Final Results for Rolex!

What an amazing trip it was to Rolex.  Boyd and Bruce couldn't have been more pleased with Lusty's performance.  From her relaxed dressage test, which I witnessed, to her XC and nearly clear stadium (only 1 rail), Lusty took Rolex like a seasoned professional!

Out of 70+ entries, Lusty finished 11th with a solid score of 63.2 in a highly competitive international field!

For all the results & story, please visit the official Rolex website.

Boyd's Comments on Rolex Showjumping

For an update on Boyd's show jumping on Lusty, please check out Boyd's Blog!

Double Clear for Lusty

I met with Boyd briefly after his 3 rides today.....and caught up regarding his ride on Lusty.  He reiterated what a thrill & honor it was to ride in Bruce's colors aboard such a great mare.  She went like a pro & only on a few occasions did her eyes get a bit big at some of the questions.....but otherwise, "the mare doesn't have a stop in her."

I was able to snap a few amateur photos at the head of the lake of both Boyd & Buck. 

Till tomorrow......LT

Buck's Interview on the Homepage of Rolex Website!

A FAMILY AFFAIR
Buck Davidson has a rich history here at Rolex.  He has been coming to this facility since the 1978 World Equestrian Games when his legendary father, Bruce Davidson, claimed back to back gold & made history.   When asked about his earliest childhood memories here, he harks back to the time during the 78 Worlds where he spent the majority of the event playing under the grandstand with his tractor, until the repo man came to town.  Poor Buck still misses that tractor.

With his family, Buck has been coming to Rolex throughout his entire life.  As a competitor, he rode his first Rolex as a 17 year old (early 90’s) on a horse called The Wolf, who was an enthusiastic runaway, taking  20 minutes to pull up on XC and knocking down most of the rails in stadium.  Back then, Buck generally rode the horses that were handed down to him.  Some were a bit challenging, but most were tremendously talented as well, which was apparent in the fact that he made it to Rolex at such a young age.   

During an Olympic year, Bruce had a busy schedule at Rolex with Eagle Lion, Heyday, Squelch and The Traveling Man….leaving Buck with the ride on Transama Flirt.  Buck pulled out all the stops (not literally), securing 4^th place and beating his Dad on all his other mounts.  But Bruce still had the final say for Buck’s consideration for an Olympic spot, pulling him from the list for consideration, citing that he felt Buck wasn’t ready just yet.  Since then he’s certainly proven himself as one of the top horsemen in this country & internationally.

This year Buck is riding one of his newest stars, a handsome grey Thoroughbred gelding who he co-owns with his loyal friends, owners & supporters, the Segals.  When Buck originally purchased Titanium, he wanted to find a way to repay the Segals for all of their support.  After one of their initial events, where Ti scored a 65 in dressage, had a stop on XC & dropped rails in stadium……he introduced Ti to his new co-owners in the trailer.  Buck still grins at the thought of their facial expressions when he unveiled their newest present.  I’m sure their apprehension has long since faded with this talented horse.

Originally entered for Rolex were his two leading contenders for the WEG, My Boy Bobby, who was the 2009 Chronicle Event Horse of the Year& Ballynoe Castle RM.  The decision was made not to run them here at Rolex in preparation for a shot at the World Equestrian Games back here at the horse park in late September.  Both horses are positioned right where Buck wants them in their training.  Buck plans to take Reggie to several where he can keep him schooled & relaxed in his job.  In regards to Bobbi, he feels that his win at The Fork proved that he doesn’t need a lot of runs prior to his contention for the games.

There is so much history here for the Davidson family, so Rolex has become a type of “coming home” for Buck.  Every year he has anticipated the excitement of spring & the trip to Kentucky.   “Kentucky is where every American who events strives to come”, and for Buck it’s a reward for his team & all of their hard work.  After Rolex this year, he plans to team up again with his Dad by taking the ride on Cruise Lion until Bruce is fully recovered from his back surgery.  Their plan is to run Cruise at Bromont in preparation for Bruce to get back in the saddle for the WEG.  He shares so many memories of the horse park with his father; nothing would make him happier than to return here with his Dad for the WEG.  

Lisa Thomas is founder of Mid-Atlantic Equestrian Services, a Website Design & Equestrian PR business which proudly supports several of the Rolex competitors including Boyd Martin, Hawley Bennett & Bruce Davidson.

What a Star!

Lusty entered the ring yesterday looking like she had done this a million times.  Her relaxed & content attitude was evident in her expression throughout the entire test.  Boyd commented that "I was thrilled with Rock on Rose – she was second to last to go and there was a packed house. She showed how much she’s matured in her training and I was over the moon."

I rang Bruce & Susie while we were back in the stables after the test.  It was great to hear Bruce so satisfied with his mare.  He & Susie were able to watch the entire warmup & test at home in high definition.  He is so thrilled with the pairing between Lusty & Boyd, who has "clearly done his homework" and has given this mare such an educated ride.  This has been a great partnership.

Ciaron Thompson also deserves a ton of credit for Lusty's wonderful dressage test yesterday (pictured here with Boyd's wonder groom Shannon).  He has constantly been grazy, grooming & doting over this mare since they walked off the trailer.  It truly takes an army to make this event happen.

The XC course is BIG, but this is where Lusty excels.  They run XC today at 3:25.  Here's to their clean & safe return.  Enjoy the pics...........LT

We Miss you Bruce!!

I woke up this morning to a great chuckle from my roomate saying, "ahh, did you see this line on Eventing Nation:  Rolex without Bruce is like Christmas without Santa!" 

That sentiment is being echoed throughout the horsepark, in the media area & back at the stables.  So many people have asked about Bruce's recovery & we are all looking forward to his rapid return to competition.

On a personal note, I would like to thank Bruce & Susie for my beautiful blue & white bracelet, which has enabled me to keep up to date on Lusty, Boyd, Buck & Hawley.  I just returned from interviewing Buck for the official Rolex Website, and that article will be front & center tomorrow morning on the home page.

Back at home, my husband is green with envy, likening my experience to his dream of being backstage at The Masters.  What a charmed life I lead!!  More later...............LT

Greetings From Rolex!

I arrived early yesterday afternoon to catch the tail end of the jog.  Being a life long horsewoman, yet a newbie to Rolex......I couldn't wait to watch the pomp & circumstance surrounding this portion of the sport.  On the technical side, the horse inspection is such a critical portion of this event.....but being a girl, I'm really there to see all these beautiful animals slicked up & looking so magnificent.  It's also so much fun to see the competitors strutting their stuff!!

Lusty being a typical red-headed woman, was just a wee bit tuned up to show off her svelt self.  I watched her entire jog through the eye of the camera.....so did not take note of any funny steps or signs of stiffness.  If anything she was just tossing her head a bit due to the excitement.  Much to my surprise, they held her to be represented & then announced that they were going to take a break!  This rookie immediately went into anxiety mode!  What in the world could they have seen?!  After a painful pause in the action, Boyd brought her back up to represent & down the tarmac they trotted.  "Rock on Rose............Accepted."  Whew!!

I was also able to watch part of Buck's jog with Titanium.  What a striking horse &  I was suprised to find out that he's all TB with all that presence & bone.  Definitely a pair to watch for the future!

I'm jetting off to catch Boyd's dressage on Neville, but will be reporting in later from the event.  For a full list of the event timetable & live results, go to http://www.rk3de.org/timetable_dres.php

Signing off for now!  LT