A total of 44 horses for the CCI5*L, and 22 horses for the CCI4*S will move onto show jumping at the 2021 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. Today’s final horse inspection started at 8:00 a.m. with the CCI4*-S horses going first and they were presented in front of the ground jury of Mark Weissbecker (USA) and Helen Brettell (GBR), and the veterinary delegate Karen Nyrop, DVM (USA).
The CCI5*-L final horse inspection started shortly after at 8:45 a.m. and 45 horses were presented to the ground jury of A total of 63 horses were presented to the ground jury of Christina Klingspor (SWE), Robert Stevenson (USA), Peter Gray (CAN), and the veterinary delegate Karen Nyrop, DVM (USA).
The ground jury of the CCI5*-L sent four horses to the holding box - the two-time Kentucky Champion, Cooley Master Class ridden by Oliver Townend, Fernhill Singapore ridden by Phillip Dutton, Quantum Leap ridden by Doug Payne, and Bendigo ridden by Ema Klugman. All passed upon reinspection except for Cooley Master Class. Unfortunately, Cooley Master Class was not accepted and is the only horse to not move forward onto show jumping after the final horse inspection.
Oliver Townend commented after the final horse inspection. "I'm just really sad, he's picked up a bit of a cut. He's sore but at the same time I hopped on and gave him a little ride this AM. He's sound to ride, he's very fresh, he’s well in himself. he would have jumped well. Unfortunately, he didn't present well and obviously the welfare of the horse is paramount in our sport and that's their decision to make their job to decide. It's very sad for me and very sad for the team. but he's still in one piece. He's very very happy and well in himself. He had a little buck on the way down from the trot ups. It's more of a frustration than anything else but he's 100 percent well in him self," said Townend on Cooley Master Class.
The CCI4*-S will have all 22 horses move onto show jumping. There was only one horse sent to the holding box - Riviera Lu ridden by Meaghan Marinovich Burdick but was later accepted upon reinspection.
The MARS Equestrian Best Turned Out Horse Award in the CCI4*-S was awarded to Albano who is ridden by Bobby Meyerhoff and groomed by Kirsten Daniels. The MARS Equestrian Best Turned Out Horse Award in the CCI5*-L was awarded to Diachello ridden by Jesse Campbell and groomed by Hannah McLean.
The CCI4*-S show jumping will start at 10:45 a.m. and the CCI5*-L show jumping will start at 1:30 p.m.
Helpful Links
Don't forget to follow the USEA event coverage on social media!
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Oliver Townend, who has never made any secret of his desire for another MARS Badminton Horse Trials victory, is now at the head of the leaderboard at the conclusion of the dressage phase.
Are you following along with the action from home this weekend? Or maybe you're competing at an event and need information fast. Either way, we’ve got you covered!
The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) is excited to head to Area V this Dec. 11-14 for the 2025 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention in the vibrant city of New Orleans, Louisiana! Known for its rich history, world-class jazz, and electrifying Mardi Gras celebrations, New Orleans will set the stage for a lively week of discussion and education on the most important topics in the sport of eventing. Gather your fellow members and meet us to celebrate the last year of success in “The Big Easy!”
The Olympic gold medallists Tom McEwen and JL Dublin lit up the arena at the MARS Badminton Horse Trials with a stunning performance and took the lead after the first day of dressage with the excellent mark of 22.4. They have almost five penalties over second-placed Emily King and Valmy Biats on 27.3.