World Numero Uno Michael Jung and his picture perfect mare FischerRocana enter Show Jumping Sunday with three rails in hand, thanks to Saturday’s nearly flawless gallop around the water-logged cross country track at Rolex Kentucky. As his opponents hoped to gain some ground on the German in the cross country phase, Jung and Rocana merely increased their lead with the day’s fastest time. Sometimes all you can do is tip your cap.
Here’s a few of the sights from a thrilling day on the course.
Allie Knowles let her OTTB Sound Prospect loose and he happily obliged with a brilliant, clear round. Knowles will be gunning for a top 10 finish on Sunday.
Full Rolex Kentucky Leaderboard
Mackenna Shea and Landioso atoned for last year’s XC elimination with a clear round.
Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp and HHS Cooley.
A photo posted by Horse Network (@horsenetwork) on Apr 30, 2016 at 1:53pm PDT
Tim Price and Bango made it look easy early on, but were eliminated after a refusal on the 2nd to last jump.
“It was a really great feeling. She was really concentrated from the start box, and I knew we could gallop today…In the cross-country, you need a fighting horse, and she’s a really fighting horse, because not everything on the cross-country is perfect. You have to know your horse, like I do with her, because we’ve been together for many years.” -Michael Jung
Texan Angela Grzywinski and her thoroughbred mare Novelle.
We feel ya, kid.
Boyd Martin enters Sunday with 2 horses in the top 10, including Shamwari 4 here.
Maya Black and her little mare that could Doesn’t Play Fair crashed the top 5 thanks to a nearly flawless round.
“You’re always a little bit nervous about the weather. We ran in the rain last year, and the footing held up well, so I thought we’d probably be OK. Still, I will take my hat off to these riders, because they produced some great rounds.” -Course designer Derek Di Grazia
Maya Black and Doesn’t Play Fair.
Rolex vets Tim Bourke and Luckaun Quality know their way around this turf.
Lauren Kieffer and her exceptional mare Veronica were as game as ever on Saturday and are on the cusp of another top 5 finish.
.@LaurenKieffer and Landmark’s Monte Carlo, gallant poetry. #rk3de pic.twitter.com/wIQF3HTIhw
— Horse Network (@HorseNetwrk) April 30, 2016
Kieffer and Landmark’s Monte Carlo, gallant poetry.
Kyle Carter and Madison Park were all clear on Saturday.
Colleen Rutledge and Escot 6 had their afternoon cut short with a refusal halfway through the round.
Katie Ruppel and her OTTB Houdini exit the Head of the Lake en route to the finish.
Despite having some breathing room, Michael Jung and FischerRocana put in the day’s best time and head to Sunday with a 12 point cushion.
Volunteers make this event go, and even ride a little sidesaddle.
Lillian Heard and Share Option were all business on Saturday.
