Michael Jung (GER) and FischerRocana FST have taken a commanding lead at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA). Because that’s just what Michael Jung does.
The reigning world #1 has three jumping fences in hand over Phillip Dutton (USA), who sits in second and third places on Fernhill Fugitive and Mighty Nice.
Jung’s awe-inspiring performance on Derek di Grazia’s demanding cross country was, well, awe-inspiring.
Michael Jung is AMAZING. Full stop. 2 secs over the time on cross country! His overnight lead is in the bag. #RK3DE pic.twitter.com/5re1f1EyZ9
— Horse Network (@HorseNetwrk) April 30, 2016
Only two seconds over the optimum time of 11 minutes 15 seconds, he posted the fastest time of the day.
“When I say ‘Come on, we can do this’, she trusts me completely. She’s an absolutely great mare,” said a visibly thrilled Jung. “When you finish a four-star course with a horse that has trusted you like that, it’s a great feeling.”
Michael Jung's dreams be like…#Roliesinthesky #rk3de pic.twitter.com/hcUlASgGOL
— Horse Network (@HorseNetwrk) April 30, 2016
Jung aside, the leaderboard changed considerably.
Dutton, who was first out on course this morning, now has three horses inside the top 10. Maya Black (USA) and pony-like Doesn’t Play Fair have risen from 12th to fourth with one of the fastest rounds of the day. Boyd Martin (USA) is fifth on Shamwari 4 and 10th on the American Thoroughbred Blackfoot Mystery while Lauren Keiffer (USA) sits in sixth and seventh on Veronica, her 2014 runner-up, and home-bred grey gelding Landmark’s Monte Carlo. Buck Davidson (USA) and the home bred Petite Flower is in eighth place.
Boyd Martin summed up a challenging, but exciting day: “This is the pinnacle of the sport and it’s not meant to be easy—but I wouldn’t want to do it every weekend!”
Tune into the Jumping action tomorrow on FEI TV and the USEF Network.