Fox-Pitt Aims For Third Win At Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event

William Fox-Pitt of Great Britain is in perfect position to win the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event for the third time. He rode Bay My Hero to a faultless cross-country round to take over the top spot (44.0) with only show jumping left to go.

Lauren Kieffer, of Middleburg, Va., rode Veronica faultlessly into second place (46.7), and Phillip Dutton, of West Grove, Pa., did the same with Mr. Medicott to edge into third place (49.5).

All three riders moved up one place when dressage leader Allison Springer, on Arthur, ran out at fence 21C, incurring 20 jumping penalties. “I just needed to kick, and I held. I didn't get there in three strides, and I had a run-out,” said Springer, who's now in 26th place.

Dutton had been tied for fourth place with two other riders, but they each finished with minor time faults. Michael Pollard incurred 2.0 time faults with Mensa G to drop to fifth place, and Jan Byyny had 3.2 time faults on Inmidair to drop to 11th place.

Fox-Pitt, 45, also rode Seacookie TSF to finish with 7.6 time faults, leaving him in 16th place.

“I was thrilled with both my horses, particularly Bay My Hero, because he was the less experienced of the two, and he'd never done a three-day with hills like this,” said Fox-Pitt. “He was especially surprised by the Head of Lake and all the people there. But he carried his tubby little body around the course inside the time.”

A total of 55 horses started on Derek di Grazia's cross-country course, and 20 finished without jumping faults or time faults. Another 10 horses finished with no jumping faults but with time faults ranging from 1.6 to 14.8, and 10 more finished with jumping faults and time faults. Ten horses were eliminated, and six retired on course.

Fox-Pitt answered criticism that, with exactly half the field completing the course without jumping faults, the course wasn't sufficiently demanding.

“I don't think any of us thought it was easy. There were still quite a few that didn't get around, and I think it's very important to strike a balance,” he said. “The ground was perfect, and the result shows the quality of the field. Hopefully it set them up to compete well at the World Equestrian Games in France late this summer.

Results after Cross Country

1 William Fox-Pitt/Bay My Hero (GBR) 44.0 + 0 = 44.0
2 Lauren Kieffer/Veronica (USA) 46.7 + 0 = 46.7
3 Phillip Dutton/Mr Medicott (USA) 49.5 + 0 = 49.5
4 Marilyn Little/RF Demeter (USA) 51.3 + 0 = 51.3
5 Michael Pollard/Mensa G (USA) 49.5 + 2 = 51.5
6 Buck Davidson/Ballynoe Castle RM (USA) 51.7 + 0 = 51.7
7 Sinead Halpin/Manoir de Carney (USA) 51.7 + 0 = 51.7
8 Andrew Nicholson/Avebury (NZL) 51.7 + 0 = 51.7
9 Phillip Dutton/Trading Aces (USA) 52.5 + 0 = 52.5
10 Marilyn Little/RF Smoke on the Water (USA) 52.5 + 0 = 52.5