Michael Jung snatches victory in Kentucky

Germany’s star eventer Michael Jung has won the Rolex Kentucky Horse Trials, after an exciting weekend of eventing which saw top names jostle for the top spot.

Costly pole

New Zealand’s Tim Price and Wesko led the four-star event from the beginning, sharing the lead with Michael and La Biosthetique Sam FBW after the dressage phase, when both combinations scored 36.3pen.

Michael dropped to second place following the cross-country, with Tim just 0.4pen ahead of him. However, one pole in the showjumping cost the Kiwi the title.

In a surprising turn of events, it wasn’t Michael’s European, World and Olympic–winning partner that helped the German rider secure yet another title. It was Kentucky first-timer FischerRocana FST who pulled the performance out of the bag, jumping clear in the showjumping to move up from third to first place.

Disappointing

La Biosthetique Sam FBW had two down which saw him slip to third place. William Fox-Pitt was fourth with last year’s champion Bay My Hero who jumped a foot-perfect round.

Fellow Brit Nicola Wilson also went clear on her parents Annie Clover,which left her in eight place. Nicola’s other ride Watermill Vision had eight faults in the showjumping to finish 26th.

It was a disappointing competition for two of the British riders, who had to pull out. Zara Phillips, who was competing in first Kentucky, didn’t even start the event. High Kingdom kicked out in stable, just before her dressage test, injuring his off hind.

It is hoped she might be able to reroute to Badminton instead.

Demolished

Francis Whittington withdrew Easy Target before the final phase after he demolished the corner at fence 18c when his missed his stride and clambered over. Incredibly, he cantered away and jumped the rest of the course clear.

As it wasn’t a frangible fence Francis didn’t incur any penalties, and he was in sixteenth place going into the showjumping.

Next stop for the FEI Classics series is the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (6-10 May).

Watch FEI Classics: Rolex Kentucky on H&C TV on Thursday 7 May at 9pm. Horse & Country TVis available on Sky 253 and online via H&C Play.