Classic Eventing Nation

Tom McEwen and JL Dublin. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Every year when I pull in to Kentucky Horse Park on cross country morning, I’m reminded of just how much I love this venue and this event. The energy and anticipation is palpable: eager fans milling about the trade stands as they make their way toward cross country, cresting a hill to one of the cross country fields and seeing nothing but seas of people as you scan the course, the tingle of both anxiety and excitement elevating my heart rate.

It’s just special here, and as is typical we were treated to a spectacle of eventing sport today across both the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S and the headlining CCI5* divisions. You can catch up on the CCI4*-S action (and boy, was there action) here. For now, let’s dive right in to unpack a very impactful day of cross country.

The Top Placers

Tom McEwen and JL Dublin. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

I’m not sure anyone doubted Tom McEwen‘s ability to deliver an important clear round with more implications than solely a podium finish (or a win) here at Kentucky. But the pressure was on: at the outset of the day, the reigning Olympic individual silver medalist had just 1.4 penalties or 3.5 seconds of time “in hand” ahead of Yasmin Ingham.

On a day when only two pairs managed to come home inside the optimum time of 11 minutes, 15 seconds (more on that later), time was always going to exert its influence. Tom and JL Dublin (Diarado – Zarinna by Canto) generally average about 6-10 time penalties, according to EquiRatings, and they came home quicker than that with a total of four time (10 seconds). Had Yasmin Ingham not incurred time penalties of her own, Tom’s lead may have been in jeopardy, but as it stands now he will carry the lead and a 78% chance of winning into show jumping tomorrow with a two-phase score of 28.6.

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“He was incredible, I was cruising for the first five and I felt more like it was an Intermediate,” Tom said of his ride today on the 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by James & Jo Lambert, Mrs Deirdre Johnston, expressing that he felt he’d been faster than he was but taking the long route at a couple of combinations, including the Park Question at 23, likely added some of those time penalties. “When I tried to balance at the coffin I thought the best decision was to keep very straight, but I’m not sure I wanted to. We just popped in the long route.”

Yasmin Ingham and Banzai du Loir. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Yasmin Ingham held on to her second place with 5.6 time penalties accumulated aboard Janette Chin’s and the Sue Davies Fund’s Banzai du Loir (Nouma D’Auzay – Gerboise du Cochet, by Livarot). Also very much in the hunt for an Olympic selection, Yasmin also had a few demons to put to rest on the Kentucky bluegrass today, having had a devastating runout on cross country in 2023 to take her out of podium contention. Put them to rest she did, and she was pleased to have done so.

“I’m just delighted. I’m so happy,” Yasmin said following her round. “I know he has that in him. Obviously we had our blips last year. We did a lot of training over the winter with Chris Bartle and with my dressage trainer as well, and it’s showing out there today I think.”

“I’ll be totally honest,” she continued. “It’s just an incredible amount of pressure. … Obviously we make the trip because this event is just worth it a million times over, but of course that’s on my shoulders that I have to ride him and produce results. So yeah, massive amounts of pressure. I’ve had incredibly supportive owners and parents and my guys at home that are running the show once I’m over here, so it takes an army to get the horse here fit and sound and ready to compete at his best and do my best. I feel a bit of relief now.”

Yasmin goes into tomorrow on a score of 31.6, which does not give Tom a rail in hand, and an EquiRatings prediction of a 15% win possibility. Tom and JL Dublin did produce a double clear show jumping round in 2023 when they finished in second, as did Yasmin and Banzai du Loir.

Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Moving from eighth into third overnight following a clear cross country tantalizingly close to the optimum time are FEI world #1 Oliver Townend and Diana and Paul Ridgeon’s Cooley Rosalent (Valent – Bellaney Jewel, by Roselier), who added just .4 time penalties to go onto a score of 31.8. Cooley Rosalent, who is 10 this year, has certainly proven herself as a 5* horse across the country now with two fast clear rounds under her belt (the other came at Maryland in 2023).

“She’s a different world, isn’t she?” Oliver remarked. “You know, she’s only ten this time and it’s a big gamble that whatever happens from this point has paid off because the amount she’ll have learned out there is incredible and every distance that I wanted I just about got. You know, like, at the first, second pond I could’ve done five [strides] there and I said, ‘no, we’re gonna make four happen, you know one day you’re gonna be at Burghley so you’re gonna have to learn now’ and she’s just incredibly honest. I’ve had her from four years old and she’s as good as we always hoped.”

This was another pair who also opted for the long route at the influential Park Question, but they’d had enough time on the clock to still make it home close to the optimum.

“I’m still very conscious when I’m riding around although I’m trying to be competitive,” Oliver explained. “I’m also trying to half produce and half save her for hopefully, another seven years like we’ve had for Ballaghmor Class. It’s always long term in mind, and don’t get me wrong, I’m sure one day I will fling her at it and I’m sure she’ll answer the question beautifully, but I just thought that she’d pulled enough out of the bag today for me to give her a little breather.”

Monica Spencer and Artist. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Also making some moves on the board were New Zealand’s Monica Spencer and Artist (Guillotine – Maxamore, by Satin Blush), who moved from 10th to fourth overnight on a score of 32.7 with two seconds’ worth of time added to their dressage mark. Earlier this week, Monica noted that this would probably be the biggest challenge “Max” had ever faced, even having done World Championships in 2022 (which is, of course, not set at 5* specs).

“Oh, it was five-star,” she said, also noting that Artist had lost a shoe at the second fence but was able to keep galloping and turning on the good quality ground. “I felt sick and I felt desperate and he just kept saying, ‘sure thing, mummy!’ So awesome. Maryland, when I did that course it was the hardest course I’d ever done. And I was like, ‘oh my God, oh my God.’ Now I guess it might only be because this one’s fresh in my mind, but now I’m like this this is the hardest course I’ve ever done! Next time I might say it again.”

Mia Farley and Phelps. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Let’s hear it for another double clear cross country effort from Mia Farley and David O’Connor’s Phelps (Tiznow – Boom Town Gal, by Cactus Ridge), who once again proved — despite any misgivings and nerves Mia may have had as it seems will be her habit at these 5* events! — that they absolutely belong here. Mia was the sole rider to come home inside the time in her debut at the level last fall at Maryland. Adding another would have been her goal today, but cementing it must feel incredibly validating.

“It was actually fun,” Mia said. “I told myself I was gonna have fun and I did it. And I think same with Phelps. I think he was making fun of me like the whole first four minutes. Actually, before I went out I told David [O’Connor] I have a feeling the beginning of the course isn’t gonna be too fun because he just rolls and then once you put him up a hill, then you have some rideability.”

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Mia has noted the efficiency with which Phelps jumps (which has sometimes worked to his detriment on the final day, but more on that shortly), and the fact that his Thoroughbred gears allow her to set a pace early on that she can manage and stay on the minute markers — and to finish in as quick a time as 10 minutes, 52 seconds today, a whopping 23 seconds under the optimum time.

“I think with Phelps and with a lot of Thoroughbreds, we kind of set a tone at the beginning of the course and that’s what they have for the rest of it,” she elaborated. “But what I found that’s really cool is that at the end of the course, if you ask them to go they they have it. So before Phelps, I had a warmblood that I would do the four-star here on and you didn’t have very many options at the end. But with Phelps at Maryland and here, he’s here to be everything. So I think the Thoroughbred blood does help, and fitness of course.”

Germany’s Christoph Wahler was the first rider to catch the optimum with Stefan Haupt and Hendrik Von Paepcke’s D’Accord FRH (Diarado – Anette 80, by Aarkin), delivering an efficient round in a time of 11 minutes, 7 seconds. This pair will move from 15th into sixth overnight.

Equal third after dressage, both Liz Halliday with the Nutcracker Syndicate / Ocala Horse Properties’ Cooley Nutcracker and Lauren Nicholson jumped around clear with Ms. Jacqueline Mars’ Vermiculus with some time each to go into seventh and eighth, respectively.

Jennie Brannigan and FE Lifestyle. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Jennie Brannigan brought two very fit horses to Kentucky and delivered two clear rounds to have both FE Lifestyle (9th – 37.2) and Twilightslastgleam (12th – 39.9), both owned by Tim and Nina Gardner, in the top 15 ahead of show jumping (there’s nothing like a Thoroughbred with a big heart!). Malin Hansen-Hotop of Germany completes the cross country top 10 aboard Carlito’s Quidditch K on a score of 37.9.

Insights and Updates

Christoph Wahler and D’Accord FRH. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Derek di Grazia’s course certainly showed itself to be up to snuff across both divisions. Of 32 starters, 26 completed the course for an 81.25% completion rate. There is an asterisk on that stat, though, as unfortunately Zach Brandt and Direct Advance were eliminated by the Ground Jury several hours after leaving the vet box and returning to the stables. Zach, who was also given a yellow card for riding an excessively tired horse, provided the following statement:

“I am so immensely proud of Rosco for his incredible effort today jumping a clear round around a hard track. Unfortunately, the ground jury chose to eliminate him this evening after the cross country was over, due to him being so tired coming home. While we completely respect their decision, we are ultimately gutted as Rosco recovered very well & trotted up looking absolutely amazing and sound this evening. The most important thing about this sport is the horses, so Rosco’s well-being and overall health is paramount and we are of course so happy that he looks so great. We are so proud of his effort having never lost his jump and we will be back in the fall with some very exciting plans.”

There were two horse falls on course: Phillip Dutton and Quasi Cool took a scary tumble at the final fence, prompting the grounds crew to provide screens as a precaution. Quasi Cool was up and walking and is reported to be resting and uninjured. Phillip went to the hospital to be checked out after both of his rides today, bringing home Azure clear as the final ride of the day. Honor Me and Lisa Marie Fergusson also fell at the A element of the Park Question; both horse and rider were up quickly and “Tali” is reported to be uninjured by Lisa.

6.25% (or two riders in Mia and Christoph) produced clear rounds inside the optimum time. This is a significant decrease from the 16% double clear rate from 2023 and more in line with the three years preceding last, which all saw sub-10% double clear rates.

