Riding for the first time under the U.S. flag, former Australian rider Phillip Dutton finished second at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Farnam, for the fifth time. But, this year, it was former Aussie teammate, Clayton Fredericks, aboard Ben Along Time, who put in the best score to take the Rolex Kentucky four-star championship on a score of 54.0. Dutton, as the highest-placed U.S. rider aboard Bruce Duchossois’ Connaught, took the took the Rolex/United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation’s Pinnacle Cup Trophy, an award celebrating its 10th year, finishing on a score of 59.1. Connaught, a 14-year-old Irish Thoroughbred, picked up his best finish to date adding just 8.4 time faults on the cross-country and two time penalties in show jumping to his dressage score.

“It was a great weekend for him. He did just about his best dressage,” said Dutton. “The cross-country was good. I went a little conservatively…going early on in the day. I could have gone a little quicker, but I’m very pleased with the way he ran. I underestimated his fitness a little bit. I was worried about him getting tired, and I thought all the horses would feel the course at the end, but they actually came home very well. If I could have it again, I would have set out a bit quicker. But, having said that, he jumped very well, and he’s had a very short preparation. He’s only run once between the World Championships and here. So, I couldn’t have asked much more from him, and I think he jumped really well today.”

After placing fourth here last year, Dutton rode Connaught at the World Equestrian Games last summer, but picked up a run-out on cross-country. A very careful jumper, Dutton has found him very dependable on the third day.

“The only times I’ve had rails down is usually when I’ve over ridden him, and am too strong with my leg at the jump, which is a little bit the opposite of what I work on,” said Dutton.

Dutton was also 10th on Truluck. Owned by Annie Jones and Shannon Stimson, Dutton was pleased with the 10-year-old Thoroughbred’s effort in his first four-star.

“I’m really pleased,” said Dutton. “He handled it all well. It was a tough show jumping track, and he didn’t embarrass us. Hopefully, he’s going to come out of it a better horse.”Dutton is considering the Pan American Games as an option for either horse this summer, if he gets the opportunity to represent the U.S. for the first time.

“It’s nice to feel a part of it,” said Dutton. “I entered them both for the Pan Ams, so we’ll see how it all works out.”