The Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event
Saturday
By: John B. Holbrook, II
April 25th, 2009

After breakfast on Saturday we raced back over to the Kentucky Horse Park to take in what turned out to be the most thrilling of the three day events - the Cross Country event.  Folks, I've been on a horse a time or two in my day, but I've never seen anyone do with a horse what these riders did - it made for quite a show as I hope these photographs convey.  It was also quite dangerous, and sadly a veteran horse collapsed and died on Saturday.  Fortunately the rider was later released from the hospital with no lasting injuries.  The Cross Country event was held outside the stadium and stretched  for several miles inside the Kentucky Horse Park - we definitely got our exercise in on Saturday: 

Here's a few shots from one of my favorite sections of the course.  There were about five obstacles over roughly 50 yards the horse and rider had to overcome without fault.  Here's the first jump in this section - love the signage:

The second one was doosey. It wasn't easy to photograph because you had to run over from the first jump to the second, fight the other photographers for a good spot, and compose your shot...in about five seconds.  Of course it was even harder for the horse...I hope these photographs convey just how big of a drop it is into the water:

Then it was a few gallops in the water to the next obstacle:

then over another jump to exit the water...

 And about two steps later there was one final obstacle to overcome before exiting this section of the cross country course:   

Here's a few more photos of several riders navigating this section of the course - in this first two photos, you can just how little room there is between 1st and 2nd jump -there's no opportunity at all to gain momentum and has to be perfectly timed:

Here's another section of the course which was really fun to watch.  It was also a bit more photographer friendly which doesn't hurt.  Again, it's a series of several jumps all in a row.  Here you can see the horse and rider approaching the first obstacle:

Over they go:

Immediately they have to jump down into a sand pit:

Then jump out on the other side:

And then over one final obstacle to complete a perfect run in this section:

As you can imagine, there were lots of faults and errors.  This rider started out well enough on the first jump:

But the horse stumbled coming out of the sand pit:

Karen and I took the opportunity to have lunch in the Rolex sponsors tent, then continued to wander the course in the afternoon, trying to get as many good shots as I could from as many parts of the course as we could walk:

After the afternoon session Karen and I went back to the hotel to freshen up before dinner. We had been invited to be a guest of Rolex at the famous Gainesway Farm - an American thoroughbred breeding facility started by John Gaines who also created the Breeders Cup.  After the valet took our car I grabbed some photos of this impressive and historical facility:

Here's the pavilion where dinner was held:

Karen and I dressed for the occasion:

The surrounding landscape was beautiful:

We ventured inside the pavilion to see what was inside:

 

For an event like this, my Daytona was required:

Even the place settings exuded Rolex class:

Karen had to physically restrain me once I saw these gift bags in the corner (filled with Rolex chocolates, event hats, and copies of the STILETTO Magazine Rolex special issue):

We were encouraged to wonder the grounds and explore the stables:

The horses that live here have it better than I do!

Outside the stables was this fountain which had memorial markers of some of the champion horses which came from Gainesway Farms, including a couple of Kentucky Derby winners:

After touring the stables we rejoined the party:

Allan Brill (President and CEO of Rolex USA) was in attendance and greeted us warmly, and remembered our time together when Karen and I visited Rolex USA headquarters in New York:

As you can imagine, there were several notable attendees at this dinner event.  I got to shake hands with Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear and his wife Jane.  Here's a photo of Karen with 2008 Olympic Silver medalist (Equestrian) Gina Miles:

Once everyone was inside, Allan Brill addressed the audience:

During his opening remarks, Brill did something which made me extremely proud to be a Rolex owner and enthusiast. We took a moment to honor the men and women in harms way defending this country and the world around us. A waving flag was projected onto the screen and we all rose as "My Country Tis of The" played on the sound system.  Brill noted that they always take a moment to honor the troops at any Rolex gathering.  I've been to many watch company sponsored events, but never before this Rolex event have I seen anyone honor the troops in this way.  I was extremely touched and proud. 

Both Jane Beshear and Governor Steve Beshear took the stage and spoke genuinely and passionately about the 29 year partnership with Rolex - the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event has done a great deal for the state of the Kentucky and Equestrian sports, giving international recognition to both:

Then Governor Beshear called up both Allan Brill and Peter Nicholson (head of PR for Rolex USA) and did something very special. The Governor bestowed the designation of "Kentucky Colonel" upon both Brill and Nicholson - an honorary title bestowed upon individuals by approval of the governor of Kentucky:

Trivia fact:  My father, my son, and yes, yours truly have all been named "Kentucky Colonels" by previous Kentucky Governors.  Here's a photo of my son as a baby with former Kentucky Governor Paul Patton, who bestowed the honorary designation upon him:  

 The close of the Rolex dinner party brought the end of a spectacular day and one which was a highlight for me as both a photo journalist in the watch industry and a Rolex enthusiast.  Tomorrow would bring the final event of the Rolex Kentucky Three Day competition - show jumping!