Two from Two for Todd?

Mark Todd is looking for two from two as he heads into the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event, the second leg of the HSBC FEI Classics.

He's just leading the pack in the high-dollar classics – which sees the winner pocket $US150,000 – after his epic Badminton win earlier in the week, and will once again be taking on the weather as well as a world-class international field at the highest level of advanced three day eventing.

Todd and his 2010 World Equestrian Games bronze medal-winning team mount NZB Grass Valley will complete their dressage phase early tomorrow morning (Saturday NZ time), followed by the cross country on Sunday and showjumping on Monday (NZ Time). The event is being held at the Kentucky Horse Park, the same venue as the World Games.

Also starting wearing the silver fern is Kiwi Olympian Joe Myer aboard Snip, who had to pull out of contention for the NZ team for the World Games after the horse was injured. Together they've represented New Zealand at World Games, Olympics, Badminton and other top events, but this is their first four star event in the United States.

Todd, who was on a plane to the US within hours of winning Badminton, says the cross country, designed by Derek di Grazia (US) looks “fair”.

“It's changed a fair bit from last year but the other challenge is the rain – they have had so much rain and this morning we had a tornado warning,” he said. “I couldn't get out of the hotel and all the horses were evacuated to the indoor school.”

The wet doesn't bother him so much and he says he's sure his 11-year-old horse's Irish ancestry will stand him in good stead in the mud.

“He doesn't mind the wet at all – he's Irish. He's a real workman – a good honest trier.”

Todd is picking they'll be a little off the pace in the dressage but counters that with news that the bay has improved quite a bit since his World Games outing.

“There are some very good horses here.”

He is part of a 45-strong field, featuring riders from five nations – most are from host country USA, with seven from Canada, six from Great Britain and two each from New Zealand and Australia.

Todd says the reaction to his Badminton win has been phenomenal.

“It is just amazing. Even in England it has been incredible.”

He's not sure about being trumped as a role model for older people in a Times editorial, but muses that the years probably can't be argued with.

Follow the results at: http://www.rk3de.org