Rolex Kentucky

William Fox-Pitt’s strongest potential Olympic mount, Cool Mountain, will sit out of competition in 2012 as a result of an injury sustained at last year’s HSBC European Championships (Germany) according to The Telegraph.

I think William Fox-Pitt said it best in one of the press conferences last weekend: “Eventing is a mental game in both senses of the word.”  

Colleen Rutledge has a slightly different relationship with her four-star mount than most riders—he’s not just an important part of her life, he’s her sanity and stability.

Because Rutledge, 34, isn’t just a rider, teacher and trainer. She’s also a mother of three children, including a severely handicapped 6-year-old son who’s confined to a wheelchair and a 3-year-old daughter who’s had cancer since birth.

When Mary King jumped a double-clear show jumping round aboard Fernhill Urco, she won the Rolex Kentucky CCI****. But King still had one more chance to best her score. Kings Temptress, leading after cross-country, also jumped around flawlessly, giving her rider first and second for the first time in Rolex history.

Despite the pressure of having two horses in the top spots before show jumping, King said she felt relaxed heading into the day.

The 29 horses presented to the ground jury for the second horse inspection will all move on to show jumping today at the Rolex Kentucky CCI****. Hamish Cargill’s Sandhills Tiger was held, but passed after re-inspection. Michael Pollard did not present Wonderful Will.

Show jumping begins at 1:00 p.m. EST.

Between walking her courses, caring for her horse and actually riding a little, Sinead Halpin found the time to make a video of what it's really like behind-the-scenes at Rolex Kentucky. Enjoy!

Cross-Country Play-By-Play

April 30—Lexington, Ky.

Kings Temptress, ridden by Mary King, will head into show jumping at the Rolex Kentucky CCI**** without a rail in hand ahead of the second-placed horse. Fortunately for King, she’ll also be sitting on that one—she's currently first and second aboard Kings Temptress and Fernhill Urco, respectively.