Allison Springer and Arthur (Shannon Brinkman/USEF) Lexington, KY – William Fox-Pitt made a monumental effort to get to the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event presented by Bridgestone and so far, after the first phase of the competition – it had returned the favor. Delayed by the Icelandic volcano, Fox-Pitt arrived later than planned, but in plenty of time to put in a winning effort in the dressage ring. The British rider rode Cool Mountain to a beautiful effort in the Johnson Arena under very...

As the sun set over the Kentucky Horse Park last night seven horses danced their way through the freestyle test for the Kentucky Cup CDI3*. Rain in the early part of the day had given way to a colorful sunset that made for a beautiful setting for the 2,000 plus spectators that came out. Tina Konyot and her big black horse Calecto V put on an exciting show as they piaffed and pirouetted to a modern music mix featuring songs such as “Lets Get Loud” by Jennifer Lopez, “Crazy in...

Photo by mdunnphoto.com ((l-r) Chris von Martels, Tina Konyot and Jacqueline Brooks) Lexington, KY - Sashaying in to KT Tunstall's "Black Horse and The Cherry Tree," Tina Konyot's big black horse Calecto V showed their partnership has reached new heights with a decisive win in the 2010 Kentucky Cup CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle, scoring 76.25%. Chris von Martels on Naomi (70.20%) rode into second place, with Jacqueline Brooks on Balmoral close behind in third (67.35%). "It was great fun [out...

Mandiba and Karen O'Connor (Shannon Brinkman ) Lexington, KY – The first half of the field in the 2010 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Bridgestone took to the dressage ring today under the looming threat of rain. It never really materialized but it was a sharp reminder that the glorious weather of the past weeks is coming to a close. Rolex and a little bit of rain has become a tradition. Of the first group, Olympic veteran and three-time winner, Karen O’Connor was the best of the...

So here it is, my 13th time at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. Who would have thought that when I went to my first Rolex in 1997 that I would end up only missing one between then and now (the 2009 event). My Rolex experiences started out as a day-trip jaunt from Western Kentucky University where I was attending school. It was my first year of college and an equine photographer that my friend, Laura, and I had met told us about the event. Since I was studying photojournalism at the time, I...

As a member of the press, I especially enjoy press conferences. Of course, prior to these events I try to think of things that I’d like to ask or have explained in more detail than what is on the surface. Today, the World Equestrian Games Foundation held a press conference during a lunch break of the first day of dressage at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event to bring the press up-to-date on preparations for the big event. One thing I especially enjoy about press conferences is the...

Tracey Winter and Martailo Win Draper Equine Therapy Sponsored Grand Prix Special at Gold Coast Grand Finale I Tracey Winter, who owns Tranquility Dressage in Wellington, FL, turned in another consistent ride at the Gold Coast Dressage Association’s Grand Finale I show, winning the Grand Prix Special on her long-time partner Martailo. Draper Equine Therapy, makers of therapeutic horse and rider products featuring the innovative “smart fiber” textile Celliant™/Holofiber®, sponsored Winter’s...

The first West Coast Spalding Labs/United States Eventing Association (USEA) Young Event Horse (YEH) Competition of the year was held last Thursday at the Twin Rivers Spring Three-Day Event and Horse Trials in Paso Robles, CA. Although there were only two entries in the four-year-old division, the competition was neck-and-neck throughout the day with Pam Fisher riding her own Oldenburg/Thoroughbred gelding, Rigby, finishing only 0.4 points ahead of the Rheinland Pfalz-Saar mare, Bobbi Brown,...

Last Spring Bob Bell, President of Classic Company, debuted the first Boutique Horse Show at the historical Harmon Field in Tryon, NC, to rave reviews and numerous requests to repeat the event. He’s happily obliging on May 28-30. Bell created a new “definition” for this event that has not only become catchy among exhibitors, but with local residents as well. Boutique (boo teek) Horse Show -noun- A horse show that is fashionable and unique. Always held at wonderful venues with excellent...

San Juan Capistrano - April 19, 2010 - Turnout for the third and final week of the Blenheim Spring horse show series was again fabulous. Spectators and exhibitors alike enjoyed watching both the $10,000 The Chronicle of the Horse /USHJA International Hunter Derby on Friday afternoon and the $35,000 Blenheim Spring Classic III Grand Prix late Saturday afternoon. The Derby festivities, including wine and cheese during the final round and a post-Derby party with guest DJ John Huntington of A&E’s...