HOOD RIVER, Ore. (May 20, 2013) – Pendleton^® Whisky, the official spirit of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and the presenting sponsor of the All American ProRodeo Series, announced today the launch of its Legendary Cowboy program, a platform designed to honor and encourage professional rodeo cowboys currently competing in both a rough stock event and a timed event at PRCA-sanctioned rodeos across the country.

PRCA members 21 years of age and older interested in applying can log on to the Pendleton Whisky website beginning Monday, May 20 at noon EST. Applicants must compete in at least two events consisting of one rough stock event and one timed event, and display Pendleton Whisky brand values including integrity and hard work. Applications will be accepted through Friday, September 20.Those selected to participate in the 2013 Pendleton Whisky Legendary Cowboy program will receive a $100 gas card and an official Pendleton Whisky Legendary Cowboy patch.

“Cowboys who compete at both ends of the arena today are rare, and we want to recognize those who are up to the challenge,” said Ron Dodge, Hood River Distillers president and CEO. “We are looking forward to the possibilities of this program and supporting those true, all-around cowboys.”

Pendleton Whisky, born of the rich tradition of one of the oldest and most prestigious rodeos in the world, was uniquely founded in history and heritage. The Pendleton Whisky Legendary Cowboy program was established to continue those rich traditions and heritage by identifying all-around cowboys to further promote the brand in the western lifestyle industry.

For more information, please visit www.pendletonwhisky.com. For more news from Pendleton Whisky, find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PendletonWhisky.

About Pendleton Whisky

Pendleton^® Whisky is imported, bottled and marketed by Hood River Distillers of Hood River, Ore., and is available nationwide. The oak barrel-aged whisky uses glacier-fed spring water from Oregon’s Mt. Hood and is known for its uncommonly smooth taste and rich, complex flavor. Pendleton Whisky is the official spirit of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), and the presenting sponsor of the All American ProRodeo Series, which includes 400-plus PRCA rodeos.

About Hood River Distillers

Founded in 1934 and headquartered in Hood River, Ore., Hood River Distillers is the Northwest’s largest and oldest importer, producer, bottler, and marketer of distilled spirits. Pendleton^® Whisky, 1910 Rye Whisky, Broker’s^® London Dry Gin, SinFire^™ Cinnamon Whisky, Yazi^® Ginger Vodka, ULLR^® Nordic Libation, HRD^® Vodka, Lucid^® Absinthe Supérieure, and the complete line of Monarch^® distilled spirits are just a few of the company’s brands distributed across the country. Hood River Distillers is a member of the Century Council and promotes responsible drinking habits. For more information, visit www.hrdspirits.com.

If you're a camping enthusiast as well as a horse lover, overnight horse camping could be the perfect combination of your interests. If you're interest in events such as endurance riding or competitive trail riding, horse camping is often part of the experience.

No matter why you're hitching up and camping out, the key to having a good time is making sure that both you and your horse are prepared.

One of the ways to be prepared is to make lists.

"I have a camp list for horses and a people camp list that I use," says Bonnie Davis, consulting editor for The Trail Rider.

Horses
This is my basic camp list for horses. As I load an item in trailer or towing vehicle I check it off list. Before leaving, items are reviewed to make sure everything has been checked off and loaded! Add your own items too!

• Highline ropes
• Lead ropes
• Highline lead ropes
• Extra ropes
• Hammer
• Insect spray
• Bickmore
• Grain bags
• Rags
• Nails (various sizes)
• Saddles
• Saddle pads
• Gloves
• Water cans
• First-aid kit
• Bridle(s)
• Extra head stalls, reins
• Saddle bags
• Hay nets
• Knot eliminators
• Water tubs
• Pails
• Horse blankets (summer & winter)
• Manure rake
• Feed (weed free when required)
• Extra set of shoes
• Horse shoe nails
• EZ-boot
• Salt blocks (Mineral & plain)
• Broom
• Funnel
• Hooflex
• Spurs
• Halter(s)
• Extra halter Grain
• Horse’s medication
• Grain tubs
• Coffee can (for measuring)
• Baling wire or string
• Burlap bag(s)
• Hay hooks
• Tree savers
• Hoof cleaning tools
• Brushes Folding rake
• Duct tape Flashlight (extra batteries)
• Garbage bags Shovel
• Papers (ownership, vet, etc.)
• Leather sewing kit
• Water

Emergency road equipment-road flares or stands, spare tires for both trailer and towing vehicle checked to make sure they have air in them, jacks, lug wrenches to fit lug nuts on both trailer and towing vehicle tire nuts, chocks, large piece of canvas or folded lug tarp to put on ground when wet or snowy.

