Jumping Fences: The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event

May 01, 2012 • Leave a Comment

Here are some images that I shot from the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, at the Kentucky Horse Park this past Sunday, for the Louisville Courier-Journal.

Britain’s William Fox-Pitt dominated the competition once again. I’d like to act all smug, like I know a lot about the sport of Eventing, but I really don’t. As a photojournalist I have to write my own cutlines, so a name like William Fox-Pitt tends to stand out in the brain over time. Besides competing in Rolex Kentucky each year, he’s also a big contender in the World Equestrian Games and the Olympics.

The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is the only annual four-star Eventing competition in the Western Hemisphere. As pomp and circumstanced as the competition may be, there was one moment of embarrassment Sunday after Fox-Pitt won. The sound booth upstairs seemed to have misplaced Great Britain’s National Anthem. Then for some reason they played half of the German National Anthem, only for the Three-Day champion to politely give it a thumbs down. In my opinion they should have compromised and played My Old Kentucky Home one more time. William Fox-Pitt has competed in Kentucky enough…I’m sure he knows the words. Heck, even his horse, Parklane Hawk, was a thoroughbred, which is a little unusual for Eventing. I’m sure as a thoroughbred, he knew the words.

William Fox-Pitt of Great Britain wins his second consecutive Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, while riding Parklane Hawk.

William Fox-Pitt of Great Britain wins his second consecutive Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, while riding Parklane Hawk.

William Fox-Pitt of Great Britain celebrates after winning his second consecutive Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event.

Boyd Martin of the United States jumps the final fence on Remington XXV, during the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.

Mary Dutton, daughter of rider Phillip Dutton, back, takes a few photos during the stadium portion of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.

Emily Beshear, daughter-in-law of Gov. Steve Beshear, jumps the final fence with Here’s To You, during the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.

Austria’s Andrew Hoy jumps a fence with Rutehrglen, during the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.

Riders Jessica Hampf, with her boyfriend Doug Payne, look at video after their rides.

Karen O’Connor of the United States, celebrates after her final ride of the 2012 competition.

Boyd Martin of the United States jumps a fence with Otis Barbotiere.

The United States’ Allison Springer finished second in the Rolex, and won a Land Rover.

A large crowd watches the stadium jumping portion of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.

Kate Hicks smiles after jumping the final fence with Belmont.

Keeneland’s Record Day

April 20, 2012 • Leave a Comment

As I was having to practically walk sideways all day at last Saturday’s Bluegrass Stakes, I texted Natalie and said, “This has to be the biggest crowd that I’ve ever seen at Keeneland. Turns out it was! 40,617 people set a new attendance record. I think at least 40,599 of them were there to see the horse Hansen, The Great White Hope, along with his entourage that included the Hansen Girls. Hansen left me thinking… is this a horse or ZZ Top with all the girls and hoopla?

Hansen created drama at the track long before the race, when his caregivers dipped half of his tail in blue dye, representing the team colors. Keeneland officials put a snaffoo on that, and the Hansen group scrambled to uncolor his tail.

In the end, Dullahan came from behind and beat Hansen in the last furlong, with an equally large group of owners.

The Kentucky Derby runs in a couple of weeks. I hope that Hansen and Dullahan provide us with another close finish.

Dr. Kendall Hansen, owner of Hansen, the Bluegrass Stakes favorite, looks at his horse in Keeneland’s paddock before the race.

The Hansen Girls, left to right, Laurie Weber, Jill Lockwood, and Brittany Crank, worked the crowd in the paddock, for Hansen, the favorite going into the Bluegrass Stakes.

Hansen warms up in Keeneland’s paddock before the Bluegrass Stakes, while his owner Dr. Kendall Hansen and the Hansen Girls pose for photos.

At the end of the day, it was Dullhallan and Kent Desormeaux, that stole the show by catching Hansen in the last furlong.

Dullahan warms up in Keeneland’s paddock before winning the Bluegrass Stakes.

Members of the Donegal Racing group celebrate in the winners circle after Dullahan beats Hansen to win the Bluegrass Stakes race at Keeneland.

Winning jockey Kent Desormeaux walks the media through a replay of the Bluegrass Stakes at Keeneland after Dullahan beats favorite Hansen.

Chilly Bats!!!

April 11, 2012 • Leave a Comment

Kentucky fans packed Cliff Hagen Stadium Tuesday night, hoping to see one of the best team in college baseball put a thumping on its in-state rival. Unfortunately, for Kentucky fans, the Wildcat’s bats were as chilly as the outside temperature. Kentucky fell to 30-4 on the season, giving up 17 hits to four, while Louisville improved to 24-9.

On a personal note, I’ve been a fan of, and a photographer of The All-A Classic for several years. Two of Louisville’s sluggers last night (sorry, I couldn’t help the pun) played for Owensboro Catholic a few years ago in the All-A Classic Baseball tournament. I photographed Cole Sturgeon and Stewart Ijames in the 2008 All-A Classic championship game.

Here are a few images from last night’s game that I shot for the Louisville Courier-Journal.

Coach Cal and wife Ellen were on hand to watch the Batcats.

Kentucky’s Graybeard

April 02, 2012 • Leave a Comment

I remember when Darius Miller lead Mason County to the 2008 Sweet 16 Championship. It was right after Mason County star Chris Lofton set the world on fire at Tennessee. Not recruiting Lofton was probably the last nail in Tubby Smith’s coffin as Kentucky’s coach. I remember thinking how skinny Miller was, and that Kentucky was only recruiting him because they didn’t want to make the same Mason County mistake twice.

Darius has proven me, and any other doubter of his ability, wrong over the past four years. Darius Miller will go down in history as one of only a handful of Kentucky kids to win a Sweet 16 Championship and a National Championship. And he is the only Kentucky kid to be named Mr. Basketball, while winning the other two championships. What Darius did in the state of Kentucky is the stuff that backyard dreams are made of.

Elisha Justice, another Eastern Kentucky kid also has a chance at that feat, with Louisville. But for now, hats off to Kentucky’s Graybeard, who survived the Billy Gillispie era, and gave Cal the much-needed leadership of a senior.

“Hey Kid! Do you like to run? Wanna come play for me at Kentucky?

Spring Break in Florida

March 09, 2012 • Leave a Comment

After the storms moved through Kentucky Friday night, we packed up and headed south for the week.

We brought the kids to Florida to spend Spring Break with their grandparents. My parent’s spend the winter in Bowling Green, Florida, in a little house in an orange grove, east of Tampa and South of Orlando. Their place is always great for relaxing, eating, peeling oranges, and watching good television. We also get to see our long-time friends the Saddlers and the Duke’s. Natalie’s Mom, JW, and Brent, have been enjoying the beach this winter, a little further south near Naples. They then moved up the coast to Tarpon Springs to meet up with us this week.

The temperatures were really nice and the kids got some beach time in at Honeymoon Island. We spent Thursday walking around the old town of Tarpon Springs, and got to eat at our favorite seafood spot, Crabby Bills. Friday, I took Cameron and Brent to see the Yankees play the Braves in Tampa. Later that evening, we went back to the beach at Honeymoon Island one last time before coming back home.

The old looking photos were taken with the Hipstamatic on my iPhone.

Mom and Laura out for a walk