Saturday, April 29, 2006

Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI**** Presented by Farnam

Kim Severson In Second Place Headed for the Cross Country Phase Today

Kim Severson, who has won Rolex Kentucky three times aboard crowd-favorite Winsome Adante, is riding Royal Venture, a dark bay Australian-bred Thoroughbred, on this outing. “Lenny has always been a bridesmaid to Dan,” she said, describing how Royal Venture was often her backup horse when she rode Winsome Adante at international competitions. “I hope to goodness that this is Lenny’s year. Depending on how he goes [on cross-country], he might have an edge on Dan.”

Severson was talking about the Eventing World Championships at the 2006 World Equestrian Games Aug. 20 through Sept. 3 in Aächen, Germany. The 2006 Rolex Kentucky event is a United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Selection Trial, and she, Chiacchai and Dean, a veteran of the 1996 Olympic team, are among the US riders who are hoping to be selected for the team that will represent the United States at the Games.

Rivalry between these riders who are competitors at one event and teammates at the next came up in Friday’s press conference, where the media get a chance to question the leading riders that day. Chiacchia and Severson looked at each other and laughed.

“Obviously we are both competitive,” Chiacchia said. “We both want to win, but since we were on the team together, we both want each other to do well.”

“It’s ultimately the team competition we’re working for,” Severson chimed in.

HorsesDaily "On the Scene" at The Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event