Connaught Great in Rolex Kentucky Meet
Three-time Champion Winsome Adante Retired from Eventing
World champion eventer Phillip Dutton had high praise for his partner, Connaught, at the Kentucky Horse Park's Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event held in April. Dutton's championship log is bathed with ribbons and trophies, but he had never before won the Rolex competition.
Winsome Adante Gets Ceremonial Goodbye
Affectionately known as "Dan", Winsome Adante showcased his winning gait for the Kentucky Rolex crowd as part of the final phase of the competition. Dan is a three-time champion of the event, the only eventer ever to repeat as a winner in the annual competition. His appearance foot-noted his official departure as a competitor.
Connaught Dutton's Best
Connaught "...is a great horse," Dutton told Horse Illustrated (July, 2008, "Rolex Wrap-Up", page 14). "He tries so hard," Dutton said.
The same might be said of Dutton. Second five times in the Kentucky Rolex event, Dutton rode five different horses in those efforts.
This time, with Connaught, Dutton never gave in to the pressure presented by second place finisher Becky Holder riding Courageous Comet. Dutton guided Connaught through a perfect final phase show jumping routine to capture the win and the $80,000 first place payout.
Dutton's Multiple Championships
Now living in West Grove, Pennsylvania, Dutton, aboard Connaught in 2006, rode for Australia at the World Equestrian Games. He won two gold medals for his home country, and has participated in three Olympics overall. Three world championships and most other major events have been tucked under Dutton's belt. The Rolex was the only competition left for him to conquer.
Finally getting the Rolex ring earned Dutton the United States Equestrian Federation National Champion title, an honor he captured for the second straight year.
The champion rider became a United States citizen in 2007 and began his riding career for America the same year.
Winsome Adante Earns Retirement
He has earned his way to be called an equine legend. He is the only competitor to win the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event more than once; he captured that title three times in this decade. He is simply "Dan", one of the best eventers in history.
Winsome Adante received a moment in time of ceremonial and official recognition for his retirement during this year's Rolex Kentucky show jumping phase, the last phase of the Three-Day Event.
His rider, Kim Severson, displayed Dan to the cheers of the appreciative crowd during a planned halt to the event's final phase. The pair teamed to win a silver medal and a team bronze medal in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece; galloped to a team victory gold medal in the World Equestrian Games of 2002, held in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain; and won the Rolex in 2002, 2004, and 2005.
