Sinead Halpin and Joe Meyer are the first riders to win awards at this year’s Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. And what was at stake? Only the accolade of best-dressed. Wednesday’s inspection is the officials’ opportunity to declare each horse sound for competition. What it has evolved into is the equestrian version of the ultimate red carpet. As the best-dressed female and male riders at the first horse inspection, Halpin and Meyer each earned a new pair of Dubarry boots at Wednesday evening’s welcome reception. Danny Hulse, from Dubarry of Ireland, presented the fashionable waterproof boots to them. Halpin, 34, of Long Valley, N.J., wore a cream-colored sundress highlighted by a matching sun hat and a contrasting waist sash and cream-colored shoes. Halpin is riding the striking chestnut gelding Manoir De Carneville. Meyer, 45, of Ocala, Fla., rides for New Zealand, and he wore a kilt of blue, green and black tartan with a matching blue sweater and gray-blue knee socks. He’ll be riding Clip Clop this weekend. No word on who makes the call and declares the winners, but bystanders did report seeing Horse Network’s Managing Editor John Wilkinson taking copious notes. As riders jogged next to their trotting horses he was overheard shouting “Who are you wearing?”
Sinead Halpin won DuBarry boots as the best-dressed woman at the first horse inspection at Rolex. (Ben Radvanyi photo)

Sinead Halpin won DuBarry boots as the best-dressed woman at the first horse inspection at Rolex. (Ben Radvanyi photo)