United States Eventing Association

Fast Facts: 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event

They don't call it the "Best Weekend All Year" for no reason! If you love the sport of eventing (or just horses in general) the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event is most likely a staple on your calendar or a must-see on your bucket list. This week, thousands of eventing lovers will flock to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, for one of two U.S.-based five-stars that takes place each year, as well as top-shelf CCI4*-S competition and two nights of spectacular show jumping.

All the action at Kentucky officially kicks off on Wednesday, April 23, and runs through Sunday, April 27. In preparation for this week’s competition, we’ve rounded up some interesting stats for you on the five-star field, the competition schedule, and so much more.

The CCI5*-L Field:

• As of today, there are 35 horse and rider pairs set to compete representing six different countries: the U.S., Great Britain, Germany, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
• Nineteen of this year's contingents will represent the stars and stripes, just one more horse and rider pair than the international field.
• This year's field is full of strong contenders with demonstrated successes at the upper-levels and at Kentucky in years' past.
  • Germany's Michael Jung hasn't been back to Kentucky since his last win here in 2022, but he is making his return to the bluegrass with that same horse he brought home the Kentucky Three-Day Event trophy with that year, the legendary fischerChipmunk FRH. Jung is a four-time Kentucky champion and will no doubt be looking to change that number to five.
  • Tom McEwen (GBR) has had two second-place finishes here in Kentucky over the past two years with JL Dublin, but this year he's bringing a Kentucky first-timer to the states in Brookfield Quality. This pair was third in the five-star at Pau (France) last year.
  • New Zealand power couple Tim and Jonelle Price have both had top-3 finishes at Kentucky and are bringing four horses between the two of them to this year's competition, including Tim's 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games mount Falco, who also came second at the MARS Maryland 5 Star in 2024. Falco did have a five-star win at Pau in 2021 with Tim, so this horse could be a serious one to watch!
  • Sharon White (USA) has her 2023 Pan American Games partner Claus 63 on the entry list. This is a longstanding partnership which has shown its strength in major international competitions before, including contributing to the U.S.'s silver-medal finish at the Pan Am Games in Chile.
  • Also coming in strong for team USA is Boyd Martin with three really promising entries, two of which have had their chance in the spotlight at the five-star level. Luke 140 finished fourth in his five-star debut at Luhmühlen (Germany) in 2023 and Fedarman B has placed in the top 8 in all three of the European five-stars he has completed. This will be "Bruno's" first time giving the five-star here in Kentucky a go.

• There are two 18-year-old horses in the field this year, one of which is a seasoned five-star veteran and one who is making his five-star debut. First up is Corvett ridden by Emily Hamel who is always a favorite to see because of his exuberant jumping style. Next is Sunday Times ridden by Arden Wildasin. This pair are making their five-star debut together after 13 years of partnership!
• Thirteen seems to be the prime age for five-star horses this year. There are seven horses who are 13 years old on the roster.
• Two riders have three horses entered in the five-star which will keep them pretty busy throughout the weekend. As previously mentioned, Martin has Luke 140 and Fedarman B, as well as Commando 3, and Tim Price (NZL) has Falco, Jarillo, and Happy Boy.
• Jennie Brannigan, Caroline Pamukcu, and Harry Meade both have two horses entered. Brannigan is bringing back her two seasoned five-star entries FE Lifestyle and Twilightslastgleam, while Pamukcu has two five-star first time horses in HSH Double Sixteen and She's the One. Meade has brought William Fox-Pitt's former mount Graffenacht and Et Hop du Matz over for the Kentucky competition.

• The ladies make up the majority of the riders entered with 18 female riders and 10 male riders entered.
• The Dutch Warmblood and Holsteiner breed are tied for biggest representation in the field, each with six entries.
• There are three U.S.-bred entries this year in Karma, Sorocaima, and Twilightslastgleam.
• Five-star first timer Cassie Sanger is the youngest rider on this year's roster at the age of 20.
• Both of Pamukcu's mounts are the youngest horses at the age of 10.
• While there are 10 horses total who are making their first five-star appearance, there are six horse and rider pairs who will be ticking off their first five-star together this weekend. Read more about them here!

The Facts:

• Alec Lochore (GBR) is the CCI5*-L technical delegate with Andrew Temkin (USA) and Phillip Surl (GBR) assisting. Both Temkin and Surl will be the technical delegates for the CCI4*-S.
• Christian Steiner (AUT) is the president of the ground jury of the CCI5*-L and will be assisted by Anne-Mette Binder (DEN) and Peter Gray (CAN). In the CCI4*-S, the president of the ground jury will be Andrew Bennie (NZL). Bennie will be assisted by Bea di Grazia (USA).
• Derek di Grazia (USA) has been the cross-country course designer since 2011 and will be assisted by Jay Hambly (CAN) and Chris Ross (NZL).
• Steve Stephens (USA) has been the show jumping course designer since 2021.
• The CCI5*-L and CCI4*-S are both qualifiers for the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final that will take place at the USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds.
• $400,000 in prize money is up for grabs in the CCI5*-L and $50,000 in the CCI4*-S.
• The USEA Adult Rider Program is hosting a course walk for members of the USEA Adult Rider Program. Walk the five-star cross-country course with course designer Derek di Grazia on Thursday, April 24, at 8:30 a.m. Meet up at the five-star start box to join!
• Don't forget to join the USEA and the USHJA on the hill at booth #313 for Champions Live on Friday, April 25, at 9:30 a.m. Featured guests will be top U.S. event rider, Sharon White and top U.S. show jumping rider, Laura Kraut. We'll have an interactive Q&A so bring any questions you want to ask the pros!
  
• For information on how to watch the livestream this year, check out this article.
  

​Helpful Links

• LRK3DE Website
• USEA Prize List
• CCI5*-L Order of Go
• CCI4*-S Order of Go
• Schedule of Events
• Livestream
• Live Scores
• USEA’s Coverage
• Meet the Five-Star Field

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