United States Eventing Association

The 2024 K3DE Daily: Cross-Country Day

It's time to get down to business at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. Across both the CCI4*-S and CCI5*-L divisions riders have echoed two of the same sentiments: this won't be a dressage competition and Derek di Grazia's courses might look easier than they ride this year.

If you have never been to Kentucky on cross-country day, it's time to get out on course! There is no such thing as too early to find the spot that you want to park your lawn chair and enjoy the show. As of Friday afternoon, there are 57 four-star pairs set to gallop out of the start box starting at 9:00 a.m. EST this morning and 34 five-star pairs will get things underway at 1:30 p.m. EST.

There were four withdrawals before cross-country:

• Tamie Smith (USA) riding Ruth Bley's 15-year-old Hanoverian gelding Danito (Dancier x Wie Musik)
• Buck Davidson (USA) riding his and Carl Segal's 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Sligo Candy Boy x Dashing Hill)
• Katie Malensek (CAN) riding her own 10-year-old British Sport Horse gelding STX Mex (Billy Mexico x Xucra de Foja)
• John Michael Durr (USA) riding Bill Hay's 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Blue Rodeo (Peter Pan x Sophie)

The pathfinders will be Jessica Phoenix (CAN) and Makayla Rydzik’s 16-year-old Canadian Sport Horse mare Fluorescent Adolescent (Gaudi x Amelia II) at 9:00 a.m. EST. Tamie Smith (USA) and the Kynan Syndicate LLC's 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Kynan (Envoy x Danieta) will be our last to see in the CCI4*-S at 12:00 p.m. EST.

The CCI4*-S course features 36 efforts across 22 marked obstacles over 3,385 meters and has an optimum time of 6 minutes and 44 seconds. Optimum speed is 570mpm.

After a short break, the five-star will get underway at 1:30 p.m. EST with Sara Kozumpik (USA) and Edith Rameika’s 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Rock Phantom (Spirit House x Ballycroy Rose) as the first pair out of the start box. Phillip Dutton (USA) and Caroline, Anne, and Michael Moran's 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare Azure (Omar x Cavalier Rosalier) will be the last to test di Grazia's five-star track. They leave the start box at 3:42 p.m. EST.

At this time, there are two five-stars rider who won't be joining the rest of the field in cross-country today are Lillian Heard Wood (USA) and her own 18-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding LCC Barnaby (Guy Cavalier x Lady Tanjour). This pair were sadly eliminated in dressage on Friday. Will Faudree (USA) withdrew Jennifer Mosing and Sterling Silver Stables' 13-year-o9ld Hanoverian gelding Mama's Magic Way (Mighty Magic x Hauptstutbuch Straightaway) on Friday evening.

The CCI5*-L course features 45 efforts across 27 marked obstacles over a 6,410 meter track. The optimum time has been set for 11 minutes and 15 seconds and riders should aim for a pace of 570 mpm to make that time.

Here is what you need to know to follow along today:

• You can preview the cross-country courses via the CrossCountry App here: CCI4*-S | CCI5*-L
• All three phases of the CCI5* and CCI4*-S will be available via livestream through ClipMyHorseTV at no charge in North America with a USEF membership. USEF is offering specials for new members to sign up, including a free USEF Fan Membership to watch the competition from Kentucky live or 50 percent off a USEF Subscriber Membership with the promo code USEFK3DE2024 to watch live and on-demand. Through either of these or a USEF Competing Membership, members will then create an account with ClipMyHorse.TV to access the coverage. More information is available at https://www.usef.org/network.
• Follow along with the live scores for both the CCI5*-L and CCI4*-S here.
• Cross-country ride times for the CCI5*-L can be found here.
• Cross-country ride times for the CCI4*-S can be found here.
• The USEA will be posting updates throughout the day on Instagram and Threads. Follow @useventing to keep up with the action.
• Don’t forget to stop by the USEA booth on the hill behind the Rolex Stadium to shop our exclusive new USEA apparel!
• Get to know all of the USEA Young Event Horse graduates competing in the LRK3DE here.
• Want more facts? Read through the USEA’s Fast Facts of the DK3DE!

​Helpful Links

• LRK3DE Website
• USEA Prize List
• CCI5*-L Order of Go
• CCI4*-S Order of Go
• Schedule of Events
• Livestream
• Live Scores
• USEA’s Coverage
• Meet the Five-Star Field

Follow the USEA event coverage on social media!

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