It’s always an exciting time of year as entries are announced for Badminton and Kentucky.
This year entries have been filed for a record 82 horses, exceeding the previous record of 73 that were entered in 2012 in anticipation of the London Olympic Games, for the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event to be held in Lexington from April 24th – 27th
World number one, Andrew Nicholson is back to defend his title on Quimbo (above) and he is also bringing his Burghley winner, Avebury. Andrew is joined by only one other rider from New Zealand – Mark Todd riding Oloa.
There are also two Australians entered – our own blogger Kate Chadderton on Collection Pass and Peter Atkins riding the famous Henry Jota Hampton (Henny). Peter and Henny are going to be busy as they are also accepted for Badminton
Will Peter Atkins and Henny be 'running' at Kentucky or Badminton?
The champion here in 2010 and 2014, world number two rider William Fox-Pitt will be bringing two of Catherine Witt’s horses from his stable – Bay My Hero and Seacookie, leaving four at home on the entry list for Badminton. Also from Britain young Team GBR Nations Cup Squad member Izzy Taylor will be bringing KBIS Starchaser, an 11 year old grey gelding that has been progressing nicely for Izzy
There are of course plenty of American riders aiming to keep the 4* win on home soil including one of our favourites – Sinead Halpin riding Manoir de Carneville and a rider who has been enjoying good success recently – Marilyn Little, riding both RF Demeter and RF Smoke on the Water.
Buck Davidson, who is currently ranked third in the world, providing Kentucky with the World Ranking trifecta and who placed fourth here last year on Ballynoe Castle RM, returns with this horse and two others, Mar de Amor and Petite Flower. Phillip Dutton has entered Mr Medicott and Mighty Nice while another past Australian rider, Boyd Martin has four horses entered but, following his recent accident, it remains to be seen if he will be able to ride. Boyd has had his broken tibia operated on and his surgeon says that he should be back to ‘nearly normal’ use of the leg in two to three weeks, however as we all know there is nothing ‘nearly normal’ about eventing, especially not at 4* level!
On his website Boyd says that “I’m taking it day by day and not ruling anything out, so it remains to be seen whether I’ll be fit to ride at Rolex”. Although it has been a very tough year for Boyd and his wife Silva, who also recently suffered head injuries from a fall, let’s not forget how Boyd bounced back with the amazing Neville Bardos at Burghley in 2011 after his barn fire so we will just have to wait and see what rabbit he pulls out of the hat this time!
Some of the riders will this year be competing for not only their share of $250,000 in prize money but also for national pride as, for the first time ever, the Rolex Kentucky will include a team challenge. The Dubarry of Ireland Nations Team Challenge is also a lucrative option, providing $20,000 in prize money, while helping national teams prepare for the team competition at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy. The winning nation will be the nation with the fewest penalties after adding together the final scores of the three highest placed individuals from that nation.
Libby Law will be hot footing it to Kentucky Park to bring our 4* members the best photographic coverage of this event from the 23rd April and then we head to the UK for Badminton from 7th – 11th May. Not a subscriber yet? Join before 20th April to get the best coverage and be in the draw to win our trip for two the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