The Implications

Lauren Nicholson and Vermiculus. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Looking to tomorrow’s show jumping finale, Tom McEwen certainly has the most pressure as the top-placed rider. Historically speaking, the leader after cross country has gone on to win the event 11 times out of the last 13 runnings of Kentucky. Michael Jung and fischerRocana FST were the most recent potential winners to lose out on the crown due to a pulled pole, according to EquiRatings. Despite this, Kentucky is traditionally a tough show jumping course. Designed this year by Steve Stephens, the show jumping generally produces just 1 in 5 clear rounds or a 21% clear rate over the last 13 years. By that number, that’s only five clear rounds in this year’s field of 25 starters (pending, of course, the Final Horse Inspection first thing tomorrow morning – which by the way was moved to 8 a.m., presumably because of my protest of the offensive original time of 7:30, you’re welcome).

All of this to say that even if Tom does manage the clear, we could be yet looking at a very different leaderboard than what we see this evening. It’s certainly going to be a thrilling finish to the weekend, and we hope you’ll join us for show jumping, which for the 5* begins at 2:15 pm ET with the first group and 3:00 p.m. ET for the second group. The 4*-S will be the first to see tomorrow, beginning at 10:30 a.m. ET. Before that though, we’ll have the final horse inspection for both divisions at 8 a.m.

We’ll see you bright and early tomorrow for the conclusion of the #BestWeekendAllYear. Go Eventing.

EN’s coverage of the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event is presented by Kentucky Performance Products, your one-stop shop for science-backed nutritional support for all types of horses. Click here to learn more about Kentucky Performance Products.

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We all awoke this morning to a greatly-reduced field in the 2024 Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event after six overnight withdrawals. We’ve all said that this would be a bloodthirsty bunch, confirmed after no less than eight on-course retirements and five rider falls during this morning’s trials. Liz Halliday and superstar Miks Master C (Mighty Magic – Qui Lumba CBF, by Quite Easy) emerged victorious from the pack — 8 seconds of time weren’t enough to knock this power team out of their overnight lead.

Though they have only one second in hand headed into tomorrow’s show jumping round, the Swedish Warmblood, owned by Ocala Horse Properties, gave us a flawless show once again across the Kentucky bluegrass. Liz remains in the top ten with all three of her mounts so far, with The Monster Partnership’s Cooley Quicksilver (Womanizer – Kylemore Crystal, by Greggan Diamond) in seventh place on a 32.8, and Ocala Horse Properties‘ other gelding Shanroe Cooley (Dallas – Shanroe Sapphire, by Condios) four points behind him in eighth.

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Our current top three have less than one point separating them, with Will Coleman and Diabolo (Diarado – Roulett M, by Aljano 2) on Liz’s tail at 29.9, and Boyd Martin and Commando 3 (Connor 48 – R-Adelgunde, by Amigo xx) breathing down Will’s neck with a 30.1. Will’s longtime partner Off The Record (Arkansas VDL – Drumagoland Bay by Ard Ohio) follows in fourth on a score of 30.9, with Boyd Martin once again in fifth place aboard Fedarman B (Eurocommerce Washington – Paulien B, by Fedor), tied with Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake (Tolan R – Doughiska Lass, by Kannan) on scores of 32.5.

Our top seven will all be within one jump fault of each other heading into show jumping tomorrow — with Caroline Pamukcu the only other rider in that mix outside of the Liz, Will, & Boyd Show.

The word of the day is “coffin” — one we’ll likely wait to utter for a healthy period of time after today’s myriad of coffin-borne catastrophes. With a total of 24 refusals in the field, 20 of them were instigated by the 5*-worthy combination at 6ABCDE, with 75% of those refusals attributing to the final E element — a particularly tricky skinny brush. Three horses ended up retiring at the combination (Lucienne Bellissimo aboard Tremanton, Heather Gillette and Vincent Chase, and Leslie Law on Lady Chatterley) and we saw two rider falls as well: Molly Duda on Disco Traveler and Hannah Sue Hollberg with Carsonstown. Hannah Sue subsequently withdrew Capitol HIM from the 5*, though she isn’t seriously injured she did have trouble bearing weight on her right leg and decided not to run the 5* when she was not 100%.

The rest of the course was rightly competitive with a final clear rate of 44%, but saw nowhere near as many refusals as the dreaded combination. We did have three additional falls with Samantha Tinney, Autumn Schweiss, and Tamie Smith, and five others elected to retire on course. With the addition of Canada’s Lindsay Traisnel withdrawing her mount Bacyrouge after cross country, we now head into tomorrow’s second horse inspection with a field of 41 — the field 21 horses lighter than when we all emerged from the sandboxes.

Liz Halliday and Miks Master C (Mighty Magic – Qui Lumba CBF, by Quite Easy) maintained their flawless cross country jump record over Derek di Grazia’s minefield today, albeit keeping us all on the edges of our seats during some close calls (that had my heart in my throat on several occasions). Bred in the US by Laurie Cameron, “Mikki” and Liz have been partnered together for two years now, already with several high-profile completions under their belts. After acquiring the ride in 2022 from Maya Black, Liz had four consecutive wins with Mikki at the Bromont CCI2*L, Chattahoochee Hills Intermediate, Rebecca Farm’s CCI4*-S, and the FEI Eventing Nations Cup at Bromont CCIO-4*S.

Liz has seen a winner’s potential in Mikki from the start, which has held true as they were named to three US Teams in their short time together. The pair achieved a top-five finish at Boekelo in the 2022 FEI Eventing Nations Cup CCIO4*-L, another fifth place in Aachen’s CCIO4*-S last June, and contributed to Team USA’s Silver in the 2023 Pan American Games at Santiago, Chile, where they had the lowest dressage score in the field and finished seventh individually.

“Mikki gave me a run for my money,” Liz said of the current division leader. “He was a little keen today, but jumped all the jumps spectacularly.” One of four total rides today, Liz was understandably a bit beat after her completion on Cooley Nutcracker — who ended the day in eighth position in the Defender Kentucky CCI5* — and managed to maintain her lead on Miks Master C after already pushing herself to the max with two previous runs. Regardless, Liz says Mikki took great care of her on course and pulled off yet another spectacular performance. “He is just such an incredible athlete and he’s a very good jumper and he’s very careful, so although he was strong in between the fences, he was very thoughtful and very organized at all the combinations, which is what I sort of always look for for him.”

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Liz also spoke with great pride of her runs on current seventh- and eighth-place rides, Cooley Quicksilver and Shanroe Cooley, respectfully. “The young horse [Shanroe Cooley] blew my mind away. He was so clever, he’s a real one in the making. Monster scrapped his way around like he always does for me. To finish up like this with four clear rounds — I think my slowest one was 6.4 time — that’s a pretty good day at the office, and we don’t always have good days at the office so I’ll take it! I’m just happy all my horses are fit and well and feeling good in themselves — that’s the most important thing.”

Liz and Miks Master C’s prep run for Kentucky at the Carolina International CCI4*-S last month ended with a victory gallop as they left with the blue ribbon, and the last time Mikki and Liz left Rolex Stadium together, it was with a third-place finish at the gelding’s CCI5* debut one year ago. With reigning champions Tamie Smith and Mai Baum withdrawn, and reigning reserve champions Tom McEwen and JL Dublin returned to the 5* for another (rather likely) shot at victory, will this partnership emerge victorious this year in the 4*-S? We’ll be eagerly waiting to see tomorrow afternoon!

Moving up from sixth place overnight thanks to being the fastest round of the day, Will Coleman and Diabolo were the only combination to go double-clear in the 4*-S this morning. Will was clearly on fire as he stormed across the country today, having also delivering the second-fastest round (tied for time with Boyd Martin’s Fedarman B) on his current fourth place holder Off The Record.

Like Mikki with Liz, the Diabolo Group LLC’s gelding known as “Dab” has also only been with Will for a short time, having acquired the ride on the stunning Holsteiner from Australia’s Gemma Tinney last year. This is the pair’s sixth 4*-S start, but will hopefully be their third completion — Will is affectionately known as a horseman who continues to be very considerate of his horses’ wellbeing and condition, opting to withdrawn Diabolo from three events to include the Stable View Aiken CCI4*-S three weeks ago. Clearly this policy works, as Will hasn’t yet been outside of the top ten with Dab, with two podium finishes with last fall at the Terranova CCI4*-L and Morven Park International CCI4*-S.

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Will and Diabolo sat in sixth position heading into this morning, but sped to the forefront as Lucienne Bellissimo and Dyri (Diarado – La Calera, by King Milford xx), who’d held second place overnight, were knocked down to 31st place after a refusal at the dreaded 6ABCDE coffin. Will commented on the coffin complex, noting that it was, as many found out the hard way this morning, “pretty close to five-star” in terms of difficulty.

“It was a proper rail, and I actually think a lot of the horses just looked like they didn’t quite know where to look,” Will said of the tricky combination. “There is a lot going on there, it was early in the course, and your four-star horses, obviously most of them were a bit greener. [Diabolo] ran at it for so long, sort of looking at it. I think most people that had trouble, it looks like to me like they didn’t really have their horse back in what you would say is a proper coffin canter — and then if you jump in and get either too fast or too out of balance, then the horse falls away from you a bit harder, and I think it can be hard to then recover over the ditch and make the two stride, make the one stride.”

Nevertheless, Will stated that he thought this question was a smart one — one that could be expected to weed out the stars in a pack of upper-level potential gunning for the Olympic team. “It was a clever question because it didn’t walk intimidating at all, but in a strange way it just caught a lot of people out,” he said. “I think because at that part of the course, your horse is running on, and it can be hard work just getting them to get back and sit on their haunches and be organized for it.”

Heading into show jumping tomorrow, I’m sure we’ll all be anxious to see how the leaderboard may shake up. Diabolo has only taken two poles ever on his international record, but we can expect to see a few seconds of time — it will all come down to speed tomorrow, and how well our champion trio recovers from their gallops today.

