Grab your copy of the Chronicle’s Kentucky Preview Issue, pack enough clothes for every season, and make sure you’ve got some space leftover in your suitcase for some trade fair goodies, because it’s time for the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. With demonstrations, a bustling trade fair, and the entirety of the Kentucky Horse Park at your feet, there’s plenty to do when you’re not watching the competition.
While the CCI5*-L is the main event, the weekend also features the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S. In addition, there’s the show jumping competition, the Kentucky International, which is bigger than ever with four classes starting on Wednesday. It’s now a CSI5* with the main event, the $400,000 Kentucky International 1.60M Grand Prix, taking place at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.
The Schedule
(All times local, Eastern Daylight Time)
Wednesday, April 23:
The first show jumping class, the $35,000 Kentucky Invitational CSI5* 1.45M Two-Phase, will take place at 8 a.m.
The first eventing horse inspection is at 2 p.m. This is for the five-star only.
Thursday, April 24:
Dressage starts with the CCI4*-S test ride at 7:40 a.m., and competition takes place from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
After a brief break, the five-star test ride will take place at 1 p.m. Competition kicks off at 1:20 p.m. and will run until 4:10 p.m.
The $75,000 1.50-M Welcome Grand Prix Qualifier CSI5* will take place at 6:30 p.m.
Friday, April 25:
Dressage continues, beginning with the four-star division from 8 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. Five-star competitors will run from 1 to 3:50 p.m.
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The $35,000 Speed Cup CSI5* will take place at 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 26:
Cross-country day starts at 9 a.m. with the four-star division, which is expected to run until 11:45 a.m.
The five-star division will begin at 1:30 p.m. and run until 4:30 p.m.
A course walk for the grand prix takes place at 12 p.m. in the Rolex Stadium. The $400,000 Kentucky International Grand Prix CSI5* will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 27:
The second horse inspection will take place at 7:30 a.m. for both divisions. The four-star will jog first.
Riders will show jump in reverse order of placing. The CCI4*-S will go first, from 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., with an awards ceremony immediately following. The five-star will begin at 2:15 p.m. The top-placed riders are expected to jump at 3 p.m.
By about 4 p.m. there should be a winner, with a second awards ceremony to follow.
You can find a full schedule here.
Who’s here: Currently, 35 competitors from six countries will start the five-star. You can keep up with withdrawals from the entry list here.
We’ve got two pairs who have previously won a five-star: Michael Jung and FischerChipmunk FRH, who won Kentucky in 2022, and Tim Price and Falco, who won Pau (France) in 2021. Three other riders in the field have won five-stars on different horses: Boyd Martin, Tom McEwen and Jonelle Price.
McEwen has been second at Kentucky twice with JL Dublin, but this year he is bringing Brookfield Quality. Joining him from Great Britain is Harry Meade, who is bringing two horses: Et Hop Du Matz and Grafennacht. The other British rider in the field is U.S.-based Lucienne Bellissimo, who will be riding Dyri.
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New Zealand will have a strong presence with all four members of the bronze-medal winning team at the 2022 FEI Eventing World Championships (Italy). Tim Price has three mounts: Falco, Jarillo and Happy Boy, while his wife, Jonelle, is bringing her Paris mount Hiarado. Clarke Johnstone—who, like the Prices, is coming from England—will ride Menlo Park. The final member of that team is Monica Spencer (Artist), who has been based in the U.S. since last year.
In addition to Jung, there are two other German riders making the trip. Calvin Böckmann is back for the second time with The Phantom of the Opera, while Libussa Lübbeke is coming for the first time with Caramia 34.
There is one Canadian entry, Jessica Phoenix and Fluorescent Adolescent. The two Australian entries are both based in the United States, Rebecca Braitling (Caravaggio) and Ema Klugman (Bronte Beach Z).
Martin will be the one of the busiest riders in the class, as he’s got three mounts as well: Commando 3, his Paris Olympic mount Fedarman B, and Luke 140. His teammate in Paris, Caroline Pamukcu, is bringing two mounts new to the level: HSH Double Sixteen and She’s The One. They are also the youngest horses in the field at 10 years old.
The two oldest horses in the field will be Sunday Times, ridden by Arden Wildasin, and Corvett, ridden by Emily Hamel. Both are 18.
There are six riders who will be competing at the five-star level for the first time: Bellissimo (Dyri), Brooke Burchianti (Cooley Space Grey), Mary Bess Davis (Imperio Magic), Shannon Lilley (Eindhoven Garette), Cassie Sanger (Redfield Fyre), Wildasin (Sunday Times).
You can read Shannon Lilley’s journey back to the upper levels after a horrific injury in 2012, and about how Mary Bess Davis is chasing a dream deferred.
At 20, Sanger is the youngest rider in the field, while Sharon White is the oldest at 51.
Want to get to know the horses better? Go Behind the Stall Door with us to meet some of the horses entered:
- Jennie Brannigan’s FE Lifestyle
- Jennie Brannigan’s Twilightslastgleam
- Buck Davidson’s Sorocaima
- Emily Hamel’s Corvett
- Boyd Martin’s Fedarman B
- Boyd Martin’s Luke 140
- Monica Spencer’s Artist
- Sharon White’s Claus 63
There are 58 in the four-star from five countries, and you can see the entire field here.
Where you can watch: You can watch the livestream on USEF Network powered by ClipMyHorse.TV. If you are not already a USEF member or subscriber to ClipMyHorse.TV, you can sign up for a free USEF fan membership, which allows you to watch live (a subscriber membership is needed to watch on demand).
How to follow along: The Chronicle is on-site at the Kentucky Horse Park with two reporters to bring you everything you need to know at coth.com, so you don’t have to miss a minute of the action. You can find all of our coverage from the week here. You can also follow along on Instagram and Facebook. Be sure to read our May 23 issue for more in-depth coverage and analysis of the event.Â
