The wait is over! The Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Mars Equestrian finally kicks off this morning with four-star dressage leading the way at 8:00 a.m Eastern where we will see the first 24 pairs make their way down the centerline. Following yesterday's first horse inspection of the five-star field, all 38 pairs that presented were accepted with 20 of them starting their five-star journey this afternoon at 1:30 p.m. EST.
Sarah Kozumplik and the 18-year-old gray Selle Français gelding Rubens D'Ysieux (Balougran x Orenda D'ysieux) that she owns with Edith Rameika are the first pair to kick start competition in Kentucky in the CCI4*-S. Hanna Bundy and the 12-year-old Thoroughbred gelding Lovely Assistant (Colonel John x Absolutely Lovely) will be the last of the 24 CCI4*-S pairs set to canter down the centerline on Thursday. Four-star dressage will resume at 8:00 a.m. on Friday with the remaining 25 horses led by Elisa Wallace and the Corsair Syndicate's 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding Renkum Corsair (Renkum Chapot x Renkum Colitas), winners of the CCI3*-L at the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill in 2022.
Kicking off the five-star competition is Buck Davidson aboard the first of his three five-star mounts. That is Cassandra Segal, Natalie Sandler, Lisa Darden's 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding Erroll Gobey (Cassini II x Ulla II) at 1:30 p.m. The last of the 21 five-star pairs who will compete on Thursday is Will Coleman riding the Off the Record Syndicate's 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Off The Record (VDL Arkansas x Drumagoland Bay).
The remaining 17 competitors will set out to dazzle the dressage judges on Friday at 1:00 p.m. with Emily Hamel leading the way aboard Black Flag Option's 16-year-old Holsteiner gelding Corvett.
Did you miss yesterday's horse inspection? You can re-watch it here and read the report here.
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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.
Last month, readers met VIP Volunteer Rebecca Proetto, who volunteered at the MARS Maryland 5 Star horse inspection. This month, the focus turns to husband and wife Ed and Leanne Barnett who introduced Proetto to the art of running an efficient horse inspection at Maryland. Ed and Leanne undertake a 12-hour drive from their home in Indiana to Maryland just to volunteer at the event.
The USEA is saddened to share the passing of Sara Kozumplik’s five-star partner As You Like It at the age of 34. The gelding died in his sleep at his retirement home at Kozumplik's parents' residence.
The 2024 USEA Emerging Athletes U21 (EA21) National Camp is just a little over a month away and all over the country, young riders are preparing for their trip to Ocala, Florida, to participate in this year's prestigious week-long academy led by U.S. eventing legend David O'Connor. This year's camp takes place Dec. 31, 2024, through Jan. 4, 2025, and will feature classroom sessions, guest lecturers, and in the saddle work as a group to help strengthen the foundation of each rider selected to participate.