With three Northwest riders competing at this year's Rolex Kentucky Three Day *** Event, it was a once in lifetime opportunity to make the trek to North America's only four-star event. We were well represented by veteran Amy Tryon and first-time Rolex competitors Anna Collier and Lindsey Pozarycki. Knowing several of the competitors personally made the trip that much more exciting.
The Northwest contingency grew daily as friends and family cashed in airline miles or bit the bullet on airfare. Flying into Lexington, Kentucky I knew I'd arrived in horse heaven. The farms are surely among the most beautiful in the world. Barns I'd happily live in; pastures I'd gladly gallop through. Thoroughbreds grazed everywhere.
Kentucky's economy has deep roots in horses, and they're proud to let you know it. Those with an eye for art will love the galleries and sculptures. We stopped at an outdoor sculpture garden Thoroughbred Park to photograph the leaders in a pack of life-size race horses. Details were complete down to track bandages and laces on the jockeys' boots. Two mares and foals grazed on a hillside above the runners. The sculptor captured their expressions so completely, you knew which mare was warning her foal; which knew the youngsters weren't up to any real mischief. Coming from a land where sport horse enthusiasts are a rare breed, it was wonderful to breathe in the air of an environment that said "Welcome," and meant it.
Eventing is an endurance sport for the spectator as well as the competitor. Comfortable walking shoes are a MUST. We hiked from parking to the dressage arena and took our place among the spectators. As you know, dressage isn't the highlight of eventing. Most horses and riders see it as a necessary evilsomething to get through so you can get on to the fun stuff (the jumps!). With horses fit and tuned enough to jump the moon, it's no surprise to see jogging at the walk, sidling sideways at the halt, and hopping into cantereven among the top riders in the world. It's a tribute to the versatility of horse and rider to be able to transition from one phase to the other.
By the end of the dressage phase, Polly Stockton (Great Britain) sat in first place; William Fox-Pitt (another Brit) sat in second; and the Northwest's own Amy Tryon held third. With the dressage phase finished, the riders were eager to discuss the upcoming daythe one we'd all come for: cross-country.
The riders acknowledged that the nearly four-mile course deserved Respect. The combinations were the fences they'd be walking the most. Pippa's long-strided 17.1 hand horse, Primmore's Pride, took time to pull together; Amy's short-strided horse had the opposite problem. William Fox-Pitt had his eye on the corner on the mound, a combination fence just four jumps from the finish. "The horse is likely to be tired," he said.
Cross-country day started cool and fresh, following light rain overnight. Riders like Bruce Davidson, Sr. called conditions, "Perfect. The temperatures and ground conditions were the best" he'd ever experienced. Spectators appreciated the sun that came out later in the day.
We walked miles to the cross-country course, where we had a glimpse of the Roads and Tracks and Steeplechase phases of the event. This is an endurance bit they throw in, just to make sure the horses and humans are made of the toughest possible stuff. Again, when I hear about "X-treme" sports, I have to laugh . . . these people need to try eventing! Following this little warm-up, the horses are inspected for condition and fitness and condition. Then, it's off to cross-country.
Watching riders like Karen O'Connor, Phillip Dutton, and the Davidson's approach the start box, was a thrill in itself . . . a hushed moment where the rider is utterly focused on the ride ahead. While spectators might dare a thumbs up or an encouraging nod, the riders' spell of absolute concentration is not to be broken. The tension in the air, the determination on the rider's faces, the anticipation of the horse (who knows what lies ahead); and the thrill of the countdown (30 seconds, 10 seconds, 10, 9, 8, 7 . . . go!) As horse and rider gallop off the crowd bursts with pent-up excitement, cheering with heartfelt support. This, alone, was worth the price of admission.
After watching riders take their first several fences, which in eventing terms are always called "encouraging" but in real-life are daunting, I'd jog to the crest of a hill where I had views of several jumps at once. Then I'd return to William Fox-Pitt's dreaded mound on the hill, just four fences from the finish. This was a fun little number with a jump downhill before it, a sharp turn, then a combination on top of the mound. Many riders opted for the longer, safer route but our own Anna Collier cleanly took the straight route all the way through, her own Leopold looking fit and fine. Lindsey Pozarycki was thrilled with Holy Gallant, her "amazing little horse" who also went clean.
The thunder of hooves put television coverage to shame. There's simply nothing like the thrill of a horse galloping by, within inches; the anticipation of a big, solid fence; howls of appreciation following; and the gallop toward the next fence. A rider's yell of encouragement (or warning) to his horse. A growl. A smile. A handy effort by a horse to correct a last-minute error. All are moments worth livingas opposed to viewing at home.
The downside of live cross-countryespecially on a course this bigis that you have to make tough choices. I spent an hour or so by several jumpsthe water complex being especially popularfor a feel of how each one rode, the variety of the course, and the sheer pleasure of being surrounded by horse people in their element.
