For the third year in a row, Equestrian Events, Inc., producer of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, is increasing the prize money for the long-standing annual Kentucky competition. Known as the “Best Weekend All Year,” the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event returns to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, April 27-30, 2017.
“Rolex Kentucky” – one of only six Four Star Three-Day Events in the world and the only one in the Western Hemisphere – brings the world’s best horses and riders from across the country and around the world to Kentucky to vie for their share of the now $400,000 in prize money, which is distributed among the top 20 finishers. The winner will receive a check for $130,000, which is the highest amount awarded among the world’s four-star three-day events.
“For more than 35 years, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event has been an important event on the international equestrian calendar,” said Lee Carter, Executive Director of Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), organizer of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. “We want to keep it there and continue to bring the world to Kentucky. Thanks to the loyalty of our partners, sponsors, but most of all tens of thousands of fans and spectators who travel in to enjoy equestrian sport at its best, we are able to expand our support and promote the sport of Eventing.”
Riders will also be vying for the opportunity to become just the third rider to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing, and the accompanying $350,000. This is awarded to any rider who wins the Rolex Kentucky, Mitsubishi Motors Badminton and Land Rover Burghley Four Star Events in succession. Additionally, the Dubarry of Ireland Nations Team Challenge will be featured again this year, awarding $20,000 to the winning nation with the fewest penalties after adding together the final scores of the three highest-placed individuals from that nation.
Equestrian Events, Inc. is a non-profit charitable Kentucky corporation that was established initially to produce the 1978 World Three-Day Event Championships at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the success of those championships, EEI established an annual event that evolved into the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event.
For more information, or to purchase tickets to the 2017 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, please visit the Rolex Kentucky website at www.RK3DE.org. Tickets can be ordered online or over the phone (859-254-8123). Groups of 15 or more are encouraged to call into the box office to place their order.
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