<p>Three-time winners Michael Jung and fischerRocana FST had a slight bobble at the Head of the Lake, when "Roxie" scrambled over a corner, but they were none the worse for wear and finished their day at the top of the field with just a single time fault. "In the end, I’m really proud of the situation, because I could feel the partnership between us. Rocana had every chance to do a stop or run out, but she just tried to get over the fence and in the end, that’s the partnership. I’m really proud—we’re growing up together and learning together. It’s important that you have a good partnership with the horse and that you help the horse in some situations and on the other side, the horse has to help you in some situations. </p>
<p>"I was really happy with him. He tried his heart out, you know? He started jumping a little lower when he got tired, but he’s a clever horse and he knows his way around." </p>
<p>"He's the direct opposite of the first horse. With that one, I got run away with for 11 minutes, and with this one I was squeezing from the start. I hope they get a good night's sleep tonight for tomorrow, when we'll try to jump a set of fences after jumping around the Grand National." </p>
<p>"He’s one of the most difficult horses I’ve had, but the talent and gallop is second to none. He was on my side and he fought hard."</p>
<p>"He was a bit green, so I had to take that into account. He landed a little short on a few fences and was a bit starstruck and a bit bamboozled, so I had to sort of go back to my Australian Pony Club days of just picking him up and grabbing him with my leg and lifting him over the fence. But he’s a wonderful animal and once he spots those flags, he’s going to jump between them." </p>
<p>"He was a bit green to tell you the truth. It was a fair bit of work for him and a big step up. He probably could’ve done a bit more thinking with his jumping. [The course] is pretty much what we thought. It doesn’t let up—right from the start to the finish. You have to have a real connection with your horse."</p>
<p>Phillip Dutton and Z were last to compete for Team USA, and a steady, careful round ensured they finished their day clear, but with a handful of time faults. "I was really pleased. He's an up-and-coming horse and he tried for the whole time out there. He really tried to do exactly what I asked him. It was a good day for him." </p>
<p>"He’s such a brave, genuine horse and it’s nice when you’ve ridden them their whole lives—you have a good feel for each other. He felt good and full of run [at the end]—it’s nice when you’re sitting on an Arabian!"</p>
<p>Buck Davidson had three rides throughout the day, finishing best on Copper Beech. "He’s not bred right, he doesn’t always go right, and he’s not normal to ride, but jeez, he’s got fight!" </p>
<p>Pawel Spisak (who trains with Michael Jung) and Banderas picked up just 2.4 time penalties to move up from 22nd to 15th. "It was hard work at the start for me and Banderas, but we did it, and I"m happy and really proud of my horse." </p>
<p>Nearly 33,500 spectators were on-site at the Kentucky Horse Park to cheer on the competitors today. </p>
