United States Eventing Association

William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and the gorgeous copper-colored stallion Chilli Morning performed a breathtaking test this afternoon to take the lead after dressage at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and USEF CCI4* Championship with an impeccable four-star score of 33.3.

“He’s got a great presence. Therefore when you’re riding him you feel you’re capturing the Ground Jury’s attention. He is a very well-schooled horse; he holds himself well and is very uphill and light,” William said. “At this level you need to score well throughout the test; you can’t have many movements where you drop a score. [Chilli] is a very consistent horse and has a great temperament. There is lots of atmosphere and excitement here and the horses need to be with you. He was very much with me and did a lovely test.”

Currently owned by Christopher and Lisa Stone, 13-year-old Chilli Morning was produced by Nick Gauntlet and ridden briefly by fellow Rolex competitor Mary King before William took on the ride about a year ago. William said they worked particularly hard on the dressage over the winter with British Eventing Dressage Coach Tracie Robinson, and clearly it has paid off, but William said that Chilli is a very capable horse, which is needed to “throw in that kind of score” regardless of training.

“In the ideal world you’ve produced your horses from 3-, 4-, 5-year-olds,” William said. “That is the easiest way. I’ve been lucky to take on horses later in their careers. I enjoy the challenge of a new horse I don’t know, working them out, making adjustments. When a horse comes to you at the age of 12, you can’t change him. You’ve got to go with him and understand him… Don’t worry too much about making it perfect. Get on with him. Make the best of what you got and go for it.”

Andrew Nicholson (NZL) looked to be nearly able to catch William with his second ride of the competition, Quimbo, a Caballo de Deporte Español gelding owned by Deborah Sellar. Unfortunately, a bobble in the final lead change forced him to settle for second on a score of 38.0. Andrew also rounds out the top three with yesterday's overnight leader Calico Joe.

“I think he pretty much gave 100 percent. He is only ten years old. With this four-star test they have to be strong to maintain the collection and fluency. In another year he will be even smarter,” Andrew said. “I mucked up the last change at the end. It was totally my fault; I was pushing for more. I saw on the scoreboard that I would have to squeeze out every point and perhaps got carried away. I couldn’t wish him to be any better to be honest.”

Fourth place after dressage belongs to 27-year-old Alexandra Knowles (USA), a Rolex first timer riding Christie Campbell's 14-year-old Mecklenburg mare, Last Call. “I feel so lucky to be here much less have done so well in dressage and be sitting in between two of the greatest riders ever,” Alexandra said during the press conference after dressage. Alexandra moved her training, lessons, and sales business from California to Kentucky a year-and-a-half ago, and the pair certainly seemed at home in the Rolex ring, performing an beautiful, accurate test to score 43.3.

“I didn’t know exactly what to expect. She does have a very good disposition. She stays relaxed if I do. When I was going down into the arena I focused on looking at her and not letting us get distracted. I looked at the court and said 'this is just another dressage court,'” Alexandra said. “I could have changed a few things but I can always do that. I also messed up the last change. She got a bit tense and I just fixed it tried to finish strong. I’m incredibly proud of her for staying focused and for us as a combination for staying as relaxed as we did.”

Alexandra found the mare in Ocala seven years ago. She had only gone training and Alexandra had never produced an upper level horse herself. “We’ve really grown together as a pair from the start. I’m lucky enough to bring her this far.” After her test, Alexandra signed autographs for a slew of young fans.

Excellent tests were not uncommon these last two days, with the top 14 scoring better than 50. Marilyn Little put in an excellent test despite having separated her shoulder last week. She is currently tied with Mary King (GBR) for fifth place on a score of 43.7. Jonelle Richards (NZL) and The Deputy stayed relaxed in the atmosphere for a score of 52.7 and never seemed to notice the added distractions of a canine disagreement in the grandstands followed by a metal pan clattered to the ground inside a ringside tent. The heartbreak of the day came when Jennie Brannigan (USA) withdrew Nina Gardner's 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Cambalda. "Ping" slipped and fell on the concrete after getting loose while being lunged early yesterday morning. Based on the extraordinary circumstances, the Ground Jury allowed Jennie to reschedule her ride time from yesterday morning to this afternoon, but it was determined by Ping's team, who worked tirelessly to diagnose and treat his injuries, that he was in fact not fit to compete and that it would be in his best interest to scratch.

The race for the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing is certainly heating up now, with William and Andrew both in contention for a big win here at Rolex. Tomorrow is the cross-country test, and Derek di Grazia has a knack for shaking up the scores.

“As always here, the undulations play a big part,” William said. “It is a clever track. There are decisions to be made - a few distances could be one or the other. You are not guaranteed what the striding will be through a combination. You’ve got to feel what you’ve got and react accordingly. You need a horse that is going to be fit and gallop to the end. I think the Head of the Lake being later on in the course will take a bit more jumping. There are two big drops there, and you’ll want to have plenty of energy left in the tank for that.”

William believes the course will suit his leading horse well and said that after a good spring season, Chilli Morning is fit and ready.

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