All 63 horse-and-rider pairs who presented this afternoon at the Land Rover Kentucky CCI5*-L first horse inspection were accepted by the ground jury of Peter Gray, Christina Klingspor and Robert Stevenson.
Morning snow that melted with the afternoon sunshine gave way to chilly temperatures, and there were plenty of fit, fresh horses flying like kites.
COVID-19 precautions meant no general spectators were allowed, making for an unusually quiet Wednesday afternoon spectacle. Face masks hid competitors’ smiles, but announcer Brian O’Connor made sure those who were allowed to watch in person cheered them on.
Dressage begins tomorrow morning at 7:30 a.m. with a CCI4*-S test ride, followed by CCI4*-S dressage at 7:59 until 11:10. Five-star dressage begins at 12:15 and goes until 5:30 p.m.
Jennie Brannigan presented FE Lifestyle. She also has Stella Artois in the five-star. Lindsay Berreth PhotoJonelle Price’s Grappa Nera was first down the jog lane. Price has two other mounts, Classic Moet and Grovine De Reve, to keep her busy this weekend. Lindsay Berreth PhotoReigning Kentucky champion Oliver Townend presented Ballaghmor Class (pictured) and his 2019 winner Cooley Master Class. Lindsay Berreth PhotoJonelle Price’s Grappa Nera sported a stylish cooler. Kimberly Loushin PhotoHarry Meade came from Great Britain with Superstition. Lindsay Berreth PhotoGermany’s Anna Siemer presented FRH Butt’s Avondale.Tight Lines gave Will Coleman a few airs above grounds. Lindsay Berreth PhotoKevin McNab’s Scuderia 1918 Don Quidam. Kimberly Loushin PhotoWill Coleman’s Dondante. Lindsay Berreth PhotoBoyd Martin presented Long Island T (pictured), Tsetserleg TSF and On Cue. Lindsay Berreth PhotoThe ground jury deliberated. Lindsay Berreth PhotoBuck Davidon’s Erroll Gobey was full of vigor in his first trip down the CCI5*-L jog lane. Lindsay Berreth PhotoGrooms are the heroes of the horse inspection. Kimberly Loushin PhotoPhillip Dutton presented five-star first timer Fernhill Singapore. Lindsay Berreth PhotoDoug Payne’s veteran Vandiver knows which way the cross-country course is. Lindsay Berreth PhotoLiz Halliday-Sharp’s Deniro Z, notorious for his jog day excitement, kept his cool today. Lindsay Berreth PhotoBut Lauren Nicholson’s Paramount Importance decided to be a kite. Lindsay Berreth PhotoCalifornian Emilee Libby presented Jakobi. Lindsay Berreth PhotoFirst timers Zoe Crawford and K.E.C. Zara look eager for cross-country day. Lindsay Berreth PhotoHarbour Pilot’s stunning dapples shined with Hannah Sue Burnett. Lindsay Berreth PhotoLeslie Law and Voltaire de Tre’. Lindsay Berreth PhotoDom Schramm’s Bolytair B. Lindsay Berreth PhotoTamie Smith’s Mai Baum looked ready for his first CCI5*-L. Lindsay Berreth Photo
The Chronicle of the Horse will be on-site all week for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event bringing you reports from each round of competition, beautiful photos and stories from the competitors. Follow along with all of our coverage here, and be sure to read our May 17 Kentucky Results issue for more in-depth coverage and analysis of the event.