POISED at one end of the Kentucky Horse Park grandstand is the iconic statue of Bruce Davidson and Pirate Lion. Modelled on their bold leap into the Head of the Lake water complex, they were the first American combination to win Badminton Horse Trials and their statue was the backdrop for all kinds of events during the recent Rolex Kentucky horse trials, from marriage proposals to the retirement ceremony of Ballynoe Castle RM.

Pirate Lion was bred by Patricia Nicholson and again she, the Davidson family and another Irish-bred, are all interwoven in the story of this greatest all-time points earner in United States eventing history.