Much like Will & Diabolo, Boyd Martin hasn’t yet been out of the top ten with Commando 3, rounding out our top-three’s pattern of new partnerships as the two have also only been together for the past year. Boyd and “Connor” added just 1.2 time faults to their very solid dressage test on Thursday, allowing the pair to move up to third place headed into show jumping tomorrow. The pair are looking to add on to their international winning streak they’ve held since September — stealing the blue at the Tryon 4*-S, Morven Park International 4*-L, and Stable View 4*-S in the last eight months.

Commando 3 certainly has his quirks that Boyd is still working to figure out, but was overall thrilled with his heart out on course today. “When he’s feeling fresh, he’ll find any excuse to jump around a bit” Boyd laughed. “The horse has got so much quality, we sort of put up with his antics.”

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Heading into the final showdown tomorrow, Boyd says he has great trust in Connor and expects competitive performances from everyone currently vying for the win. “I think we’re all on very good showjumpers — the top four or five horses are very good show jumpers and good show jumping riders,” he admitted. “So I think the goal would be to get the horses a good night’s sleep and potentially school them a little bit on the flat in the morning and give it our best tomorrow.”

The German-bred gelding, owned by Yankee Creek Ranch LLC, has only been improving over time with Boyd in the saddle, to include his spotless record on cross country. Like Diabolo, dropping a pole is very rare for Connor, but he also has only a very small handful of time scattered throughout his entire competition history. The Holsteiner gelding’s trustworthy speed will be paramount to his success tomorrow with the time being so important in this tight top three.

Will’s 2021 Aachen champion Off The Record is still not to be discounted in this race, adding only 0.8 time faults to their dressage score this morning and moving up to fourth place. The 15-year-old “Timmy” has three 5*s under his belt, all of which have been here at Kentucky with their placement improving every year, so it’s safe to say that he’s become well-acquainted with the Rolex Stadium. This proven partnership is very reliable when it comes to time over the colored sticks, so a clear round for them tomorrow could still be very competitive against the higher ranks.

The Liz, Will, & Boyd Show features Pan-American Games gold medalists Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake, who sat in third overnight after a stellar dressage test. Caroline and Blake took 5.2 time penalties on course, falling down the ranks to tie for fifth with Boyd Martin’s other ride, Fedarman B. HSH Blake is one of the youngest horses in the field at just nine years old, with this being the horse’s third start at the 4* level, taking third place at their 4* debut at Terranova in 2023 and second at Tryon just last month.

The Annie Goodwin Syndicate’s Fedarman B is a two-time blue ribbon winner at the 4* level, winning at the 2022 Tryon International CCI4*-L and the 2023 Tryon 4*-S. The 14-year-old known as “Bruno” was blazing on course today, shooting up to fifth from 13th position after adding just two seconds to their time.

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It all comes to a head tomorrow — with Olympic team selectors standing by with a watchful eye as some of the top riders in the world descend on Rolex Stadium starting at 10:30am. Team EN is flitting across the grounds at the #BestWeekendAllYear, but you can bet we’ll be locked in place to bring you updates on our leaders and eventual champions tomorrow morning. Best of luck to all the competitors and Go Eventing!

EN’s coverage of the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event is presented by Kentucky Performance Products, your one-stop shop for science-backed nutritional support for all types of horses. Click here to learn more about Kentucky Performance Products.

Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event [Website] [Entries] [Schedule] [Tickets] [Scoring] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage]

I just love these moments right before cross country, when the air’s full of anticipation of the story that’s about to unfold. Despite all the years (decades) I’ve been following eventing for – the many thousands of events I’ve watched – every cross country day feels like my first. I’ll never get bored of this. Cross country day is officially The. Best. Day. Truly.

And what better best day to be on than the best day at the best weekend all year? Bring on cross country day at Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event!

First up, a brief round-up of what went down in the dressage. If you’re craving more, you’ll find EN’s full reports here [Day One] and here [Day Two] and test-by-test reports here [Day One] and here [Day Two].

1️⃣Leading the charge as they head out on course today are last year’s runners-up Tom McEwen and JL Dublin for Great Britain, who kicked off their competition with a super smart test to sit on a score of 24.6 – they go at 3:30pm ET / 9:30pm CEST.

2️⃣ Just 1.4 points behind them are fellow Brits, and 2022 runners-up, Yasmin Ingham and Banzai du Loir, who also delivered the goods for a score of 26 – they’ll get underway at 2:10pm ET / 8:10pm CEST.

3️⃣ Rounding out our top 3 after the first phase – in joint-third place as things stand – we have US combinations Liz Halliday and Cooley Nutcracker and Lauren Nicholson and Vermiculus on a score of 30.6 – Lauren will be heading out at 3:18pm ET / 9:18pm CEST and Liz’ll be following her all the way as she sets off right after her at 3:22pm ET / 9:22pm CEST.

First out of the start box today and onto Derek di Grazia’s course will be Sara Kozumplik and Rock Phantom for the USA, who are currently on a score of 35.3 – they go at 1:30pm ET / 7:30pm CEST.

If you want to check out what Derek’s built out there, you’ll find our complete course preview here, and if you want to know the riders’ thoughts on what they’re about to face, we’ve wrangled them together and given them to you here.

The general consensus is it’s big but fair, with questions the whole way ‘round, and I’ll be here for every round, bringing you every second of the action live throughout the afternoon. Keep this page refreshed and enjoy the ride.

If you just can’t get enough of Kentucky, click here for everything you need to know about The Best Weekend All Year – and if you want to follow the form this afternoon, you’ll find EN’s epic Form Guide right here. As if that isn’t enough, we’ve got loads of great IG content happening courtesy of our team on the ground too @goeventing.

So, eventing nerds, let’s do this thang!
If you’re catching up on this later, scroll ⬇️ and read ⬆️.
Lock on, and go eventing!

EN’s coverage of the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event is presented by Kentucky Performance Products, your one-stop shop for science-backed nutritional support for all types of horses. Click here to learn more about Kentucky Performance Products.

Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event [Website] [Entries] [Schedule] [Tickets] [Scoring] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage]

4:16pm
What. A. Day.

After all that stupendousness we have a British 1 – 2 – 3:

1️⃣ Leader of the pack is Tom McEwen with JL Dublin on a score of 28.6 – the only combination on a sub-30 score as we head into show jumping.
2️⃣ Hanging onto their second place after the dressage, less than a fence behind, are Yasmin Ingham and Banzai du Loir on 31.6.
3️⃣ And just 0.2 behind her, rounding out the top three, we have Oliver Townend with Cooley Rosalent on 31.8.
4️⃣ The Kiwis are in 4th with Monica Spencer and Artist – a great round for them sees them on a score of 32.7.
5️⃣ And Mia Farley and Phelps continue their exciting 5* journey as best of the US in 5th on a score of 33.8.

It’s close up there at the top and there’s everything to play for in tomorrow’s showjumping.
I’ll be bringing you the finale of this great event live from 3pm ET / 9pm CEST. Do not miss it!

Click here for all the 5* scores after cross country.

Keep an eye or two out for our full cross country round-up – coming soon. In the meantime, click here for all the Kentucky content you can handle.

My fingers are now considerably shorter than they were this morning after typing faster and furiouslyier (looooong day, OK) than my cat’s lil legs were doing doggy paddle when he fell in the pond. Click here for all that went down in the 4*-S cross country earlier today. I just don’t give a damn about whether I’ll manage to pick up my toothbrush tonight. I’ve been wallowing in the gloriousness of eventing soup for so many hours, I’m so full up of eventing I’ll have a hangover tomorrow.

And so the sun sets on the best day of the best weekend all year. What a day of sport we’ve had. Eventing is the best.

Until tomorrow ENers, go eventing!

4:08pm
Our final combination of the day, Phillip Dutton and Azure are away. Azure made her 5* debut last season at Maryland but an unfortunate fall means she’s looking for her first top-level completion here this week. That was surely a blip though – this lovely mare has had jumping penalties just once – and that fall at Maryland – in 24 starts! Phillip comes to the first water at 5 and Azure’s got her ears pricked and she hunts for the flags, she really is a picture. Oh, it seems Doug is pulling up with Camarillo. She looks pretty tired and it’s her first time at the level. They’re between fences 20 and 21 and will walk home. Good decision and a clear show of horsemanship from Doug. It’s just Phillip and Azure out there now. They’re coming to the new Walnut Bank at 10 AB and make nothing of it. They gallop down the hill to the ditch brush at 11 and Azure’s traveling so easily. They fly over the Wofford Rails and come down to the Head of the Lake. Oh! Azure takes a great leap over the A element and swan-dived into the water. A heart in the mouth moment for sure. But she’s clever and Phillip’s brilliant and they get themselves together and go straight through this really difficult combination. They come to the big drop at 15A and Azure really looks like she’s enjoying this course. She’s brave off the drop and easily makes the line through the two skinny triple brushes. They run up the hill to Pete’s Hollow at 16. It’s caused some problems today but not for this pair – Phillip holds Azure on her line and they sail on through. They’re a little down on their minute marker as they come through the Rolex water at 18 but Azure’s full of running as they come to the Normandy Bank at 20 ABC and they’re textbook through there. Just one really big, big question left – the Park Question coffin complex at 23. Azure’s ears are pricked and she’s hunting for flags, a real beautiful expression. The crowd goes wild as they’re clear through that really difficult combination. They’re on their way home now. We have news before we finish up with Phillip – Mia Farley’s flag penalty has been reviewed and has been taken away – she’s clear inside the time now. Back to Phillip and Azure as they fly the Lucky Horseshoe – a beautiful clear round to wrap up the day – 7.2 time penalties for them. Azure’s ears are still pricked as her team surround her to congratulate and care for this lovely mare.

