Here are some impressions and observations of the 1999 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, as posted on the Rolex mailing list by some of the gang. The comments on this page mostly pertain to the actual event; for gossip about the activities and antics surrounding the event, check this page.

From Kendt Eklund:

I saw Phillip Dutton have *the most* graceful fall at the Lexington bank - his horse got flat and pokey on top, chested the jump off, and Phillip got bounced off the front on the way down. He rolled over and stood right up still hold the reins in one smooth motion. Great form - but kinda embarrasing after just having an article on taking downhill jumps in Practical Horseman!

I saw 3 horses/riders in a row crash at the *** water. The entry was a left turn to a suspended log, then a tight right off-camber turn to a suspended log into the water. Some riders seemed to have trouble making the turn, and some of the horses didn't seem to be happy about being able to see the water under the jump in. I don't think anyone got hurt, thank goodness.

There was a great jumper in the process of being seriously burned out :(. I don't have the info handy, but the horse ridden by the Guatemalan rider was apparently doing polo only a year ago. He had done just enough to qualify and looked seriously freaked by the experience - coming into the water the horse was trying to find something to focus on, then it was "kick,kick,kick" right before each jump. The horse had a *great* jump, but really didn't seem to know what was expected of him.

Lots of corner questions, with lots of run-outs, too.

Question: With the 3-star moving to Georgia next year, are there going to be enough riders to support the 4-star? There didn't seem to be a whole lot this time. Someone mentioned that without the 3-star the prize money for the 4-star will go up enough to attract more riders. Anyone have any good predictions?

From Hollyn Mangione

Saturday we proceeded to utilize the *** rides to trapse across the course and view nearly every jump. Interestingly, the *** rides seemed to go pretty well, with few problems. We were dismayed at the smaller number of **** riders as this meant that we had to position ourselves more carefully. I posted myself at the water jump at the end of the **** rides and got to see an interesting number of refusals. Michael Plumn had two there. It was not pretty. :-( By the time the **** riders went, I think that some may have been tired from earlier rides in the ***.

Sunday we settled in to watch the jumping. A HUGE number of the *** horses made it into the jumpoff. One of the highlights of the day was the Mexican rider who was last...he had a clear round in show jumping and treated us to a victory gallop. The crowd was howling and clapping. The rider whom I really wanted to watch from my home town area, won the ***, by a rail. There were some exciting moments for sure. We were treated to some really good rides and got to see some kick butt horses. There was a junior there competing at *** level on her father's polo pony. He was a super horse and obviously loved the job. A wonderful representative of eventing.

Highlights from Erica Brodsky with smartass rejoinders from Val Frazier.

E: Ralph Hill's rather spectacular ride over the "head of the lake".
V: Did he have his arm flung across his eyes and his mouth open, grimacing and screaming "No brakes, no brakes!" ;-) I looooooove watching Ralph go XC. He is a demon, just a demon.

E: *Seeing a person who I am pretty sure was Mark Todd ask directions in a gas station.
V: There's a -reason- you're supposed to walk the course three times, Mark!

E: *The Mexican guy's "victory" gallop at the *** stadium jumping.
V: Wasn't he the best? What a good sport. And the crowd appreciated it.

From Val Frazier

Back to the event, we were at the Hollow where Mike Plumb retired; they jumped in, took the direct line to jump out, and his horse charged up to the jump and sort of petered out with his chest against it. Looked like he was out of gas. Mike must have thought so because he didn't make any more effort, just walked away stoically.

We found it difficult to see much of the 4 star XC. The course was so long, and there were so few horses, that we only watched one or two horses per obstacle, then hurried to the next obstacle of interest to try to see as many horses as possible. But often said horses passed us in the galloping lanes. :-( Without the three star next year, I think it's gonna be a short day. Hopefully some of this year's three star horses will move up and swell the rank. But then again, I thought at least a couple of this year's 4 star horses did not belong there. FWIW.

From Katherine Malmquist

Friday I got to see some three and four star dressage. Even some four star horses had some iffy moves in dressage.

