United States Eventing Association

The 2025 K3DE Daily: First Horse Inspection

It's the most wonderful time of the year—and we aren't talking about the holiday season. Welcome to 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event (K3DE) week! This week the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, will be crawling with eventing lovers from all across the globe for the first five-star of the 2025 season and the USEA is excited to once again be onsite for all of the action.

While competition doesn't kick off until tomorrow, today is one of the biggest days of the week: the first horse inspection. Riders will present their five-star mounts dressed in their absolute best, and the horses won't be looking half-bad either. This is every rider's runway and every groom's opportunity to show off their most impressive grooming skills. And while the Ground Jury will be assessing each horse for fitness and soundness to compete, the crowd will most definitely be judging each pair on their turnout today.

This year's five-star Ground Jury consists of President Christian Steiner (AUT), Anne-Mette Binder (DEN), and Peter Gray (CAN). The Ground Jury will also be joined by the FEI Veterinary Delegate Debbie Williamson (USA) and Assistant Veterinary Delegate Anne Baskett (USA).

If you are newer to eventing, here is a rundown of what you can expect in this first horse inspection. Riders will bring forth their entries for a first overview by the Ground Jury and then will trot down the jog strip for gait evaluation. They will walk around a turn at the end and trot back, where the Ground Jury will then decide if the horse has passed, will be sent to the hold box for further evaluation and potential representation, or be "spun" which means that they did not pass the inspection and cannot compete.

Want to know more about the process of a horse inspection? Check out this handy video featuring former USEA President Max Corcoran from the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games.

The CCI4*-S will only have one horse inspection throughout the duration of the competition which will take place on Sunday, April 27, prior to show jumping. The five-star field will also present again on Sunday morning before the final phase to assess their soundness after the first two phases of the competition.

Today's horse inspection takes place at 2:00 p.m. EST at High Hopes Inspection Lane at the Kentucky Horse Park.

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

• Follow along with the live scores for both the CCI5*-L and CCI4*-S here.
• Dressage ride times for the CCI5*-L can be found here.
• Dressage ride times for the CCI4*-S can be found here.
• The USEA will be posting updates throughout the day on Instagram. 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!
• Want more facts? Read through the USEA’s Fast Facts of the K3DE!

​Helpful Links

• K3DE 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

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