First-time Rolex competitor Felix Vogg is sitting in first place after the first day of dressage at the Land Rover Kentucky Horse Trials with a score of 28.0. His mount, Colero, is an 11-year old Westphalian gelding who belongs to Vogg’s father. Vogg, who trains with Michel Jung, may be new to Rolex, but he is a seasoned competitor who represented Switzerland at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games in Tryon, where he scored a 28.6.

Rather than using a tried and true warm up, Vogg said he took a different tack today. A brave thing to do for such a big event!

“I tried something new with him, and we didn’t want him really up,” Vogg said.. “We just came here 10 minutes before, and that worked out quite well, and maybe even better than when I warm him up, so yeah, pretty pleased.”

In second place, with a score of 30.9 is US rider Liz Halliday-Sharp on Deniro Z. Denziro, who showed his airs above the ground moves during the jog yesterday, had a strong test but had trouble with his flying changes.

Buck Davidson sits in third place on Park Trader, and fifth place on Jak My Style. He has one more ride tomorrow.