- Michael Jung wins back‑to‑back Rolex Kentucky Three‑Day Event titles
- Land Rover Best Ride of the Day awards Land Rover Discovery Sport to top U.S. Cross‑Country rider Lauren Kieffer
- 2016 Rolex Kentucky Three‑Day Event acts as official selection event for the U.S. Olympic Eventing Team
(LEXINGTON, KY.) ‑ May 1, 2016 ‑ Michael Jung defends his title at the Rolex Kentucky Three‑Day Event Presented by Land Rover in spectacular fashion for a back‑to‑back win.
The heavy downpour of rain paused as the formidable pairing of Germany's Michael Jung and Fischerrocana FST entered the packed stadium and to the delight of the crowd claimed their second consecutive victory at the Kentucky Horse Park. Jung wasted no time in celebrating his incredible achievement, with the 25,000 spectators standing on their feet to applaud their new hero as he galloped his lap of honor.
Lauren Kieffer (USA), who yesterday won a Land Rover Discovery Sport for achieving the Land Rover Best Ride of the Day, made sure to keep the pressure on the reigning Olympic Champion, producing a stunning clear round on her bay mare, Veronica. With a final score of 52.5 Kieffer moved up the leader board to secure not only second place but also the USEF Championship Trophy awarded to the highest placed American rider. Maya Black (USA), despite having a rail down, took the third spot aboard Doesn't Play Fair.
Jung commented on his win, "My personality is calm but when you wait the whole day for your round it does make you nervous. It feels absolutely perfect to win, Kentucky is a very nice place, everywhere you look around is unbelievable and I am very happy to win here."
Kieffer beamed afterwards, "Veronica jumped beautifully, I couldn't be happier she really tried her heart out. It feels fantastic to come second, it has been a really good weekend for sure. I am thrilled."
LAND ROVER BEST RIDE OF THE DAY
Lauren Kieffer, the top U.S. rider to complete the cross‑country course closest to the optimum time without jumping penalties, won the "Land Rover Best Ride of Day" and was presented with a 2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport 24‑month lease at the 2016 Rolex Kentucky Three‑Day Event Presented by Land Rover.
The optimum time of 11 minutes and 15 seconds was set for competitors to jump around the cross‑country course today and Lauren Kieffer, riding Landmark's Monte Carlo, owned by Jacqueline Mars, finishing in 11 minutes 22 seconds to win the 24‑month lease. The final result came down to a three‑way tie between Kieffer, Lynn Symansky riding Donner and Holly Payne Caravella riding Never Outfoxed who all finished 7 seconds above the time. Kieffer won having the best dressage score.
"I said to my friends that I really just wanted to win the Land Rover, I am ecstatic!" said Lauren Kieffer. "My horse, Landmark's Monte Carlo, rode perfectly today and I couldn't be happier."
"In true Rolex Kentucky form, the course tested the horses and riders looking to impress the U.S. Eventing Team selectors for this year's Rio 2016 Olympic Games," said Kim McCullough, Vice President of Marketing, Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC. "Huge congratulations to Lauren Kieffer and Landmark's Monte Carlo who thrilled the 34,552 spectators with their clear round. Lauren Kieffer could not wait to test her Discovery Sport on the off‑road test drive course!"
Introduced for the 2015 model year, the Discovery Sport features a bold and progressive design, which defines the new Discovery family of vehicles. Offering seven‑passenger seating in an optional "5+2" configuration, the 2016 Discovery Sport brings added versatility to the compact premium SUV market.
Delivering a refined combination of performance, efficiency and capability, the 2016 Discovery Sport features a 2.0L turbocharged engine producing 240hp and 251 lb‑ft of torque, which routes power to standard all‑wheel drive through a nine‑speed automatic transmission.
In addition to presenting the vehicle lease, the fifth annual "Land Rover Tailgate Challenge" also took place today awarding the most creative, best‑decorated and best‑catered Land Rover tailgate party. The Five Time Grammy Nominee, Hunter Hayes, who was performing in the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park following the Cross‑Country, was on hand to judge the award and present the 2016 Tailgate winners, the Lunsford family, who took top prize for their tailgate display.
For the seventh year running Land Rover North America returned as presenting sponsor of the 2016 Rolex Kentucky Three‑Day Event, continuing their longstanding support of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and equestrian sports. As one of six annual Four‑Star Eventing competitions around the world (alongside the Olympic Games and World Championships), the Rolex Kentucky Three‑Day Event is one of the most prestigious competitions in the world. It is therefore an official selection event for the U.S. Olympic Eventing Team, and will be attracting the world's best riders.
For any equestrian fans unable to attend the event, the NBC telecast of the Rolex Equestrian Championships presented by Land Rover will allow those to stream and enjoy it from home on May 8th from 1:30 ‑3:00pm EDT.
To learn more about the 2016 Rolex Kentucky Three‑Day Event Presented by Land Rover, please visit: www.RK3DE.org.
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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 vehicle 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 Discovery Sport, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Evoque and LR4 (Discovery 4). 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. For more information visit the official Land Rover website at http://www.landroverusa.com.
About Jaguar Land Rover
- The United States is one of the leading global markets for both Jaguar and Land Rover
- Jaguar Land Rover employs 32,000 people and sells vehicles in 170 countries around the world
- Jaguar Land Rover has two state of the art engineering and design facilities and four advanced manufacturing plants in the UK
- Headquartered in Mahwah, New Jersey in the United States, Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC has offices across the USA
- Jaguar Land Rover is represented by more than 330 independently operated retail outlets in the USA
About The Rolex Kentucky Three‑Day Event Presented by Land Rover
The Rolex Kentucky Three‑Day Event Presented by Land Rover is the nation's premier Three‑Day Event and one of the most prestigious equestrian competitions in the world. The Fédération Equestre Internationale (International Equestrian Federation ‑ FEI), the world's governing body of equestrian sports, has designated the Rolex Kentucky Three‑Day Event as a 'Four Star' eventing competition, the highest designation, which is given only to the Olympic Games, World Championships, and six annual events around the world. "Rolex Kentucky" is the only Four Star event in the Western Hemisphere. Known as the "Best Weekend All Year," the Rolex Kentucky Three‑Day Event returns to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, April 28‑May 1.