This is a story of a stupid mistake---one that led to a terrifying accident that could easily have cost my horse’s life. I still get anxious thinking about what happened that day, and part of me would like to forget it entirely, but I think it’s important to share my story. My goal is to remind people not to fall into bad habits or to forget that horses---even those you know and trust---are large, powerful and unpredictable animals.

My husband, Kurt, and I own a few acres in Columbia, Missouri, that gives us just enough space to keep a small herd for our family to enjoy. Our setup isn’t fancy, but it serves us well.

For my birthday one year Kurt built me a small but cozy barn that included one very large 10- by 20-foot stall and a smaller 10- by 10-foot stall. The walls are four feet of tongue-and-groove boards topped with vertical metal bars. The gaps between the bars are small---only 2  inches---but they allow plenty of light and air to flow through.

At the time of the accident we owned three horses: Cloud, a registered Quarter Horse gelding; Britches, a 12-year-old Haflinger gelding; and Jiffy, a 3-year-old Welsh pony cross. I’d bought Cloud just a year before; I’d been looking for a smallish, well-trained, unflappable horse, and he was a perfect fit. He was years younger and only slightly taller than Britches, so I didn’t anticipate my new horse would have any problems settling in. I was right. Britches took an immediate liking to Cloud, and they became good friends.

During the day, the three horses could come and go into the barn and stalls at will. I’d often find Cloud and Britches dozing together in the larger stall. To accommodate them at feeding time, I hung grain tubs at opposite ends of the larger stall and one in the smaller stall, for Jiffy, and I’d let Cloud and Britches eat their meal together.

Occasionally, I’d lock the two of them in the stall together for short periods of time--never longer than it took to receive a hay delivery or mow the fields. Neither horse had ever shown any aggression toward the other, and the stall-sharing arrangement worked well.

Until one day, it didn’t.

One Saturday morning in September 2009 I went out to await a shipment of hay. To get the horses out of the way I dumped a handful of grain into each corner feeder. Just as he always had, Cloud walked into the large stall and went to the far corner to
eat. Britches ambled in after him and went to his own corner, while Jiffy headed into the small stall. I then closed both doors.

Moments later I heard a horrible ruckus, and I spun around just in time to see Cloud kicking out at Britches with both hind legs. The kicks were high and powerful. There was no doubt he meant business. As Cloud backed up to take aim again, the pony scooted out of his way.

Cloud’s next kick missed Britches and landed squarely on the stall bars, four feet above the floor. His left rear hoof struck the metal with such force that it bent the bars just enough to allow his foot to slip through. His leg immediately dropped to the surface of the wooden wall, leaving Cloud standing on three legs, with his left hind stretched backward and upward, his hoof trapped between two thick metal bars. It happened in a split second.

Cloud panicked. He lunged forward and back, trying to pull his hoof free. With each attempt to back up, he pushed his leg into the adjacent stall almost to his hock. Then he’d scramble forward, scraping his skin down to the fetlock. Each time he lunged, it seemed he could rip his foot right off. It was horrifying to watch, and I was sure he was going to break his leg.

Two factors probably saved Cloud that day. One was that I had my cell phone in my pocket, and the second was that Kurt was home. He came running from the house as soon as I called him. I opened the stall door to let Britches out and tried to calm Cloud from a distance, but I didn’t want to get too close. He was wild-eyed with fear and pain.

With one glance at the situation Kurt sprinted to the garage and came back with a pry bar to widen the gap for Cloud’s foot. But he couldn’t get the leverage he needed to bend the bars.

Cloud’s panicky, crazed lunging continued, and his leg was becoming a bloody, raw mess. I feared he was stripping his flesh to the bone.

Kurt then ran into the adjacent stall and grabbed Cloud’s trapped hoof. I have no idea how he managed to hold onto it as Cloud continued to struggle, but he did. Arm muscles bulging, he lifted the gelding’s hoof high enough to reach the slight gap where the bars had been bent by the impact of the kick. Lifting the leg to such a steep angle must have caused Cloud intense pain. But with a mighty shove, and aided by a final lunge forward, Kurt forced Cloud’s hoof back through the bars.

The leg had been trapped for maybe 10 or 15 minutes.

Damage done
Cloud stood alone in the large stall, holding the injured limb in the air, his blood streaming down and pooling on the stall floor. With shaking hands, I called our veterinary clinic, and within 15 minutes Tawna Purcell, DVM, arrived at the farm.

Purcell listened carefully to our account as she examined Cloud’s leg. Then she gave him an injection of a sedative, xylazine. If his leg was injured and he placed his full weight on it in a fit of panic, he could make the situation much worse.

