The 49-year-old equestrian star followed up her 3rd place finish at Badminton by clinching first and second place in America’s annual eventing showpiece, the Rolex Kentucky in Lexington, on Kings Temptress (47.7) and Fernhill Urco (49.7).
She becomes the first ever rider to finish 1-2 in the history of the premier event and now holds a commanding lead in the HSBC FEI Classics Series, which offers a £90,000 prize for the overall top finisher in world eventing's leading five events – Badminton, Kentucky, Luhmuhlen, Burghley and Pau.
"I never dreamt I would be in this position when I left England," said King. "They are two very different horses. Kings Temptress is very experienced at this level and was fluent all the way round on cross-country. Fernhill Urco has no experience at this level, and he was a bit green at the first water jump, but he improved the further he went. To be lying first and second after cross-country, I had never been in that position before, especially not at this level on two very different horses.
"I am going to celebrate tonight."
Mary King’s Autobiography is now available in paperback!
William Fox-Pitt also put in an impressive performance, finishing fourth on Neuf des Coeurs.