Saturday, many of the rides were very good (we saw almost every fence at one point or another) but some we thought were very bad. There was a surprising number of eliminations and retirements on course, both for the three and four star horses/riders. Buck Davidson took a bad spill on TransAmAFlirt and ended up riding the next day in stadium jumping with a dislocated left shoulder and broken rib. Now there is guts (and pain pills!).

Sunday was bright, clear and warm (second burn of the season!). There were over 60 horses (started at 10:30 and ended about 1:00). The three star course was simple but rails dropped (very shallow cups and many horses looked tired/sore). The first rider on course was a Mexican with a terrible two day score of 582 points but he made it clear! And he did an impromptu gallop around the ring with everyone giving him a standing ovation! Not many clear rounds but the winner of the three star is a nearby person from VA so that was nice.

Before the four star event they retired Molokai (Dorothy Crowels horse) which was very nice and sentimental. I loved the ceremony -- brought tears to my eyes. The two entered and did some flat work and then jumped over some of the four star fences. Then the two did a flat out gallop around the ring as if they were going cross country. The crowd just stood and cheered. Then there was the presentation of a cooler with all of their accomplishments listed on it. After they had walked out together the crowd chanted One Mo Time and the two came in for one last victory gallop. So nice.

The four star event had only 18 starters (the rest didn't make it through the previous two days or that day's jog). Quite an exciting event with Karen O'Connor taking top spot and Blyth Tait (New Zealand) just missing out for second. Everyone felt mixed emotions because it is nice an American won but if Tait had won he would have won the grand slam and a million dollars. Oh well.

From Charlene Saunders

One thing's for sure, I'm coming back. It was amazing. I hope they have a lot of riders next year when it's just the four star.

Was by the gate when Karen O'Connor finished her dressage test, she immediately got off, handed Prince Panache to his groom and started signing autographs, she must have been there for at least a half an hour which I thought was pretty nice.

The first jump we were at on Saturday was the Head of the Lake, I actually got choked up when I saw the first couple of horses go, they are so brave and have so much heart. I think next year I'm going to begin at the start box and work my way down.

Liked when the Mexican guy did a victory gallop after his clean stadium round and the retiring of molokai was emotional.

Was especially glad I got to see the final inspection on Sunday. To see the horses up close and to see what the riders really look like, in street clothes, was worth getting up early. There is nothing prettier, in my opinion, than a thoroughbred!

From Susan H. MacRae

He (Montana Native) fell at one of the big brush fences fairly early on (fence 10?). One of my group saw him over the first 7 or so, and said he was chipping in really badly, even at the first fence, just never got a rhythm. He lost his footing on the road betweent he 2 Jenny Lane jumps and dragged himself over the second. Jumped the wagon beautifully, jumped the bank beautifully, but just seemed to be overwhelmed by some of the fences. I was disappointed, too. I was at the Kentucky log pile waiting to get a great picture of him, and he never got that far. :(

Waited at the Sunken Road for a picture of The Moose (wanted to see that monster compress!) and he never got that far....

Waited at the Hollow to see Mark Todd and Stunning, and he never got that far...

Guess I need to spend more time on the front half of the course next year!

From Debra Bahr

Ok, so the Head of the Lake was closer than intriguing but there I was, video in hand, Rolex newbie, away from the kids. Naturally, the worm that I am, wiggled my way to the front of the thick crowd because (damn it!) I just got this handy dandy video camera. I was perched precariously on some rocks, contemplating how I would get around the course if I sprained my ankle when girl in purple's horse refuses!! Ok, that's normal WHam! Refuses again! Ok, let's see what she does now... Horse approaches first jump at HOL and gingerly places front hoofs and legs on log (to grease it up I presume)and belly slides over jump. Lands in water, rider is wet. Unique style, but over it. ...

Ok. Steady. Focus camera. Red horse coming. At second jump (in the water) I see for the first time what a horse looks like heels over head. Hind leg stretched to the sky, rider parts, horse disappears behind jump only to quickly jump up. Rider mounts, Whistle blows, rider moves over, Black horse approaches first jump into the water, lands IN the water.

Now, I have that all on video up close. But my heart can't take any more of this- thankfully, after several successful and rather uneventful though awesome rounds, we move on.

Is there a restriction against sending video to : America's Wettest Riders Show? Just my first impressions....

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