Holly Hudspeth is no stranger to the Kentucky Horse Park or the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. However, more than one person might be questioning who Mrs. Hudspeth was, as this is a relatively new surname to eventing. Many spectators this weekend know this tall blonde as Holly Hepp.
Holly completed the 4* in 2002, 2003 and 2004 with Lester Piggot and did double duty in 04 completing with Damian as well. Also on her resume is representing the US at the 2003 Pan American Games with Lester Piggot.
In November, Holly married Chuck Hudspeth, a sales manager of Biomet Orthopedics for the State of North Carolina. Chuck and Holly live in Raleigh, NC but came to Lexington, KY this week for Holly to ride Last Monarch, a horse they co-own.
Stewart, as he is known in the barn, performed a very consistent dressage test Friday afternoon to sit in thirty-first on a score of 57.8.
Holly and Chuck took a few minutes to answer some questions after Stewarts test.
How long have you been married?
Holly: 5 months
How did you two meet?
Holly: In a bar in Southern Pines.
Chuck: Don’t say that, it’s a restaurant.
Holly: Chuck’s friend sent me chocolate cheesecake. I fell in love.
(For those familiar with the Southern Pines area, they met at the Belltree)
Chuck, how many horse shows had you gone to before you met Holly and how many since?
Chuck: I went to zero before we met. And I’ve seen everyone since. When she goes advanced I’m usually there.
Holly: He’s only missed one since we met, Millbrook last year.
Where was the last place you went without the horse trailer?
Holly: When we got married.
Chuck: St. Lucia in November.
Holly: But we do have plans to go away in May.
What is Chuck’s job at events?
Chuck: Stay out of the way! And take care of the boys (Lance and Tug their two cute and high energy yellow labs).
Have there been any pre-Rolex nerves for Holly and how have you dealt with them?
Chuck: She has been pretty intense the last month. I have mentioned putting Stewart on E-bay.
Who gets more attention Stewart or Chuck?
Chuck: Stewart!
(Holly stayed very quiet in response to this question)
If Stewart were a person would Chuck still be on the market?
Holly: No, I couldn’t put up with his attitude. He’d be too high maintenance.
If you win, who gets the Rolex?
Holly: Chuck gets it, because he no longer has a boat or a Harley. What else did you lose?
Chuck: My weekends.
When is Chuck riding at Rolex?
Holly and Chuck simultaneously: NEVER!
Thank you very much to the Hudspeths for taking a few minutes to answer these questions. They are both great and fun people to have in the sport.
Welcome to the game Chuck!