3:56pm
No. 2 on the USEA leaderboard and and World No. 3 Boyd Martin gets the penultimate round of the day underway with On Cue. This pair were 4th in the 5* here in 2021 and then won at Maryland, where they finished on their dressage of 25. They were top 10 at Burghley last season. On Cue has just a single XC jumping penalty on her record from 22 FEI competitions. James and Karma have finished their round with 11.6 time penalties. Tom and Dubs are still clear on the live scoreboard. He takes a bit of a chance at the corner at the Fox’s Den brush at 22 and they make their way towards the coffin complex. They go long – Tom goes to set up and Dubs isn’t really taking him forward so that’s a sensible call there. Meanwhile, Doug and Camarillo are clear up to the Head of the Lake. We haven’t seen Boyd yet but he’s clear up to fence 10, the Walnut Bank. Tom is really putting his foot down as he nears the end of his round – he comes to the Lucky Horseshoe and finishes with 4 time penalties to add. They remain under 30 penalties and will go into the final phase in the lead. We’re seeing that Boyd’s retired at fence 11, a ditch brush. We don’t know what happened there sorry, we really didn’t see anything of Boyd on the livestream.

3:52pm
We’re into the final three rounds of the day now as Doug Payne and 5* first-timer Camarillo head out onto cross country. This 10-year-old gelding finished top 10 in the 4*-S here at Kentucky last season. Tom and Dubs are at the Head of the Lake and easily through clear – such a beautiful line through there, so easy for them. They’re looking good on time. We finally get to see some of James and Karma as they head down to the coffin complex at 23. Ah, they scramble a bit over the upright rail, taking a real chance with those MIM pins. And oh my goodness! Dubs looks like he’s run past the C element of 15 – the fence with the drop at A. He didn’t lock on at all. Tom’s quickly round the long route. We don’t know if that was a last minute change of plan. We’ll have to wait for the judges to make a call on that.

3:47pm
Team GB gold and individual silver Olympic medalist – currently occupying the top spot on the leaderboard – Tom McEwen and last year’s runner up JL Dublin have started their round. ‘Dubs’ added just 5.2 cross country time penalties to his dressage score last year. He followed up his 2nd here with 3rd place at Pau later in the year. He’s in it to win it, that’s for sure. Tom gives Dubs a super ride through the first water at 5 – they are very, very quick through there. Liz shows us how the straight route’s done through the Park Question at 23 – the coffin complex. This horse is so genuine and brave, just so easy to watch. Sadly we’re not seeing much of James and Karma – they clear through Pete’s Hollow at 16. Meanwhile, Tom is giving Dubs a peach of a ride. Gosh he’s so talented and being compared to Michael Jung in the commentary box. They’re at the Walnut Bank at 10. Liz and Cooley Nutcracker are through the finish with 6.4 time penalties – what a round from this 5* debutant.

3:46pm
James Alliston and Karma have joined us out on course. This mare is a jumping machine! From her 8 international runs, she’s had no XC jumping penalties and time faults on just one occasion; in the show jumping ring she’s has one single pole. They’re clear up to the second water at 8. Liz and Cooley Nutcracker are up at the highest point on the course – Pete’s Hollow at Fence 16. They take a really clever, lovely bending line through there – a masterclass of riding. Lauren and Bug are over the Lucky Horseshoe and through the flags – they’ve had a great round! Just 4.4 time penalties for them. Liz and Cooley Nutcracker make their way through the water at 18 smoothly and easily.

3:42pm
Number 3 on the USEA leaderboard and Pan-Ams team silver medalist in Santiago, sitting in joint-3rd with Lauren, Liz Halliday and USEF CCI4*-L National Champion Cooley Nutcracker have now joined us out on course. This guy was top 10 in six consecutive FEI runs last season. He’s making his 5* debut here this week. Bug and Lauren are coming around to the Head of the Lake, they drop in and immediately pick up the line to B, there’s a tiny stutter step between B and C but Bug stays right on line and gets a pat for his honesty there – good boy Bug. Bec is coming to the end of her round now, we still haven’t seen much of her and Caravaggio. They’re clear through the difficult coffin complex at 23. Wow, Lauren and Bug jump the massive part of the massive corner at Pete’s Hollow at 16C. What a horse! Bec and Caravaggio have now crossed the finish line – they’ve completed with 25.2 time penalties. Liz and Cooley Nutcracker are coming up to the Head of the Lake – they make a massive jump in and Liz wastes absolutely no time through there.

3:37pm
Team silver medalists from Pratoni – and currently sitting in joint-3rd – Lauren Nicholson and Vermiculus are away! This 17-year-old made his 5* debut here back in 2017 and has since been to seven more top-level events. In 2018 he was 5th here at the Horse Park, adding just a smidge of time to his dressage score. He was top 10 at Kentucky and Burghley in 2019, 16th here in 2019 and 12th at Maryland, and 4th at Luhmuhlen in 2022.
Everyone fell in love with the ‘Love Bug’ in the dressage yesterday – he was an absolute darling. They’re clear through the first water showing all Bug’s grit. Very nice cross country riding going on for this pair. Meanwhile, Bec and Caravaggio are at the drop at 15. We haven’t seen much of them sadly. Lauren and Bug fly through the water at 8 – Bug hops over the dog and they fly on along the track. Oliver and Cooley Rosalent have finished – they took a long option late on in the course and have finished one second over the time. It was a super round from this lovely mare.

3:34pm
Australian Rebecca Braitling has left the start box with 5* first-timer Caravaggio II. Bec made her 5* debut back in 2003 at Adelaide. She’s back after a 21 year hiatus, now based in the US and ready to take on Kentucky. In 20 FEI competitions together, they have just one 20 on their XC record. We’re back with Oliver at the Head of the Lake. He pushes left over the B element to help with the distance to the corner in the water at C and shows just why he’s World No. 1. Beautifully ridden. My oh my this mare is talented. Bec is now at the first water at 5 and is clear through there. We haven’t seen Buck for a bit but he’s finished with Cam. They’re just outside the time – 2 penalties for them. Oliver’s on his way to the Rolex Grand Slam Challenge at 18 – he’s the live contender for the Grand Slam as the reigning Burghley champion – he’ll need to win here to stay on track for that.

3:30pm
World No. 1 and three-time winner of the 5* here at Kentucky – marking a century of 5* starts here this week – Oliver Townend and Maryland 3rd place finisher Cooley Rosalent are out on course. This mare has some very hot form on her card – From 19 FEI competitions, this mare has three wins, five second placings and three third place finishes, only finishing outside the top-7 on three occasions. Coming into today they were sat in equal-8th place. They make very little of the first fences and have really relaxed into their round as they come to the water at 8. She’s happy to hop the corgi and is showing all of her class out on course today. Meanwhile, Jennie Brannigan and Foxy have come through the flags just 1 second over for 0.4 of a time penalty – what a great round they’ve had. Buck and Cam have just cleared the Normandy Bank combination at 20ABC – they look to be having a very good round .

3:27pm
Bruce Davidson Jr and OTTB Sorocaima are off and away. 2022 saw them 14th at Maryland and 30th here. They were 9th at Maryland last season and 22nd here in Kentucky. Will they race even further up the leaderboard this time around? In his 19 FEI starts, Cam’s had cross country jumping penalties only twice, both times at Kentucky – Buck’ll be looking to put that right this weekend. They’re clear through the first water at 5. Jennie’s ‘Foxy’ is brave off the drop at 15A – she’s having a great ride. ‘Cam’ and Buck are flying up the track. Buck brings him back for the water at 8, making the sharp left-handed turn to the skinny triple bar. Jennie’s out at the Rolex water at 18 and Andrew and Eddy have completed with 20 jumping and 25.2 time.

3:21pm
Winners of the Best First-Timer award at Burghley last season where they finished 12th, with us now is Jennie Brannigan with FE Lifestyle. They were 12th here last year also. ‘Foxy’ was 5th at Maryland in 2022, finishing on his dressage score, and he’s got 24th and16th placings in the 5* here under their cinch too. Meanwhile, Christoph and D’Accord put in a bending line through the Mighty Moguls to accommodate for this horse’s massive stride. Oh no! Eddy runs out of steam at just the wrong moment in front of the huge corner at the C element of Pete’s Hollow at 16. Andrew comes back round and they carry on but that’s a 20 on their card. Christoph has flown through the finish flags with zero penalties – clear inside the time! Jennie’s coming up to the Head of the Lake – they make the big drop in and are a little slow through there, but she trusts her horse and they’re through clean.

3:17pm
Just 10 more to go. Oh man! I never want this to end!

Andrew McConnon and Ferrie’s Cello are now out on course. ‘Eddy’ made his 5* debut last season at Maryland and finished 13th. Meanwhile, Christoph and D’Accord pop off the drop at 15A, making very little of that. They find a great line through Pete’s Hollow. Joe and Harbin have a moment at the C element of the Mighty Moguls, but they slide on over and kick on for home. Eddy and Andrew are looking very smooth in the early stages of their round. There’s an update to Mia Farley’s score with Phelps. She’s been given 15 penalties for a flag at the MARS Sustainability Bay water at 5 – we did see it go. That’s a shame but takes nothing away from their superb round inside the time. Meanwhile, Joe’s home with 9.2 time penalties with Harbin. Andrew and Eddy are at the Defender Head of the Lake.

3:13pm
Another one from the German cohort, Christoph Wahler and D’Accord FRH join us out on course. Christoph’s got European and World medals to his name, but it’s a 5* first time for D’Accord. They come here in hot form having had a win and a 2nd place already this season. Joe and Harbin are textbook through the Head of the Lake – so nippy and straight as you like as they make nothing of that tricky combination. Mia and Phelps are really fast as they take on the Mighty Moguls. She’s on track to be inside the time. Christoph has been enjoying his round and is through the first water easily. Mia’s over the Lucky Horseshoe – they’ve done it again! Clear inside the time as they were at Maryland. A great showing from this super talented pair – good for them. Joe and Harbin are at the Rolex water at 18. There’s a heart in mouth moment at the brush on the way out of that combination – they get right under that, but they kick on. Christoph has a bit of a rub going into the Head of the Lake. They lose momentum and have a sticky jump at B. They climb over the C element but they are through the flags. That was what you’d call a slither.

