It has been hot at Kentucky this week and Saturday was originally forecast to be overcast, which it was for the 4*S class which started at 9.30am after a light touch of rain. By the time the 5 star started in the early afternoon the clouds had moved on and it was an undeniably warm afternoon which was great for the huge crowds but not so perfectly ideal for the horses.
Kentucky is never a given and after Global Quest (George) made his debut at the slightly less meaty, and flat track at Pau last autumn it was quite the step up. He showed his scope and honesty and tackled every question with the right attitude and was hugely aided by Tim’s considerable experience. They went long when he landed a bit steep into the first water and Tim’s instant reaction was to abort the straight route and were a tad unlucky when George dropped his back feet on the in of the coffin to activate the MIM clips and accumulate 11 penalties. Tim looked back, saw that the rail had dropped and then gave George a hugely educational ride home to complete clear jumping and adding some 21 time to sit in 17th at the end of the day.
Much closer to the end of the competition was Vitali time and it was clear that it was a thoroughbred day if you wanted to get over the finish with no time penalties. Vitali is not bred like that but he has masses of experience at this level and he showed his class from start to finish. He looked for the flags everywhere, was neat and tidy and showed exactly why he is a world class horse. He looked to tire just a little towards the end of the track and Tim, always the horseman, rode him home to add 9.2 time which saw him drop from 2nd spot to 5th overnight.
It was fellow Kiwi Monica Spencer’s day today in the bluegrass county. She and NZ TB Artist (Max) just pipped Tim to the lead in the dressage yesterday and they blitzed around the course to add nothing to her 22.3 score which gives her a rail in hand for the showjumping tomorrow. Will it be enough? Max has had a fairly chequered record on the Sunday as has Vitali but there is vet check between that and tomorrow afternoons finale.
It’s always a risk flying horses across the pond but both George and Vitali proved they really did deserve their trip today. Fingers crossed it’s a drama free finish to their big weekend!