Within a few minutes, Cloud relaxed and rested the hoof gingerly on the ground. Purcell gave him an injection of phenylbutazone to control his pain and the inflammation, then she palpated and flexed his leg, looking for any indication of fracture, such as an area of extreme swelling or tenderness. Nothing made her immediately suspect a bone or joint injury, although that didn’t mean he didn’t have one; if he did, it just wasn’t obvious.

Next she began cleaning Cloud’s wounds, which, it turned out, looked worse than they actually were. In fact, most were just superficial abrasions that hadn’t removed any more than the top layer of skin. One deeper cut midway between his hock and fetlock gaped open and bled freely, but no bones or tendons were visible.

By the time Purcell was finished, Cloud’s leg looked much better, and he was bearing weight on it, but we were not yet out of danger. Cloud showed signs of pain as his fetlock joint was flexed, which, Purcell explained, might indicate some fractures in the area. Another possibility was that he avulsed a collateral ligament of the fetlock joint---in other words, pulled the ligament free from the bone. She took a series of radiographs of his pastern, fetlock and cannon bone to view later at the office.

Purcell covered Cloud’s wounds with Thermazene, a silver sulfadiazine-based antibiotic wound cream, and wrapped his leg from hock to hoof. Then, to protect his lower leg in case he had sustained serious bone or tendon injury, she used layers and layers of padding to create a thick Robert Jones bandage. She also applied a standing wrap to support Cloud’s uninjured right rear leg--sometimes, horses who injure one leg and are forced to bear a disproportionate amount of weight on the opposite side may develop laminitis in the “good” foot. Purcell left me a tube of phenylbutazone with instructions to continue administering it over the
coming days.

Rest and recuperation
Within an hour Purcell called to say that the radiographs showed no evidence of fractures or avulsions. That was wonderful news. But she did warn me that Cloud might have strained his ligaments by pulling so hard with his leg locked in such a high position. She suggested I keep him in his stall and leave the bandage on until she returned on Monday morning. I was to remove the bandage only if I saw any swelling of the leg in the region above the wraps.

Cloud was miserable confined to his stall. I spent most of the next day with him, brushing his beautiful coat, combing his tail, feeding him carrots, and wondering whether he would recover. I examined the leg above his hock so many times, I think I burned the image into my retina. The more I looked at it, the more I imagined it was puffing up. But Kurt, who came out to check on us four or five times that day, reassured me that the leg was not swollen.

Purcell removed the thick bandage when she returned on Monday morning, which was a bit dicey because the gauze pads were stuck to the wounds, but Cloud didn’t put up much of a fuss. I then walked him carefully around the exam area. To everyone’s relief, he was reasonably sound, considering what he had been through.

After examining the leg again and watching him move, Purcell said she doubted Cloud had sustained any serious injuries to his bones, ligaments or joints. His slight lameness, she said, was most likely the result of lingering pain from sore muscles he’d sustained during his struggle against the bars.

Still, we weren’t entirely out of the woods. As Purcell rebandaged Cloud, she said that we would have to wait to see if he developed a bony sequestrum. Sometimes, she explained, significant trauma bruises and kills a portion of a bone, which separates from the parent bone. The body treats that fragment of dead bone as a foreign object and tries to get rid of it--the signs are a horribly swollen leg and lameness that develops anywhere from one to three weeks after the initial injury.

The only treatment for a sequestrum is to surgically remove the dead bone fragment. Although Purcell assured me that the procedure is fairly straightforward and usually successful, we both hoped to avoid this complication.

Full recovery
Cloud was unhappy the next day, Tuesday. He’s not accustomed to confinement, and he paced in his stall all day. I gave him all the good-quality hay he wanted, but I could see that he was already losing weight.

Purcell came back on Wednesday to change the bandage. She had offered to show me how to do it myself, but I was too afraid I’d miss something, or wrap him too loosely or too tightly. The visit went smoothly, and Purcell told me I could begin hand-walking Cloud twice a day, which would help him cope with stall confinement.

She returned again late the next day and was pleased when she removed the bandage---the abrasions were healing nicely. She rewrapped both hind legs with plain standing wraps and turned Cloud loose in the ring for the first time since his accident. He cantered and bucked and had a great time. He was still noticeably lame at the trot, but Purcell said that was not surprising. He was probably still sore.

It was now up to me to take on cleaning, medicating and rewrapping Cloud’s leg every day. His wounds continued to heal well, and he was getting sounder, although I worried he was getting depressed because he couldn’t yet join his herdmates.

Purcell returned for a follow-up check when Cloud’s injury was two weeks old. The skin was nearly healed, but he had developed a two-inch horizontal crack on the outside of his injured hoof. Purcell explained that a cut on the coronary band probably disrupted the hoof growth in that area for a short time. She told us to keep an eye on the crack, but she suspected it would grow out of his hoof without causing any real troubles.

