April 13, 2016 
The paint is dry, the grass is mowed, the mood in turnt and the entry list is live for the 2016 Rolex Kentucky 3-Day Event.
Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Fugitive will kick off in the dressage ring on Thursday morning, while Allison Springer and Arthur will cap off the walk-trot action on Friday afternoon. Stacked in between is the usual mishmash of familiar faces and rookies, hopes and dreams, earth and sky.
Let’s break it on down…
90 combinations are slated to tackle North America’s lone 4-star event, including defending champions Michael Jung and FischerRocana. It’s the only horse Jung brought over this year, but even if he arrived horseless, he’d still probably find a way into the top 5 somehow.
Michael Jung and FischerRocana, King and Queen of Rolex Kentucky 2015. ©Horse Network
30 off-track or un-raced thoroughbreds have entered. The number of OTTBs at Rolex continues to increase from year to year with regulars like Anthony Patch, Houdini and Parker, to newcomers like Blackfoot Mystery, The Dark Mark and McLovin.
9 horses entered for Phloybuck Muttonson, or, 3 apiece for venerable Team Americans Buck Davidson, Phillip Dutton and Boyd Martin.
Dr. Dutton and Fernhill Fugitive.
0 horses listed by William Fox-Pitt, and while it’s certainly understandable WFP would lighten his international load just a few months removed from a significant head injury, it makes us sad to know this year’s RK3DE will be Fox-Pittless.
9 countries represented, including Mexico (Daniela Moguel/CECELIA), Brazil (Nilson Moreira da Silva/MUGGLE) and Mars (Michael Jung/FISCHERROCANA FST).
Jessica Phoenix (CAN) and Pavarotti are bringing their skill and PDA back to Kentucky.
3 cross-country helmet cams to look forward to (at least), thanks to dedicated hat cam users Doug Payne (pioneer), Laine Ashker and Elisa Wallace. Bless you all.
15 Rolex rookies who should find comfort in the fact that last year’s competition was won by a pair of first-timers in Michael Jung and FischerRocana…just go with it and good luck.
For the complete draw order, head on over to rk3de.org and plan accordingly. Stay tuned for more Rolex KY coverage and we’ll see you in Lex.
