From the time that Kim Severson presented her two-time Rolex Kentucky winner, Winsome Adante, at Wednesday’s horse inspection, she had a huge smile. And today, April 29, she showed why-because she knows exactly what her horse can do in the dressage ring at the Kentucky Horse Park, and the crowds filled the stands to see it. The pair led from start to finish here last year, and they’re off to a good start this year, with a score of 38.2, well ahead of Darren Chiacchia/Windfall and Leslie Law/Coup De Coeur, who stand tied for second on a score of 46.0.

But Severson, of Keene, Va., wasn’t 100 percent happy with her ride, which she thinks wasn’t as good as last year’s winning ride.