Two Kiwis in the top ten at Kentucky

The Kiwis have finished sixth and seventh at the at the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event in the United States this morning (Monday).

Jonathan Paget and Clifton Promise (owned by Frances Stead) took two rails in the treble towards the end of the showjumping course dropping them from third to sixth, while Nicholson and Qwanza (owned by Rosemary and Mark Barlow) rode a beautiful clear round to move up the ranks from ninth to seventh.

Paget went into the showjumping phase in third spot, but the eight faults saw him drop down the leaderboard to finish the prestigious four star event in sixth place on 52.8, with Nicholson finishing on his dressage score of 55.8.

Just 27 started the final showjumping phase and fault-free rounds over the 18 obstacles were scant, with just four going clear and inside time.

The event was won by William Fox-Pitt on the New Zealand bred thoroughbred Parklane Hawk. He is now well on track to take the Rolex Grand Slam prize for the rider who wins Burghley, Kentucky and Badminton in succession, with just the final event to come.

Results – William Fox-Pitt (GBR) Parklane Hawk 45.3 1, Allison Springer (USA) Arthur 47 2, Boyd Martin (USA) Otis Barboitiere 51 3, Jonathan Paget (NZL) Clifton Promise 52.8 6, Andrew Nicholson (NZL) Qwanza 55.8 7.