It’s 5-star eventing time at the Kentucky Horse Park

by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 24, 2024 | On the rail | 0 comments

It’s not everyone’s idea of a spectator event, but if you’re an eventing fan, the initial horse inspection at the Defender Kentucky competition is a “must” part of the entire experience.

Spectators line up along the rail at the Kentucky Horse Park to watch their favorites jog, and the bonus is seeing what the riders are wearing. This time, Boyd Martin—who once flaunted an outrageous red, white and blue Uncle Sam suit for the trot-up—was uncharacteristically boring in a gray sweater.

There were the usual choices of blah sportcoats among some of the other men, but no one could even dream of coming close to Will Faudree. He jogged Mama’s Magic Way while wearing a cowboy hat and pink suit worthy of Barbie’s Ken. That woke everybody up.

My favorite, however, was Germany’s Calvin Bockmann, who looked very sharp in his army uniform while presenting The Phantom of the Opera (who was a chestnut, rather than black, as I expected with that name.)

The women generally try to make a statement with their clothing. The outfit I liked best was worn by Monica Spencer of New Zealand, a drapey belted light brown jacket that looked as good from the back as it did head-on, coupled with white pants and knee-high tasseled boots. The bay color scheme of her elegant horse, Artist, completed the picture.

Jennie Brannigan also looked sharp with Twilight’s Last Gleam and FE Lifestyle. She wore a trenchcoat of sorts over a white top and a short, snappy skirt with rows of brass buttons.

All eyes were on Mia Farley and Phelps. Her outfit was low-key, but she didn’t need to be fancy to get everyone’s attention. She and David O’Connor’s clever thoroughbred were a sensation at last fall’s Maryland 5-star, especially after it was learned that he had bought the horse for $1. (Though I’ve been told he never actually anted up the dollar bill he promised to owner Joanie Morris.)

Phelps should be a big-time contender along with world number one Oliver Townend of Britain and Cooley Rosalent. Oliver has been the champion at the Kentucky 5-star three times.

While the inspection was relatively uneventful, there was a general sharp intake of breath when Banzai du Loir, the mount of World Champion Yasmin Ingham, was sent to the holding box. He was passed by the ground jury upon his reappearance, so we’re looking forward to seeing the representative of Britain competing.

The other hold involved Doug Payne’s Quantum Leap, who also was accepted upon re-presentation.

Okay, so you’ve seen my choices for the best-dressed. Which do you think won the prize offered by Dubarry? Answer: None of the above. It went to Joe Meyer, one of the guys wearing a nice sportcoat; a muted plaid with a stylish pocket square..

As I do every year, I went over and talked to Danny Hulse from Dubarry, giving him my thoughts about the contest. He’s very good-natured about it. I objected when they made the award unisex (it used to be best-dressed man and best-dressed woman, but you can guess why that concept went south in this era.)

This time, I asked Danny why, with all these people in great outfits, someone wearing a very nice, but ordinary look won .I was told that the choice is made by a committee, members of whicch remains anonymous, I’m sure they wouldn’t want me dogging them asking why they picked as they did.

I was also told that there’s a long checklist of criteria they have to check off in making their decision. But then the real reason for the choice came out: the rider has to promise to be at the reception at Fasig Tipton where the prize is presented. And Joe was there to receive it.

I can understand why some riders aren’t able to put the reception on their schedule; they’re getting ready to do what they came here for. Competition in both the 4-star Short and the 5-star starts Thursday with dressage, which continues through Friday. The cross-country is Saturday and the event wraps in Lexington with stadium jumping on Sunday.