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May 07, 2006
Rolex CCI****
My exams are coming up quickly, and I need to log a lot of hrs in the library. However, there are some things that are more important...like watching the 2006 Rolex Kentucky Three Day. I was walking from the wall to the library and I decided to stop by the Ivy Room to get some food. There they have a gigantic TV and of course just when I'm about to stand up, they anounce they're going to air a one hr special on the event.
I feel I need to educate some people on the beauty of the Rolex CCI****. First off, it's one of only a handful of four stars in the WORLD, and the only one in the states. It's an olympic level course with incredible competition. To put it lightly, it's the biggest day in American eventing, the superbowl of the horse world. As the announcer said, there's not a single rider that would not like to add this to his list. Just to BE at the event would give me goosebumps, and I can only dream of riding in it.
Three day eventing is the triathalon of the horse world. First day is dressage, second day is a gruling cross country course (see picture) and the last day is stadium jumping. The horses must be in top physical condition to even get close to this event. The stuff they can jump is just mind blowing, for example, in the picture, that's a 6 foot drop...into a pool of water... To ride in this you not only need to be fearless, but physically strong to harness the 1,200 pound animal that's running at a solid 30 mph.
So why am I writing about my favorite event, halfway through it's air time? Because some guy (who is obviously clueless and there's absolutely no hope for him) asked if it was all right if he changed the channel.....yea, sure buddy, I guess i've got to study anyway....Sigh....It just made me remember how much I miss the eventing world. This may sound really cliche, and I oppologize, but horses and eventing for me is like breathing. You can hold your breath for only so long, but then you start to feel that burning in your lungs and it slowly gets stronger and stronger until you just need to take a gulp of air....and I've never been good at holding my breath.
If you want to learn more about the event, go here.
Posted by agutwin at May 7, 2006 02:21 PM