2013 Rolex Ky National Champion - Buck Davidson!!

It was a huge conclusion to an exciting weekend for the Davidson family at the Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Event!  Buck set the bar as the highest placed US rider, finishing 4th on Ballycoe Castle RM (Reggie) and also 9th on Mar De Amor and 22nd on Park Trader! 

The 4th place finish came as an admitted disappointment to Buck, having a couple rails at the end of his show jumping round which dropped him down to 2nd, but his finish on Reggie as the US National Champion is quite a feather in his cap.  Bruce knows how hard his son continues to train and compete, so his success here this year comes as no surprise. 
Full Results

Show Jumping Video on Reggie



Official Rolex Ky Post Show Interview



We hope you enjoy the videos and photos of Buck from the Rolex Ky 3 Day Event.
Photo Gallery of Buck on Facebook

Bruce was also thrilled to see student Kristi Nunnink have her highest place finish (8th) at Rolex to date on her lovely mare R-Star, who has become a national superstar in both looks and talent.  Kristi and Rosie came to Chesterland 2 seasons ago for some training and are prime examples of the results upper level riders can achieve under the guidance of Bruce. 

Kristi Nunnink and R-Star Place 8th
Photo Credit Lisa Thomas

Now that Rolex has concluded, it's time for Bruce to settle back into the farm at Chesterland north, where he will be bringing along another set of young homebreds and competing at USEA events throughout the United States.

You can continue to follow Bruce's breeding program and competition highlights on this blog and through Mid-Atlantic Equestrian Services on Facebook!

Photo and video credits: Lisa Thomas/Mid-Atlantic Equestrian Services.

Bruce's Catches Up with HJU!

Bruce certainly couldn't be prouder of his son's performance this weekend, with 3 solid XC rides successfully completed and 2 horses poised in the top 10 going into stadium!  Reggie is truly top of his game, sitting in third on his dressage score of 45.2, and Mar de Amor impressing us all with his 8th place position on a 55.2, both horses coming home double clear!!

Frankie Theriot caught up with Buck after his run on XC.
http://youtu.be/PFsf-mnRYck

Horse Junkies United was kind enough to catch up with us in front of Bruce's statue of Eagle Lion at the conclusion of XC to get Bruce's reflections on Rolex and his son.


http://www.horsejunkiesunited.com/?p=57638

Bruce is also so happy to see his wonderful student Kristi Nunnink and her beautiful mare R-Star rounding out the top 10!  Best of luck today to all the competitors.

The Rolex Watch is Ticking!!

Buck and Reggie Compliments of Samantha Clark of EN!

Count down to the start of Rolex, and Bruce is on site at the Kentucky Horse Park acting  in many capacities this weekend!  Of course all eyes are on his hard working son, Buck Davidson, who has 3 horses in contention:  Park Trader, Mar De Amor, and his longtime partner, Ballynoe Castle RM (Reggie).

Buck has been knocking it out of the park this year in his lead up to Rolex and a large string of horses, and with each new season he just seems to raise the bar.  Although Park Trader and  Mar De Amor are a bit inexperienced at the 4* level, both have had solid placings at advanced and the 3* level leading up to this event.  Bruce feels that although they're new to Rolex, both these horses have the talent to be quite competitive and as Bruces says, "he's not going to Rolex for a school"!  Reggie and Buck have an amazing resume, and have the tools and talent for a top placing here this year.  Everyone at Chesterland is pulling for them!!  (See Buck's current USEA results)

Thanks  to Samantha Clarke of Eventing Nation for capturing a few great shots of Buck warming up yesterday morning and for providing her usual spectacular coverage of the event!

Bruce will be wearing multiple hats this weekend as father, coach and selector.  In addition to coaching Buck, he is also prepping Maddie Blackman and Kristi Nunnink.   Keep an eye on Horse Junkies United, as we're hoping to arrange a father/son interview on Thursday at the horse park.

Bruce is now just boarding his plan in Philly and I'm about to get in my car for the big 10 hour drive!!  More to come from the horse park tomorrow.........LT

Eventing Legend Bruce Davidson Endorses KER Sport Horse Nutrition Feeds

It is with great excitement that we announce the expansion of our sponsorship with KER, Kentucky Equine Research!  KER is an international equine nutrition, research and consultation company serving both the horse producer and  feed industry.  Their goal is to advance the industry's knowledge of equine nutrition and exercise physiology and apply this knowledge to produce healthier, more athletic horses. 

A perfect example of these efforts is KER Marvin, who Bruce has had the pleasure of training  this past year, before his owner Anna Kjelstrom (wife of KER owner Joe Pagan) took over the reins.

