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Kentucky Three-Day Event

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Kentucky Three-Day Event
Sanctioning bodyInternational Federation for Equestrian Sports
LocationRolex Stadium, Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY, USA
HeldAnnually
Length4 days
SponsorsLand Rover
Inaugurated1978
Total purseUS$400,000
Websitewww.kentuckythreedayevent

The Kentucky Three-Day Event, currently the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event due to sponsorship, is an eventing competition held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. Land Rover Kentucky is a CCI5*-L eventing competition. Five stars is the highest level of competition in the sport, the same level of competition as Eventing at the Olympics and the World Equestrian Games. The event is sponsored by Land Rover. Prize money of $400,000 is distributed among the top placings with $110,000 as well as a Rolex watch awarded to the first place horse and rider. The winning rider also gets a 12-month lease of a Land Rover (2023 Defender Model)

Although the event's name continues to reflect its roots as a three-day competition, the Kentucky Three-Day Event currently takes place over four days (Thursday through Sunday). Due to large number of entries, both Thursday and Friday are devoted to the dressage test. Cross-country is on Saturday, and show jumping is on Sunday.

The Kentucky Three-Day Event is held the last weekend of April, the week before the Kentucky Derby. It is one of the three events in the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing.

History

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Rider and horse navigating an obstacle on the cross-country course

In 1974, Bruce Davidson and the United States Equestrian Team won individual and team gold at the World Championships held in Burghley, England. This gave the United States the right to hold the next World Championships four years later, in 1978. The Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky was due to open around the same time, and plans were made to hold the World Championships there.

Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI) was formed to as a non-profit organization to help plan the competition and raise public awareness. The first horse trials at the Kentucky Horse Park was held in 1976, to prepare. In 1977, the National Pony Club Rally and the North American Junior Three-Day Event Championships were also held there.

The 1978 event had more than 170,000 spectators and added more than $4 million to the local economy. The event was broadcast worldwide, as well as nationally on CBS. The success of the World Championships helped to convince the EEU to continue the event annually. Today, the event is broadcast worldwide in 18 languages.

Rider and horse negotiating a rather difficult jump

Although the event began as an advanced three-day, and later included open intermediate and preliminary competitions, today it only holds the highest level: the CCI****. Intermediate-level competition was held in 1979 and from 1985 to 1981. An Advanced-level CCI was held from 1980 to 1999 up to the *** level, with Advanced Horse Trials (non-CCI) also held from 1992 to 1996. The CCI**** was begun in 1998, and has been held annually since. Since 2000, the CCI**** is the only competition held during this time, and the preliminary, intermediate, and CCI*** levels are not offered.

Rider and horse during the Dressage test

The Kentucky Three-Day Event also hoped to continue the classic format, despite the other major events around the world switching to the short format. Originally, the plan was to alternate years, offering the short format in even-numbered years as preparation for the Olympic games or the World Championship, while running the classic format in odd-numbered years. However, in 2006 it was announced that, due to lack of funds and interest from upper level riders, the event would only offer the short format. Therefore, all competition run before 2005 (excluding the 2004 Modified division) was run "classic format," and from the 2006 event onward has been run in the "short format."

The CCI****

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The CCI**** competition was first suggested in 1994 by Denny Emerson, who believed the United States had enough competitors at this high level to warrant the development of a four-star. Previously, American riders trained in England when they were preparing for international competition, as the country had the only two annual CCI**** at that time: Badminton and Burghley. The USET began making plans in 1996, and held the country's first and the world's third annual four-star competition at the Kentucky Horse Park in 1998.

The CCI*****

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After the 2018 season, the FEI added an introductory level below CCI*, bumping all subsequent levels upward. While there was no change to the difficulty of the competition, the added level forced all former CCI**** competitions to re-classify as CCI*****.

