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Mar 28, 2024
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.
Apr 25, 2025
Competitions
2025 K3DE Rider Talk: What Are They Saying About Cross-Country?
Riders in both the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S and the Defender Kentucky CCI5*-L are sharing similar sentiments about this year's cross-country courses: course designer Derek di Grazia didn't play around this year. Here is what some of the riders across both divisions had to say about the tracks they will aim to conquer on Saturday.
Apr 25, 2025
Competitions
Off the Record Breaks Records in Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S at Defender Kentucky
Off The Record decided not to let Michael Jung be the only record-breaking entry at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event this week and delivered a career-best score in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S on Friday morning. He and Will Coleman delivered a test that received a score of 21.8, not only marking a personal best for the horse but also securing their position at the top of the leaderboard going into cross-country tomorrow.
Apr 25, 2025
Competitions
Soaked, but Not Shaken: Boyd Martin Flies the Flag for the U.S. at Defender Kentucky in Second
Boyd Martin and the 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding Commando 3 were the last pair to go in the Defender Kentucky CCI5*-L field on Friday afternoon and were warmly greeted to the bluegrass with an impressive downpour that outshined anything the other horse and rider pairs had to combat throughout the day. But that didn’t stop this pair from putting their best foot forward and impressing the judges enough to earn them a score of 26.0, just 0.2 points ahead of second-place pair Tom McEwen (GBR) and Brookfield Quality.
Apr 25, 2025
Association News
Beware of Phishing Attempts and Other Types of Fraud
Please always remain vigilant when it comes to sending any personal communications via email or text. Every year we receive reports of members and leaders of our sport receiving phishing attempts both online and by phone. These are often communications disguised as being sent from USEA staff or other leaders. As the years go on, the phishing attempts appear to be more directed and tailored.
