Fifteen of the 35 starters Nautilus Watches yesterday had neither time nor jumping faults, which is an unusually high number for a 4-star-rated event.“When I walked the course, it looked a little easier than it has in years past, but I wasn’t sure whether it was actually easier or I was on better jumpers than I had been,” chuckled Buck Davidson, 33, of Pennsylvania.His previous best finish in the event was fourth place, and he had hoped to win the overall event this year and receive the prize of a Rolex Datejust on his wrist.A capacity crowd of 15,000 watched the final segment of the competition in a new stadium built for next year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, which will be held at the park.Overall, the reaction to the new stadium, supported by the sponsorship of Rolex U.S.A., was nothing less than big thumbs up.If you have been confused (like most of us non-horse owning people) about the details of this premiere event in equestrian sporting, examine the description below that has been provided by the event sponsors at Rolex.After all, Melrose Jewelers does not just deliver the latest Rolex news; we also Nautilus Watches provide an education and a look into the amazing array of Rolex-sponsored events.Explanation of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day EventCourtesy of RolexDRESSAGE on the first day of the competition tests the gaits, suppleness and obedience of the horse through a series of prescribed movements.While judging the Dressage Test on the first day is based on specific criteria understood in detail only by experienced judges and riders, it is basically an evaluation of beauty of movement and obedience.Anyone can judge these characteristics and the spectator’s opinion often agrees with the judges.The number of competitors may require that Dressage be held over two days but it remains the first competition day.The CROSS-COUNTRY test on the second competition day proves the speed, stamina, courage, boldness and jumping ability of the horse and the rider’s knowledge of pace and use of the horse across country.Horses jumping over obstacles designed and constructed to represent what might be found on uncharted grounds, virtually flying over ditches, leaping up and down banks, dropping into and galloping through water prove examples of athletic prowess, and trust between man and animal, that can be seen in no other sporting event.While the rider walks the course beforehand, the horse does not see any of the course until it leaves the start box.JUMPING in an arena on the third day of competition provides the final test of the horse’s athletic ability, conditioning and training.The Jumping Test in a stadium arena on the third day is again simply a matter of jumping the obstacles cleanly.Its significance is that it comes the day following the test of cross-country jumping at speed and clearly illustrates the horse’s willingness to listen to its rider.It must now move at a more sedate pace and not touch the obstacles, which are not solid and will fall down.A single rail knocked down can make the difference between winning and finishing far down in the placings.
A fault-free stadium jumping performance by America’s Buck Davidson on My Boy Bobby could not earn him the $80,000 first prize and the Rolex Datejust at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Sunday, as the overnight leaders duplicated his achievement in the striking new stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park.The most prestigious equestrian title in North America went to Australia’s Lucinda Fredericks aboard Headley Britannia.The Australian Champion leaped into first place Saturday at the competition with a perfect cross-country trip and refused to give up her edge to become the first mare to win the event.Lucinda Fredericks, whose husband, Clayton, was the Rolex victor two years ago, logged 32.3 penalties to beat the winner of last week’Nautilus Watches dressage phase, Bettina Hoy of Germany on Ringwood Cockatoo.“It would have been a lot easier to nip down the road to Badminton,” said Fredericks.“It took a lot of effort, organization and understanding to get her here but I really look forward to coming back.” The Australian rider and the 16-year-old Thoroughbred cross mare she owns with her husband Clayton, motored around the cross country course yesterday, and completed the event as one of only three to finish on their dressage score of 32.3.They took home $80,000 for their effort and a spectacular Rolex Datejust luxury watch.In addition, Lucinda Fredericks was the first Australian woman to ever win the event, and Headley Brittania was the first mare to ever win as well.“She’s a little household name now,” said Fredericks about her beloved mare.“She’s taken everyone’s heart and performed so well.Right after I jumped the first cross pole, I turned around to Clayton and said, ‘she just feels great,” said champion Lucinda Fredericks.Bettina Hoy, whose Australian husband Andrew Hoy was the 2006 Rolex winner, dropped to second after accumulating time penalties on cross-country, and stayed in that spot.She finished on 38.4 penalties.American Buck Davidson finished with 40.2 in penalty points, and he had to be content Nautilus Watches with third place.Buck Davidson’s placing with My Boy Bobby earned him the Pinnacle Cup as the highest-placing U.S.rider.Still, in light of his spectacular final day performance, third place felt like a bitter pill to swallow for the American competitor.Taking the loss with a breath of good cheer, Buck Davidson said, “I’m proud of both my horses, they were fantastic.” Some, however, questioned whether the jumping route was tough enough.