Cloud was still slightly “off,” but Purcell suggested I start light riding so he could stretch and strengthen his sore muscles. That Saturday and Sunday, I got on Cloud bareback and ambled quietly around the ring. On Monday, I trotted him under saddle, and he was sound.

We still had a few anxious weeks ahead of us, waiting for the dreaded sequestrum to appear, but Cloud continued to stay sound. Our farrier kept a close eye on the hoof crack, but it required no special treatment as it progressed down his hoof over the
following months.

Three years later, the only tangible reminder of that terrifying day is a single, very small scar midway down Cloud’s back leg. But we cannot forget what could have happened: If Cloud had slipped and fallen while trapped, his leg could have snapped, or he could have dislocated joints, torn ligaments or stripped flesh down to the bone.

We were very lucky, and for that we remain grateful.

Why did Cloud attack Britches? We’ll never know. But one thing is for sure: I’ll never again make the mistake of putting two horses in the same stall, no matter how friendly they are.

This article first appeared in EQUUS issue #427.

Andrew Nicholson leads the way at Rolex Kentucky on Quimbo and stands second as well with Calico Joe after cross-country

© 2013 by Nancy Jaffer

Allie Knowles, queen for a day when she stood fourth as the highest-placed American after dressage, was back to earth this afternoon at the unlucky 13th obstacle, the sunken road complex. She was eliminated there after her Last Call said "no more" to the imposing combination.

But the king of eventers, defending champion William Fox-Pitt, also was toppled. Chilli Morning, first in the rankings after dressage, had a stop at the seventh fence, the HSBC Water Park. William turned around and headed to the stables, figuring there was no point in going all the way around the course at that point.

When I asked what happened with the stallion, the British star replied, "Who knows? There will be lots of time to reflect on it. Maybe he just over-jumped the fence before and shut down there. Whatever the reason, there was no point in carrying on--he’s 13 years old, and he’s not here for the experience. We’ll try again another day."

But all was not lost for William, who moved up from 10th to fourth on Seacookie (46.2 penalties) after putting in one of 10 double-clear trips logged during the day on Derek di Grazia's course.

William Fox-Pitt lost the lead on Chilli Morning but is fourth with Seacookie

© 2013 by Nancy Jaffer

Even if he jumps clean in tomorrow afternoon's show jumping, however, he just has to wait and watch to see what Andrew Nicholson does. Though Andrew is first on Quimbo (38 penalties) and second on Calico Joe (40.8), the New Zealander is not feeling any sense of comfort about retaining his spots at the time the ribbons are presented.

I asked him if there was some comfort to standing first and second.

"You can never have too much of a cushion in the show jumping,” he answered.

"I’ll make the most I can of my rounds today and worry about the show jumping tomorrow."

He and I had good eye contact, and I'm sure he knew that I knew the Spinning Rhombus story. That's a tough one to live down.

In 1992, when he and the New Zealand team were poised to take gold at the Barcelona Olympics, Andrew could have had seven rails down and still earned the top prize. But he and Spinning Rhombus had nine rails down; I've never seen anything like it. My jaw kept dropping with the poles as they toppled, one after another. Australia got the gold, and New Zealand had to settle for silver.

But on the plus side here, Quimbo is a good show jumper, though Calico Joe apparently is not quite up to that standard. So tomorrow should be very exciting.

The undercurrent, of course, is that if Andrew wins, he has a shot at the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing, for which only William is currently eligible; his finish here does not affect that. But if Andrew is in the running, Badminton--the last leg of the Triple--will be quite a donnybrook next week, I guarantee it. (If you want more detail about this, look at yesterday's postcard. Or Thursday's, for that matter.) And the mix will include Germany's Michael Jung, the world, Olympic and European champion. He could be the spoiler.

Buck Davidson is the highest-ranked American, in third place with Ballynoe Castle RM

© 2013 by Nancy Jaffer

Buck Davidson was the top American, making the climb from 10th after dressage to third on his old pal Reggie, whose formal name is Ballynoe Castle RM. He was one of 10 double-clears, a group that was a third of the field who finished cross-country.

This was a great moment for Buck in several ways. It eased the memory of Reggie's stop at the sunken road during the 2012 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games here, when Buck was part of the U.S. team.

"It’s a shame that his entire career has been plagued by that stop at the Sunken Road, because he’s such a great horse and everybody loves him," said Buck. "I just about gave up and stopped after he was so perfect through the sunken road--I was so happy."

And it was a nice bounce back from 2012, when he hurt his shoulder in a fall.

Buck and I talked about his feelings today.

