Lexington, Ky.—April 24
It was an eerie feeling heading out on the cross-country course at the Land Rover Kentucky CCI5*-L this morning. With no spectators allowed due to COVID-19 restrictions, the day was a bit subdued.
There were no lines to get into the Kentucky Horse Park, no fans lining the famous Head Of The Lake, and no thundering cheers following riders around as they tackled Derek di Grazia’s course.
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But even without tens of thousands of fans, the event still had that special feeling. While many didn’t make it through the finish flags and ended their weekend in disappointment, we saw some amazing rides and happy horses and riders.
Here are a few of our favorite moments.
Jonelle Price of New Zealand and Grovine de Reve are in a tie for sixth place. Lindsay Berreth Photo
Leaders Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class rode in the worst of the rain. Lindsay Berreth Photo
Sharon White gives Cooley On Show a pat. Kimberly Loushin Photo
Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous at the finish. Kimberly Loushin Photo
Tim Price gets Jonelle Price warmed up on Classic Moet. Kimberly Loushin Photo
Lauren Nicholson and Vermiculus rode into 11th place. Lindsay Berreth Photo
Marilyn Little and Clayton Fredericks watched the livestream while out walking the course. Lindsay Berreth Photo
New Zealand’s Tim Price and Bango jumped to ninth place. Lindsay Berreth Photo
Kurt Martin’s Delux Z was focused on his job. Lindsay Berreth Photo
The Normandy Bank was a little different this year and didn’t utilize the ditch side. Lindsay Berreth Photo
Classic Moet in the box. Kimberly Loushin Photo
Aubrey Davidson gives dad Buck Davidson a post cross-country analysis. Kimberly Loushin Photo
Delux Z and Kurt Martin pop over the Footbridge. Lindsay Berreth Photo
Sharon White and Cooley On Show rode the tricky line of fine 14ABC, the Goosebumps. Lindsay Berreth Photo
Rosie wasn’t impressed while working as an outrider horse. Lindsay Berreth Photo
Five-star first timers Fylicia Barr and her Craigslist horse Galloway Sunrise completed the course with no jumping penalties. Lindsay Berreth Photo
Dressage leaders Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous dropped to 32nd place with time penalties. Lindsay Berreth Photo
Doug Payne’s Quantum Leap finished his first five-star cross-country. Kimberly Loushin Photo
Tamie Smith’s Mai Baum cooled down at the finish with owner Alex Ahearn looking on. Kimberly Loushin Photo
Californian Emilee Libby and Jakobi completed the course with no jumping penalties. Lindsay Berreth Photo
There were plenty of black flag options for those who wanted to take an easier route. Lindsay Berreth Photo
Jonelle Price and Classic Moet. Lindsay Berreth Photo
Boyd Martin and On Cue are in second place. Lindsay Berreth Photo
Australia’s Kevin McNab and Scuderia 1918 Don Quidam, tied for sixth. Lindsay Berreth Photo
Sydney Elliott’s QC Diamantaire finished with a clear jumping round, in a tie for 16th. Lindsay Berreth Photo
Daniel Clasing rode MW Gangster’s Game around the horse’s first five-star with a solid round. Lindsay Berreth Photo
Dom Schramm’s Bolytair B was focused on the next fence. Lindsay Berreth Photo
Lisa Marie Fergusson enjoyed the ride on Honor Me over the new gates at fence 13. Lindsay Berreth Photo
German rider Anna Siemer and FRH Butt’s Avondale. Lindsay Berreth Photo
Phillip Dutton and Z, jumping to 13th place. Lindsay Berreth Photo
Will Faudree and Mama’s Magic Way, in 15th. Lindsay Berreth Photo
Tamie Smith and Mai Baum rode to 18th place. Lindsay Berreth Photo
Five-star first timers Ema Klugman and Bendigo had a clear jumping round. Lindsay Berreth Photo
Will Coleman and Tight Lines are in 10th place. Lindsay Berreth Photo
Oliver Townend and Cooley Master Class are in eighth place. Lindsay Berreth Photo
Buck Davidson and Jak My Style jumped into the first water at MARS Sustainability Bay. Lindsay Berreth Photo
Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Singapore. Lindsay Berreth Photo
Doug Payne and Vandiver, in 14th. Lindsay Berreth Photo
Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Quicksilver. Lindsay Berreth Photo
Five-star first timers Emily Hamel and Corvett blazed around the course to sit in 26th place. Lindsay Berreth Photo
Matt Flynn and Wizzerd. 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.