Where there are horse people, dogs will follow. From the mandatory Jack Russells and Corgie's to mixes of every shape and size. I saw one grey-muzzled lab whose owner proudly told me, "It's his eighth Rolex." The poor fellow obviously was ready to retire from eventing and take up something less strenuous. He wasn't the only oneI can't tell you how many miles I walked. And to think that the riders walk the entire course a minimum of three to five times.
By day's end, British riders held the top three spots. Pippa Funnell maintained her lead going clean with the jumps. William Fox-Pitt remained on Pippa's heels, in second place aboard Moon Man. Polly Stockton moved into third aboard her own horse, Tangleman. She looked thrilled and surprised to find herself among the top three at this most prestigious event. Northwest rider Anna Collier moved up in the standings with a clean ride and time faults as did Linsay Pozarycki. Unfortunately, Amy Tryon had two refusals on course, which dropped her down in the standings. (Amy was riding with severe back pain, due to injuries incurred at the World Equestrian Gamesshe has since had surgery and plans to be back in competition this fall.)
The Brits clearly savored their top place standingsand who could blame them. Looking ahead to stadium jumping, Pippa noted, "My horse is a good jumper but I have to keep my head!" William Fox-Pitt noted that in Britain they, "Typically jump on grass. We're not used to jumping on dirt." Veteran Bruce Davidson, Sr., who stood in fourth place, remarked, "We haven't seen the course yet, but it should be demanding."
Stadium day began with the third in a series of horse inspections. This one was well-worth the trek for spectators. A chill was still in the air at 8:30 a.m., but the day was clear and bright. For those who like a little pomp and circumstance, the red geranium-lined lane was the place to be. Officials were decked out in navy blazers and khaki's; very elegant except for the baseball caps, a truly American touch.
The horses were immaculately groomed and it was a rare opportunity to see what the riders really looked like, since with helmets and jackets, they all tend to look alike. Horses were trotted up and down the lane in hand, with an eager crowd keeping a keen eye on the horses. Out of the field of 43 who were still in the running, only two were held for further inspection. Out of those, only Rodney Powell's Colour Coded II was spun.
With an hour or more to go until stadium began, we had no choice but to meander through the Vendor Area. Many a shop-aholic exceeded her budget in this danger zone of equestrian goods, myself included. We found our seats alongside the stadium arena, where it was a pleasure to rest weary feet. The rivalry between the Brits and the Americans continued, as I sat and sparred with a British journalist from The Horse and Hound. With the top three spots being held by the Brits, the competition grew more fierce as the day wore on.
True to Bruce Davidson's prediction, the course was demanding. It included 13 jumps, two of which were combinations. The bogie fence turned out to be number 7, a deceptively simple green-railed vertical coming just off a corner. Out of 41 riders, only Polly Stockton, Karen O'Connor, and Bruce (Buck) Davidson, Jr. went clear without time faults. The hush of the crowd was incredible as spectators avidly followed each horse and rider through the tortuous course. Moans followed rails.
Pippa Funnell, William Fox-Pitt, and Polly Stockton held on to the top three spots but did some place switching through stadium. William Fox-Pitt had four jumping faults, which dropped him from second to third place. Polly Stockton's double-clear round moved her up to tie with Pippa Funnell, whose clear round was marred by six time faults. The tie was broken by Pippa's closer to optimum cross-country timewhich made her the winner of this year's Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI****. I had to hand it to my friend from The Horse and Hound, the Brits earned their victory.
To finish an event of this caliber is a victory in itself, a true test of strength, stamina, and training. Hats off to Northwest competitors Amy Tryon, who finished 38th; Anna Collier, who finished 27th; and Lindsey Pozarycki, who finished 29th. These riders represent the Northwest and the nation in one of the toughest sports in the world.
In addition to memorabilia, I returned from Rolex with a new admiration for eventers and the sheer stamina it takes to excel at this level. Rather than arriving with running gear or a collection of tennis rackets, our nation's riders travel at great distance with horses whose conditioning and training take years to develop. It's a huge investment of time, money, and energy.
Since the general population has little understanding or appreciation for the skill and effort that's involved, it's up to equestrians to support these riders. If you have the means to provide support at any level, please support Northwest riders Amy Tryon, Anna Collier, and Lindsey Pozarycki. Our local riders represent us; they inspire us; and they need our support.
Leaving Lexington, it was easy to spot Rolex riders and attendees. We were all wearing our Rolex-wear, the only clean clothing we had left. I transferred to another flight in Cincinnati, where more Rolex fans wandered about, killing time between flights. Yet others were apparent in Portland, where we all wore the dazed and dazzled look of people who had been to horse heaven and back again.