Tickets for the 2021 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ and the $225,000 Kentucky CSI3* Invitational Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute will go on sale in January 2021. Equestrian Events Inc. (EEI), which produces both world-class events, is delaying the opening of ticket sales because of remaining uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The events are scheduled to return to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, April 22-25, 2021, featuring elite horses and riders from across the nation and around the world. Known as “The Best Weekend All Year,” the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ (LRK3DE) is a thrilling multi-day competition featuring Olympic-level riders and horses in what can best be described as an equestrian triathlon. Horse and rider pairs compete in three phases of the competition – dressage, cross-country and show jumping.
“As we continue to navigate these unchartered waters connected to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are in constant communication with the USEF, Kentucky Horse Park, and local governments,” said Mike Cooper, EEI president. “Naturally, our prime concern is the safety and well-being of everyone and, given the current circumstances, we think it wisest to delay the opening of ticket sales until we are certain that we have the absolute best plans regarding spectator capacity and safety.”
Among the steps expected to be implemented is an expansion of the number of tailgating spaces available for Saturday’s cross-country competition. This will allow for increased opportunities for watching cross-country while maintaining any required social distancing.
LRK3DE is one of only six annual five-star three-day events in the world along with Badminton and Burghley in England; Luhmuhlen in Germany; Pau in France; and Adelaide in Australia. LRK3DE is the only annual five-star event in the Americas and, as the United States' premier event, also serves as the Land Rover/USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Championship presented by MARS Equestrian™ for the U.S. athletes. Next year’s event will also include a new CCI4*-S providing added competition excitement for spectators at no additional charge.
The fourth annual $225,000 Kentucky CSI3* Invitational Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute will take place on Saturday afternoon, April 24, after the cross-country portion of the LRK3DE. As part of the competition, there will also be a $36,000 Welcome Speed Cup Ranking Class in Rolex Stadium on Friday, after the day's LRK3DE dressage competition. No stadium seat ticket is required for Friday's Ranking Class.
As usual, single-day and multi-day tickets will be available. All grounds admission tickets to the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event will include general parking and admission to the Kentucky Horse Park and International Trade Fair, but not access to competition in Rolex Stadium on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. Reserved grandstand seating for those days is sold separately from grounds admission. Grounds admission is free for children 12 years old and under with adult ticket purchases.
Plans for Hospitality Packages are still being formulated and will be announced before tickets go on sale in January.
“Many spectators, patrons, and sponsors chose to roll over the money they had paid for the 2020 event and are anxious to hear plans for 2021,” added Lee Carter, EEI executive director. “While we don’t yet know exactly what the 2021 event will look like, EEI will continue to ensure that those who rolled over their money receive maximum benefit for doing so and everyone can be sure that next year’s Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event and the Kentucky CSI3* Invitational Grand Prix will still be 'The Best Weekend All Year!’”
Details as to the exact date when tickets will go on sale will be announced when plans are finalized. Further information will be available at www.KentuckyThreeDayEvent.com.
Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI) is a non-profit charitable Kentucky corporation that was established initially to produce the 1978 World Three-Day Event Championships at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the success of those championships, EEI established an annual event that evolved into the world-renowned Kentucky Three-Day Event, which draws more than 80,000 spectators to the Kentucky Horse Park each year. For more information visit www.eq-events.com.
The horses in trainer Joe Davis’ barn at Horseshoe Indianapolis don’t just get standard hay in their nets each day. Throughout the afternoon, Davis or one of his employees opens the HayGain machine that sits at the end of his shed row and pulls out a warm, beautiful-smelling bale of freshly-steamed hay to fill their nets.
Are you following along with the action from home this weekend? Or maybe you're competing at an event and need information fast. Either way, we’ve got you covered! Check out the USEA’s Weekend Quick Links for links to information including the prize list, ride times, live scores, and more for all the events running this weekend.
Last month, readers met VIP Volunteer Rebecca Proetto, who volunteered at the MARS Maryland 5 Star horse inspection. This month, the focus turns to husband and wife Ed and Leanne Barnett who introduced Proetto to the art of running an efficient horse inspection at Maryland. Ed and Leanne undertake a 12-hour drive from their home in Indiana to Maryland just to volunteer at the event.
The USEA is saddened to share the passing of Sara Kozumplik’s five-star partner As You Like It at the age of 34. The gelding died in his sleep at his retirement home at Kozumplik's parents' residence.