Lips Blows Away the Competition
Tim Lips of The Netherlands, aboard Concrex Oncarlos, took the lead this afternoon with an impressive score of 42.0. Lips and the 13-year-old bay Dutch Warmblood gelding (Faram—Dolca), owned by Lips and C. Frydal of The Netherlands, finished a good four points ahead of second place holders Oliver Townend of Great Britain and Carousel Quest, who posted a 45.2.
Lips, 23, has been working on his dressage all winter with world-renowned Grand Prix dressage rider Anky van Grunsven, also of The Netherlands, and takes lesson with her every week.
“I knew that if Concrex was relaxed then he could do a really good job. I’m really happy that [the relaxation] came out here, and hopefully also at the World Games,” said Lips. “It’s a long trip for us, and it’s great to be at the top. I’m really happy that I’m in the lead at the moment!”
Though he’s seen many nice equestrian facilities, such as the Olympic course in Hong Kong where he competed last year on The Netherlands team, Lips was impressed with the quality of the Kentucky Horse Park. “I arrived here on Thursday night and I saw the big stadium and the stables and the cross-country course. It’s my first time in America and it’s fantastic! We don’t have [parks like these] in Holland, but I’d prefer we did.
Carousel Gives Townend a Great Ride
Oliver Townend of Ellesmere, UK, and Carousel Quest, a Thoroughbred gelding (Carousel—Vickidora) owned by Andrew Cawthrey of Darley, North Yorkshire, posted a lovely test. “It’s a great start, but I think we all prefer to do press conferences on Sunday night, but I’m very pleased to be here.“
Townend admitted that he’s looking forward to the World Equestrian Games next year, which will also be held at the Kentucky Horse Park, and thinks the Rolex event this weekend is a nice preview. “I just think that the whole place is spectacular and it looks fantastic,” said Townend. “Again, next year it’s going to be absolutely phenomenal, I think, to get here. I don’t think there was a huge crowd in there when I did my dressage, but when we do get every seat full it’s going to be seriously daunting for horses and riders, and I think it’s going to be a real championship atmosphere, if not more.”
Fox-Pitt Impressed with New Developments
Early leaders from this morning, William Fox-Pitt of England and Navigator had to settle for a third place with their score of 46.7. “I think there are some very good horses coming tomorrow–I think the judges are saving the 9s and 10s for tomorrow. I’ll be very lucky, if I’m sitting here again tomorrow,” said Fox-Pitt.
“It’s hard to recognize [the Horse Park] in many ways since I was here two years ago,” said Fox-Pitt who competed in Kentucky in 2007. “The stadium and the main arena are just fantastic, and the atmosphere in there is just second to none. I think it gives everyone a lot to look forward to next year. The [WEG] team must be exhausted already, but I certainly think that from our point of view it’s worthwhile, so I hope everyone keeps up the good work.”
More Action Tomorrow
Seven of the 24 horses who competed today scored below 50.0. Jolie Sexson of Martinez, California is the highest placed American as she stands in fourth place with Killian O’Connor with a 47.3. Both Sexson and the 17.0 hand Irish Sport Horse/Selle Francais gelding, owned by Tracy Bowman, are competing in their first four-star.
Corinne Ashton and Dobbin had a lovely test with only a very minor canter bobble, which Corinne Ashton and Dobbin had a lovely test with only a very minor canter bobble, which left them in fifth with a 47.5, only two-tenths of a point behind Sexson and Killian.
Stephen Bradley and Brandenburg’s Joshua, who finished fourth last year, are tied with Canadian rider Selena O’Hanlon and Colombo. Both riders performed breathtaking tests and earned scores of 48.2.
The remaining 26 horses will perform their dressage tests n Friday, beginning at 10:00 a.m. and ending 4:22 p.m.
Several top horses and riders are still slated to compete tomorrow, including last year’s Rolex champions Phillip Dutton and Connaught. Two top Germans will be competing, Bettina Hoy and Ringwood Cockatoo, as well as Peter Thomsen and The Ghost of Hamish. Both French riders will be competing as well: Stanislas de Zuchowicz and Quirinal de la Bastide, as well as Nicolas Touzaint with Hidalgo de L’ile, who won the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton CCI4* last year.
Both Buck Davidson and his father Bruce Davidson will be competing their second mounts on Friday, after posting up respective scores of 59.7 with Ballynoecastle RM and 60.8 with Jam.
Jersey Fresh CCI3* winner Leyland will take to the ring for his four-star debut with Amy Tryon, and many other promising young horses and riders will be cantering down center line for their first time at this prestigious event.