For the second year in a row, Equestrian Events Inc., producer of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover, has increased the prize money for the sole CCI**** in the United States. 

The second consecutive $50,000 increase brings the 2016 purse to $350,000, with the winner receiving $110,000. Rolex Kentucky returns to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky., Apr. 28-May 1.

Margaret Campbell attended the Rolex Kentucky CCI**** last week for the first time, assisting a friend who was a vendor. She started to take photos of dogs who passed by the booth where she worked. “In short order I actually started talking to the owner, taking down the dog’s name and some information,” Campbell said.

They say you never know if your horse is a four-star horse or if you’re a four-star rider until you’ve cantered through the finish flags on the final day. We asked a number of four-star first-timers from the Rolex Kentucky CCI**** over the weekend what it felt like to achieve that monumental goal.