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2002 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented By Bayer Returns, April 25 – 28

Lexington, KY—January 9, 2002—One of the world’s most prestigious equestrian competitions, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Bayer, returns to the beautifully pastoral Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington April 25-28, 2002.

The competition features this country’s best horses and riders and international stars vying for their share of $190,000 in prize money, an increase of $40,000 from last year, and a chance at the elusive $250,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing crown. The winner will be awarded $60,000 and a Rolex timepiece, a $10,000 increase.

The only Four Star event in America, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is the premier competition for the top horses and riders in Eventing. Past winners include Olympic Medalists David and Karen O’ Connor, and New Zealand’s Blyth Tait. Last year, David O’Connor won in a dramatic fashion on Giltedge, his two-time Olympic mount owned by Jacqueline Mars.

Four Star events, the most challenging level of the sport, are held at just four venues each year, in addition to the Olympic Games and World Championships held every four years. Of the world’s four annual Four Star events, only one, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, takes place in the United States.

The Fédération Equestre Internationale (International Equestrian Federation - FEI),

the world's governing body of equestrian sports, designates the level of Eventing competitions with “stars”. A Four Star event is open only to experienced horses and riders at the international level.

The other annual events are the Badminton Horse Trials and the Burghley Horse Trials in Great Britain, and at Adelaide in Australia. As an added bonus, the $250,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing is awarded to any rider who wins the Rolex Kentucky, Badminton and Burghley Four Star events in succession. Blyth Tait, winner at Burghley last fall, is expected to be on hand to try to add a second victory to his attempt to become the first Rolex Grand Slam winner.

The Three-Day Event is a complete test of horse and rider, evolving from the training and use of the military horse. The consecutive days of tests consist of three distinct elements: dressage, cross-country and show jumping. The horse-and-rider combination with the lowest overall score from the three tests is the winner.

The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is not just an equestrian event, it has something for everyone - an International Trade Fair with more than 125 booths, Dog Agility competitions, (singular competition) and a variety of other entertaining attractions. It is an irresistible way for the family to spend the day or the weekend!

For more information on the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, please call Equestrian Events, Inc. at (859) 233-2362, or fax at (859) 254-5116. General event and ticket information can be obtained at the event's web site: www.rk3de.org or by calling (859) 254-8123.

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