[Carolinadreamin']

Be thankful it's not Patek Philippe. "Hey, you going to Patek Philippe this year?"

Ooooo. A watch I love even more than a Rolex!

[JER]

Do we all agree that it's time for eventing to end its 'partnership' with the FEI?

[ACMEeventing]

Do we all agree that it's time for eventing to end it's 'partnership' with the FEI?

If only

[Blugal]

Do we all agree that it's time for eventing to end it's 'partnership' with the FEI?

That was my thought too.

[flyracing]

Good for Rolex Watch USA sticking with --damn, what do you call it if not Rolex?

"Kentucky 3 day event"

Rolex's statement makes is sound like they are saying "screw you too FEI, we'll sponsor other areas of equestrian." And since Rolex is the EVENT sponsor of Rolex, I don't see how FEI could ban that. Just like car companies have sponsored badminton and burley while Rolex was the FEI sponsor, it had nothing to so the FEI title sponsor.

Like Altech sponsoring the WEG even when Rolex was the FEI title sponsor. So what for Rolex, they got the short end if you ask me. They seemed pretty limited to FEI sponsored championships like the World Cup (and I bet they charged Rolex extra too.)

It sounds like this just means more money to go around if Rolex moves to other equine event sponsorships.

And I agree, when ever I can afford a nice watch, it will be a Rolex!

[wildlifer]

Do we all agree that it's time for eventing to end it's 'partnership' with the FEI?

Are my horses allowed to vote so we can get three votes on that one?

[retreadeventer]

Honestly we know nothing of the "long time partnership" with Rolex. It is possible they have not been supporting equestrian events with the kind of cash that modern and current sponsors have been. Rather than be sad for the loss of Rolex, I'd wait and find out what kind of money and deals were in contention. It's possible more money in a big way will help all horse sport going forward; perhaps the old sponsor was holding them back with reluctance on new initiatives, or something else. We don't really know. Just sayin'.

[gold2012]

I wont go into which is going to have more money for sponsorship, but I will say this. The FEI is really not working. I dont begin to understand the politics involved, but its not doing much to help our sport! Or the US.

[JP60]

Then there is this bit of news. I would love to know what kind of rules the FEI was putting in place to make it so hard to an international organizer to complete. The other curiosity would be where are they thinking of going since Las Vegas is not a lock... Granted it is not directly eventing related, but from the nose bleed seats it sure looks like FEI is continuing it process of consolidating power in the equestrian world. Not sure that is a good thing.

I realize this may be a troll thought, but when I read the Rolex news, I thought about the FEI rule just passed about where one can compete. Since "Rolex Kentucky" may soon not be on the FEI calendar, since the FEI is dictating more to National Organizations, at what point will USEF pull support for Rolex Kentucky and Rolex picks up its toys and goes home. This all seems so....seemy.

[ahbaumgardner]

Agreed.

yep...

[ahbaumgardner]

sounds like underwear.

Lonh- geen, with a soft slurred g.

[vineyridge]

Something does seem rather fishy. Guadalajara just hosted the Pan Am Games. So it's got to have reasonably decent facilities in place. Bet they just weren't able to come up with immediate cash demanded by the FEI. Or perhaps the FEI let the Pan Am Games go on in substandard facilities (footing?)

As to eventing in Lexington, Rolex Watch USA is not quite the same as Rolex Watch International. The Lexington event will continue to be an FEI 4*, not a national event, and at least it has a commitment from Rolex Watch USA for this year.

I certainly hope that Rolex corporate doesn't decide to pull all its funds from FEI recognized events (as opposed to FEI owned events) in the future.