As the dressage phase of the 2011 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event got underway at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, the competitors of the first Kentucky Reining Cup, being held concurrently with the four-star three-day event, were inspected outside the Alltech Arena for tomorrow evening’s competition. All 20 horses passed, including country music legend Lyle Lovett’s Smart and Shiney, a beautiful palomino presented by co-owner Tim McQuay. A member of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games gold medal-winning reining team, McQuay is competing on another palomino named Rudy Dun It. Fellow WEG teammates Shawn Flarida, Tom McCutcheon and Craig Schmersal are also competing. Schmersal has three entries, including his silver medal-winning WEG mount, Mister Montana Nic.
Jogging alongside their equine partners, who were all groomed to a high-gloss, the riders were vying for a pair of Dubarry boots and the title of best dressed male or female. Tom McCutcheon and Lisa Coulter earned the honor.
The CRI5* Kentucky Reining Cup, sponsored by Ariat, will be held in the Alltech Arena from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. It represents the highest level of reining competition and is the only five-star event in the western hemisphere this year. The reining freestyle, which will crown its first-ever world champion, takes place on Saturday evening in the Alltech Arena. For more information, go to www.kentuckyreining.com.
Kim Abbott Klimek first got involved with horses as a junior in high school, then went on to earn her Bachelor of Science degree in equine studies with a concentration in communications from Centenary College in Hackettstown, N.J., in 2005. After college, Kim worked for model horse company Breyer Animal Creations, writing copy for products and helping to write and edit for Just About Horses magazine. In the fall of 2007, she joined the Horse Illustrated team.
Do women and men compete together? If not, why not?
Thanks to a rail down by overnight leader Tom McEwen (GBR) on the 13-year-old German…
In a day of heat, then rain, followed by blazing sun, the sun indeed shone…
Tom McEwen of Great Britain had a big day under beautiful skies at the Kentucky…
Dressage is halfway complete at the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day event CCI5*-L. Currently in first…
Imagine an entire month dedicated to celebrating adoptable horses: For the past four years, the month of May has been…
Horses in the guest ranch industry come from varied breeds and backgrounds. Learn more about them. The scenery may be…
Thanks to a rail down by overnight leader Tom McEwen (GBR) on the 13-year-old German Warmblood gelding JL Dublin, a…
In a day of heat, then rain, followed by blazing sun, the sun indeed shone brightest on the British riders…
Tom McEwen of Great Britain had a big day under beautiful skies at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky.,…
Dressage is halfway complete at the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day event CCI5*-L. Currently in first is Yasmin Ingham of Great…