If all goes according to plan in the first part of the extended weekend, we will see 36 horses galloping across Derek di Grazia's CCI5*-L cross-country course at the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event (DK3DE). We partnered up with the team at CrossCountry App to bring you a preview of both the five-star and CCI4*-s tracks this year.
In the five-star, di Grazia has set an optimum time of 11 minutes and 15 seconds across his 6,410-meter course which means riders should be galloping along at a pace of 570 mpm. Horse and rider pairs will have to tackle 45 efforts set up across the 27 obstacle course.
The CCI4*-S will also require horses and riders to be at their best as they navigate 36 efforts throughout di Grazia's 22 obstacle track. This course has an optimum time of 6 minutes and 44 seconds and successful pairs will gallop across the 3,835 meter track at a speed of 570 mpm.
Check out our preview of the five-star track below. You can also utilize the CrossCountry App to access the five-star and four-star course walk with photos.
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As a child growing up in Virginia’s hunt country, William “Will” Coleman III developed a lifelong passion for horses. “I was lucky to grow up in a ‘horsey’ family,” Will said. “Both of my parents rode, and we always had knowledgeable horse people visiting our farm. They instilled in me a deep love of the animals, right from the beginning.”
Young professional Tommy Greengard and That’s Me Z added this year’s Galway Downs Preliminary Challenge title to their two years of ongoing successes in the sport. Launched in 2009, the Challenge is a West Coast fixture on the spring eventing circuit, giving horses and riders a step-up opportunity with slightly more difficult dressage and show jumping demands.
A total of 19 USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) program graduates started the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, held April 24-28 in Lexington, Kentucky, in both the highly competitive CCI4*-S and five-star divisions.
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! Check out the USEA’s Weekend Quick Links for links to information including the prize list, ride times, live scores, and more for all the events running this weekend.