Classic Eventing Nation

Tuesday News & Notes from Kentucky Performance Products

By on Apr 29, 2025 12:12 am -

Sinead Maynard and Manoir de Carneville. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

This time next week, the next episode of The Go Eventing Podcast will drop, and it’s a special one! Our next co-host is the one and only Sinead Maynard, a 5* rider, USEF selector, and pro commentator (among MANY other things) who has had a many experiences within our sport that we just cannot wait to pick her brain about. We’re gearing up for what promises to be a great conversation about media and commentary in our sport, a walk down memory lane to revisit some of Sinead’s best memories, and of course a recap of Kentucky and a look ahead to Badminton next week. If you have a burning question for Sinead, you can send it to us here!

In the meantime, we also now move into our next 5* event, which is happening in Australia this weekend at the Adelaide Equestrian Festival. We can’t wait to partner with Atalya Boytner, who will be bringing us some photos, videos, and words from her first visit to the Southern Hemisphere. Stay tuned for more coming your way soon here on EN!

U.S. Events Opening Today

Golden Spike H.T. (UT); Aspen Farm H.T. (WA); Shepherd Ranch Pony Club H.T. I (CA); Silverwood Farm Spring H.T. (WI); Horse Park of New Jersey H.T. I (NJ); Seneca Valley Pony Club H.T. (MD); Full Gallop Farm June H.T. (SC)

U.S. Events Closing Today

Spokane Sport Horse Spring H.T. (WA); Otter Creek H.T. (WI); Hunt Club Farms H.T. (VA); Bouckaert Equestrian H.T. (GA); Fair Hill International Recognized H.T. (MD); Spring Gulch H.T. (CO)

News & Reading

The U.S. Center for SafeSport has fired CEO Ju’Riese Colón in the wake of an investigation by U.S. Sen Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) into the organization’s hiring of an investigator who subsequently was charged with rape. Nancy Jaffer reports more here.

It’s USEA Intercollegiate Championships week! This event has grown in scope and attendance year over year, and as we look ahead to competition at Stable View (Aiken, SC), it’s time to meet the teams that will be vying for the top honors. Read more about them here.

Most equestrian fans by now know the name Fiona Howard, the Paralympic medalist who achieved great (and historic) success in Paris last summer. Now, you can get to know Fiona’s special partner, Diamond Dunes, in the latest edition of Behind the Stall Door over on The Chronicle of the Horse. Read it here.

If you’re eyeing a move up to a level that requires counter canter in your dressage test, it’s time to start practicing now! And even if you aren’t, introducing counter canter is a great way to develop balance and responsiveness with your horse. Gather some tips on using the counter canter loop to educate your horse on the concept here.

Sponsor Corner: Kentucky Performance Products

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Video Break

Take us back to Kentucky!

Weekend Winners: Kentucky, Loudoun, & Horse Park of New Jersey

By on Apr 28, 2025 11:56 am -

We’ve certainly enjoyed the action in Kentucky this past weekend! If you want to relive any of your favorite moments, take a look over at our coverage to soak up the Kentucky memories as we get going this Monday.

We also saw events running at Loudoun and the Horse Park of New Jersey, and we’re celebrating all of our Weekend Winners, with an extra special shout out to the winner of our Unofficial Low Score Award, Fylicia Barr and Balou du Nord d’Eleganza, who scored an impressive 17.8 in the Open Beginner Novice division at New Jersey! Congrats to all on successful weekends!

Defender Kentucky (KY): [Website][Results]

CCI 5*-L: Michael Jung and FischerChipmunk FRH (25.0)
CCI 4*-S: William Coleman and Off the Record (33.0)

Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Spring H.T. (VA): [Website][Results]

