Horse Illustrated Magazine

We are continuing our Kentucky Three-Day Event tribute for the show jumping day. Enjoy these show jumping rides from some fan favorite riders. 

Shown here in the 2016 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event aboard Veronica, Lauren Kieffer has been known for riding several Half-Arabian crosses in one of the world’s toughest eventing competitions, starting with Snooze Alarm in 2010. In 2014 and 2016, she won the Pinnacle Cup for being the highest-placed American aboard her Dutch Warmblood mare, Veronica. The pair finished second both times. She has been riding Veronica since 2013. In addition, Lauren was on the gold-medal winning team at the 2015 Pan American Games on Meadowbrook’s Scarlett, and they placed 7th individually. She also competed in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, but the team did not place. And in the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games in Tryon, N.C., Lauren rode Vermiculus.

Shown here in the 2017 show jumping phase of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is Phillip Dutton and Mr. Medicott. Phillip was born in New South Wales, Australia, but he moved to the United States in 1991 and changed his citizenship to American in 2006. However, before that he represented Australia in three Olympics and four World Championships. He first represented the U.S. in the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, where he captured a team gold medal and an individual silver medal with TruLuck and would later get another team gold in the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto aboard Fernhill Fugitive. He placed 7th in the 2008 Beijing Olympics (where equestrian events were held in Hong Kong) on Connaught, and he and Mighty Nice won a bronze in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Phillip and Woodburn were on the 4th-placed team at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Lexington, Ky. And he rode in the 2012 London Olympics aboard Mystery Whisper. Phillip has been the U.S. Eventing Association Leader Rider of the Year in 1998, 2000-2010, and 2012, and was the leading FEI World Eventing Rider in 2005.

Mr. Medicott is a 1999 16.3-hand chestnut Irish Sport Horse who captured a team gold in the 2008 Olympics with German rider Frank Ostholt, who also rode him in the 2010 WEG. He then changed hands and finished 9th with Karen O’Connor in the 2012 London Olympic Games, but Phillip picked up the ride when Karen was injured later that season—but not before they captured a fourth at the 2012 Rolex and other impressive placings at three-star events at Bromont, Red Hills, and The Fork. Mr. Medicott, also called Cave, struggled with injuries from 2014 to 2016 until he returned to competition to win the 2017 USEF National CCI**** for being the highest-placed American at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, where he finished fourth overall. After becoming the mount for Olivia Dutton, Phillip’s daughter, they successfully competed together before Cave was retired in 2018. Watch this indominable pair at https://youtu.be/7v9MSNtPIhs.

Karen Lende O’Connor and Theodore O’Connor, shown here in the 2007 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, were a phenomenal pair with one of the largest fan followings. Karen is an Olympic veteran, who earned a team bronze medal in eventing at the 2000 Sydney Olympics on Prince Panache and a team silver in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics on Biko. She has also competed in the 1988 on Prince Panache to a fourth-place team finish and 2008 Olympics on Mandiba to a seventh-place team finish. In addition, she has won an individual silver medal in the 2003 Pan American Games on Joker’s Wild and a team bronze at the 1994 FEI World Equestrian Games. She won the 1991 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day CCI*** with Mr. Maxwell.

Theodore O’Connor (affectionately known as Teddy) was an eventing legend, and an unexpected one as a 14.1-hand Arabian/Shetland Pony/Thoroughbred-cross pony. This “Super Pony” first attempted the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in 2007, winning the Best Conditioned Horse Award and finished third. In the 2007 Pan American Games, he captured individual and team gold medals for the U.S. team. He was then named the 2007 United States Equestrian Federation Horse of the Year, and the U.S. Eventing Association Pony of the Year. In 2008, Teddy and Karen finished Rolex in 6th and was short-listed for the 2008 Olympic Games in China. However, before that, he had a freak accident at his home stable and had to be put down. Watch this amazing team at .

Stay tuned for a tribute to the winners of the Kentucky Three-Day Event.

Further Reading

• Honoring the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event’s History, Horses, and Riders
• Continuing Our Kentucky Three-Day Event Tribute for Dressage
• Continuing Our Kentucky Three-Day Event Tribute for Cross-Country Day
• Official Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event Website