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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Did you know that the USEA Foundation awards over 150 grants each year to deserving individuals who are involved in the sport of eventing? With grants that assist riders with accomplishing their competition goals, grants geared toward licensed officials, grants that are specific to continuing education for coaches, grants that assist competitions with obtaining frangible technology, and so much more, there really is a grant opportunity available to almost anyone!
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