April 28 to May 1, 2016

By Classic Communications

Michael Jung of Germany became the second rider to win the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Land Rover, on the same horse in two consecutive years by riding Fischerrocana FST to a 13.3-point victory. His winning score (39.2) easily bested Lauren Kieffer on Veronica (52.5) and Maya Black on Doesn't Play Fair (53.9). In addition to the iconic Rolex watch that goes to the winner, Jung will take home first prize of $110,000.

“I have to thank all the people behind me and my horses,” says Jung, 33. “It's a success of the whole team. Every horse in my stable has had a part in it.”

In addition to Fischerrocana, an 11-year-old German-bred mare, Jung’s stable includes numerous international-level event horses, as well international-level show jumping and dressage horses.

Michael Jung salutes his second consecutive Rolex watch as winner of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. Photo: Ben Radvanyi

Jung’s attention is now on the third leg of the Rolex Grand Slam, the Badminton Three-Day Event in England, which began on Wednesday, May 4, 2016. His mount for that event is La Biosthetique Sam, whom he rode to victory in the 2010 World Championships as well as the 2012 Olympics.

The key to winning Badminton and the Rolex Grand Slam, says Jung, is to ride like it’s a normal event. “I always think the same thing when I go to a championship or a four-star event. I say to myself this is a normal competition. I try not to change anything. It's important to win, but it’s important that you have a good feeling for the horse and that you have a good ride.”

Michael Jung and Fischerrocana FST.  Photo: Ben Radvanyi

If Jung wins Badminton, he will become only the second rider to win the lucrative Grand Slam in the 16-year history of the prize, and will take home $350,000 in earnings. Pippa Funnell of Great Britain is the single previous winner of the Rolex Grand Slam, in 2002 to 2003. 

Kieffer climbed from sixth place to second place by adding just one time fault to her score, propelling her up the standings when the four horses in front of her faulted, including Phillip Dutton’s third-placed horse, Mighty Nice, and his second-placed horse, Fernhill Fugitive. Dutton finished fourth on Mighty Nice, fifth on Fernhill Cubalawn, and 13th on Fernhill Fugitive. 

Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Fugitive. Photo: Ben Radvanyi

Phillip Dutton and Mighty Nice. Photo: Ben Radvanyi

For Kieffer, 28, of Middleburg, VA, second place made her the winner of the Rolex USEF Four-Star Championship for the second time, again on Veronica. Kieffer also finished 18th on Landmark's Monte Carlo, with 20 show jumping faults.

"Monte Carlo exceeded our expectations yesterday and had a learning experience today, performing in front of the jam-packed Rolex Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park,” says Kieffer. “But Veronica is better the more atmosphere she has. It lights her up a bit, and she tries harder."

Lauren Kieffer and Veronica. Photo: Ben Radvanyi

Black, 28, of Clinton, WA, and Doesn’t Play Fair, an 11-year-old US-bred Holsteiner, lowered one jump to move up one place from their two-phase standing. "He's kind of a pain in the barn, but he's a great little horse who comes to work every day," says Black of her 15.2 HH partner. 

Kieffer and Dutton led Team USA to victory in the DuBarry of Ireland Nations Team Challenge, scoring 178.5 faults. Their score handily eclipsed New Zealand (238.0) and the combined team of Australia, Germany, and Great Britain (298.5). 

On cross-country day, Kieffer was named the Land Rover Best Ride of the Day and won a two-year lease to a Land Rover Discovery Sport.

Maya Black and Doesn't Play Fair. Photo: Ben Radvanyi

Kim Severson on Winsome Adante is the only previous partnership to record consecutive Rolex Kentucky victories since it became a CCI4* in 1998; they went on to win in 2002, 2004, and 2005.

Prior to that, when Rolex Kentucky was a CCI3*, Bruce Davidson Sr. won it in 1988 and 1989 on Doctor Peaches. Davidson also won Rolex Kentucky in 1983 on J.J. Babu, and in 1984 on Doctor Peaches. Additionally, Davidson won the 1978 World Championships at the Kentucky Horse Park on Might Tango. 

Sunday’s attendance was 25,545, bringing the weekend's total paid attendance to 82,100.

For more information, please visit the Rolex Kentucky website at www.RK3DE.org.

Main Photo: Michael Jung of Germany riding Fischerrocana FST, winner of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. Photo: Ben Radvanyi