United States Eventing Association

Golf has the Masters. Football has the Super Bowl. U.S. eventers have the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event (K3DE), and today marks the first day of the 2026 event at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. The Bluegrass is about to be bombarded with eventing lovers from all over the world, and we are thrilled to be onsite to soak up every second with you.

For the Kentucky first-timers, the competition may not get under way until tomorrow, but today is a big day. It's the first of two formal horse inspections, the second of which will come on Sunday morning prior to show jumping, to evaluate each five-star horse for their soundness and readiness before the competition begins. As understated as it might feel, the horse inspection is a big deal. Riders spend all spring putting together their snazzy outfits, grooms have been working relentlessly to make sure their horses absolutely sparkle trotting down the jog strip, and the Ground Jury will be watching with an eagle eye to make sure every horse that presents before them are ship-shape before they execute their dressage tests.

Who or what is the Ground Jury? The Ground Jury is a group of three licensed officials, one president and two assistants, who are responsible for overseeing the competition and ensuring it runs safely, fairly, and in accordance with the rules. Jobs they are responsible for include judging dressage, approving all of the elements on cross-country, determining penalty assignment, and supervising the horse inspections to assess each horse for their readiness for the competition from a health and fitness standpoint. This year's five-star Ground Jury consists of President Andrew Bennie (NZL), Seppo Laine (FIN), and Valerie Pride (USA). 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 26, 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 1:30 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 Riders

Follow the USEA event coverage on social media!

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