3:08pm
Another Kiwi gets his Kentucky cross country underway, Joe Meyer and Harbin are now out of the start box. This is Joe’s 7th Kentucky and he’s been to Badminton, Burghley, Pau and Luhmuhlen multiple times too. It’s Harbin’s first go at the level. Monica takes the flag at the C element at the Head of the Lake but there’s no issue there. Further round the course, Zach’s just jumped the Normandy Bank at 20ABC and Joe is flying to the first water with Harbin. This guy is super, super keen and Joe is very brave – he’s all in, hunting his way round this track. Zach really does seem to have slowed down a bit, he’s going for the clear round. Mia’s almost breathing down his neck, she’s at 17. Harbin and Joe are charging along. This gelding’s got a lot of knee action and looks to be bouncing his way along very enthusiastically. Zach and Rosco are now home clear – there’s huge shout from his supporters who are thrilled. Rosco looks quite tired and his team are with him straight away to get him cooled down. They picked up 25.2 time.

3:05am
Mia Farley and Phelps are now out on course. This pair were 5th on their 5* debut at Maryland last season and are here to make more dreams come true. Phelps cost just $1 but has more than proved he’s worth his weight in gold – from 16 FEI runs there are zero XC jumping penalties on his record – not a single one. They are absolutely flying at the start of the course – such a super speedy pair. Woah! Zach goes for the three strides to the big angled brush on the left-hand turn a the Rolex water at 18C – he really trusts Rosco’s scope and they’re magnificent through there. Mia chances her luck with the flag on the C element of the MARS water – we’ll have to keep an eye on the live scoreboard for that one. Meanwhile, Rosco’s looking a bit weary as he makes his way up to the Hollow at 16. He goes the long route there and seems to have taken his foot off the gas. Mia are now coming up to the Head of the Lake.

3pm
Zachary Brandt and Direct Advance are off and away. Zach and ‘Rosco’ completed here last year in 24th place. They had 40 jumping penalties last time around but Zach was delighted with a top-level completion. He’ll be gunning for the clear that Rosco surely has in him. Rosco looks very keen at the start of their round. They come to the first water at 5 and take a massive leap in. They take the flag out at the C element but they’re super straight and confident through there. They’re up at the Cosequin Cove water and take on the corgi. No problems for them there. Rosco really looks to be well within himself and Zach’s giving him a great ride. They’re making this really tough track look like lots of fun! They fly the Wofford rails and head off down to the lake.

2:53pm
OK, we’re back up and running. Malin and Quidditch are through the finish now, but we won’t have an updated time for them just yet. Sharon’s back into a rhythm and heading up the hill to fence 19, the Squirrel Tables before the Normandy Bank – Claus is so genuine and good. He flies over the big table at 21 and make nothing of the Fox’s Brush at 22. Next up for them is the really tricky coffin complex. Claus is brave over the ditch and Sharon’s going long. It’s not a massively long route though and they’re through quickly. Malin and Quidditch have got 6.8 time penalties. Sharon’s at the massive logs at the Mighty Moguls at 25ABC and is almost home. Claus picks up for Sharon as they gallop towards the second last. They fly the last and right now, we’ve got an empty course while we wait for the next starter. Sharon and Claus finish with 12 time penalties.

2:46pm
Sharon White and Claus 63 have now joined us on course. They were 10th individually at the Pan-Ams in Santiago last season, taking silver with the US team. They were in 5th place coming into today. Claus looks like he’s thrilled to be out on the cross country as we see Malin through Pete’s Hollow – what a scopey honest horse Quidditch is, just beautiful through there. Sharon’s at the first water and has a real moment over the first fence into the water – sit up! She’s thrown forward but gets back and there’s a bit of a cat jump over the B element. Sharon’s making it happen though and they make it through clear. They have a lovely jump over the Market Table at 6. OMG! Phillip Dutton and Quasi Cool have fallen at the last fence. Oh, such a shame. Phillip’s on his feet. We’re being told the vet team are with Quasi Cool. There seems to be a hold out on course – Malin and Quidditch appear to be being held at the final hold point. Sharon’s on her own on course for the time being – she’s now over the big Wofford Rails and then sets up for the Head of the Lake. The momentum drops at each element and they climb over the last. Claus really tried for her there and it was really well ridden – he dug so deep. She’s being held now before fence 17. We’ve had reports that Phillip has led Quasi Cool off the course. We’re now on hold.

2:42pm
Germany’s Malin Hansen-Hotopp and Carlitos Quidditch K are now out on course. Carlitos Quidditch K is making his 5* debut here this week, but this gray gelding has already proven he’s a XC machine – he’s completed in all but one of his 32 FEI runs and has had XC jumping penalties on just two occasions. They were in 7th place after the dressage. We’re back with Phillip and Quasi, who’s still full of run and pulling at the Head of the Lake. They go all the long way there – Phillip’s trying to slow Quasi down a bit, it’s his first 5* and he’s taking it just a bit too bravely. Quidditch and Malin are putting in some fancy footwork before some of the fences but they’re clear up to the Head of the Lake. Meanwhile, Phillip’s coming to the Rolex water at 18. We’re hearing that Lisa Marie and Honor me have had problems at the Park Question at 23 and their end rounds there – such a shame so close to home. Quidditch is very brave through the Head of the Lake – they go straight through there still looking to be having a great time.

2:36pm
No. 1 on the USEA leaderboard and Olympic and Pan-Ams medalist Phillip Dutton brings Quasi Cool forward for the gelding’s first 5* start. This combination were 2nd in the 4*-S here in 2022 and won the $20,000 Mad Barn Indoor Eventing Challenge last year. They’re on their way to the first water at 5ABC. Quasi is such a keen, brave horse – totally undaunted by these big fences. They fly down the hill taking the Market Table at 6 in their stride. Phillip sets up for the big upright rails with the ditch in front of them at 7 – that’s on a MIM clip. Quasi remains super keen and is making nothing of this track so far. Meanwhile, Lisa Marie is coming to the Normandy Bank at 20.

2:31pm
Canada’s Lisa Marie Fergusson and Honor Me join us on course now. This 18-year-old gelding made his debut at the level here in Kentucky back in 2016. Since then he’s been to the Horse Park every year bar the Covid one and last year, with two top 20 finishes on his card. Monica’s up on the time as she comes to the Fox’s Den brush fence at 22. Artist is full of running. They’re at the Park Question at 23ABCDE. She stays on the inside track and takes a chance at the final angled brush at D, but they’re lucky and clear through that very difficult combination. We get a look at the Mighty Moguls as Monica flies through there on her way home. They finish with just 0.8 of a time penalty – what a round from this young talent! Lisa Marie and Honor Me look to be enjoying their round as they gallop across the bluegreass. They’re clear up to the Head of the Lake.

2:26pm
Bobby Meyerhoff and his mare Lumumba are now away. They finished top 15 in the Maryland 5* last season. Banzai is still really jumping well, despite looking a tad tired as they come to the end of their course. Sadly we’re hearing that Bobby’s had early problems and has retired. Meanwhile, Monica has a super ride through the Head of the Lake and are nearing the Rolex Grand Slam Challenge water. Yas and Banzai are through the finish with 5.6 time penalties. Big cheers for Monica as she flies through the Rolex at 18ABC – they’re having a peach of a round.

2:24pm
Kiwi combination Monica Spencer and Artist are out of the start box. They were 7th at Maryland last season. ‘Max’ is racing-trained so should get the chance to show off his turn of foot on some of the galloping stretches. They were just inside the top 10 after dressage. Yas and Banzai are brave down the bank at 15A, Banzai is really with Yas and answering all the questions. They add to the massive corner at 16C in the hollow, but it comes up for them and they’re through and clear. Banzai’s looking strong coming up to the final water as Yas brings him back. There’s a hesitation at the angled brush at C as Yas asks for the sharp left-hand turn, but she kicks on. Banzai’s looking just a little weary. We haven’t seen much of Monica, but she’s coming up to the Head of the Lake.

2:18pm
And we have another Brit our of the start box, reigning World Champions Yasmin Ingham and Banzai du Loir are off and away. They were runners up to Michael Jung on their 5* debut here in 2022 – and are sitting in 2nd as things stand here today – but they had a 20 out on course here last year which dropped them down to 18th. Will they be back up at the top this time around? It’s all to play for! Oh my! Kirsty has a moment at the B element at the Head of the Lake. She’s bobbled forward but she gets back in the plate and wiggles her way through the rest of the combination. We haven’t seen much of Doug and Quantum, sorry, but they’re showing up as coming to the end of their round now, nearing the Mighty Moguls at 25ABC. Meanwhile, there’s troubles for Kirsty at Pete’s Hollow at 16ABC. She adds to the brush at B and then has to again to the corner, and it’s just so massive Betty can’t make it happen. 20 for them but they carry on. Doug has now completed, clear with just 9.6 time penalties. Yas is coming to the Head of the Lake – they have a huge jump in and make a fantastic line through there, she trusted Banzai and he totally delivered.

2:15pm
We have a British combination out on course – Kirsty Chabert and Classic VI have got their Kentucky cross country underway. They came here last year and finished 21st after 20 penalties out on cross country dropped them down the order. Kirsty’ll be gunning for the clear round she knows ‘Betty’ is capable of. They’re currently sitting in 6th place. We head back over to Calvin and Phantom and they’re looking a lot more settled now than they were at the beginning of their round. Kitsty adds a little stride to the C element of the MARS Sustainability Bay but her and ‘Betty’ are very smooth and look to mean business. Meanwhile, Calvin is crossing the finish line and is very clearly frustrated with those penalties at the drop at 15. They would probably have been in the time without that mistake. They add that 20 and 7.2 time.

