Lexington, KY - April 26, 2000 - With their horses groomed to perfection, braided and gleaming, stylishly dressed competitors appeared on Stonelea Road, near the stable pavilion Wednesday afternoon, April 26, 2000 for the first horse inspection of the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event presented by Bayer®. This is a formal inspection to determine the soundness and general condition of the horse prior to beginning the competition.

Of all the equestrian disciplines, the presentation of horses before the official and veterinary panel during a Three Day Event, is the finest example of how this phase, an important process of international competition, is done. The paved surface was lined with flowers, and spectators assembled long before the first horse and rider were presented at 3PM. Each rider presents his or her horse, and in several cases, horses, by walking towards the committee, and standing the horse before them. They then walk for a few strides and jog briskly away, turning the horse at the walk to the right so that, while leading the horse on the left, the view is not blocked by the handler during the turn. After trotting the horse briskly towards the committee, the horse will either be "passed " by the committee, or "not passed", either because of unsoundness or lack of condition, and will not be allowed to begin competition. There is no appeal to the decision. However in some instances if the Committee is not completely sure, the horse will be put in an officially supervised holding area, during this process, for further inspection immediately after the last horse has been presented.

Such was the case with one of Bruce Davidson's mounts, Little Tricky, who looked a little sticky in the first and second jog and was put in holding area. The nine-year-old chestnut thoroughbred sired by Babamist, Davidson's Pennsylvania neighbor Mary Hazard's stallion, passed at the final inspection. Davidson will start with both horses entered including his 1995 Badminton Champion, Eagle Lion. Sadly 1998 Kentucky CCI*** winner Tiffany Louden and her fourteen year old Thoroughbred Makabi (by Gallant Agent out of Choya) withdrew after being held for re-inspection, as did Caroline Dowd and her seasoned seventeen year old thoroughbred mare Lazy Dot, by G.G. Delp. The only two entries from South Carolina, reduced the rather small but exclusive field of competitors to forty-two entries.

Related Links
Official Website www.rk3de.org