Question: Rainy Rolex Year, please?

[pwynnnorman]

Can someone tell me what year it was that it rained so much, a lot of riders pulled out but -- as the legend goes -- Bruce Davidson "gave a riding lesson" taking Little Tricky around the course?

I want to buy the vid, but don't know the year. Thanks.

[canterlope]

2002

[shea'smom]

Damn, that was quite a ride!

[Jazzy Lady]

Ya, it was SUPER rainy in 2002. Only time I've ever been to Rolex.

[AppJumpr08]

Ugh the rain was just HORRIBLE!!

I remember having to make a run to BOB's tent to buy more humungous studs because we used up the ones we had (we had 6 running that year). Everything was soaked. Just soaked.

But Bruce and Tricky did rock it ;):D:yes:

[scubed]

Had just recently started dating the non-horsey, now DH. Took him to rolex so he could see what it was about. Decided he was a keeper when he stuck it out through the rain. He still talks about his first eventing experience including seeing Karen O'C hanging upside down in the water jump.

[NeverTime]

That was my only trip to Rolex, too. God it was wet. I used to have a picture of BD and Little Tricky jumping the creek oxer in the pouring rain as my screensaver ... you can see the fronts of his breeches are soaked through and there's nothing but a sea of umbrellas behind him. What a fabulous horse and rider.

[pony grandma]

Aaahhh Yes! The year of the frothy cappuccino chocolate mousse mud! :lol: Even funnier watching the ladies in nice shoes trying to navigate. Luv,luv,luv my mucker boots! I slopped right on thru without a care.

Great rides that year. God Bless them! We saw the best rider at the hanging table jump (was it a log? big flat sawn log?), can't remember who or the jump name to be more specific. The horse left out a stride and proved that horses can really fly! It was one large forward gallop stride. It was so awesome. I was with some 'first timers' that lagged at briskly walking the course, they had no idea of the urgency to get moving to see it all. Then when 'it happened' at this one fence I forgave them - we were, after all, at the right place at the right time! And, right then, they knew what Rolex was all about. It was worth it just to be there for that ahha moment with them.

NeverTime I'd love to see that picture!

[Thames Pirate]

I've seen the vids. Kim Severson won the event, but she went before it got bad. Bruce did in fact give a "riding lesson" because he went in the thick of it.

[Painted Wings]

I was there. Bruce was amazing. He earned a whole new level of respect from me. He stayed soft through the whole round and Little Tricky made it look like a hunter round.

[Tuckertoo]

Oh, geez...I remember that year. It was the first year I went to Rolex, I was 9, and I had broken my foot so was navigating the grounds on crutches. That was....fun. Wasn't that back when you could cross that little wooden bridge/plank on the other side of the head of the lake? My memory could be very wrong, but for some reason I think I almost fell off of that bridge thingy. I was over there when Karen fell. That was a VERY wet year.
People had to carry me up the hill when we were walking back to the parking. It was cool, though, because I got to ride in a golf cart with Holly Hepp's parents. :)

[ezmissg]

That was actually the last year I went to Rolex, after attending several years in a row. [Man, I still miss the shopping though!] Gracious, it was SOOOOO muddy! As the rain got worse, most of my group retreated to the member tent, but one friend and I stayed out on XC to see Bruce go. We were in absolute AWE!!!

[AppJumpr08]

Tricky is such a talented XC horse, I think that was one of the first times he was really truly challenged by a cross country course due to the conditions, and he LOVED it. He and Bruce were both confident in each other, knew their jobs, and just went out to have fun :yes::yes:

[canterlope]

I was Malcolm's Assistant Steward out on Steeplechase and I don't think I've ever been that cold and wet. I had a rain suit on, but it was too big and gapped in the back. Water went down my neck all of the way into my boots. By the time I got back to the hotel in the evening, I actually poured about a pint of water out of each boot.

But sakes alive were the horses magnificant! They almost made me forget my wretched state.

[pwynnnorman]

Well, doncha just know it? I already have that video! Hmph. I didn't realize the year--thanks, saved me $$$. Can't remember watching it before, but I will now!

[Mariequi]

Well, y'all who were here only in 2002 come back in 2009. It's raining so much now, it wouldn't dare in April. In recent years seems like we have rain through the winter and a drought after that...

[adamsmom]

Well, y'all who were here only in 2002 come back in 2009. It's raining so much now, it wouldn't dare in April. In recent years seems like we have rain through the winter and a drought after that...

Marie!! You know better than to tempt the Rain Gods!
They'll make it pour all 5 days if you don't watch it!! :eek:

[Mariequi]

Dadgum and guldernit! I know beter than that! Okay, just come anyway and we'll suffer together if need be!