Listen: Buck Davidson

Of course, his mood also was elevated by winning the Land Rover Best Ride of the Day for being the U.S. rider finishing closest to the optimum time of 11 minutes, 21 seconds to finish the course. He got free use for two years of a 2013 Range Rover. The award came for his trip on Mar de Amor, one of three horses he rode around today. Mar de Amor's time was 11:15. William actually hit 11:21 on the head, but since he isn't American, he wasn't eligible for the prize.

Will Faudree and Pawlow powered out of the Head of the Lake on their way to fifth place in the standings

© 2013 by Nancy Jaffer

The course seemed generally well-regarded, but I got an interesting insight on it from Mark Phillips, former coach of the U.S. eventing team.

Listen: Mark Phillips

Bruce Davidson, Buck's father, has ridden around Rolex more times than anyone else--though it seems his son is catching up with him quickly. I was interested in what he thought of the course.

Listen: Bruce Davidson

Happily, no one was seriously injured, though there were five rider falls, including Becky Holder, who was seventh after dressage. Ronald Zabala-Goetshel of Ecuador drew a laugh after he and Wise Equestrian Master Rose tumbled into the drink at the Head of the Lake, and the rider rose from the water to take a bow for the crowd.

I ran into Marilyn Little at lunchtime, when she was wearing a sling on her right arm to support a shoulder injury. I asked how it happened, and whether she would ride today. Here's what she said.

Listen: Marilyn Little

She did wind up starting on course, but had a fall from RF Demeter at the 17th fence, the Land Rover Hollow, ending her quest. Let's hope she'll take a rest and let the injury heal.

Several top riders followed William's cautionary lead by withdrawing their horses after a refusal, in order to save them for another day. Mary King, the winner in 2011 with Kings Temptress, came back on her second-place horse from that year, Fernhill Urco, to give try giving him equal time in the trophy department. But he looked tired coming into the Head of the Lake and ran out on the brush obstacle after jumping out of the water. Mary retired six fences later.

Boyd Martin had a refusal with Trading Aces six fences from the end of the 28-obstacle course and walked away.

The original field of 45 for dressage is now at 30, and I suspect it will be smaller still after tomorrow's horse inspection.

It should be great show jumping, Andrew and William, the fiercest of rivals personally and professionally, squaring off with so much at stake. I'll be there, and tell you all about it tomorrow evening in my final postcard from Rolex Kentucky. In the meantime, be sure to go to facebook.com/equisearch and facebook.com/practical horseman for more photos and videos.

Until then,

April 26, 2013 -- Allie Knowles was the highest-placed American after the second day of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, finishing fourth on Last Call.

Wait a minute--Allie who? C'mon, confess: Did you ever hear of her?

Well now you have, and in a big way. She put in an astounding test for a Rolex first-timer with her charming 13-year-old Mecklenberg mare, who she has owned for seven years. Okay, her mark of 43.3 put her 10 penalty points behind the leader, William Fox-Pitt of Great Britain on Chilli Morning, but I was impressed.

Andrew Nicholson, second on Quimbo

© 2013 by Nancy Jaffer

Andrew Nicholson of New Zealand, 2012's number one-ranked eventer, was second on Quimbo (38) displacing himself into third on yesterday's leader, Calico Joe (40.8).

At the post-competition press conference, media chief Marty Bauman made a point of seating Allie between Andrew and William, the defending Rolex champ. My first thought was that he wanted to keep the men apart; Andrew got involved years ago with William's wife, Wiggy, with whom he now has two children. But that apparently is pretty much history. William is married to racing presenter Alice Plunkett, and the couple has three children.

It turns out, though, that Marty just wanted Allie to be able to say she was sitting between two of the greatest eventers, the world number one and a former number one. Of course, she was loving it. Who wouldn't want such handsome bookends?

So would you like to meet the 26-year-old, who trains with Buck Davidson and runs a farm in Paris (not France), about a half-hour from the Kentucky Horse Park?

Listen to our conversation from this afternoon.

Listen: Allie Knowles

Rolex is always exciting enough in a normal year, but a face-off between William and Andrew takes on extra importance because both are shooting for the $350,000 Rolex grand slam. And now you know the back story too, which has to heighten the tension.

Because Badminton was canceled last year due to rain, William can win the award if he takes Badminton 2013. And Andrew, who won Burghley last September, has a shot if he wins here and then goes on to try for victory at Badminton. It is, to say the least, an unusual situation.

And this seems like the right place to insert the big news today, word that show jumpers are getting their own Rolex Grand Slam. This one is for a prize of $1 million Euros. It involves three shows: Spruce Meadows in Canada; Geneva, Switzerland and Aachen. I've heard, however, that it might expand to include five shows, maybe one of which could be in the U.S. Rolex has been generous to the sport, and they have shown time and again they're always open to further innovation.

