World number one Harry Meade withdrew one of his rides, Amanda Gould’s Grafennacht, before the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event final trot-up this morning (26 April).
“Grafennacht felt brilliant in the cross-country yesterday – she breezed around the course and finished full of running with her ears pricked. Unfortunately she pulled off a front shoe early on course, and despite pulling up well she’s a little footsore this morning so I made the decision not to present at the final horse inspection,” said British rider Harry.
Harry added: “It’s obviously disappointing to pull her out but the horse has to come first. Huge thanks to Jess [Errington, Harry’s head groom] and the team for all their hard work looking after both horses. Grafennacht’s very bright and perky this morning and I’m sorry for her that she won’t have a chance to jump today, but there’s always another day.”
Harry trotted up his own and Mandy Gray’s Superstition, who lies eighth, and they will progress to showjumping.
Jennie Brannigan’s ride FE Lifestyle, owned by Nina and Timothy Gardner, was sent to the holding box at the Kentucky Three-Day Event final trot-up, but passed on re-inspection. “Foxy” was trotted up by Phillip Dutton because Jennie suffered a bad ankle injury last autumn so it is very painful for her to run.
Experienced combination Jennie and FE Lifestyle are 12th going into showjumping.
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Twenty-three five-star pairs came before the ground jury – New Zealand’s Andrew Bennie, the USA’s Valerie Pride and Finland’s Seppo Laine – this morning. Four horses retired and one was eliminated on the cross-country yesterday.
Alexander Conrad was asked to trot Malibu Preacher – who let fly a series of bucks at the first trot-up – again on a looser rein and he was then passed.
Tim Price’s two rides, Vitalil and Global Quest, were trotted up by Brazilian Olympian Carlos Parro because Tim is carrying a shoulder injury after falling off a bicycle at an event in the Netherlands last weekend.
There as a moment of humour at the inspection when the home side’s Kentucky first-timer Braden Speck dropped his phone on the strip while presenting BSF Liam.
“Do we have a problem? Big problem – millennial drops his phone,” joked announcer Hugh Lochore, as veterinary delegate Debbie Williamson ran to retrieve it.
Kentucky Three-Day Event final trot-up: CCI4*-S
The horses in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S were trotted up this morning before those in the CCI5*.
Because the horses from Europe are always presented first in Kentucky to keep them separate from the North American horses, for biosecurity reasons, Britain’s two “Rising Lions”, Isabelle Cook with Cymoon “F” Z and Elizabeth Barratt with Ride for Thais Chaman Dumontceau, were first forward. Both passed without issues.
Alexandra Knowles withdrew her ride P.S. I Love You, 12th overnight, after he was sent to the holding box.
Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.
