The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Bayer, kicks off today, April 27 at the Kentucky Horse Parkwith the Dressage phase of the competition at 9:00 a.m.

Among the horses and riders scheduled to compete Thursday are Kerry Millikin on Out and About, the 1996 Individual Olympic Bronze Medalists; 1995 Badminton winner Eagle Lion and his rider Bruce Davidson, Sr.; 1998 Rolex Kentucky CCI*** champions Makabi and Tiffani Loudon; and 1999 Rolex Kentucky CCI*** winners Over The Limit and Kimberly Vinoski. Lexington’s own Cathy Wieschhoff is scheduled to ride two horses, Spelga Dam and Maker’s Mark Westlord. The competitive husband and wife pair, Karen and David O’Connor, Olympic team Silver Medalists, will also ride two horses, one each on Thursday morning in Dressage and one each on Friday afternoon.

Vinoski’s mount Over The Limit heads into this competition having just galloped to victory in the North American Beaulieu Classic CIC*** (GA), while Davidson’s Eagle Lion recently won the Advanced Divisions at both the Pine Top (GA) and Morven Park (VA) Horse Trials.

International riders entered include 1996 Olympic Team Gold Medalist Phillip Dutton of Australia; 1996 Olympic Team Bronze Medalist Mark Todd of New Zealand; 1996 Olympic Individual Gold Medalist Blyth Tait of New Zealand; Dan Jocelyn of New Zealand; and Jennie Jarnstrom of Sweden