Apparently, it’s not enough just to have a 4-star three-day event. The Kentucky Three-Day (formerly Rolex Kentucky before its title sponsor stepped back) is adding a $225,000 invitational show jumping grand prix to its schedule in April.
After pairing the event with reining a few years back and then dropping it, EEI, which puts on the competition at the Kentucky Horse Park, has partnered with the Split Rock Jumping Tour in the new venture. The class, with a course laid out by 2016 Olympic course designer Guilherme Jorge, will be held in the Rolex Stadium after cross-country is completed on the Saturday of the event.
“For almost four decades, equestrian sports fans have traveled from all over to see eventing’s best riders and horses and now they will have a chance to see show jumping’s best at the same time. I think it’s safe to say that the ‘Best Weekend All Year’ just got even better,” said EEI President Stewart Perry.
I’ll be curious to see how many people are looking to watch an unrelated competition for a few more hours after getting up early to miss the traffic and then putting in a tiring day walking the cross-country course. Might they prefer to hit the trade fair or go out for a drink and supper? How many of those attending the event are grand prix show jumping fans. We’ll find out next year…
After the thrill of watching some of the world’s best eventers, like three-time Rolex Kentucky winner Michael Jung of Germany, will the crowds move on from cross-country to watch grand prix show jumping at the Kentucky Horse Park? (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)