KER has launched their own line of performance focused feed products and both Bruce and Buck have come on board as ambassadors for the company.   Stay tuned for Bruce's course walk this year at Rolex, which will be held in conjunction with KER and the Horse Park's "Eventers College"!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 14, 2013
Contact:
Eileen Phethean
859.873.1988
ephethean@ker.com

Eventing Legend Bruce Davidson Endorses KER Sport Horse Nutrition Feeds

Kentucky Equine Research (KER) is pleased to announce that three-day eventing legend Bruce Davidson has joined the KER Sport Horse Nutrition team.  KER Sport Horse Nutrition is a collection of scientifically advanced feeds that meet the specific nutritional requirements of sport horses. 

“We’ve been connected to Kentucky Equine Research for many years. Founder and president of KER Joe Pagan has helped us with our feeding program no matter where we are, whether it’s Pennsylvania, Florida, or overseas,” said Davidson. “So it seems only natural that we go this route and use KER Sport Horse Nutrition feeds on our group of high-performance horses.”

For more than 40 years, Davidson has been a fixture on the international three-day eventing scene, claiming victory at the world’s most prestigious competitions, including World Championships held in the United States and abroad, as well as multiple Olympic and Pan American Games. In addition to his enviable record in the tack, he has an active breeding program producing sport horses at his Chesterland Farm, located in Unionville, Pennsylvania. 

KER Sport Horse Nutrition feeds are uniquely researched and formulated to provide the nutrients required by today’s sport horses. The complete line of feeds, including descriptions and photographs, can be viewed at KERSport.com. 

Kentucky Equine Research (KER) celebrates 25 years of research and innovation this year.  The company was founded by owner Joe Pagan, Ph.D., who realized that nutritional research did not benefit the people who needed it most: feed manufacturers and horse owners. Since then, the primary focus of the company has been to bridge the gap between the research community and horsemen. KER accomplishes this through cutting-edge research, worldwide consultation, and innovation.

For more information on KER Sport Horse Nutrition feeds, visit KERSport.com or contact Bob Wagner at 352-895-8429. 

Future Champions - Salem and Mary Nicholas!!

We recently received pictures from Mary Nicolas, who is the proud owner of one of Charlie's offspring.....a 3 year old filly by the name of Salem.  We sent Mary an email asking for an update on Salem and some photos, and she enthusiastically responded.  Below is the email we received in response, and we're thrilled to have Mary contribute to our blog.  The whole crew at Chesterland wishes Mary and Salem the best of luck in their future endeavors.

"Thank you so much for the opportunity to brag about my brilliant Salem!!   In case you haven't heard, my precious girl swept the walk-trot and the dressage suitability divisions, and ended up Grand Champion of her first horse show!!

Her show name is Emerald Lion, after her Irish heritage and her wonderful 'Lion' heritage.  She is about 15.3h tall now and still growing.  She is wonderfully quiet and sensible, has plenty of 'go', loves to jump (only over little things now), and is afraid of nothing!!!  Her movement is breathtaking.  She is sweet and a pet in the barn.  I love her more than words can say and I still can't believe I really own such a magnificent horse!  Everyone at Chesterland.....from Bruce and Susie who bred her, to the people involved in her care as a youngster should be so proud of what they have produced.  She and I will be Rolex bound if Salem has anything to say about it.  It is an amazing feeling to ride such an incredibly gifted horse.

I come from a hunter/jumper background.  I did the WEF on ponies and horses as a junior rider.  I went to Smith College and rode on the Equestrian Team.  I studied abroad in Ireland and discovered eventing.  I rode at (then called) Kellet's Equestrian Centre under Iris Kellet and her team.  I spent a summer there and was hooked on eventing.  I came back to finish Smith College and a Master's at Florida State University.  I coached FSU's Equestrian Team as a graduate student.  But eventing and Ireland were calling and I was soon abroad to learn as much as I could about the sport and to achieve the highest levels I have to date.

Since coming back to America, I worked as a clinical social worker and became very involved in foxhunting Irish horses.  The cross country aspect soon had me longing for a competitive element.  After quite a search, I found the most wonderful trainer, coach, mentor, and friend in Hilda Donahue.  I owe so much credit to Hilda for bringing me back to competitive riding and giving me the confidence to pursue my dreams.

I have a wonderful coach and now a spectacular horse who together will take me all the way. Fortunately the American Horse Trials Foundation has accepted my application so I am eligible for donors to receive tax deductions on any sponsorship and donations.  My website is http://www.MaryNicholasEventing.com.

I am so happy that you all are interested in Salem.  She is truly one to watch and one who will make everyone very proud!!!"