2:10pm
Doug Payne and Quantum Leap are off! This gelding’s got five 5* top 10s under his cinch, including placing 3rd here in 2022. Calvin is very brave at the Head of the lake. Very. They make an enormous leap in. Enormous. This horse very clearly loves to jump, and Calvin does a great job staying with him. Oh my! The most forward riding combination have stopped at the drop at 15ABC – the one that’s like the Burghley Leaf Pit. They’ve picked up a 20 there but continue on. Doug and Quantum make nothing of the angle to the brush at the Walnut Bank at 10B – superb riding on show. Calvin’s now at the Squirrel Tables at 19.

2:05pm
Germany’s Calvin Böckmann and The Phantom of the Opera are on their way. It’s a 5* debut for Phantom but this former Sandra Auffarth ride has already proven he’s a total XC machine – in 35 FEI competitions he’s had just one 20 – one! It’s Calvin’s 24th birthday today – Happy Birthday Calvin! Can he make it an unforgettable one with a quick clear ‘round the Kentucky 5*? He’s currently sitting in equal-8th. As he sets off, Ema’s on her way toward the finish. She jumps the Lucky Horseshoe and will be absolutely delighted with Bronte. They finish up with 18.8 time penalties. Meanwhile, Ariel’s really having to work hard, Simon is very keen. She’s coming up to the Normandy Bank and makes easy work of it. Calvin has set out like Phantom’s tail’s on fire! Wow they’re speedy! He absolutely flies into the first water – a huge jump – and in the blink of an eye they’re through and clear. They put in another enormous leap over the upright rail at 7. There are a lot of conversations going on between him and Phantom, they’re really motoring on and Phantom is very, very keen. Ariel’s over the line carrying those 20 penalties, plus an 11 for a frangible device, and 8.8 time.

2:01pm
Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan join us now. They’re back after a bit of a break last season but showed great form in 2022, finishing on their dressage for 11th place individually at the World Championships in Pratoni, completing Badminton in 15th and taking 3rd at Luhmuhlen. ‘Simon’ really does run for fun, he looks incredible as he clears the first fences on course. Andrew McConnon’s come home – just 8 time penalties to add. Ema’s at the Rolex Grand Slam Challenge at 18ABC. She rides sensibly through there on her 5* debutant, putting in a curve. She was very smooth there and is really giving Bronte a lovely ride. Ah! Ariel’s just had a 20 at the Head of the Lake at 13ABCD. Simon just doesn’t pick up for the corner in the water at C, he was so enthusiastic through there he just didn’t see it. That’s frustrating for them. Ema’s going the longer route at the Park Question at 23ABCDE – the fence that caused a lot of troubles in the 4*. They’re through clear and on their way. We’re running a little behind right now.

1:56pm
US-based Aussie Ema Klugman brings Bronte Beach forward for the mare’s first time at the level. Bronte Beach is proving to be a XC machine, with just one jumping penalty in 14 FEI competitions. They have a bit of a moment at the table at 3, but she kicks on. She makes the enormous drop into the water at 5 over the corgi and then holds her line to the B element. Susie Berry’s showing up as having been given 20 at fence 13B. Ema’s bold through the Walnut Bank at 10AB. Meanwhile, Andrew’s up at the highest point in the course. The terrain’s really challenging there through Pete’s Hollow at 16ABC. He’s clear through there and really classy. Susie Berry finishes with 20 jumping and 25.2 time penalties. Ema takes a bit of a longer route at the Head of the Lake as the corner at C just wasn’t coming up for her. They’re clear though and carry on their way.

1:50pm
Andrew McConnon and Wakita 54 have joined us on course for the mare’s first 5*. She’s no stranger to the Horse Park though – she finished 26th in the 4*-S here last year. Jennie loses her stirrup at the Normandy Bank at 20ABC but gets it straight back – no worries for her. Oh my! Susie’s had a superb save at the Head of the Lake and gets right up close and personal to the crowds as she fights to stay in the plate. She got thrown forward in front of the saddle, bounced back, had no stirrups, but stayed on board. Meanwhile, Jennie is almost home! She’s close to the time! She flies the Lucky Horseshoe and gallops through the finish – just 1.2 time penalties. Andrew’s flying towards the Head of the Lake making the big Wofford Rails look tiny. He makes the turn after the big drop to the skinny brush in the water and then easily flows to the corner in the water. He looks like he’s having a lot of fun.

1:45pm
Hoping for the luck of the Irish, Susannah Berry and Clever Trick get their cross country under way. This mare sure is clever out on course – in 18 international runs there’s just a single 20 on her record. Jennie’s just made her way through the Defender Head of the Lake and made it look like a Pony Club obstacle – she’s really giving Comic a peach of a ride. Susie’s over the corgi at 8AB and looks to be eating up this course. She’s safely through the Walnut Bank at 10AB. Meanwhile, Jennie’s at the final water and once more, giving us a riding lesson. She slices through there and kicks on.

1:38pm
Jennie Brannigan and Thoroughbred Twilightslastgleam are off and running! ‘Comic’ was 16th on his debut at the level at Maryland in 2022 and 17th here last year. Jennie’s a real quick rider so it’ll be cool to see her take on this track. The trakhener at 2 is enormous but Comic makes nothing of it. Jennie balances as she comes to the big oxer at 4. She’s into the water at 5 and then gets a little bit deep to the roll top in the water, but it comes up for them and they fly the angled brush at C and continue on their way. They’re at the corgi at 8A now – the second water. It is a huge drop down over the dog into the water! They easily make the left-handed turn to the skinny triple bar and they gallop on. The new Walnut Bank at 10AB looks easy for them – it’s a very keen angle to the brush at B, which is on a downward slope, but Jennie’s on the perfect line and they sail on.

1:30pm
And we’re off! Our 2024 trailblazer Sara Kozumplik is away with 5* first-timer Rock Phantom. This is the former ride of Brazil’s Nilson Moreira da Silva (who we saw in the 4*) – Sara took over the irons for the 2022 season. The rain’s coming down in Kentucky but Sara won’t let that bother her. They clear the Flower Box at the first and then ‘Rocky’ has a bit of a look into the ditch under the Trakhener at 2. They catch the back rail on the Oxer at 4 and then unfortunately have a stop going into the first water at 5, the MARS Sustainability Bay. Sara decides to put her hand up – Rocky’s been sticky over the first fences and it makes sense for her to save him for another day. There’ll be a bit of a gap before we see our next combination in the start box now – that’ll be Jennie Brannigan dn Twilightslastgleam.

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Flowers and Squirrels and Corgis, Oh My! Photo from CrossCountryApp.

“Endurance, bravery, stamina, scope”; “fair”; “big”; “five-star”; “five-star”; “five-star”…

That’s a Derek di Grazia Kentucky CCI5* course for you.

The riders all seem very keen to get out there and give it a good shot. Hopefully they’ve all had a good look at the actual fences as well as the impressive floral arrangements that they just can’t stop talking about.

The Brits are glad to be on dry ground, and sitting pretty in first and second; the US contingent are snapping at their heels with Liz Halliday and Lauren Nicholson in joint-third place; and the Germans aren’t far behind. There are six nations represented in the top twenty and the scores are so tight that every single stride, step and second is going count as the runners and riders vie to be at the top of the pack going into tomorrow’s finale.

There’s certainly a lot to do out there (and a lot of flowers), and the riders will have to be switched on the whole way ‘round. The Defender Head of the Lake is an immense question at 13ABCD and the coffin complex Park Question at 23ABCDE is really tricky, especially given where it comes up on the course. But really, we could say hard things about every single one of the fences on the 5* track, as almost all of the riders remind us, it’s for sure a 5*.

We’ve wrangled together a fair few of the talented bunch who’ll be tackling the cross country to find out what they thought of the task ahead. But first, some housekeeping:

If you want to see when your favorites will be heading out of the start box, you’ll find the ride times here.

We’ll be bringing you live updates from the 4*-S (from 9am ET / 2pm CEST) and 5* cross country (from 1:30pm ET / 7:30pm CEST), and the finale of the 5* show jumping, as well as daily reports from each stage of the competition, and SO MUCH MORE! Keep it locked onto EN and click here for all the Kentucky content you can handle As if that isn’t enough, we’ve also got loads of great IG content happening courtesy of our team on the ground too @goeventing.

And now, let’s get the riders’ reactions to the 5* cross country at The Best Weekend All Year…

EN’s coverage of the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event is presented by Kentucky Performance Products, your one-stop shop for science-backed nutritional support for all types of horses. Click here to learn more about Kentucky Performance Products.

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Tom McEwen – GBR – JL Dublin – 24.6 – 1st

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Heading the charge after the first phase, Tom and ‘Dubs’ have put themselves in a great spot going into the cross country. Especially as we know what a great jumper this lovely gelding is. They were runners-up last year – will they hang onto the top spot and take the win this time around? Only time (and fences) will tell, literally.

In his post-test interview for the live stream, Tom was very keen to point out that the flower arrangements out on course are “second to none”, and he’s not the only one to notice the amount of effort that’s gone into making Derek’s course appealing to the eye.

Does he have anything else to say on the matter? Well, yes, but also more on the flowers:

“The course is beautiful. [Derek’s] courses are always incredible – beautifully designed, best flower arrangements by far. It’s pretty epic to look at. But I think it’s a really clever course. It’s not for the faint-hearted – it is a true five-star track. [There’s] open and closed distances and you’ve got to make up your mind and be reactive at the same time.”

He was clearly totally wowed by those flowers – I hope he managed to tear his gaze from them to take a glance at the fences he’s about to gallop at.

Yasmin Ingham – GBR – Banzai du Loir – 26 – 2nd

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World champs, and runners-up at Kentucky in 2022, Yas Ingham and Banzai got their Best Weekend All Year off to a fine start with the best test on the opening day of dressage to top the leaderboard overnight. They weren’t quite able to hold off compatriots Tom and Dubs, but they’re not in a bad spot as they head into the cross country.

The first thing Yas noted when we asked her about the course was how beautiful it is out there – shout out to crew and volunteers who’ve dressed the course!

