Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event Entries Revealed
Let the countdown to the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event officially begin! Entries for both the CCI5*-L and CCI4*-L went live today and showcase some of the world’s best horses and riders. In total, 47 pairs are entered in the five-star competition with the bulk of the entries being made up U.S. competitors with 30 entries in the field. Pairs from Great Britain (5), Germany (4), New Zealand (3), Australia (2), Ireland (1), and Canada (2) are also on the roster.
Of those 30 U.S. pairs, three are currently also cross-entered in the five-star at the MARS Badminton Horse Trials which take place May 8-May 12, in Gloucestershire, England. These pairs include Meghan O’Donoghue and Palm Crescent and Boyd Martin and his two entries On Cue and Tsetserleg TSF.
There are a couple of previous Kentucky celebrities in this year’s five-star lineup including the 2023 Reserve Champion pair Tom McEwen (GBR) and the 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding JL Dublin (Diarado x Zarinna) owned by Mr. and Mrs. J. Lambert and Mrs D. Johnston. We will also see the return of the 2022 Reserve Champion Yasmin Ingham (GBR) and Janette Chinn and The Sue Davies Fund’s 13-year-old Selle Français gelding Banzai Du Loir (Nouma D’Auzay x Gerboise Du Cochet) as well as three-time Kentucky champion Oliver Townend (GBR) who will be bringing over Diane and Paul Ridgeon’s 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare Cooley Rosalent (Valent x Bellaney Jewel) who Townend finished third with last year at the MARS Maryland 5 Star.
With the Paris Olympics nearing, the CCI4*-S at Kentucky is also brimming with top talent. Many riders who are seeking a coveted spot on the U.S. team and have already had successful performances at the five-star level with their horses have opted to enter the four-star this year in preparation including the 2023 Kentucky champions Tamie Smith and the 18-year-old German Sport Horse gelding Mai Baum (Loredano 2 x Ramiro), owned by Alexandra and Ellen Ahearn and Eric Markell. In addition, 2023 Pan American Games (Santiago, Chile) gold medalist Caroline Pamucku has her gold medal-winning mount HSH Blake (Tolan R x Doughiska Lass), the 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Caroline and Deniz Pamukcu, Mollie Hoff, and Sherrie Martin, is also set to compete in the four-star.
Check out the full list of entries for both the four- and five-star divisions here.
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