Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event assists fire relief efforts

Boyd Martin and Remington XXV on the cross-country course at the 2011 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. Photo: Leslie Potter

Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), producer of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Bridgestone, has joined the effort to provide financial assistance to Eventing rider Boyd Martin in the aftermath of the tragic fire on May 31 at True Prospect Farm in West Grove, PA.

A fire at the farm, owned by Phillip and Evie Dutton, destroyed the barn utilized by Martin and took the lives of six horses while injuring five others. Three people living in an apartment near the barn lost all their possessions. The Eventing community has rallied with support and EEI has pledged a $1,500 donation plus 5% of all sales of merchandise sold through the Kentucky Three-Day Event Shop at www.rk3de.org/shop for the next 60 days. The Kentucky Three-Day Shop includes various Rolex Kentucky merchandise, from hats to jackets and everything between.

“The Eventing community has been shaken by this tragedy that resulted in tremendous loss for Boyd and Silva Martin in particular, and also for Phillip and Evie Dutton and others at the farm,” said Christina Gray, Director of Competition for the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. “Boyd and Phillip are two of the best loved and most respected riders in our sport and all of us associated with the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event want to help by providing financial assistance.”

Both Martin and Dutton are regular competitors at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and both rode for the United States at last fall’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Those wishing to make donations to assist with fire relief may do so through Southern California Equestrian Sports, Inc. (SCES), a non-profit organization dedicated to helping equestrian riders and organizers. Donations may be made on line at www.scesports.org.

The only CCI4* in the Western Hemisphere, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event features the USEF Four Star Championship for the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation Pinnacle Cup, signifying the zenith in Eventing competition in the United States. The event draws 50-100,000 spectators and is seen by millions more on worldwide telecasts including a domestic broadcast on NBC.

Further information on the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Bridgestone, is available at the Rolex Kentucky website at www.rk3de.org.

Further information on fire relief efforts is available at www.boydandsilvamartin.com.