Buck Davidson. (Photo courtesy of Mike McNally)

Lexington, KY – The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Land Rover, April 24-27 at the Kentucky Horse Park, is one of the world’s most prestigious equestrian competitions and features the world’s best horses and riders vying for their share of $250,000 in prize money. The only four-star event in the Western Hemisphere, it’salso a selection trial for the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games. Three Neue Schule-sponsored riders competed in the prestigious event. Buck Davidson finished 3rd on Ballynoe Castle RM and 12th on Park Trader. Kim Severson finished in 11th place on Fernhill Fearless. Allison Springer, who led the field for a while, finished 24th on Arthur. Springer, 39, of Upperville, Va. was named to the 2013 USEF High Performance World Class Training List and was an alternate to the 2012 Olympic Team. She and Arthur finished 2nd, the top placing American in the Rolex Kentucky 4* in 2012, and also won the Rolex Kentucky dressage phase in 2012.”I think I liked this one better because I was a bit more emotional. But he went into the ring a much more confident horse. I think maybe we’re both maturing a little bit, and I do think this one was a bit better,” said Springer of Arthur, a 15-year-old U.S.-bred Irish sport horse. Her second mount, Copycat Chloe, was eliminated in the cross country.Kim Severson won the Rolex Kentucky CCI4* three times with Winsome Adante “Dan” in 2002, 2004, and 2005. Severson and Dan were part of the gold medal winning US team at the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain. They placed 6th individually, Severson’s first time riding for the US. The pair also competed at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, where they won the individual silver and team bronze. In 2004, Severson was ranked the #1 FEI rider in the world. Severson and Dan were named to the 2006 USA World Equestrian Games where they competed in Aachen, where Severson was the Developing Riders Coach, assisting Chef D’Equipe, Captain Mark Phillips.Severson finished 5th with Tipperary Liadhnan at the Rolex Kentucky CCI4* in 2008, and was short-listed for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. They were named to the 2010 World Equestrian Games team in Lexington, Kentucky. She was named U.S. Eventing Association’s Lady Rider of the Year in 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2005.Bruce “Buck” Davidson Jr. runs a training and competition facility during the winter in Ocala, FL and the summers in Riegelsville, PA. His students range from young riders and adult amateurs to professionals. He has a unique ability to connect and improve his students and their horses by truly caring about the progress of each individual.Some of his many accomplishments include Alternate for 2012 US Olympic Team,  #1 Ranked Rider in the US in 2011, 2011 Pan American Team Member, and #2 Ranked Rider in the United States in 2010 and 2009.Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM competed in the 2010 World Equestrian Games and finished fourth at Rolex Kentucky last year. “It doesn’t mean anything,” Davidson said. “It’s a whole new year. But I feel like he’s going better, and I feel like I’m riding better, and I would like to improve on what we did last year.” They won the 2013 Pinnacle Trophy for Highest Placed US Rider at Rolex KY CCI****. This year, the pair improved, finishing 3rd.Mette Larsen of Metlar Performance Saddlery, Neue Schule’s  U.S. and Canadian distributor, is proud to sponsor such successful competitors. When riders and horses communicate effectively, the results speak for themselves. Neue Schule offers a range of high performance, comfortable bits that are ergonomically designed, using the latest in engineering and computer aided design (CAD) technologies and incorporating a unique metal alloy with an increased conductivity, promoting acceptance and salivation.  Neue Schule has also made it easier for all riders to select the perfect bit by including informational tags on each product. These new product tags act as a guide to help select which bits are best to create a better platform for the rider-horse connection, and help address and solve potential problems each individual horse may be experiencing.For more information on Neue Schule, visit their website at www.neueschulebitsus.com