Lexington, Ky.—April 23
It was all bright blue skies and green grass for the first horse inspection at the Rolex Kentucky CCI****, but for a few riders who found their weekend ended today, the setting might have looked a bit darker.
Ellen Doughty’s Sir Oberon won’t contest dressage here at Rolex Kentucky after being held and then spun at the first jog.
“ ‘Obie’ got a heel grab at Red Hills six weeks ago and still isn’t quite right,” said Doughty, who’s also getting married this weekend at the Kentucky Horse Park, on her Facebook page. “He felt amazing in my two lessons with [David O’Connor, U.S. eventing chef d’equipe], but on the hard ground he was still not quite right. Devastated, but glad it is nothing major, and with a bit more time we’ll be back to 100 percent.”
Five horses in total were held—Canadian Kyle Carter’s ride Madison Park, Laine Ashker’s Anthony Patch, Katie Frei’s Houdini, James Alliston’s Parker and Doughty’s Sir Oberon.
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Ashker opted to withdraw “Al” from the holding box, citing the horse’s hoof abscess online, while the other three passed upon reinspection. Canada’s Jessica Phoenix didn’t present Exponential at this first inspection.
A few additional horses were sent to jog twice without being held, including Sinead Halpin’s Manoir de Carneville, who kicked up his heels both times down the lane. James Alliston’s Parker went down and back the strip three times in total, with the fit horse giving his rider a tough time each trip, including pushing him into the flowers.
Dressage begins tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. with Buck Davidson aboard Park Trader. Lynn Symansky will do the test ride with Donner at 9:30.
Make sure to check out the full gallery of jog photos to see which colors (hint: pink was one, and not just for the women) and styles were in vogue today.
