The top three horses after Cross Country were with in 2.4 faults of each other -

William Fox-Pitt and Cool Mountain - 42.8,
Kim Severson and Tipperary Liadhnan - 44.8
Becky Holder and Courageous Comet - 45.2

This meant that the Show Jumping phase would be all important.

Becky Holder and Courageous Comet jumped first of the three and had one rail down for four faults. (Becky and Courageous Comet are pictured at the right.)

Kim Severson went next with Tipperary Liadhnan. Kim had spoken prophetically at the Saturday afternoon Press Conference when each of the top three had been asked how their horses might Show Jump. Kim said that Tipperary Liadhnan would be all right if she didn't, "...speak too loudly."

Tipperary Liadhnan stopped at the fourth fence which was right by the ingate. Then, of course she HAD to "speak loudly" to him and he got flat and pulled five rails for a total of 24 jumping faults added 12 time faults and sadly dropped to 24th on a score of 80.8.

This left the door open for Phillip Dutton and Woodburn, who had been fourth after Cross Country on his Dressage score of 47.7. Phillip, being the great competitor he is, has never seen an open door through which he has not immediately ridden! (Phillip and Woodburn are pictured at the left.)

A double clear for Phillip and Woodburn to finish on their Dressage score put the question directly to William Fox-Pitt and Cool Mountain. Can you jump around with no more than four faults?

The British pair had no problem doing even better than required to remain at the head of affairs - they jumped a double clear. The British duo finished on their Dressage score to win like true Rolex Kentucky Champions. (William is pictured below on the big screen TV in the Stadium.) William is only the second Brit to win Rolex Kentucky in its thirteen year history as a CCI****. Pippa Funnell (GBR) won in 2003.

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The update on Oliver Townend is: four broken or cracked ribs; a broken or cracked collar bone; and a cracked sternum. There was some question as to whether Oli would fly home Sunday night or not - surely he would not be able to ride at Badminton. Well, stay tuned, stranger things have happened!

Another GREAT Rolex is in the books. Monday morning dawned cold and rainy. It was fortunate the event had concluded on Sunday afternoon!

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Oliver Townend Is Out of Hospital and Heading Home

By Nancy Jaffer and Carol Phillips
The following is copied from Horse &Hound e-news.

25 April, 2010

Oliver Townend has been discharged from hospital following his fall from Ashdale Cruise Master on the cross-country course at Rolex Kentucky and will be flying back to the UK tonight.

"I feel a bit bashed and bruised but my spirits are good," he said. "Hopefully I will get a good rest on the plane. At least the trip home should be easier than the journey here!

"It's a tough sport and these things happen. I was very fit going into Kentucky and the physical strengthening work I did helped me take such a hard fall without serious damage.

Editor's Note: A short paragraph has been deleted here. It will be re-inserted after THE HORSE OF DELAWARE VALLEY is published.

"I'd like to thank all those who have supported me while I've been in Kentucky and everyone who has been sending me messages on Facebook.

"I want to get well quickly and start riding again as soon as possible."

Ashdale Cruise Master was not hurt and will fly back to Britain with the other Rolex horses. Oliver won't be defending his title at Badminton, however, as he has been signed off from competition for 21 days due to being knocked out.

British World Class Performance Manager Will Connell confirmed that while Oliver did sustain some minor injuries in the fall, he did not suffer a head injury.

"There were some reports Oliver had a head injury, but that was absolutely not correct," said Will. "He is obviously a bit sore. He has some minor injuries and we're sure he'll make a full recovery. That's the sport of eventing; Oliver had a good ride on his first horse and had a good ride on his second horse up that moment."

Will added: "It's excellent that William Fox-Pitt is in the lead; [with] all the talk about Oliver's unfortunate fall, people forget we got three British riders over here and one is in the lead going into show jumping, which is fantastic."