The top three going into show jumping in the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L all have reason to fight extra hard for the bluegrass win today.
The division leaders, Tom McEwen and JL Dublin, lost the champion title in 2023 due to just a few time penalties on cross-country.
In 2022, Yasmin Ingham and Banzai du Loir came in second in their maiden trip to Kentucky. In 2023 they had the lead in hand, until they had an uncharacteristic stop on cross-country.
Oliver Townend is a three-time Kentucky champion, but he hasn't had a win here since 2021. This weekend marks his 100th five-star and what better way to celebrate in style than by bringing home a win?
The scores are tight going into the finale. McEwen sits on a 28.6 and with Ingham behind him on a 31.6, he does not have a rail in hand. And Townend is not far behind with a 31.8. Truly, a rail or some time could drastically change up the standings, especially the top five.
But first, the Cosequin CCI4*-S must crown their champion and the scores are even tighter in this uber competitive division than they are the five-star. Just fractions of a point separate the leaders, Liz Halliday and Miks Master C, and the second-place pair Will Coleman and Diabolo. In fact, if any of the top three were to have a rail down, we could see a whole new crew of riders take over the leaderboard.
No pressure. No pressure at all.
Both divisions will undergo horse inspections before they can move forward to the final phase of competition. The CCI4*-S horse inspection begins at 8:00 a.m. and we anticipate seeing 421horses presented. As of Sunday morning, only one withdrawals have been logged in four-star division: Canadian pair Lindsay Traisnel and Bacyrouge and British pair Lucienne Bellissimo and Dyri.
Immediately after the conclusion of the four-star inspection will be the final five-star inspection where 25 pairs are slated to jog down High Hopes Inspection Lane.
Show jumping for both the four-star and five-star on the courses designed by Steve Stephens will run in reverse order of placing with the CCI4*-S scheduled to take place at 10:30 a.m. EST. Show jumping for the CCI5*-L will get underway at 2:15 p.m. EST with awards taking place at 3:45 p.m EST.
Here is what you need to know to follow along today:
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Caroline Pamukcu planned to make her case for Paris Olympic selection this weekend at the Tryon International CCI4*--L, and she achieved her goal, leading the division from start to finish on HSH Blake.
Caroline Pamukcu came to the Tryon International CCI4*-L to tick off the box with three of her 9-year-olds and to impress selectors as the Paris Olympics loom this summer. Of her three, HSH Blake has the most experience, though this is his first CCI4*-L, and he skipped around Helen West’s cross-country course today inside the optimum time of 10 minutes.
For such a young horse, HSH Blake has been all over the world and in many of the biggest arenas with Caroline Pamukcu, so cantering into the dressage ring today at the Tryon International CCI4*-L was no big deal despite the big stadium.
For Maryland eventer Courtney Waskiewicz, a bond formed with a talented, yet quirky, palomino Connemara pony more than two decades ago shaped her career as a horsewoman. Together, she and Wil’Ya Love Me (better known as “Willy”) learned to trust one another, even when the odds were stacked against them.