2009 Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event - XC

Some of the most fit horses in the world and their riders competing in the cross country portion of the 2009 Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event, probably the most exciting phase of this international 'horse triathlon'. The top three were Headley Brittannia wth rider Lucinda Fredericks (Australia), Ringwood Cockatoo with Bettina Hoy (Germany), and My Boy Bobby with Bruce 'Buck' Davidson Jr (USA). Davidson was also competing against his father, who won the first Kentucky International Three Day Event in 1978.

This course was 6.27 Km (almost 4 miles) long, with 44 jumping efforts (depending on how you count) spread out over 30 obstacles, and an optimum time of 11 minutes. Designed by Mike Etherington-Smith.

This event was held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, showing off some of its splendid new facilities in preparation for the 2010 World Equestrian Games. On this day the weather was warm and sunny, with gusty winds making for unsteady camera work. I hope by 2010 they'll serve Mint Juleps at Rolex and the WEG.

My condolences to Mike Winter and the King Pin eventing team. King Pin collapsed and died at obstacle 10, from "a hemorrhage of the large vessels in the abdomen unrelated to any jumping effort or trauma, said Dr. Christiana Ober, the Canadian Eventing Team veterinarian. This is a very rare condition and the actual cause is unknown." Mike Winter was not seriously hurt.

More information about this sport can be found here:

http://useventing.com

http://rk3de.org

This video was shot with a Sanyo FH1 at 1080/60p, and down converted to 720/30p with Quicktime Pro.

Видео 2009 Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event - XC канала buzzterbrown