Louisville customers take home the top prize winning the "Land Rover Tailgate Challenge" at the 2013 Rolex Kentucky Three‑Day Event Presented by Land Rover
(LEXINGTON, KY.) ‑ April 27, 2013 ‑ Bruce (Buck) Davidson, Jr.delivered a stellar performance over the cross‑country phase of the 2013 Rolex Kentucky Three‑Day Event Presented by Land Rover on Saturday, April 27, in Lexington, Kentucky. Davidson was the top U.S. rider to complete the course closest to the optimum time winning the "Land Rover Best Ride of the Day" and was presented a 2013 Range Rover Evoque lease by Kim McCullough, Brand Vice President for Land Rover North America.
Davidson with the time of 11 minutes 15 seconds was the closest to the optimum time of 11 minutes and 21 seconds including penalties for faults at obstacles, time penalties and any other penalty that the rider may have incurred on the Cross‑County phase.
Land Rover is renowned for combining unrivalled elegance, unsurpassed capability, unmatched versatility and unquestioned power, which are all of the traits found within the horse and rider combinations that participate in the sport of Eventing. Such similarities make the award winning Range Rover Evoque lease a fitting prize for the triumphant U.S. rider.
Kim McCullough, Brand Vice President, Land Rover North America said, "Buck Davidson stood out today amongst tough competition. It takes skill, and determination to master the cross‑country phase of such a challenging three‑day competition and therefore we felt it was fitting to award the lease of the Range Rover Evoque to the top U.S. finisher of this particularly tough stage."
"I've been looking to buy a Land Rover for a while and therefore am so pleased to win the Range Rover Evoque, said Davidson. "Land Rover has long supported Eventing, and I want to thank them for their support of the United States Equestrian Federation and our sport."
The 2013 Range Rover Evoque is the smallest Range Rover model ever, the and stays true to the core brand values by providing premium levels of craftsmanship, luxury, performance and multi‑terrain capability. Available in five‑door and coupe versions, the Range Rover Evoque provides generous interior legroom and headroom, a very practical trunk, plus highly capable off‑road geometry and ground clearance.
All Range Rover Evoque models are powered by a 2‑liter, 240hp direct‑injected turbocharged 4‑cylinder engine, which is teamed to a 6‑speed automatic transmission and a full‑time, intelligent four‑wheel drive system. New efficiency technologies, lightweight materials and environmentally conscious design combine to make the Range Rover Evoque the most fuel‑efficient Range Rover model.
In addition to presenting the vehicle lease, Land Rover hosted a "Land Rover Tailgate Challenge" as part of its continued support of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). Andy Goss, President, Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC, announced the winners who were Eric Williams and Kim Morris for the best‑decorated, best‑catered and most creative tailgate party.
"We are honored to be named the Land Rover Tailgate Challenge winners," commented Eric Williams and Kim Morris. "Being enthusiasts of both Land Rover and the equestrian community, we drew inspiration from them both. We wanted our display to pay respect to the brand while incorporating our love of the equestrian sport and Kentucky."
Williams and Morris, who are customers of Blue Grass Land Rover in Louisville, won with theirSophisticated Livingthemed Range Rover tailgate. Their display incorporated a combination of equestrian, British heritage and the essence of Kentucky, all layered on a backdrop of theSophisticated Livingchocolate and blue colors. Morris's very own riding gear, a children's tailgate table, and a bottle of Jefferson Reserve special blend bourbon were key centerpieces. Their spread impressed each of the judges ‑‑ Andy Goss, President, Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC.; Kim McCullough, Brand Vice President, Land Rover North America; and Lee Carter, Executive Director, Equestrian Events Inc., producer of the Rolex Kentucky Three‑Day Event.
"This tailgate best represented the Land Rover brand and from the moment we approached their display," said Kim McCullough, Brand Vice President, Land Rover North America. "Their presentation was very well executed and tapped into all the elements befitting of an equestrian event display while incorporating the very essence of the Land Rover brand."
As their prize, Williams and Morris were awarded two 2014 Rolex Kentucky Sponsor Pavilion Hospitality tickets, two reserved grandstand seats for the Event, a premium tailgate space and the use of a Land Rover for the weekend for the 2014 event. Looking toward next year's Rolex event tailgating will offer the winners an opportunity to defend their title.
Held on the grounds of the Kentucky Horse Park, the 2013 Rolex Kentucky Three‑Day Event, the Western Hemisphere's only Four Star Three‑Day Event, features the 16th Rolex USEF Four Star Championship for the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation Pinnacle Cup. The Event features the world's best horses and riders vying for their share of $250,000 in prize money as well as a shot at the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing.
Further information on the Rolex Kentucky Three‑Day Event is available on the event's website at www.rk3de.org.
Editor's Note:
The 'Land Rover Best Ride of the Day' award ("Winner" of prize) will be presented to the U.S. rider with the best Cross‑Country ride at the 2013 Rolex Kentucky Three‑Day Event presented by Land Rover. The winner will be the U.S. rider with the best Cross‑Country score including penalties for faults at obstacles, time penalties and any other penalty that the rider may have incurred on the Cross‑County test. Winner will receive a twenty‑four (24) month lease of one (1) 2013 Range Rover Evoque Pure Premium with SAT HD Radio and CCP Cold Climate Package, at 10,000 miles per year.Prize lease includes taxes, shipping and destination fees, pre‑paid one‑time lump sum of lease payments, end‑lease disposition fee, 10,000 miles/year, standard wear and tear and standard manufacturer's warranty. See www.landrover.com or your local retailer for more information on the 2013 Range Rover Evoque.
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About Land Rover
Land Rover, the British maker of Land Rover and Range Rover sport utility vehicles, is renowned for providing its' clientele with some of the most luxurious and capable vehicles in the world. Every Land Rover and Range Rover is equally at home both on and off road, and in any setting; be it in the heart of the city, or traversing the countryside. Today's Land Rover lineup includes the legendary Defender, LR2 (Freelander 2), LR4 (Discovery 4), Range Rover Sport, Range Rover and Range Rover Evoque. Land Rover designs, engineers, and manufactures their vehicles in the United Kingdom. Land Rover is fully engaged with sustainability initiatives and social concerns with continuous involvement in environmental and community programs.
About Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC
Jaguar Land Rover is a business built around two great British car brands that are designed, engineered and manufactured in the United Kingdom. Jaguar Cars Limited, founded in 1922, is one of the world's premier manufacturers of luxury sedans and sports cars. Since 1948, Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4x4s that define "breadth of capability" in their segments.
Jaguar manufactures all their cars exclusively in the United Kingdom, at the Castle Bromwich manufacturing plant in the British Midlands. Land Rover and Range Rover models are built in the United Kingdom at the Solihull and Halewood plants. Land Rover exports to 169 countries and Jaguar exports to 63 countries, with global sales for both brands exceeding 240,000 vehicles annually. The Jaguar Land Rover business employs 16,000 people in United Kingdom, including 3,500 engineers at two product development centers.
Headquartered in Mahwah, New Jersey in the United States, Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC has offices across the USA and Canada and is represented by more than 330 retail outlets.