-    Land Rover Best Ride of the Day awards Land Rover Discovery Sport to top U.S. Cross-Country rider Lauren Kieffer
-    2016 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event acts as official selection event for the U.S. Olympic Eventing Team

(LEXINGTON, KY.) – April 30, 2016 – Lauren Kieffer, the top U.S. rider to complete the cross-country course closest to the optimum time without jumping penalties, won the “Land Rover Best Ride of the Day” and was presented with a 2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport 24-month lease at the 2016 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented by Land Rover.

The optimum time of 11 minutes and 15 seconds was set for competitors to jump around the cross-country course today and Lauren Kieffer, riding Landmark’s Monte Carlo, owned by Jacqueline Mars, finishing in 11 minutes 22 seconds to win the 24-month lease. The final result came down to a three-way tie between Kieffer, Lynn Symansky riding Donner and Holly Payne Caravella riding Never Outfoxed, who all finished seven seconds above the time. Kieffer won having the best dressage score.

“I said to my friends last night that I really just wanted to win the Land Rover, I am ecstatic!” said Lauren Kieffer. “My horse, Landmark’s Monte Carlo, rode perfectly today and I couldn’t be happier.”

"In true Rolex Kentucky form, the course tested the horses and riders looking to impress the U.S. Eventing Team selectors for this year’s Rio 2016 Olympic Games,” said Kim McCullough, Vice President of Marketing, Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC. “Huge congratulations to Lauren Kieffer and Landmark’s Monte Carlo who thrilled the 34,552 spectators with their clear round.  Lauren Kieffer could not wait to test her Discovery Sport on the off-road test drive course!”

Introduced for the 2015 model year, the Discovery Sport features a bold and progressive design, which defines the new Discovery family of vehicles. Offering seven-passenger seating in an optional “5+2” configuration, the 2016 Discovery Sport brings added versatility to the compact premium SUV market.  

Delivering a refined combination of performance, efficiency and capability, the 2016 Discovery Sport features a 2.0L turbocharged engine producing 240hp and 251 lb-ft of torque, which routes power to standard all-wheel drive through a nine-speed automatic transmission.

In addition to presenting the vehicle lease, the fifth annual “Land Rover Tailgate Challenge” also took place today awarding the most creative, best-decorated and best-catered Land Rover tailgate party. The Five Time Grammy Nominee, Hunter Hayes, who was performing in the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park following the Cross-Country, was on hand to judge the award and present the 2016 Tailgate winners, the Lunsford family, who took top prize for their tailgate display.

For the seventh year running Land Rover North America returned as presenting sponsor of the 2016 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, continuing their longstanding support of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and equestrian sports. As one of six annual Four-Star Eventing competitions around the world (alongside the Olympic Games and World Championships), the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is one of the most prestigious competitions in the world. It is therefore an official selection event for the U.S. Olympic Eventing Team, and will be attracting the world’s best riders.

For any equestrian fans unable to attend the event, the NBC telecast of the Rolex Equestrian Championships presented by Land Rover will allow those to stream and enjoy it from home on May 8th from 1:30 -3:00pm EDT.

To learn more about the 2016 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented by Land Rover, please visit: www.RK3DE.org.