Rolex week is in full swing in Lexington. Not only do we have the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day presented by Bridgestone, but also Test Events for the Alltech World Equestrian Games in Dressage and Jumping. Should prove to be a very exciting week of competition and a glimpse at what’s to come in September.

The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event will present a star-studded field of athletes, with 53 riders representing eight countries.

Even with a quick glance at the list or if you were present at the jog on Wednesday afternoon you’ll notice a few horse names that definitely aren’t English and a couple that (if you’re like me) you don’t even have a clue how to pronounce. To help all of us I’ve broken down some of these foreign names:

QUIRINAL DE LA BASTIDE, ridden by Stanislas de Zuchowicz (FRA) – This was one of the more complicated and confusing names on the entry list, this is a French horse with a partially Latin name. “Quirinal” (kwir'?-n?l) is one of the Seven Hills of Rome, “de la” is French for “of the”, “Bastide” is a medieval fortified town, or in French is means a country home. Even after much research this name still doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, but at least we have somewhat of an idea now. Another interesting thing to note is that Stanislas will be wearing light brown in both the dressage and show jumping due to his service in the French armed forces.

FLEECEWORKS MYSTÈRE DU VAL, ridden by Leslie Law (GBR) – “Mystère duVal” is French for Mystery of Val.

EL PRIMERO (barn name “Tony”), ridden by Sara Mittlieder (USA) – “El Primero” is Spanish for The First. Tony gets his name because he was the first foal for his dam, Classic Allure. Sara and Tony made a splash at the 2005 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day when Sara was the youngest rider to ever complete the 4 star event at age of 19, she went on to be the highest placed young rider the following two years.

ESTRELLA, ridden by Andrea Baxter (USA) – “Estrella” is Spanish for Star

KHEOPS DU QUESNAY (barn name “Danny”), ridden by Phillip Dutton (USA) – Another name that even after intense investigation still doesn’t have a clear meaning. “Kheops” was the second and most famous king of the 4th Dynasty of Egypt, “du” is French for “of”, Danny’s dam is Stella Du Quesnay, all her offspring’s names end with “du Quesnay”.

AMISTAD, ridden by Michele Mueller (CAN) – “Amistad” is Spanish for Friendship

NAPALM (barn name “Smokey”), ridden by Ian Roberts (CAN) – This is not the most pleasant of names…. “Napalm”isa highly incendiary jellylike substance used in fire bombs, and flamethrowers.

DRACO, ridden by Colin Davidson (USA) – “Draco” is the Latin word for Dragon.

CAVALDI (barn name “Joey”), ridden by Kristen Schmolze (USA)–“Cavaldi” most likely comes from his family tree, he is by “Cavalier Royale”, out of “Catell” who’s sire was “Cataldi.” Cavaldi is als othe name of the Italian torturer in the movie The Brothers Grimm based on the book Grimm’s Fairy Tales.