A total of 45 out of 47 horses were presented at the first horse inspection of the 2022 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L on Wednesday, April 27. Prior to the inspection Tamra Smith withdrew Alexandra and Ellen Ahearn and Eric Markell's 16-year-old German Sport Horse gelding Mai Baum (Loredano x Ramira) as he is headed to Badminton next week. The second withdrawal came from Buck Davidson when he opted not to present Cassie Segal, Lisa Darden, and Natalie Sandler's 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding Errol Gobey (Cassini II x Ulla II). Only two pairs were sent to the holding box but, after representing, they were both accepted. Therefore, all 45 horses presented will move forward in the CCI5*-L.
The CCI5*-L horses were presented in front of the ground jury of Nick Burton (GBR), Gretchen Butts (USA), Christian Steiner (AUT), and the FEI Veterinary Delegate, Karen Nyrop, DVM (USA).
Pippa Funnell was first to present with her two horses, the 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Majas Hope (Porter Rhodes x Brown Sue) who she co-owns with Marek Sebestak and the 12-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding Maybach (Jaguar Mail x Lady Micra) owned by S.H.E Eventing. Michael Jung and the 14-year-old Hannoverian gelding Fischerchipmunk FRH (Contendro I x Havanna) owned by Sabine and Klaus Fischer, Hilmer Meyer-Kulenkampff, and DOKR presented shortly after. This means the only two Rolex Grand Slam winners will compete head-to-head for the first time in the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L. Although they both competed at WEG in 2010, the last time Funnell competed at the Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L was in 2003, and the last time Jung competed was in 2018.
The first horse sent to the holding box was the 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Millfield Lancando co-owned by rider Booli Selmayr, Kelly Morgan, and Jacqueline Thorne. The second horse sent to the holding box was Alexandra and Carla MacLeod's 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse Gelding Newmarket Jack (Newmarket Jewel x Newmarket Chantepie). After representing, both horses were accepted.
The CCI5*-L dressage will start on Thursday afternoon with William Coleman and Team Rebecca LLC's 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Dondante (by Pachio) being the first pair to go down the centerline in the five-star at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
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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.
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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.