“It looks brilliant. Derek di Grazia does such a brilliant job of designing each year. He’s asking different questions. It’s a really true big five-star track. The the ground is just perfection. The way the course has been dressed is just beautiful. I’m very much looking forward to riding it on Saturday and the presentation is just 10 out of 10.”

In typical British fashion, Yas is keen to talk about the weather. We’ve had another incredibly wet spring (and winter, and fall, and last summer…) over in the UK, so Yas is very much looking forward to galloping across the superb Horse Park ground:
“We’re used to galloping around in the mud at home sometimes, so it’s a treat to be on top of the ground.”

Any big questions she’s pondering as she makes her plans?

“I think there’s questions the whole way throughout the course. We start with the first water at fence five [MARS Sustainability Bay – 5ABC – a hanging log into the water, onto a roll-top and then a brush corner]. Each individual combination is asking a different question. I think [Derek’s] definitely ticked all the boxes of endurance, bravery, stamina, scope. He ticks all the boxes here and obviously, to be galloping around this park is such a treat. [Banzai’s] always run well here in the past, so I’m hoping that I can give him a good ride on Saturday.”

Lauren Nicholson – USA – Vermiculus – 30.6 – 3rd=

Lauren Nicholson and Vermiculus. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

What a showing ‘Bug’ gave between the white boards for joint-third place. This seventeen-year-old can still boogie like the best of them!

Lauren’s plan for tomorrow is simple: “Go fast and don’t make any mistakes!”

She’s sitting on the most reliable cross country jumper on the field according to EquiRatings’ stats, and one of the most experienced horses, so it could actually be that simple, couldn’t it?

“It’s a Derek course – it’ll reward good riding. It’s a bit different than what we’re typically used to here. When I was out walking with David [O’Connor], I typically like to do one less everywhere and he’s like, “No, you got to do one more here… You’ve go to do one more here…”.

It’ll reward riding correctly, riding accurately, taking the time where you need to and then trying to make up time in between. The ground is fast, which will help me I think. He’s not the fastest horse in the world, but we’re longtime partners and I’m really excited to get out there.”

And does she have any worries? “I’m worried that I’m not worried!” she told Frankie Thieriot Stutes in her post-dressage interview.

Nothing to worry about then, it seems, despite facing one of the world’s toughest cross country courses in just a matter of hours. We all need to be a little more Lauren from time to time – you go girl!

Elisabeth Halliday – USA – Cooley Nutcracker – 30.6 – 3rd=

Liz Halliday and Cooley Nutcracker. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Joining Lauren in third place is Liz Halliday, whose stunning gelding ‘Bali’ proved what an exciting young talent he is when he came out in his first 5* with a very impressive test that showed off all of the scope and power that’ll come in very handy out on Derek’s course.

How does she think Bali will take to the top-level questions he’ll face when he heads out of the start box?

“Obviously he’s never done a five-star; he’s only done two four-stars in the US but he’s finished those with plenty of gas. I actually think it’ll be great for him for me to just let him gallop. He has an incredible gallop – he is quite keen ride cross country. I like the beginning of the course for him, there are fences that you can just ride up to which I think will be great to settle him in. He’s incredibly brave, but he’s never done five-star, so we’ll see, but I truly believe he’s ready for it. I like the course this year and I think hopefully he’ll really enjoy me being able to let him go and let him gallop.”

Sharon White – USA – Claus 63 – 30.7 – 5th

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Sharon’s no stranger to bringing horses up to the top-level – Claus is the sixth horse she’s produced to 5*. He’s making his debut at the pinnacle of the sport here this weekend, and what a start he’s had. He’s proved he’s up to it in the dressage, now for the best bit of eventing.

In her post-test interview she summed up Derek’s course building to a tee:

“It’s like [Derek] likes horses. It’s challenging but obvious.”

Sounds pretty perfect.

Kirsty Chabert – GBR – Classic VI – 31 – 6th

Kirsty Chabert and Classic VI. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

One of the four British combinations to have made the trip out to Kentucky, Kirsty Chabert is back at the Horse Park for a second go around. What does she make of this year’s track?

“It’s gorgeous. I think the main water [Defender Head of the Lake – 13ABCD] is the obvious one at the moment that sort of gives the appearance that it requires fairly accurate riding. The rest of it is really beautiful – very flowing, very clear to the horses. I’m really looking forward to it.”

In case you’re wondering about the accuracy question at the Head of the Lake – and what an accuracy question it is! – there’s a big drop into the water, then a bending line to a skinny on an angle, followed by a corner on a very, very tight line, which, seriously, I don’t know how they’ll get to. But these are 5* pros we’re talking about, the superheroes of our sport who make all this look like Pony Club. There is an alternative route if needed, but for sure the big guns will be going for it and what a show it’ll be for the thousands of spectators who’re sure to be crowded right up to the tape.

Oliver Townend – GBR – Cooley Rosalent – 31.4 – 8th=

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The World No.1 has topped the podium three times at Kentucky. He’s a little further down the order than we expected with this talented mare, but will be gunning for a leaderboard climb and is another Brit who’s noticed it’s not raining and the ground is well, really good.

The best in the world describes course designer Derek as “the best in the world” – sounds like a top match then. What does he think of Derek’s offering this year?

“I think it’s incredible. Five-stars are five-stars, but I’m a huge Derek fan. I think that he has your twisting and turning early on, which means you’re going to be behind your minutes before you’ve even kicked off and got into a rhythm. He tests you all the way to the end.”

He may be a little off the lead as he heads out of the start box, but as we all know, this is…

… “definitely not going to be a dressage competition. I think that stamina will have a huge effect even though the ground is incredibly good, good to firm. So we’re on the good ground, but I still think you’ll see a lot of mistakes and a lot of times penalties.”

Just not for him, he hopes.

Calvin Böckmann – GER – The Phantom of the Opera – 31.4 – 8th=

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Birthday boy Calvin Böckmann will be hoping his 24th is one to remember. Personally I enjoy a drink or four on my special day, but Calvin’s mounting up and launching himself ‘round one of the toughest cross country courses in the world on his. As you do.

History tells us it’s not actually a bad idea if you’re an eventer. Michael Jung took the Tokyo lead in the dressage on his birthday, Swiss eventer Felix Vogg won Luhmuhlen the day he turned thirty-two and Kitty King celebrated her day with a second place finish at the German 5*. Blow out those candles and make a wish Calvin.

What does he think of the course? Has Derek delivered up a gift?

“Everything is quite clear for the horses and for the riders. I think the course designer did an amazing job, because here and there, you can always choose if you want to take one stride more one stride less, so I think it is really, really fair. But you always need to be focused – every jump you really need to be there and be 100% focused, so I think that’s going to be very interesting.”

Hannah Sue Hollberg – USA – Capitol H I M – 33 – 12th

Hannah Sue Hollberg and Capitol H I M. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Hannah Sue’s here in hot form with ‘Chito’ after finishing 4th at Maryland last fall and then coming out with a win at Bouckaert Farm this season. She made her 5* debut at Kentucky in 2007 with a horse she’d found in the classified ads when she was thirteen, and has returned a number of times since then. What does she think of the course this year?

“It looks hard… harder. I feel like Derek’s courses normally walk in a way where you’re like, ‘Where’s the trick here?’ because it walks kind of okay. I don’t feel like this walks that great. He’s done a great job, but it looks harder than I normally walk his courses at this level. But that’s good for me because I need to take it very seriously.”

Any bits more serious than others?

“I think the beginning is really twisty and then it gets kind of up and down the hills, wearing them out a bit. Then that coffin is way harder [The Park Question at 23ABCDE – she’s right, it looks incredibly hard!]. I’ve got to ride every literal stride. But I’m excited. I love this horse very much, and I love his owner and Ms. Mars, her mother, and it’s just a really special thing for me to be able to be here on him.”

Phillip Dutton – USA – Quasi Cool – 33.8 – 13th= / Azure – 37.4 – 21st

Phillip Dutton and Quasi Cool. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

There’s a dad and daughter race going on over in the 4*-S between Phillip and Olivia, but what does he think of the 5*? Basically, it’s exactly what he expected it to be:

“It looks, as we expected – big and scopey, and it’s going to test all the training that we needed to have done. It’s an endurance test. You got to have a speedy horse, you got to have a scopey horse, you got to have an adjustable horse – all of what we expect when we come here.”

Christoph Wahler – GER – D’Accord FRH – 34 – 15th

Christoph Wahler and D’Accord FRH. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Christoph’s been on the 5* podium over in Germany, but what does he make of how things go down Stateside?

“It’s difficult, it’s big enough. It walks like a real five-star track. You have to be very, very smart and sort of intelligent as a rider in the beginning – just give [your horse] a good feeling, get him into the course, because it twists a little bit and turns and you just want to get into a good rhythm and give him a nice confident feeling about what’s to come. And then the course opens up a little bit more and gets more galloping. That’s probably going to suit [D’Accord] a little bit more. There are tough questions all the way around. [The horses] have to be fit and they have to be willing to jump everything that we put them in front of.”

Sara Kozumplik – USA – Rock Phantom – 35.3 – 16th

Sara Kozumplik and Rock Phantom. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

She’ll be our trailblazer and give us our first proper look at the course with her 5* first-timer ‘Rocky’. But will she be looking at the fences or the flowers? Sara’s another rider to notice the aesthetics of the course (hopefully, also the fences):

“It’s absolutely beautiful. Derek di Grazia is one of my favorite course designers, and he always does a very good job. The builders here are unreal as well – everything looks amazing.”

Did she notice anything other than the decor (delightful as it may be)? Thankfully, yes:

“The ground is absolutely top notch this year, we’re very lucky. It’s a five-star. Derek’s courses, historically, somebody might think something looks like it might might be fairly straightforward, but it rarely is. He rewards positive riding and, fingers crossed, he gives us quite a few options if things don’t go quite to plan or if you’re on a greener horse – I think we’re very lucky that way.

