BTB: My Rolex teary moments: Great comebacks

Posted: 26 Apr 2010 03:24 PM PDT

This year I had two teary-eye moments. First was Laine Ashker's clear show jumping round on Anthony Patch (sorry I accidentally deleted the footage on my new HD camcorder). Why get all sappy about this pair? Well, only two years since her horrific Rolex fall she came back with a new outlook and laid down three great performances. I'm not a jumping expert but Anthony Patch is an OTTB and not the strongest or scopiest jumper out there -- but he's careful and tries his heart out. Lainey piloted him around expertly. The joy on Laine's face at the end of that ride would have softened the stoniest heart. Teary-eyed moment #2? Lauren Kieffer and Snooze Alarm (pictured left)...

Lauren Kieffer and Snooze Alarm
Okay, they had a stop, but so did veteran Kim Severson. It was the first time for at Rolex for both of them -- two rookies, yet what an inspiring performance across all three days and a good recovery in show jumping. Remember Snooze Alarm is an Anglo-arab...

While I wasn't brought to tears, I do love Courageous Comet. His dressage compares to anything I've ever seen in USDF competitions. You can see the freedom of shoulder in his jumping effort...

Courageous Comet and Becky Holder
Jimmy Wofford called CC "one of the best horses in the world." Again, an OTTB!