Rolex International
3DE
Kentucky
Photos courtesy of Jenelle Christopher
Facing Page: Andrew Nicholson (NZL) and
Quimbo, winners of Rolex Kentucky 3DE 2013.
More photos on Kentucky 3DE will be included
Australia has a very successful history
at the Rolex Kentucky 3DE with wins by
Aussies Andrew Hoy in 2006, Clayton
Fredericks in 2007, Phillip Dutton
(unfortunately riding for the USA) in
2008, and Lucinda Fredericks in 2009,
but the next three years went to Great
Britain, with William Fox Pitt in 2010
and 2012, and Mary King in 2011.
However, this year, New Zealand definately stole
the show, with Andrew Nicholson eventually taking
1st place on Quimbo and 3rd place on Calico Joe.
Great Britain's William Fox-Pitt on Chilli Morning
lead convincingly after the dressage, on 33.3
penalties, 4.7 penalties ahead of Andrew Nicholson
on Quimbo, then Andrew again in third on 40.8
penalties on Calico Joe. William's other horse,
Seacookie was comfortable in 10th place on 46.2.
Cross Country day re-sorted the placings, with
Chilli Morning retiring on course, moving Andrew
up to first and second placings and William's
second horse, Seacookie up to 4th behind Buck
Davidson (USA) on Ballynoe Castle.
The only Australian riding this year was Peter
Atkins on Henry Jota Hampton, coming home in
10th place.
Andrew and Calico Joe went into their jumping
round in second place with a rail in hand - 6.2
points ahead of William Fox-Pitt, after Buck added
8 penalties with two rails down. However, three rails
were on the ground at the end of Andrew and Calico
Joe's round, relinquishing them to third place.
Quimbo, had 8 points, two rails in hand, to hold
on to the winning spot, but he was competing at
his first 4* event. The big question was `could he
keep going'. The answer - Yes! He gave Andrew a
dream run, finishing with only three show jumping
time penalties added to his dressage score in an
otherwise copybook round.