Heartbreak for Matthew Grayling at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event in the United States. The Taranaki dairy farmer has made the “tough” decision to withdraw 17-year-old Trudeau from the prestigious CCI5*-L event on vet’s advice. “It’s so disappointing,” said Matthew. “He’s been looking a picture, is super fit and been working exceptionally well in the lead-up.”

It’s a very sombre feeling in the Trudeau camp, with a large contingent there to support them including the horse’s owners Winky Foley and Peter Smith, Matthew’s wife Susan and their daughter Phillippa, who is grooming, and Susan’s brother Simon Bennett. “It’s tough to come this far and have a hiccup like this.”

The horse had a long 10-hour trip to Kentucky from his base at Boyd Martin’s property in Philadelphia and it appears as though the travel took its toll. Given the demands of a 5* competition it was decided it was not in the horse’s best interests to run.

“He didn’t travel as well as he could have and wasn’t himself at the arrival inspection. It’s incredibly disappointing for us all,” says Matthew.

Fellow Kiwis Monica Spencer with Artist and Joe Meyer with Harbin have both passed the first horse inspection. Monica and Artist will do their dressage test towards the end of the opening day tomorrow, while Joe and Harbin do theirs on Friday.

SCHEDULE

Event

USA Time

NZ Time

Dressage

Thursday 12.15pm

Thursday 4.15am

Dressage – Monica

Thursday 3.12pm

Friday 7.12am

Dressage – Joe

Friday 1.32pm

Saturday 5.32am

Cross Country

Saturday 1.00pm

Sunday 5.00am

Jumping – 1st Group

Sunday 2.00pm

Monday 6.00am

Jumping – 2nd Group

Sunday 3.00pm

Monday 7.00am

CLICK HERE FOR START LIST & TIMES
CLICK HERE FOR RESULTS – When available
CLICK HERE FOR LIVESTREAM

THE HORSE DETAILS
Artist (by Guillotine out of Maxamore who is by Volksraad) – owned by Monica and Andrew Spencer
Trudeau (by Magislad out of Clarity who is by Valiant) – owned by Winky Foley and Peter Smith and Matthew Grayling
Harbin (by Verglas out of Rainbow City who is by Rainbow Quest) – owned by John, Gay, Ruth and Joe Meyer and Theresa Foote)

By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison
Photos by Shannon Brinkman