From horse trials in her home state of California where she prepared herself and her horses to take on the best in the nation and around the world to five-star events overseas where she represented the United States on some of eventing’s biggest stages, Tamie Smith had a remarkable season and finished 2022 as the Bates USEA Lady Rider of the Year for the second year in a row.
Over 88,000 spectators flocked to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky April 27-May 1 for the 2022 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian. Excitingly enough, at least one American-bred horse sat in the top three each day of the competition, with the ultimate treat on the final day when the USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) program graduate and American-bred Quantum Leap (Quite Capitol x Report to Sloopy) ridden by Doug Payne finished in third and was declared National Champion.
It is hard to believe that the 2022 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event has come and gone already. In addition to it's prestigious five-star competition which is a dream for many U.S. eventers, the LRK3DE CCI4*-S returned again this year for the second time, offering spectators plenty of competition to enjoy. Take a look at some of the USEA's favorite memories captured through the lens during the competition.
It takes over 2,500 volunteers to help run the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, but there are two volunteers who have volunteered every year since 1995: Ron and Ellen Sadler. From assisting at the horse inspections to managing awards, they have helped make the event possible for many years. It’s a guarantee that you’ll see them on Sunday handing out ribbons and managing the group of volunteers for awards.
When Germany’s Michael Jung galloped across the finish timers in show jumping this afternoon at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian, he not only won the CCI5*-L competition, but he marked his 11th five-star win, making him tied for second with most five-star wins with Mark Todd. Need more reason to be impressed? This weekend was FischerChipmunk FRH’s first time competing at the five-star level and the partnership earned the honors of achieving the lowest ever winning score in a five-star.
Out of the three Cooley horses that Liz Halliday-Sharp entered in the CCI4*-S at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian, it was Cooley Quicksilver aka ‘Monster’ who took home the win. There were 29 horses who show jumped in the Rolex Stadium on Sunday morning in front of a packed crowd. After show jumping concluded, the final leaderboard had Liz Halliday-Sharp on Cooley Quicksilver, Phillip Dutton on Quasi Cool, and James Alliston on Nemesis holding the top three spots in the CCI4*-S.
A total of 32 horses were presented in front of the CCI5*-L Ground Jury at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented by Mars Equestrian, and 30 out of the 32 horses will move forward to show jumping. Five horses were sent to the holding box and after representing, AP Prime and K.E.C. Zara were unfortunately not accepted. The other three horses who were sent to the holding box, Jollybo, Covert Rights, and Chico’s Man VDF Z were accepted after they represented.
Cross-country yesterday played a huge factor in the standings in both the CCI4*-S and the CCI5*-L at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, but one thing remained the same: Michael Jung proved yet again why he is a force to be reckoned with by holding onto his overnight lead in the five-star following his cross-country performance with FischerChipmunk FRH in his first five-star with the horse.
On Saturday afternoon, all eyes were on Michael Jung. Over 35,700 spectators filled the Kentucky Horse Park who all came to watch the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented by Mars Equestrian CCI5*-L. Michael Jung on FischerChipmunk FRH, Boyd Martin on Tsetserleg TSF, and Yasmin Ingham and Banzai du Loir came out on top and hold the top three spots going into tomorrow, the final day of the 2022 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Eventing Presented by Mars Equestrian.
The pathfinders on Derek di Grazia’s CCI5*-L cross-country course at the 2022 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian came home with just four time penalties setting a hopeful tone for the day. However, as is the norm for the top level of the sport trouble was sprinkled throughout the course. Couldn’t spend your morning glued to the livestream? We have you covered with a play-by-play of all the action.
Fleeceworks Royal and Emporium were both competing in the CCI5*-L at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian.