Source:  Rk3d.com News Release

Horses And Riders Ready To Start The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event,
Presented by Bridgestone

Riders from five nations presented  a total of 45 horses Wednesday morning at the first horse inspection for the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Bridgestone. The ground jury of Angela Tucker (Great Britain), Sue Baxter (Great Britain) and Wayne Quarles (USA) accepted for competition all the horses presented to them for inspection.
 
The starting field includes six horses from Great Britain, seven horses from Canada, two from New Zealand, two from Australia, and 28 horses from the United States.
 
Among the starting riders are six Olympic medalists, including Mark Todd of New Zealand,  the two-time Olympic gold medalist who retired from international competition after the 2000 Olympics but returned to competition in 2008. In 2010 he helped his country earn the team bronze medal at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games held here at the Kentucky Horse Park. 
 
The field also includes five former winners of the Rolex Kentucky CCI4*—William Fox-Pitt (2010), Phillip Dutton (2008), Clayton Fredericks (2007), Kim Severson (2003, 2004 and 2005) and Karen O’Connor (1999).
 
Event organizers and officials moved up the start of the horse inspection from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 a.m. in anticipation of possible heavy storms (and tornado watch) forecast for the afternoon. Prior to the inspection, all the competing horses were moved to the indoor Alltech Arena because of a tornado watch. That precaution was unnecessary, however, as the tornado never materialised.
 
This has been the wettest April in the history of Lexington, with 10.15 inches falling through last Sunday. At least an inch of rain is forecast for tonight, so cross-country course designer Derek di Grazia and his staff are making preparations now.
 
But the weather forecast for this weekend is for near-perfect weather, with sunshine and highs near 70 degrees expected for Friday and Saturday.
 
This year, the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup is making its debut alongside the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and it will feature the world’s best reiners, including the four members of the gold-medal team from last year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, all of whom are entered to compete.
 
The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is part of the HSBC FEI Classics™ Series and features the world’s best horses and riders vying for their share of $250,000 in prize money as well as a shot at the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing awarded to any rider who wins the Rolex Kentucky, Mitsubishi Motors Badminton and Land Rover Burghley four-star Events in succession. Todd won Badminton last weekend, making him the only rider who could win he prize this year.
 
Further information on the 2011 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Bridgestone, is available at the Rolex Kentucky website (www.rk3de.org). For the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup, visit www.KentuckyReining.com.