Reddemeade at Rolex Kentucky
The Rolex Kentucky CCI**** is the only Four Star 3-day event in America and one of the three legs of the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. This year, Mary Grantham, Reddemeade's Director of Eventing, and her horse Ides of March endured a winter/spring preparation in Florida with Buck Davidson, to make it for their first time to Lexington and the Kentucky Horse Park.
Into the fray, past one of the (many) Rolex clocks.
Dressage
With a strong contingent of Reddemeade supporters on hand (clearly visible in their bright green Mary Grantham Support Team tee-shirts) Mary exemplified the qualities of horsemanship and sportsmanship that Reddemeade upholds.
Riding dressage on Friday, Mary and Clay were scheduled just after Royal Venture and Kim Severson and the reigning Olympic champions Leslie Law and Shear l'Eau. With competence and poise, Mary and Clay rode an outstanding test, within a point or better of riders such as Buck Davidson, Sarah Cousins and Bruce Davidson.
Ides of March and Mary Grantham on course in dressage.
Buck Davidson and Mary Grantham on public coursewalk
Coursewalk
On Friday afternoon at 3pm, Buck Davidson led a public coursewalk, with Mary Grantham and Laine Ashker. Buck explained the special challenges facing the horse and rider every step of the way, with Mary and Laine contributing the viewpoint of the first- and second-time Rolex competitor. Rolex is truely huge, and the technical questions make it absolutely clear that this is far more than your average Advanced 3-day event. Of the 78 starters, 7 withdrew before cross-country, 13 were eliminated or withdrew on cross country, and only 34 completed all phases.
Cross-Country Test
After a hectic night trying to resolve a soreness problem, and despite the efforts of farrier Steve Fulton, Mary decided that she had to withdraw Clay. With all the pressure of supporters, family and fans on hand, and the huge incentive to participate in one's first Rolex, Mary made the right decision to put the welfare of the horse first.
Buck Davidson on Private Treaty
So it was off to the the cross country course to follow the action, and see just how the difficult fences ride. Buck Davidson had pointed out several key issues and sure enough, there they were. But on the whole, it was a great day, with only a small threat of rain, but the clouds kept a warm day from becoming far too hot.
A small fraction of the Reddemeade support
team
with Mary and Clay in the barn area.