Ema Klugman – AUS – Bronte Beach – 36.6 – 18th

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Law student, eventer, superwoman, Ema Klugman is obviously the studious type having recently passed the bar – has she applied herself as keenly to her course walk? Um, absolutely.

How many times do you plan on walking the course, Ema?

“300!”

OK then.

And her three hundred thoughts on it?

“I think that it’s very well built. I think it’s quite big. Obviously, coming here, you wouldn’t think it would be small. I think that not any one combination stands out as being extremely technical or hard or big or anything, but the accumulative impact of the course is going to really be the challenge, for everybody, but certainly for me and my horse. There’s nothing out there she’s never jumped – she’s done variations of all of those questions for years and years, and she’s done them well, but putting them all together in eleven and a half minutes is a big question, so I’m hoping that I’m very accurate and brave and I give her a good ride.”

Bruce Davidson Jr – USA – Sorocaima – 37 – 20th

Buck Davidson and Sorocaima. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Buck Davidson is no stranger to Kentucky Horse Park, it’s been a part of his life forever. As a toddler he watched his dad triumph at the event, and now, each time he rolls up to compete here himself, he’s greeted by the famous bronze statue of Bruce Davidson Sr and Eagle Lion in that most iconic of eventing poses – hailing a cab.

The course at Kentucky is as bold and beautiful as ever, but there are some changes. And Buck’s in favor:

“I think it’s an amazing course, it’s the best one I’ve seen here. I think the last few years it hasn’t flowed that well and I didn’t think it was really that nice to ride. I think [this year] it flows really well. There’s not so many ABCDEF [combinations], there’s no U-turns and so the horses will be thinking forward – when they’re thinking forward, they’re going to jump better. I’m looking forward to it.”

One big change is that the course is running in the opposite direction, meaning the terrain will come into play in a new way. Buck’s sat on a Thoroughbred who was incredibly successful over his racing career, winning over $80,000. How does Buck think this new track will suit his speedy guy?

“It feels like there’s more uphill, but it feels like there’s more galloping as well. It’s all about what you’re sat on right? I’m on a Thoroughbred horse that can gallop and so I love it. [Derek’s] done a great job. The way he make you slow down on your lines is genius. If you were going to go a minute and a half slow, it would probably be pretty easy to pick your way through this, but to try to go really fast, mistakes are out there for sure.”

Andrew McConnon – USA – Ferrie’s Cello – 37.7 – 22nd / Wakita 54 – 41.5 – 33rd

Andrew McConnon and Wakita 54. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Andrew’s another rider with his eye drawn to the spring flowers. He’s also very appreciative of the volunteers – and the media – and for that Andrew, we thank you. Here’s what he actually said:

“The cross country looks great. It’s beautifully presented – it’s decorated really well. The volunteers do an incredible job. We couldn’t do it without everybody here – and the media like you guys. [The course] should suit the horses quite well. Everything’s there to be jumped and I’m looking forward to having to go.”

Doug Payne – USA – Camarillo – 38 – 23rd / Quantum Leap – 39.9 – 29th

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Doug’s got two rides in the 5* – one super experienced top-level campaigner and third place finisher here in 2022, and one debutant at the top level. What’s his plan?
“[With] Quantum I’m just going to take a shot everywhere. It’s direct. As fast as I can get it. With him, I’m probably going to go out 80 percent fast early, and then sort of gauge what we’ve got. I’ll probably go wide at the coffin [The Park Question at 23ABCDE] – I don’t think it’s a huge time waster, and it’s absolutely a ton safer. I guess you’re just going to react on the day, if something weird happens, you’ve got to always have your plan B and C and D ready. I think he’s more than capable of doing it.”

And what does he think of the course?

“It’s pretty typical of what [Derek] presents for the horses. I think it’s super fair – everything’s laid out, no traps or tricks or anything. There’s a lot of opportunity to make mistakes – it’s one of those deals. Individually it’s all very doable, and it’s just a matter of getting it done in its entirety.

Ariel Grald – USA – Leamore Master Plan – 38.2 – 24th

Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

“It looks amazing. As always, Derek, sets a brilliant track. There’s plenty to do out there, all the way through the course. I just think he’s so genius in how he uses the terrain and changes up all the questions and he really asks everything of you and the horse. It’s going to be a proper test.”

Rebecca Braitling – AUS – Caravaggio II – 39.3 – 28th

Bec Braitling and Caravaggio II. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Rookie combination Bec Braitling and Ernie have a long, hard wait ahead of them, going so late in the day.

This is what she said about the course:

“It’s pretty big. Big and long. Looks hard.”

And there you have it, straight from the horses’ mouths, so to speak.
With that, let’s go eventing!

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Liz Halliday and Miks Master C. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

We saw the leaderboard shake up a bit at the conclusion of dressage for the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S at the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. A competitive field was expected, with the Olympic selection committee present here this weekend, and the riders on the second day certainly did not disappoint.

After leading the first day, we saw Boyd Martin and Commando 3 slide into fourth going into cross country tomorrow. We now see a fully female top three: a tie for first between Liz Halliday with Ocala Horse Properties’ and Deborah Palmer’s Miks Master C (Mighty Magic – Qui Lumba CBF, by Quite Easy) and Lucienne Bellissimo with Horse Scout Eventing’s Dyri (Diarado – La Calera, by King Milford xx) on a 26.0, and Caroline Pamukcu and Mollie Hoff, Sherrie Martin, Deniz Pamukcu, and her own HSH Blake (Tolan R – Doughiska Lass, by Kannan) in third on a 27.3.

Liz Halliday and Miks Master C. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Liz and Miks Master C are entering their third season together. While Liz and “Mikki” have only been together since 2022, this partnership has plenty of experience together already, with three previous 4*S wins, a third place finish in the 5* at Kentucky last year (the horse’s debut at the level), and a top ten Pan Ams individual placing.

“I was pleased with Mikki, he definitely knows where he is this week… he remembers the five-star, he’s been very keen and ready to go… I toyed with the idea of doing the five-star, but I felt he proved himself here last year, and the smart thing for his health and longevity was to do the four-star. He’s a horse with so much power, and was very excitable today so I just tried to keep him calm in the warm up. Our last change was a little expensive, but the rest I was really pleased with him,” Liz reflected.

Lucienne Bellissimo and Dyri. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Despite their expensive last change, their score of 26.0 was enough to put them in the lead, tied for first with Lucienne Bellissimo Dyri. Dyri had previously been campaigned through the 3* level with Dirk Schrade before Lucienne took the ride in 2021.

“I’m thrilled with Dyri,” Lucienne commented on their dressage test, which earned them their new personal best at the level. “He’s one of those geldings who’s a little bit introverted. Every time he goes up the centerline, he loses a little bit of confidence, but today was the first time he really started to let me in to all of his work. [We have been] taking time and gaining trust.”

“I did the opposite of what everyone else,” Lucienne laughed. “I did no arena familiarization with him. Which was a risk, but it did pay off… I think if I’d have brought him in last night, he would have come in thinking a little bit backwards. Instead, I was able to put my leg on and actually ride him.”

Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Pan Ams individual gold medalist Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake sit only 1.3 penalty points behind Liz and Lucienne.

“I’m not going to lie, I tried not to cry at the end. I’m so proud of my horse, and he’s only 9 this year,” Caroline said. “This weekend is his fourth advanced ever.”

Despite having limited 4* experience together, Caroline and Blake have continuously shown their competitiveness at the level, finishing in the top three in the three 4* previously contested, as well as winning the individual gold at the Pan Ams in 2023.

Outside of the top three, we see Boyd Martin and Commando 3 in fourth, Elisabeth Halliday and Cooley Quicksilver in fifth, and William Coleman with Diabolo and Off The Record in sixth and seventh, after having to withdraw Chin Tonic HS earlier this week.

Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

As the competition moves to cross country tomorrow, it will be an exciting day to follow. Only 5.3 penalty points separate the top ten, leaving no room for error. This year as an Olympic year is more intense than ever, and the event expects at least 30,000 people in attendance on Saturday. The CCI4*-S will be the first division of the day, starting out at 9 a.m. You can find ride times here.

Hannah Sue Hollberg and Carsonstown. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

“I absolutely love the course, the ground feels amazing. I think it’s tough, fence 4 at the water, and fence 6 with the coffin early on… it’s unforgiving, but it’s well built,” Lucienne stated.

There were a handful of withdrawals ahead of cross country: Tamie Smith withdrew Danito (we have reached out to her for information and will update if we receive any, but Danito hasn’t had many runs in the last bit so it was perhaps always her plans to just do dressage), Buck Davidson withdrew Cooley Candyman, which was his original plan as he is aiming for Tryon’s 4*-L in May and was using this as practice, Katie Malensek withdrew STX Mex, and John Michael Durr withdrew Blue Rodeo.

“We do this not just because we love to compete, but because we love the horses with whom we compete,” JM shared on social regarding “Stanley”. “That partnership is what drives us and brings out our best self every weekend. Sometimes that means listening to what our teammate has to say—even when it is hard to hear. For us, that means addressing the fact that while Nugget the wonder pony has been amazing, the pressure of performing in the dressage arena is overwhelming for Blue Rodeo, therefore, our team has decided to follow his lead and pursue a career in show jumping. I want to share my sincerest thanks to Drs. Anne Baskett and Bill Hay, who not only bred Stanley (Blue Rodeo), but have always put him first. They are incredible veterinarians and horse owners, and have been like family to me. I am incredibly excited for this new adventure and hope it will give Stanley an opportunity to truly blossom. Thank you all for your support. We look forward to this next chapter.”

Tomorrow’s weather forecast looks to be sunny and warm, with temperatures rising into the upper 70s in the afternoon. We’ll be covering the action at the #BestWeekendAllYear, so make sure to stay connected!

EN’s coverage of the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event is presented by Kentucky Performance Products, your one-stop shop for science-backed nutritional support for all types of horses. Click here to learn more about Kentucky Performance Products.

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