Lexington, USA – Michael Jung riding Fischerrocana FST kept both his cool and overnight lead to secure a back-to-back victory at the 2016 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. Jung led the competition from Day One after his near flawless Dressage test and fastest Cross-Country ride of the whole day.

Coming into the final Show Jumping phase and last to go into the packed Rolex Stadium, Jung had three fences in hand, but delivered another masterclass round with just one rail down to win the event and set him on course to challenge for the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing prize at the Badminton Horse Trials in the UK in just four days time.

With 54 starters for the final Show Jumping phase on day four of the competition, Lauren Kieffer (USA) delighted the 25,000 patriotic home fans, riding Veronica, to take second place behind Jung. Maya Black (USA) continued her amazing weekend in just her second Rolex Kentucky to take third place riding Doesn't Play Fair.
 
TOP FIVE  FINAL RESULTS 

1. Michael Jung (GER), Fischerrocana FST, 39.2
2. Lauren Kieffer (USA), Veronica, 52.5
3. Maya Black (USA), Doesn't Playfair, 53.9
4. Philip Dutton (USA), Mighty Nice, 57.8
5. Phillip Dutton (USA), Fernhill Cubalawn, 59.4

ROLEX GRAND SLAM OF EVENTING

Speaking after his victory, Jung said, "I am very proud of my horse, she has tried all weekend for me in the dressage, cross-country and now today in the show jumping.  I now travel to Badminton tomorrow and will meet my other horse there La Biothesque Sam. He is in really good form and so I am really looking forward to Badminton. [The Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing] is a hard challenge as you can see just one person has won it so far and so it is very special on a very high level. Badminton is a tough competition, it is a hard competition, but I will go there to try to win it!". 

"Veronica jumped so beautifully, I couldn't be happier as she really tried her heart out. It feels fantastic to come second, it has been a really good weekend for sure, I am thrilled", said a delighted Lauren Kieffer.

Third placed Maya Black said, "It's only my second Rolex, I never dreamed that I would be sitting next to these two great riders [Jung and Kieffer]. My horse can be a bit difficult but he was fabulous all weekend!".

Michael Jung travelled to the Kentucky Horse Park as the new Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing 'live contender' and as defending champion of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover.

Having won both the 2015 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials and the 2016 Rolex Kentucky, Jung is now just one competition away from the coveted USD$350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing prize. He now travels to the UK to compete in the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials in just four days time to try to win the Rolex Grand Slam.