Three riders in Lexington, KY to compete in the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Bridgestone, took time out from their preparations to visit patients at Kentucky Children’s Hospital.
“Rolex Kentucky” returns to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, April 26-29. Prior to the opening of competition, Bruce “Buck” Davidson, Jr., Clark Montgomery and Michael Pollard stopped by the hospital to visit with young patients.
“It was a very moving experience,” said Davidson, who, along with Pollard, won a team Gold Medal at last year’s Pan American Games while also adding the individual Bronze. “Seeing these children reminded all of us just how fortunate we are. It really was a privilege to be able to spend some time with them.”
In addition to bringing Davidson’s Pan Am Gold Medal for the children to wear, the riders also brought “Rolex Kentucky” posters and pins. They signed autographs, posed for pictures and took time to speak with the youngsters, asking if they ride, have pets or plan to come watch next year’s “Rolex Kentucky” event.
“The children all had great attitudes and very positive outlooks,” said Montgomery. “I hope they enjoyed our visit.”
The visit was organized jointly by the Professional Riders Organization (PRO) and Equestrian Events, Inc., organizer of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup which runs alongside “Rolex Kentucky.”
“The visit was very worthwhile,” said Pollard. “I hope it is something that we can do again next year.”
The 2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, the Western Hemisphere’s only Four Star Three-Day Event, features the 15th Rolex USEF Four Star Championship for the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation Pinnacle Cup. The Event is part of the HSBC FEI ClassicsTM and features the world’s best horses and riders vying for their share of $250,000 in prize money as well as a shot at the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing which is awarded to any rider who wins the Rolex Kentucky, Mitsubishi Motors Badminton and Land Rover Burghley Four Star Events in succession.
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This year’s Event also features selection trials to choose the U.S. Eventing team for the 2012 London Olympic Games assuring that the nation’s top horses and riders will be at their best as they compete for places on the team for this summer’s Olympics.
The Event draws 50-100,000 spectators and is seen by millions more on worldwide telecasts including a 60-minute live broadcast on NBC in the United States that will air on Sunday, April 29 from 2:00-3:00 pm EDT.
The Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup returns for its second year, April 27-28. The Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup is the only Three Star Reining competition currently scheduled in the U.S. in 2012 and offers $100,000 in prize money in the CRI3*, along with the popular $25,000 World Freestyle Championship.
In addition to the world-class competition, Rolex Kentucky also features world-class shopping at the Sponsor Village and Trade Fair. With more than 175 merchants selling everything from horse-related items to clothing, accessories, jewelry and art, this is always a favorite place for browsing and buying during the Event!
Additionally, the famed Country music group Exile will perform as part of a free two-hour concert on Saturday, April 28 from 3:30–5:30 pm. The show will be free to anyone holding a ticket to either the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event’s Cross-Country competition, 9:00 am – 3:30 pm, or the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup’s World Freestyle Championship, 5:30-7:30 pm.
Further information on the 2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Bridgestone, is available at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event website at www.rk3de.org and information on the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup is available at www.KentuckyReining.com.
