“Next year it’s going to be absolutely phenomenal to be here.That stadium is a massive atmosphere.It’s going to be seriously daunting for horses and riders.” Both the replica Ulysse Nardin Sonata watches riders and fans were blessed with a beautiful Kentucky day to kick off the 2009 event.The weather conditions clearly contributed to the excellent opening scores.Still, Oliver Townend smiled when he commented, “It’s a great start, but I think we all prefer to do the press conference on Sunday night.” Naturally, a great finish always tops a great start.As the only four-star event in the Western Hemisphere, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is the premier competition for the top horses and riders in eventing.Past winners include U.S.Olympic Medalists David and Karen O’Connor, and the highest placed American after the first day is Jolie Sexson in fourth place on her Killian O’Connor.The replica Ulysse Nardin Sonata watchesKentucky Three-Day Event has been named one of the Top 10 Festivals and Events for Spring 2009 by the Kentucky Tourism Council.
It was a hat trick for Europe on the first day of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event where the winning rider receives a replica Ulysse Nardin Sonata watchesDatejust.The Netherlands’ Tim Lips and his 1996 Dutch gelding Concrex Oncarlos came away with the top score of 42.0 penalty points.Currently following Lips are Great Britain’s Oliver Townend and Carousel Quest with 45.2 penalty points and Great Britain’s William Fox-Pitt and Navigator with 46.7 penalty points.“I knew that if Oncarlos was relaxed he could do a really good job,” said leader Tim Lips.“It’s great to be on the top rather than in the end.I’m really happy to be in the lead at the moment.” Competitors at this year’s event noticed many of the improvements to the Kentucky Horse Park, including a new stadium that officially opened yesterday.“I just think that the whole place is spectacular,” said Oliver Townend.