Physicality of the sport

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This sport takes many different precautions concerning the horse's health. Two horses died of a heart attack on the course in April 2008.[1]

Self-efficacy is a way to assess themselves and the horse using a scientific method. Evaluating the health of the horse is important because the horse could easily get injured.[2]

A study was done to compare the heart rate between a trained and untrained horse. The results show that trained horses do not have more stress or pain in comparison with untrained horses. However, if evaluated 30 minutes before competition, the trained horse would show less stress. According to this experiment the training method, "Deep and Round", put more stress on the horse.[3]

Winners

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Year Rider Horse Notes
1978 Bruce Davidson (USA) Might Tango Eventing World Championships
1978 Team Canada Eventing World Championships
1979 Juliet Bishop (CAN) Taxi Modified Open Intermediate 3-Day
1980 Torrance Watkins (USA) Poltroon Modified Advanced 3-Day
1981 James C. Wofford (USA) Carawich Modified Advanced 3-Day

USET Selection Trials

1982 Kim Walnes (USA) The Gray Goose Advanced 3-Day (CCI)
1983 Bruce Davidson (USA) JJ Babu Advanced 3-Day (CCI)
1984 Bruce Davidson (USA) Dr. Peaches Advanced 3-Day (CCI)
1985 Derek di Grazia (USA) Sasquatch Advanced 3-Day (CCI)
1986 James C. Wofford (USA) The Optimist Advanced 3-Day (CCI)
1987 Kerry Millikin (USA) The Pirate Advanced 3-Day (CCI)
1988 Bruce Davidson (USA) Dr. Peaches Advanced 3-Day (CCI), Olympic Selection Trial
1989 Bruce Davidson (USA) Dr. Peaches Advanced 3-Day (CCI)
1990 David O'Connor (USA) Wilton Fair Advanced 3-Day (CCI**)
1991 Karen Lende (USA) Mr. Maxwell Advanced 3-Day (CCI***)
1992 Stuart Young-Black (CAN) Von Perrier Advanced 3-Day (CCI***)

Olympic Selection Trial

1993 Bruce Davidson (USA) Happy Talk Advanced 3-Day (CCI***)
1994 Julie Gomena (USA) Treaty Advanced 3-Day (CCI***)
1995 David O'Connor (USA) Custom Made Advanced 3-Day (CCI***)

Olympic Qualifying Competition

1996 Stephen Bradley (USA) Dr. Dolittle Advanced 3-Day (CCI***)

USET Selection Trial

1997 Karen O'Connor (USA) Worth the Trust Advanced 3-Day (CCI***)
1998 Nick Larkin (NZL) Red CCI****
1998 Tiffani Loudon (USA) Makabi CCI***
1999 Karen O'Connor (USA) Prince Panache CCI****
1999 Kimberly Vinoski (USA) Over the Limit CCI***
2000 Blyth Tait (NZL) Welton Envoy Began running as solely a CCI**** event
2001 David O'Connor (USA) Giltedge
2001 Kimberly Severson (USA) Winsome Adante
2003 Pippa Funnell (GBR) Primmore's Pride Won as the first leg of eventual Rolex Grand Slam win
2004 Kimberly Severson (USA) Winsome Adante
2004 Darren Chiacchia (USA) Windfall II Modified CCI**** Division
2005 Kimberly Severson (USA) Winsome Adante
2006 Andrew Hoy (AUS) Master Monarch Run without steeplechase
2007 Clayton Fredericks (AUS) Ben Along Time
2008 Phillip Dutton (USA) Connaught
2009 Lucinda Fredericks (AUS) Headley Britannia
2010 William Fox-Pitt (GBR) Cool Mountain
2011 Mary King (GBR) King's Temptress Also finished 2nd on Fernhill Urco
2012 William Fox-Pitt (GBR) Parklane Hawk
2013 Andrew Nicholson (NZL) Quimbo
2014 William Fox-Pitt (GBR) Bay My Hero
2015 Michael Jung (GER) fischerRocana FST
2016 Michael Jung (GER) fischerRocana FST Won as the second leg on the way to winning the Rolex Grand Slam
2017 Michael Jung (GER) fischerRocana FST First person to win 3x in a row on same horse
2018 Oliver Townend (GBR) Cooley Master Class
2019 Oliver Townend (GBR) Cooley Master Class First year of CCI5* classification
2020 Not Held Due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021 Oliver Townend (GBR) Ballaghmor Class
2022 Michael Jung (GER) fischerChipmunk FRH
2023 Tamie Smith (USA) Mai Baum becoming the first US winner of the event since 2008 and the first female winner since 2011.
2024 Oliver Townend (GBR) Cooley Rosalent

Casualties and incidents

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Riders

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  • 2010: Rider Oliver Townend (GBR) was airlifted to the hospital after he and his mount Ashdale Cruise Master experienced a serious fall at fence 20.[4] Townend cited his air bag vest for saving his life after the accident, Ashdale Cruise Master was euthanized less than a year later of neurological issues.[5]