Great Britain’s William Fox-Pitt is in the lead at Rolex Kentucky, winning the dressage phase on Chilli Morning

© 2013 by Nancy Jaffer

So, back to dressage. Chilli Morning is a chestnut stallion whose red coat and white stockings make him a real "look at me" standout even before you begin to assess his talent.

"He's got a great presence, and therefore, when you're riding him, you feel you're capturing the ground jury's attention," said William, who also praised his temperament.

"He's a very well-schooled horse and holds himself well. He's very uphill and very light; he paints a good picture throughout the test."

Quimbo, a black gelding who is another eye-catcher, was very much engaged, both with his rider and in his frame.

"I think he pretty much gave 100 percent," concluded Andrew.

Following his triumphant dressage test, William Fox-Pitt was surrounded by young fans, one of whom got to try on his top hat

© 2013 by Nancy Jaffer

"I mucked up my last (flying) change at the end, which is my fault, I was trying to press for more marks," he said, noting he was looking at the large scoreboard looming over the arena as he rode.

"I was going to have to squeeze the maximum out of him to catch William and I got carried away by the end of it," admitted Andrew, who rode next-to-last.

Allie, too, had trouble with her final change, which made her mare a bit tense. She handled it though, and strikes me as someone who is a cool customer.

Mary King, the Rolex winner two years ago, was aboard Fernhill Urco, the runner-up to her Kings Temptress in 2011. She is equal fifth with 43.7 penalties. As always, she gave her fans a big wave and a huge smile as she left the ring. She's one of the sport's great personalities. Tied with her is Marilyn Little on the extremely fit-looking RF Demeter. Marilyn had a separated shoulder, but do you think that would stop her from riding? Never.

Jennie Brannigan's ride Cambalda, who got scraped up yesterday after falling when he ran off while he was being longed, got a day's reprieve and permission to start today. But the horse wasn't right and Jennie bowed out. She has such big setbacks; Jennie lost her good horse a few years ago, and in 2012, she was hobbling around on crutches after hurting her knee. Let's hope her luck changes from now on. But it just goes to show that getting to the Kentucky Horse Park for Rolex doesn't mean you're home free.

Jimmy Wofford was recalling how a number of years ago, Jil Walton's horse stepped on a rock between the warm-up and dressage ring, and that was it for her shot at the event that year.

Rolex competitors always have lots of supporters. It's great to see the number of folks who crowd in at the "kiss and cry" stand beside the ring to watch "their" participant. These are not always relatives, trainers and grooms. Sometimes the connection between those who come to Rolex to root involves the horse.

I spoke with Dr. Tom Meagher, a veterinarian from Ireland, who owns the stallion Ricardo Z. He is the sire of Ballylaffin Bracken, the ride of Kristin Schmolze, who stands equal 17th on 53.7 penalties. It is the first Rolex both for the gelding, known as Rox, and Dr. Tom. We chatted about his involvement with Rox and his thoughts about Rolex on his first visit here.

Listen: Dr. Tom Meagher

Tomorrow is the day we've been waiting for, when we see 45 horses tested against Derek di Grazia's big cross-country course. Unfortunately, it looks like we're going to have some rain, which complicates an already challenging situation.

I'll be back tomorrow night with another postcard to tell you all about it. And don't forget to check facebook.com/practicalhorseman and facebook.com/equisearch for more photos and videos.

Until then,

USEF National Combined Driving Single Pony Championship

Tracey Morgan

© PicsofYou.com

Morgan (Beallsville, Md.) drove her own Fuego 88 flawlessly in the cones phase to post the only double clear in any of the Advanced divisions. The 12-year-old German Riding Pony completed on a three-day total of 130.59.

"I knew I needed to do that (drive double clear), to have a shot. That

double clear is always so important; it was my first of the year," said Morgan. "We kept fighting our way up from third after the dressage all weekend."

Morgan is a former USEF National Combined Driving Pair Pony Championship but this is the first time topping the Single Pony Championship.

"It was fantastic to win the National Championship; it was good friends and good competition."

Earning the Reserve Championship was the leader following the marathon, Paul Maye (Fairfield, Va.) on a final score of 134.71. Maye drove Harmony Sport Horses' Markus just a little too conservatively to incur 8.32 time faults but leave all the balls in place in the cones.

USEF National Combined Driving Pair Pony Championship

Jennifer Matheson

© PicsofYou.com

Matheson (Aiken, S.C.) drove the combination of Bax and Cees to a cones score of 8.90 after incurring six faults for two balls down and 2.90 time faults. The 2010 and 2011

National Champion earned her third title on a score of 145.15.

"It's great to win (the National Championship); this makes three," said Matheson. "It really solidifies to me that I can represent my country."

The Southern Pines CDE proved to be a large step forward for Matheson and her ponies after a less than ideal spring campaign.

