United States Eventing Association

Bettina Hoy of Germany and her longtime partner Ringwood Cockatoo blew the competition away this afternoon after posting a stunning 28.8 to take the lead in the Rolex Kentucky CCI4* in Lexington, KY.

One of the other top favorites, Lucinda Fredericks of Australia and the precocious Headley Britannia trotted into second with a very business-like 32.3. Buck Davidson clinched the third position with his second ride of the competition, My Boy Bobby, who performed a very steady test for his first four-star competition, earning a 39.0.

All three of the top rider have a similar connection to the Rolex event, as the husbands of the top two riders, Andrew Hoy and Clayton Fredericks, have won the event, as has Buck Davidson's famous father Bruce Davidson.

Tim Lips of The Netherlands was bumped out of the lead, but managed to stay in fourth with Concrex Oncarlos, after they posted a 42.0 yesterday. Lucy Wiegersma of Great Britain and Woodfalls Inigo Jones jumped up to fifth with a 43.2, and William Fox-Pitt's second horse Seacookie moved into sixth. One of the crowd favorites, and last year's Badminton winner, Nicolas Touzaint of France and Hidalgo de L'ile had a lovely test, and though the Selle Francais broke to the canter in his extended trot, he still scored a 44.3.

Career-Best Test for Cockatoo

Ringwood Cockatoo, an 18-year-old Irish Sport Horse geldng (Peacock--Bailey's Folly), owned by Mary and Frederick Davidson and DOKR, performed one of his most acclaimed tests of his long career with Bettina Hoy. "I think I've had a 28 with him before, but not a a four-star event. I think certainly to ride this was the best test for Cockatoo, definitely," said Hoy.

When asked about her favorite parts of her test, Hoy replied, "Where do I start? Cockatoo has been wonderful all these years, especially in this phase. I feel like we're an ordinary couple now! He seems to be getting better with age, which is a nice feeling."

Last year, Hoy and Ringwood Cockatoo won the CCI4* at Pau (FRA) and the CIC3* in Luhmuhlen (GER). She very nearly won the 2004 Olympics, except for controversial time faults in show jumping, after she accidentally crossed the starting line twice.

The pair looks fresh and eager to be back in the spotlight again this year, and Hoy admitted that she doesn't exactly get nervous about this phase, nor with being in the large arena. "I was probably lucky that I went first after the lunch break, because I don't think [Cockatoo] realized anyone was watching until the applause started. He's not a very nervous horse--he's usually a cool customer."

Brilliant Day for Britannia

It's not an unusual circumstance for Lucinda Fredericks and Headley Britannia to sit in one of the top positions after dressage, but she seemed thrilled with her success, nevertheless.

"Brit's a different horse than most of the other horses on the eventing circuit. She has to work very hard to produce exhilarating work," said Fredericks.

The 16-year-old Thoroughbred-cross mare (Jumbo--Alan's Bambi), owned by Lucinda and her husband Clayton, has quite the resume. She won the CCI3* at Blenheim in 2002, the CCI4* Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials in 2006 and the CCI4* Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials in 2007. Last summer, they were members of the silver medal Australian team at the Olympic Games.

"I love riding her, but I don't enjoy schooling her. She's fairly boring to ride, because she doesn't give you a lot of feel, and there are only so many flying changes that I can do every day, which is the best part. I've spent the last few days all over the park just trying to keep her amused and not doing too much schooling."

"I was very pleased with her test. I don't get particularly nervous, though we'll be a bit more nervous tomorrow. I feel like Brit and I are like two old women that go in and have a bit of fun. She's a professional now at the dressage, and I trust her to behave and I thoroughly enjoyed my test," added Fredericks.

Buck & Bobby Break Into the Big Time

Though the other two well-seasoned eventers admitted their lack of nerves in this phase with their experienced partners, third place holder Buck Davidson said he felt quite differently. "Unlike these two, I was scared to death today," he said with a laugh. "Bobby's a very easy horse and has a great brain."

He also thanked Hoy for helping him last year. "She's changed my riding and she's changed my horses. It's certainly added to what happened today. It's neat to sit up here with these two greats, and hopefully I'll give them a run for their money for the rest of the weekend!" he added.

This is My Boy Bobby's first four-star event, and he's had a very successful season so far. The 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, owned by Carl and Cassandra Segal, recently won the competitive CIC3* at The Fork (NC), and also an Advanced division at Southern Pines (NC).

Though Bobby's proved his worth as a successful three-star horse, will he make the cut as a four-star eventer? "I think we're going to find out tomorrow. There's really no way to find out until you do it. He's as good a jumper as there is, but we'll see if he's a four-star horse."

How Will the Course Ride Tomorrow?

All three of the riders seem very eager to take to Michael Etherington-Smith's cross-country course. "It'd be quite nice if we all sat like this tomorrow," joked Fredericks.

"I've just walked it for the second time today and I'm looking forward to riding it. The ground's fantastic, the fences are fair. There's plenty out there where we can make mistakes. I think it's going to be quick, also, tomorrow. There's a lot of places where you do need to steady down and set up--I'm a bit of a naughty one for taking too many pulls, but I'm sure I'm going to be going out to go fast without taking undue risks. I'm too old for that, I think!" she said.

"I think it's a very good course--it's beautifully presented," continued Fredericks. "It's fair, and it's big enough, especially the last bit. There seems to be a lot of big fences at the end of a long big hill. The Quarry, right at the top, is a true Badminton quarry. For sure, it's a replica of Badminton. The last seven or eight fences are all true four-star material and it's going to take some jumping."

"I think they've done a terrific job of presenting the fences," said Davidson. "It even seems maybe a little less hilly--they seem to go across the hills more than they have in the past. It's not a hilly course, but some of these hills are deceiving. Am I going to sit up here and guarantee that I'll get the time, no I don't think so, but I'd like to think I'd be close."

Last year's Rolex champions, Phillip Dutton and Connaught, performed a very nice test, though not quite good enough to knock out the top three. The 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, owned by Bruce Duchossois, had to settle for a 10th place position with a 47.0, just 0.3 points ahead of Jolie Sexson and Killian O'Connor.

Top Ten After Dressage

Place	Rider	Horse	Score
1	Bettina Hoy (GER)	Ringwood Cockatoo	28.8
2	Lucinda Fredericks (AUS)	Headley Britannia	32.3
3	Buck Davidson	My Boy Bobby	39.0
4	Tim Lips (NED)	Concrex Oncarlos	42.0
5	Lucy Wiegersma (GBR)	Woodfalls Inigo Jones	43.2
6	William Fox-Pitt (GBR)	Seacookie	43.5
7	Nicolas Touzaint (FRA)	Hidalgo de L'ile	44.3
8	Oliver Townend (GBR)	Carousel Quest	45.2
9	William Fox-Pitt (GBR)	Navigator	46.7
10	Phillip Dutton	Connaught	47.0