William Fox-Pitt (GBR) kept the cool head for which he is famous to win his third Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event in five years. William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and My Bay Hero Photo: StockImageServices.com Fox-Pitt, already a triple winner of the FEI Classics™, now heads the 2013/2014 leaderboard by 15 points after three out of six legs. The runner-up, Lauren Kieffer (USA), competing in only her second CCI4*, must have made American hearts beat faster with her brilliant clear Jumping round on Veronica which left Fox-Pitt no margin for error in a nail-biting finale. But Fox-Pitt, who has now set a new record by winning the Kentucky CCI4* on three different horses, does not give away many prizes and he had Catherine Witt's attractive bay gelding Bay My Hero jumping on springs to produce a faultless round. "He was superb," said Fox-Pitt breathlessly afterwards. "Lauren really put the pressure on me so I was going in there thinking I am so pleased that even if it's not me then it's going to be an American because the support is so amazing over here. The atmosphere in there is crazy; he jumped so well, he was magic!" "It took a lot of focus to go in there and stay cool," admitted 26-year-old Kieffer, who took over the ride on the 12-year-old mare from Karen O'Connor, with whom she is based in Virginia. "I tried to go in there and ride it like anything else. I think my coach will be pleased!" New US team trainer David O'Connor had a dream weekend as home riders dominated the top placings, with Buck Davidson rising to third place with a clear round on Ballynoe Castle RM, revealing that the horse suffered pneumonia a couple of months ago. "He has been so consistent over his career and has such a great heart," said Davidson. "You only have to tell him it's Kentucky and he'll go!" Marilyn Little was fifth and sixth on RF Smoke on the Water and RF Demeter, and Jan Byyny climbed back up the order to seventh place on Inmidair. Catherine Witt, owner of Bay My Hero, William Fox-Pitt and Rolex Watch USA President and CEO, Stewart Wicht
FEI Classics™: Fox-Pitt is the Hero at Kentucky
FEI Classics™: Fox-Pitt is the Hero at…
FEI Classics™: Fox-Pitt is the Hero at Kentucky
William Fox-Pitt (GBR) kept the cool head for which he is famous to win his third Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event in five years. William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and My Bay Hero Photo: StockImageServices.com Fox-Pitt, already a triple winner of the FEI Classics™, now heads the 2013/2014 leaderboard by 15 points after three out of six legs. The runner-up, Lauren Kieffer (USA), competing in only her second CCI4*, must have made American hearts beat faster with her brilliant clear Jumping round on Veronica which left Fox-Pitt no margin for error in a nail-biting finale. But Fox-Pitt, who has now set a new record by winning the Kentucky CCI4* on three different horses, does not give away many prizes and he had Catherine Witt's attractive bay gelding Bay My Hero jumping on springs to produce a faultless round. "He was superb," said Fox-Pitt breathlessly afterwards. "Lauren really put the pressure on me so I was going in there thinking I am so pleased that even if it's not me then it's going to be an American because the support is so amazing over here. The atmosphere in there is crazy; he jumped so well, he was magic!" "It took a lot of focus to go in there and stay cool," admitted 26-year-old Kieffer, who took over the ride on the 12-year-old mare from Karen O'Connor, with whom she is based in Virginia. "I tried to go in there and ride it like anything else. I think my coach will be pleased!" New US team trainer David O'Connor had a dream weekend as home riders dominated the top placings, with Buck Davidson rising to third place with a clear round on Ballynoe Castle RM, revealing that the horse suffered pneumonia a couple of months ago. "He has been so consistent over his career and has such a great heart," said Davidson. "You only have to tell him it's Kentucky and he'll go!" Marilyn Little was fifth and sixth on RF Smoke on the Water and RF Demeter, and Jan Byyny climbed back up the order to seventh place on Inmidair. Catherine Witt, owner of Bay My Hero, William Fox-Pitt and Rolex Watch USA President and CEO, Stewart Wicht