"We're improving; I'm still trying to get my confidence back. I've been unsettled but I'm getting more confident."

Finishing in second and earning Reserve Champion honors was Wendy O'Brien (Aiken, SC) on a score of 157.37. The 2012 National Champion incurred four balls down and 4.60 time faults for a cones total of 16.60.

USEF National Combined Driving Pony Team Championship

Lisa Stroud

© PicsofYou.com

Stroud (West Grove, Pa.) drove with great precision to complete the weekend with a cones score of 4.24, one ball down and 1.24 time faults. She earned her record-tying eighth consecutive National Championship on a score of 170.11.

"It's kind of cool," said Stroud of her ninth National Title (2004 and 2006-2013).

Stroud was very pleased with her team on Sunday as they performed so well over the challenging cones course.

"That was a hard cones course. I felt lucky to get out of there alive," said Stroud. "It (the time) was very tight. I'm very pleased with all these ponies."

Heather Schneider (Palm City, Fla.) earned the Reserve Championship on a three-day total of 201.98, after scoring 14.74 on the cones (one ball down and 11.74 time faults).

For results visit: http://drivingnews.us/results/results2013/SouthernPines/

To learn more about the Southern Pines CDE visit: http://southernpinescdedotcom.wordpress.com/

Follow the 2013 U.S. Driving Team here.

USEF National Combined Driving Single Pony Championship

Paul Maye

© PicsofYou.com

Maye (Fairfield, Va.) drove like a man on a mission over the eight hazard course guiding Harmony Sport Horses' Markus to a marathon score of 77.96. The 2012 National Championships won hazards one, four and seven to hold a four point lead going into the cones phase.

"He was wonderful, he did everything I asked him to do," said Maye of his 12-year-old German Sport Pony stallion. "He got me out of trouble in a couple places and he finished very strong."

Lying second heading into the cones are Tracey Morgan (Beallsville, Md.) and Fuego 88 with a two-day total of 130.59.

USEF National Combined Driving Pair Pony Championship

Jennifer Matheson

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Matheson (Aiken, S.C.) posted the quickest times in five of the hazards on Saturday. On

the marathon the 2010 and 2011 National Champion drove Bax and Cees together for the first time with great success as she posted a score of 86.86 for the phase.

"I thought the marathon went well. It's a new combination," said Matheson. "I'm really happy with how it went."

Wendy O'Brien (Aiken, S.C.) the 2012 National Championship and Friday's dressage leader currently lies second on a score of 140.77.

USEF National Combined Driving Pony Team Championship
Stroud (West Grove, Pa.) won the dressage phase of the USEF National Combined Driving Pony Team Championship on a score of 50.24 and lengthened her lead with a strong marathon phase. The reigning

National Champion won five hazards (one, three, four, five and six) to earn a marathon score of 115.63.

"I like that there were eight hazards here; it's very technically challenging and very tight for a Team. Overall it was very well built and so welcoming. The volunteers and committee make it a competitor friendly show. When you wake-up and are excited there's nothing better," said Stroud of the Southern Pines CDE. "I was thrilled with the dressage; I was hoping to break 50 this spring and I did 50.24(yesterday), so I'll take the .24."

Lisa Stroud

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Stroud heads into the cones phase with a nearly 22 point lead as she vies to earn her 10th National Title.

Sitting in second place overnight is Heather Schneider (Palm City, Fla) with a score of 187.24.
Competition concludes for all divisions with the final cones phase on Sunday.

For buy cialis online low price Orders of Go and Results visit: http://drivingnews.us/results/results2013/SouthernPines/

To learn more about the Southern Pines CDE visit: http://southernpinescdedotcom.wordpress.com/

Follow the 2013 U.S. Driving Team here.

USEF National Combined Driving Single Pony Championship

Suzy Stafford

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Stafford (Wilmington, Del.) and Wendy O'Brien's TTE Tea Time drove as the final competitors in the division and set the tone from the very start of the test. The Individual Silver medalist from the 2011 FEI World Driving Championships for Combined Ponies utilized her years of experience to produce a consistent and precise effort with the nine-year-old Morgan gelding.

Lying second are the 2012 USEF National Combined Driving Single Pony Champions, Paul Maye (Fairfield, Va.) and Harmony Sport Horses' Markus. The 12-year-old German Sport Pony stallion earned a score of 48.43.

USEF National Combined Driving Pair Pony Championship

Wendy O'Brien

© PicsofYou.com

O'Brien (Aiken, S.C.) drove her own Braakmoor Clowny Clark (a 15-year-old Welsh gelding) and Braakmoor Conan (a 14-year-old Welsh gelding) in the first phase as she looks to retain her National

Title from 2012. The pair of ponies demonstrated powerful and expressive gaits but a few bobbles cost them valuable marks.

