Jan Thompson (USA) Takes An Early Lead in First Day of Dressage

Lexington, KY -- April 28, 2005 - One of the most-anticipated events of the year, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Farnam, got underway at the Nation’s Horse Center – the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington – with windy and wet conditions. The less than hospitable opening day weather did not, however, keep away fans of dressage, as the stands began to fill by mid-morning to see which horse and rider combination would come away from the event with the purse of $65,000 and a Rolex timepiece.

Virginia’s Jan Thompson and her bay Thoroughbred gelding Task Force, with whom she placed sixth at the 2004 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, posted the day’s leading score of 48.2 penalty points. One of her current coaches, Australia’s Phillip Dutton, with Hannigan (the first of his three mounts at this year’s event) came in on a score of 54.4 to sit in second after the first of two days of dressage competition. Task Force was one of two horses that were held during Wednesday’s Vet Inspection, but was cleared for competition.

Thompson said that she felt her test was quite good and she was able to ride much more forward, so it made it easier to perform her shoulder-ins and half-passes. She joked about her lead changes saying, “My one lead change was quiet good – right to left – and the other was not so good.”

She was quick to note the irony of sitting ahead of her coach for whom she graciously thanked for his work. “Obviously my coach, who is sitting next to me, did a fantastic job,” she said. “Also my training sessions with Mark Phillips have been very, very helpful.” Former Rolex champion David O’Connor was also given credit for some last minute coaching, as Dutton was busy with his own preparations. This proved fortuitous as Thompson’s horse originally was obtained from the O’Connors. She also noted the improvements of her mount.

“He has definitely matured in the last two years,” she said. Thompson made note of the benefits and experiences she gained while in England last summer in recounting today’s performance.

For Dutton and Hannigan, their second place spot felt good. But, Dutton did mention that he felt he hampered their performance by being on Hannigan a bit too long. “It was my fault,” commented Dutton. “You’ve only got so much energy there, and we were running out by the end of it, so it showed a little bit in his trot work. He was a little fussy in his walk.” He did feel that the bay Thoroughbred gelding did canter quiet well, and he noted that there was only one missed change.

A somewhat small group of 39 horses were presented to the Ground Jury and Veterinary delegates during the Wednesday afternoon jog. This is a typical trend for the event, as in past years that followed an Olympics, a smaller number of horses made entry. The jog saw two horses that were held for inspection – Thompson’s Task Force and Amy Barrington’s Platinum. Barrington’s horse did not pass and was withdrawn from the championship. Up-and-coming New Zealand eventer Donna Smith withheld her mount Clifton Say What.

“This is maybe what you might call an off year,” said Dutton. “Probably, next year leading up to the World Championships, there will be a bigger turnout. It was a long, hard year last year, so that takes its toll.”

Both riders are looking forward to tackling Saturday’s cross country course, though they admitted that it was certain to prove a true test of skill.

Dutton said he thought that the cross-country course was a formidable one. “It’s a straight course, and it starts off a little more ‘flying’ than it has in the past by taking out the starting corner. It’s quiet a hard test in that it charges all the way around. There is not one area that stands out, so it keeps the pressure on the horse and rider for a bit longer than before.”

He also said that a compressed canter all the way through the course, and staying on line throughout the ride will be the keys to unlock the questions posed by Mike Etherington-Smith’s four-star course. Of course the weather forecast, which looks to include rain of varying degrees, will have its hand in determining the timing. “The pressure is one all the way around [the course] without it being unjumpable,” finished Dutton.

“I think the course is beautifully built,” said Thompson. “Mike E. has done a great job every year making it a better and better track.” Laughing, she added, “And I think it looks big!”

This year’s edition of cross-country will remain in the traditional CCI**** format and all four of the standard phases on cross-country day will be included. In 2004, the Rolex Event served as a qualifier for the Athens Olympics, and saw a modified course to ready those athletes that had already qualified for the Olympics who had aspirations of competing for a medal. Last year’s modified event saw no Road & Tracks or Steeplechase sections contested during Saturday’s cross-country phase.