Bruce (Buck) Davidson, Jr.delivered a stellar performance over the cross-country phase of the 2013 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented by Land Rover on Saturday, April 27, in Lexington, Kentucky. Davidson was the top U.S. rider to complete the course closest to the optimum time winning the “Land Rover Best Ride of the Day” and was presented a 2013 Range Rover Evoque lease by Kim McCullough, Brand Vice President for Land Rover North America.
Davidson with the time of 11 minutes 15 seconds was the closest to the optimum time of 11 minutes and 21 seconds including penalties for faults at obstacles, time penalties and any other penalty that the rider may have incurred on the Cross-County phase.
Land Rover is renowned for combining unrivalled elegance, unsurpassed capability, unmatched versatility and unquestioned power, which are all of the traits found within the horse and rider combinations that participate in the sport of Eventing. Such similarities make the award winning Range Rover Evoque lease a fitting prize for the triumphant U.S. rider.
Kim McCullough, Brand Vice President, Land Rover North America said, “Buck Davidson stood out today amongst tough competition. It takes skill, and determination to master the cross-country phase of such a challenging three-day competition and therefore we felt it was fitting to award the lease of the Range Rover Evoque to the top U.S. finisher of this particularly tough stage.”
“I’ve been looking to buy a Land Rover for a while and therefore am so pleased to win the Range Rover Evoque, said Davidson. “Land Rover has long supported Eventing, and I want to thank them for their support of the United States Equestrian Federation and our sport.”
The 2013 Range Rover Evoque is the smallest Range Rover model ever, the and stays true to the core brand values by providing premium levels of craftsmanship, luxury, performance and multi-terrain capability. Available in five-door and coupe versions, the Range Rover Evoque provides generous interior legroom and headroom, a very practical trunk, plus highly capable off-road geometry and ground clearance.
All Range Rover Evoque models are powered by a 2-liter, 240hp direct-injected turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, which is teamed to a 6-speed automatic transmission and a full-time, intelligent four-wheel drive system. New efficiency technologies, lightweight materials and environmentally conscious design combine to make the Range Rover Evoque the most fuel-efficient Range Rover model.
In addition to presenting the vehicle lease, Land Rover hosted a “Land Rover Tailgate Challenge” as part of its continued support of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). Andy Goss, President, Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC, announced the winners who were Eric Williams and Kim Morris for the best-decorated, best-catered and most creative tailgate party.
“We are honored to be named the Land Rover Tailgate Challenge winners,” commented Eric Williams and Kim Morris. “Being enthusiasts of both Land Rover and the equestrian community, we drew inspiration from them both. We wanted our display to pay respect to the brand while incorporating our love of the equestrian sport and Kentucky.”
Williams and Morris, who are customers of Blue Grass Land Rover in Louisville, won with theirSophisticated Livingthemed Range Rover tailgate. Their display incorporated a combination of equestrian, British heritage and the essence of Kentucky, all layered on a backdrop of theSophisticated Livingchocolate and blue colors. Morris’s very own riding gear, a children’s tailgate table, and a bottle of Jefferson Reserve special blend bourbon were key centerpieces. Their spread impressed each of the judges — Andy Goss, President, Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC.; Kim McCullough, Brand Vice President, Land Rover North America; and Lee Carter, Executive Director, Equestrian Events Inc., producer of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event.
“This tailgate best represented the Land Rover brand and from the moment we approached their display,” said Kim McCullough, Brand Vice President, Land Rover North America. “Their presentation was very well executed and tapped into all the elements befitting of an equestrian event display while incorporating the very essence of the Land Rover brand.”
As their prize, Williams and Morris were awarded two 2014 Rolex Kentucky Sponsor Pavilion Hospitality tickets, two reserved grandstand seats for the Event, a premium tailgate space and the use of a Land Rover for the weekend for the 2014 event. Looking toward next year’s Rolex event tailgating will offer the winners an opportunity to defend their title.
Held on the grounds of the Kentucky Horse Park, the 2013 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, the Western Hemisphere’s only Four Star Three-Day Event, features the 16th Rolex USEF Four Star Championship for the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation Pinnacle Cup. The Event features the world’s best horses and riders vying for their share of $250,000 in prize money as well as a shot at the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing.