Heading to the marathon in second place is Jennifer Matheson on a score of 49.39. Matheson (Aiken, S.C.) drove Katrina Becker's Bax and Danyloo in the first phase.

USEF National Combined Driving Pony Team Championship

Lisa Stroud

© PicsofYou.com

In the dressage, Stroud (West Grove, Pa.) drove her own Sir Patrick (a 14-year-old Connemara gelding), With Flair (a 14-year-old Welsh gelding), Kilkerin Edward (a 16-year-old Welsh gelding) and Mystic (a 13-year-old New Forest Pony gelding). The nine-time National Champion had a consistent test, highlighted by relaxed walk work. She will head out onto the marathon with a six-point lead.

In second place in the USEF National Combined Driving Pony Team Championship is Heather Schneider (Palm City, Fla.) who drove her own Rambo, Patrick, Cloud 9 and Jazz to a score of 56.64.

Competition continues for all divisions with the marathon on Saturday.

For Orders of Go and Results visit: http://drivingnews.us/results/results2013/SouthernPines/

To learn more about the Southern Pines CDE visit: http://southernpinescdedotcom.wordpress.com/

Follow the 2013 U.S. Driving Team here.

The Horse&Rider Ride More Tour is an interactive, fun roundup of equine experts offering advice and inspiration to horse enthusiasts of all levels, will kick off its 2013 tour at Brighton Feed & Saddlery on April 5

Fueled by the expertise of the Equine Network, the nation’s leading publisher of horse-related content, including Horse&Rider, Practical Horseman and EQUUS, and the experienced staff of Brighton Feed & Saddlery, the evening features a very hands-on presentation about the skills, knowledge and gear people need to Ride More.

“We want to arm horse owners and enthusiasts with the best information to improve their horse lives—from health and management tactics

to tack tips to riding skills,” says Horse&Rider managing editor Jennifer Paulson.

Since having the wrong saddle can lead to discomfort and pain for both horse and rider, Roger Allgeier will discuss proper saddle fit for both horse and rider, saddles for different disciplines, tree construction and materials, what to look for when purchasing and much more. He will also demonstrate proper saddle fit with different horses.

Horse&Rider Managing Editor Jennifer Paulson will talk about the latest in horse care, including horse nutrition, colic prevention and deworming. Attendees will be able to try, touch, sniff and taste (if they want!) the latest products from the horse industry’s leading manufacturers.
In addition to a flood of knowledge, attendees will also have a chance to win prizes from Ride More Tour sponsors, such as Weaver Leather and USRider, a roadside assistance program for horse owners.

Free refreshments will be served.
Location: Brighton Feed & Saddlery 370 North Main Street, Brighton, CO 80601 Date and Time: Friday, April 5, at 6 p.m.

For more details, please go to http://www.equisearch.com/horse-and-rider-ride-more-tour

As Jim discusses the highlights of the course, you’ll gain insight into how Rolex’s course designer Derek di Grazia will test the horses and riders at each obstacle and why. Find out the best way to approach each obstacle and what questions the riders must consider at each fence. Discover the influence of the materials and build of each jump and learn what they look like from the horses’ perspective.

“The Practical Horseman cross-country course walk is one of the highlights of the Rolex weekend for me,” said Jim. “I am always impressed by the number of participants and by their keen interest. Their questions tell me that they are sincerely interested in learning more about our wonderful sport. It is a privilege to be with fans like that.”

To participate in this informative—and entertaining—event, meet Jim by Fence 7 at 4 p.m. on April 26. (Check back for location and time.) Plan to spend at least two hours on course. Wear comfortable, waterproof footwear, and come prepared for the weather conditions with an umbrella, jacket, sunscreen, bug spray, water and, if you wish, a portable chair or blanket to sit on.

In addition to the course walk, Jim will be at the Practical Horseman booth in Sponsor Village signing copies of his completely revised book Modern Gymnastics: Systematic Training for Jumping Horses during lunch break on Friday and Saturday. Eventer Allison Springer, who appears in the photo on the cover, will be joining him.

“I am excited that my new book is finally ready,” said Jim. “I have revised and expanded my original book on gymnastic jumping. The color-coded diagrams and montage-style photos show the reader exactly what I mean when I describe a gymnastic, and the expert riders in the photos give the reader excellent visual role models.”

If you can’t join us in person, be sure to follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/prachorseman (#RoadtoRolex13) to catch exclusive coverage of the entire event. We'll be posting photos, videos, results and updates and bringing you the entire inside scoop as it happens. Updates and other news will also be available at www.facebook.com/practicalhorseman.

For a schedule of events or to purchase tickets for the 2013 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, visit www.rk3de.com.