Saturday, April 30, 2011

Rolex 2011: Cross Country Day!

We schlepped 900 miles yesterday, leaving Rhode Island at 5:30am and making it to Lexington, KY at 7:45. We got here before the sun even set! Not a bad trip!

We woke up before the alarm went off because we were SO excited! We may be a quadruple of hunt seat riders but I am pretty sure after today we will be dreaming of XC courses only.

The weather forecast called for sunny skies, temps in the mid-70's, and a slight breeze. Mother Nature treated us well today and the weather was PERFECT.

And now, the photos!


Jessica Phoenix and Exponential


Martha McDowell on Gaelic Marriage


Lainey Ashker on Anthony Patch


Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master


Tiana Coudray on Ringwood Magister, who later was eliminated after a fall :(


Oliver Townend on ODT Sonas Rovatio


Clayton Fredericks with Be My Guest


Kristi Nunnink and R-Star, who had no idea they were heading toward a scary fall.


R-Star hangs a leg :(


R-Star flips over after hanging a leg over the corner jump.


R-Star and rider Kristi Nunnink land hard.




The vet rushed right out to the horse and the medics were called for Kristi.


R-Star appeared to be ok and was walked off the course. Kristi was provided with a plastic tarp for some privacy while she was evaluated by medics, and then she was transported off the course.


Hamish Cargill and Sandhills Tiger thundered by after being held on course for quite a while when Kristi fell.
(and I would just like to take this time to say that Hamish is CUTE and he is a great rider and he has a kick-@ss horse)


Allison Springer on Destination Known, who I believe were later eliminated.


James Alliston on Jumbo's Jake


Jessica Phoenix and Exponential


Jessica Phoenix and Exponential


Jessica Phoenix and Exponential


William Fox-Pitt and Neuf Des Coeurs, the last pair of the day

We are going mechanical bull riding tonight! I can't wait! I figure I have some pretty good real-life practice with Lucy so I may just have a chance to do well...wish us luck!

12 comments:

  1. That wreck looked insane. Hope everyone was ok.

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  2. wow..what great pictures you got! SO INTENSE! Balls of steel for xc! What a fall/flip-I hope they both ended up fine!

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  3. If you'd like to see a video of R-Star falling... Behind the bit has one posted! http://www.behindthebitblog.com/2011/04/one-fall-one-near-fall-two-frangible.html

    Great pictures!!! Looks like a lot of fun!!

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  4. Kristi, the gutsy equestrienne lying on the ground like a wreck. Apparently she is in pain.
    Next year, I hope she will be back in Lexington.

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  5. Incredible pictures as always.

    That must have been scary to see that wreck. Last I heard the horse and rider were both doing ok, although I think the rider broke her shoulder or something?

    I was able to catch some of the stadium jumping live on TV, it was pretty exciting!

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  6. OMG 900 MILES???? Crazy! I watched the WEG and drove only like 2 hours and thought that was forever, lol. NICE pics!

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  7. does anyone know if kristi was okay? the announcer said he'd give an update in her condition but never did..

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  8. Anon, I heard that she has a dislocated elbow but that was the worst of her injuries. She was released from the hospital later that day.

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  9. Great pics!!! Just thought I mention - the first picture is actually of Jessica Phoenix and your third and forth pics are of Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master not Lainey...Rebecca's Canadian - you can see the flag on her saddle pad:). She finished in the top 10 along with Jessica I believe.

    I must have been standing right beside you for Kristi's fall, it was so scary!

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  10. Sorry the third one may be Lainey but the forth shot is definitely Rebecca!

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  11. Thanks for the heads up Anon, I fixed the names. That's what I get for editing and putting the post together on no sleep ;)

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  12. No problem Kate. By the way I have a super awesome mare named Lucy too:)

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