Today will see the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby – the biggest thoroughbred flat track horse race in the world and, for many, the greatest event for the Sport of Kings. But, for American lovers of Equestrian events and Show Jumping, the Rolex 3 Day Event in Lexington is the biggest event of the year.
Sponsored by Rolex with partner Land Rover, the Rolex 3 Day is the highest rated equestrian event in the Western Hemisphere. Land Rover extended an invitation to witness the pageant up close at the Rolex Stadium and its connected cross country course.
In the Equestrian world, the Rolex 3 Day stands shoulder to shoulder with The Olympics as the sport’s top events. Many of the same riders who competed at London 2012 were on hand with their steeds to compete at the Rolex.
The event begins with Dressage, testing both training and control for horse and rider. The second day is the highlight of the event, sending the competitors across the expansive cross country course and over multiple jumps over hedges, through water and by riding challenges sponsored by Rolex, Land Rover and others.
The jumps along the cross country course are called Questions by the riders and fans because they’re challenges set before horse and rider. How the horse “answers” those challenges determines the ranking and value of the horse.
During the cross country day, most of the horses — the finest equestrian performers in the world — make their way through the course smoothly. However, occasionally, a horse will refuse to enter a water jump or (in the worse cases) throw its rider. In those cases, fans in attendance must pay attention and keep their heads.
The crowds at the Rolex line the cross country course with only simple rope fences to separate them from horse and rider. When a horse bucks its rider, it can keep running on or off the course. After all, that’s why the horse is there — to run. Without its partner to guide it, the horse can carry on through the crowds, searching for the route it’s meant to run.
In such a case, the crowd needs to stay alert and out of the way until uniformed race stewards on horseback bring the horse under safe control.
On the final day of competition, the show jumping shifts back to Rolex Stadium where riders and horses take on a compact course of challenges. At this point, those in contention for the Rolex championship need a perfectly clean round of jumps. If a horse nicks a barricade to the ground, it’s points off and a tumble down the standings.
On this day, 2012 Rolex champion William Fox-Pitt rode his very British name and the handsome Bay My Hero to the title. Fox-Pitt came away with $80,000 and, of course, a Rolex watch.
While you’re in an equine mood this Kentucky Derby Saturday, you can see more images from the 2014 Rolex 3 Day Event in the gallery below:
Rolex Three Day Equestrian Event, Sponsored by Land Rover
The Rolex Three Day Equistrian Event in Lexington brings the best show jumpers in the world together to celebrate horses and riding as the world readies for the Kentucky Derby.
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Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event
For show jumping fans, Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event is their Derby.
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Walking the Course
Horses can't ride the course before the event, but riders can walk the entire course, including water jumps.
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Race Stewards
Formally dressed race stewards are on hand to aid visitors with information and to chase down horses that might break free onto the course.
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Show Jumping Amidst the Crowd
At the Rolex Three Day Event, horses run the course amidst crowds and vehicles.
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Answering the Question
Jumps on the course are called "Questions" because they're challenges the horse must answer.
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Water Questions
Some horses take to water easily, while other steeds can throw their riders or refuse to enter the water.
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Jumping a Fish
Many of the Questions on the jumping course are themed or sponsored.
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Double Jump
Some of the most challenging Questions on the course involve immediate double jumps.
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Land Rover Jump
As a sponsor, Land Rover's jump is special, requiring the rider to watch their head mid-jump.
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Runaway Horse
A horse can throw its rider mid-course before taking off through the crowd. Fans have to pay attention and keep their heads until the horse is corralled.
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Tailgate Party
Tailgaters at the Rolex Three Day Even go all out, as they did in this Land Rover.
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Rolex Three Day Edible
If you make all of your jumps, you get a cookie.
