April 21 – May 16, 2025
(Subscribers can read the full magazine online.)
KENTUCKY PREVIEW ISSUE
Kentucky Will Be A Clash Of The Titans This Year
With many of the world’s best entered, plus a slew of first-timers at the five-star level, it should be an exciting weekend, says Kyle Carter.
2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L Roster
The Long Game: Karen O’Connor Reflects On A Life In Eventing
As the 2025 Defender Kentucky CCI5*-L approaches, Karen O’Connor remains as influential as ever, although these days it’s less from the saddle and more from the sidelines—shaping riders, studying the sport, and continuing to evolve herself.
With Imperio Magic, Mary Bess Davis Is Chasing A Dream Deferred
“You’ve got to believe in it, and love it, and love the partnership, and just keep kicking on,” said Mary Bess Davis of working to get to the top level of the sport with Imperio Magic. With the horse she brought up, Davis will contest this year’s Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L.
Between Rounds with Buck Davidson: In A Changing Sport, Five-Stars Should Stay The Pinnacle
“The five-star is the one-tenth of 1%. It’s the very top of our sport,” says Buck Davidson. “I don’t think the lower number of entries at Kentucky and Maryland in recent years is a big thing. The five-star level should be the major leagues. It’s like when we played baseball growing up: We all dreamed of playing in the major leagues, but the reality is, we weren’t going to get there.”
ADVERTISEMENT
EVENTING
The Forum with Nick Larkin: A New Game
The first winner of the Rolex Kentucky five-star discusses the need for an alternative discipline to eventing and outlines the sport he’s invented and developed: Cross Country Equestrian.
5 Questions With: Jennie Brannigan
Jennie Brannigan only had a month to spend in the Carolinas this winter, but she made the most of her time there, most recently winning the Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International CCI4*-S with FE Lifestyle.
Dressage Fundamentals Push Jessica Phoenix To The Top At TerraNova CCI4*-S
When Canadian eventer Jessica Phoenix took both first and second place in the B&D Builders CCI4*-S at The Event at TerraNova, the scoreboard confirmed what she was feeling from her two longtime partners: Freedom GS and Fluorescent Adolescent were just on.
DRESSAGE
Adrienne Lyle And Helix Break Personal Best Record Before Basel
Months of out-of-the-box preparation paid off for Adrienne Lyle and Helix in their final outing before contesting the FEI Dressage World Cup Final in Basel, Switzerland. Under the lights in the Havensafe Farm CDI5* Grand Prix freestyle, Lyle piloted the gelding to a new personal best of 80.60%.
Between Rounds with Jeremy Steinberg: Where Do We Go From Here?
Our columnist discusses the need for a long-term plan—one that relies on training more than purchasing power—for U.S. dressage.
ADVERTISEMENT
2025 FEI World Cup Finals Photo Gallery
HORSE SHOWS
$750,000 Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix Win Is One To Remember For Christian Kukuk
Before Christian Kukuk even entered the ring on Checker 47 for the $750,000 Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix on March 29, he was already celebrating. The 35-year-old German rider had spent the night before at the hospital with his partner Veronica Tracy, who earlier that morning welcomed the birth of their first child, Lila.
WEF Circuit Champion Veterinarian Finds Time To Win
When Danielle Stacy, DVM, goes to a horse show, she frequently has two very different priorities: showing her horses and acting as an equine sports medicine veterinarian.
US Takes The Home Win At Longines League Of Nations Ocala
After finishing third last year, the team takes the top spot thanks to a thrilling anchor ride from McLain Ward.
Veterinarian Morgan Geller Balances Sport Horse Medicine And A Series Win At Desert Circuit
When you have a once-in-a-lifetime horse that wins in the hunter, derby and equitation rings, where do you go after he retires? If you’re Morgan Geller, you switch to jumpers.