Horses

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  • 1998: Boucane ridden by Yves Landry (CAN) died after rupturing an aorta and falling at jump 7C during the cross country portion of the event.[6]
  • 2002: Titlelist ridden by Mark Weissbecker (USA) died of a broken neck after falling and hitting his hind legs on the 10th fence of the cross-country event.[7]
  • 2007: Le Samaurai was euthanized after suffering a "proximal displacement of the proximal sesamoid bones" and thrombosis of the vessels of the lower limb. The horse became noticeably lame after suffering injuries during the cross-country event, yet his rider Amy Tyron (USA) encouraged her mount to complete the course.[8] The FEI later sanctioned Amy Tyron for two months for the incident.[9]
  • 2008: Frodo Baggins was euthanized after crashing into a jump on cross country after his rider Laine Asker (USA) misjudged the obstacle.[10]
  • 2008: The Quiet Man died after suffering a severe shoulder injury after falling with his rider Sarah Hansel (USA) on the cross country portion of the event.[10]
  • 2009: Kingpin ridden by Mike Winter (CAN) died while competing on the cross country course of a fatal hemorrhage.[11]
  • 2015: Dambala (ridden by Emily Cammock NZL) was euthanized after sustaining a suspensory injury while participating in the cross country phase of the CCI4* event. It was his first CCI4*.[12]
  • 2024: Quasi Cool fell at the last fence on the cross country course after his rider Philip Dutton (USA) improperly calculated the distance to the final obstacle.[13] The horse was down and attended to by veterinarians behind screens after the accident.[14]
  • 2024: Zach Brandt (USA) riding Direct Advance received a FEI yellow card for “Abuse of Horse—Riding an exhausted Horse” in accordance with eventing rule 526 after the cross-country portion of the event. Brandt was later eliminated by the ground jury.[15]
  • 2024: Susie Berry (IRL) riding Clever Trick received a warning for “Abuse of Horse—Minor case of blood on the Horse” in accordance with eventing rule 526.1.[15]

References

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  1. ^ Thomas, Katie. "Equestrians' Deaths Spread Unease in Sports Growing Ranks." New York Times. April 9, 2008.
  2. ^ Beauchamp, Mark R. "Self-efficacy and Other-Efficacy in Dyadic Performance: Riding as one in Equestrian Eventing." Journal of Sported and Exercise Psychology. June 2008.
  3. ^ van Breda, Eric. "A Nonnatural head-neck Position (Rollkur) during Training Results in Less Acute Stress in Elite, Trained, Dressage horses." Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science. 2006.
  4. ^ "Oliver Townend Transported To Hospital After Fall At Rolex Kentucky - The Chronicle of the Horse". Retrieved 2024-05-13.
  5. ^ Dyer, A. J. "Ashdale Cruise Master is put down - Eventing Nation - Three-Day Eventing News, Results, Videos, and Commentary". eventingnation.com. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
  6. ^ Release, Press (1998-05-01). "Official Statement On Horse's Rolex Event Death". The Horse. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
  7. ^ Equisearch (2002-04-28). "Rolex Kentucky: Cross Country". EquiSearch. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
  8. ^ Jurga, Fran (2007-04-29). "Rolex Relay: Amy Tryon's Le Samurai Injured at Last Obstacle on Cross-Country Course". Equus Magazine. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
  9. ^ "Decision of the FEI Tribunal Alleged Abuse Case No.: 2007/1" (PDF). FEI.org. 20 July 2007. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  10. ^ a b "Early Reports Show Rolex Accident Was an Error". Horse Illustrated Magazine. 2008-04-30. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
  11. ^ "Kingpin Suffers Fatal Hemorrhage At Rolex Kentucky - The Chronicle of the Horse". Retrieved 2024-05-13.
  12. ^ John. "Dambala Euthanized Due to Cross Country Injury at Rolex - Eventing Nation - Three-Day Eventing News, Results, Videos, and Commentary". eventingnation.com. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
  13. ^ "Opinion: Good Decisions, Bad Ones, And Ones That Didn't Happen At Kentucky - The Chronicle of the Horse". Retrieved 2024-05-13.
  14. ^ "Phillip Dutton gives update on horse who fell at final fence at Kentucky five-star". Horse & Hound. 2024-04-27. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
  15. ^ a b Loushin, Kimberly (May 2, 2024). "Two Riders Sanctioned At Defender Kentucky". The Chronicle of the Horse. Retrieved May 13, 2024.