began on Thursday morning, April 23.

Twelve horse and rider combinations performed their tests during the A.M. session including Bonnie Mosser and Merloch who broke the ice with the test ride at 9:30 this morning. Their next stop will be the Badminton CCI4* in two weeks where they will compete.

Great Britain’s William Fox-Pitt took the early lead with a score of 46.7 aboard Navigator, a 10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, owned by Mrs. Walter, Mrs. Earle, Mrs. Blanshard and Catherine Joice.

California’s Jolie Sexson, in her first appearance at the four-star event, rode Tracy Bowman’s 11-year-old Thoroughbred/Selle Francais gelding Killian O'Connor with steady confidence and was awarded a 47.3 for the performance.

Stephen Bradley returned this year with Brandenburg's Joshua after finishing fourth in 2008. He and the 14-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, owned by Southern Edition Farm, LLC, started out with a great showing once again this year earning a score of 48.2, which was good for third place after the A.M. session.

Canadian Olympian Selena O’Hanlon and Elaine and Michael Davies’ 13-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding, Colombo, stand tied with Bradley on a 48.2.

Thirteen more pairs are still to show Thursday afternoon including Great Britain’s Susie Beale and Isabella II and Oliver Townend and Carousel Quest, the Netherland’s Tim Lips and Concrex Oncarlos, Canada’s Sandra Donnelly and Buenos Aires, the U.S.’s Corinne Ashton and Dobbin, and more.

Don’t forget to join in on the interactive coverage of Rolex with Glenn The Geek and Chris Stafford of Eventing Radio at http://useventing.com/blog/?p=2235.