Intermediate Open: Christina Henriksen and Cisco’s Calor Z (51.6)
Preliminary Open A: Meghan O’Donoghue and Global Eros (30.6)
Preliminary Open B: Jillian Newman and Curraghgraigue freeman (35.7)
Training Horse: Martin Douzant and Galactic Frame Z (28.3)
Training Junior: Madeline Riley and Bobbie Burns (28.7)
Training Open A: Kelty O’Donoghue and Barb the Boss (31.1)
Training Open B: Kaitlin Clasing and TGS Lions Sunshine (30.3)
Training Rider A: Jessica Sappenfield and Westwood (36.4)
Training Rider B: Emma Tuit and Call Me Joe (28.6)
Novice Horse: Daniel Clasing and Guido (26.1)
Novice Junior: Berkley Gardner and Maberlinus M (27.5)
Novice Open A: Katherine Nolan and As Planned (26.9)
Novice Open B: Taylor Berlin and Anuk (26.9)
Novice Rider A: Emilia Sweeny and Fernhill Jack Sparrow (27.8)
Novice Rider B: Elena Labrador and Zen Zara (32.7)
Beginner Novice Horse: Kendyl Tracy and Diabolo (29.2)
Beginner Novice Junior: Claire Kassar and Chaplin (27.9)
Beginner Novice Open: Gillian Smith and Sparkleberry Lane (31.2)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Lynn Berry and Rappahannock (30.6)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Jill Widdifield and Zurich (30.5)

Horse Park of New Jersey Spring H.T. (NJ): [Website][Results]

Open Preliminary: Ryan Wood and Bellines Quality Lady (24.0)
Open Modified A: Amanda Beale Clement and B.E. Cointreau (28.5)
Open Modified B: Charlotte Carrajat and As Is (32.8)
Open Training: Holly Payne Caravella and Princess Candy (37.3)
Training Rider: Elisabeth Tansey and Night Moves (29.3)
Novice Rider: Samantha Marcoux and Seeing Is Believing (29.7)
Open Novice: Kelly Beaver and Excel Star Zenith (25.8)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Beth Durden and Celebrity (26.9)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Liana Theroux and Our Golden Chance (24.5)
Open Beginner Novice: Fylicia Barr and Balou du Nord d’Eleganza (17.8)
Starter: Brielle Rainsberg and Riley (26.3)

Monday News & Notes from FutureTrack

By on Apr 28, 2025 1:29 am -

I know, I know. That is not the first face you were expecting to see this Monday morning. But quite frankly, Michael Jung is getting plenty of coverage at the moment (and deservedly so, I might add). But I can’t let Ros Canter’s latest achievement slip by unnoticed.

No, she did not win a 5*. In fact, the medal that she collected this weekend has nothing to do with horses. Instead, the medal around her neck is a result of running the London Marathon, raising funds for Spinal Research along the way.

Riding round Badminton will be a walk (gallop) in the park in comparison to running 26.2 miles around London. Congratulations Ros! If you would like to donate to Spinal Research, Ros’ Just Giving page is still open – an extremely worthwhile cause, I am sure you will all agree.

U.S. Weekend Results

Defender Kentucky (KY): [Website] [Results]

Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Spring H.T. (VA): [Website][Results]

Horse Park of New Jersey Spring H.T. (NJ): [Website] [Results]

Major International Results

Ballindensik International Horse Trials: [Website] [Results]

News & Reading

Everywhere you turn these days there is some expert or another telling you about the need for top quality sleep. But it turns out that horses can get by with a lot less sleep. Read more about their sleep requirements here. Spoiler – they’re not quite so high maintenance as us – no sleep mask necessary.

Her first 5* might not have ended quite as planned, but I suspect that this won’t be the last we see of Lucienne Bellissimo at this level. She has fought her way back on more than one occasion, and carved a riding career through some seriously savvy business decisions. She spoke to Sinead Halpin Maynard about the struggles that she has faced to make it to the top – and how she continues to make it work.

From one comeback story to another This time, the spotlight is on “miracle pony” Red Kite who fought his way back from a mystery illness to win his local Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) Open ridden Exmoor, Dartmoor and Shetland qualifier. Not bad for a pony who vets had said would never be ridden again.

British Grassroots Riders, there’s an exciting new event to aim for! Bede Events, in collaboration with Agria UK, have just announced the new Agria Amateur 105 three-day event, which will run at Aspen Cooling Osberton International (2), 1st – 5th October.

Video Break

Of course he had to feature somewhere on your Monday News Bulletin. So here he is, the man of the moment, Mr Michael Jung, talking about his favourite horse and his favourite venue (the latter is pure speculation, but it certainly should be after this weekend…)

Cheers to Chipmunk: Michael Jung and His Olympic Champion Take Defender Kentucky CCI5*

By on Apr 27, 2025 7:16 pm -

Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Reigning German Olympic champion Michael Jung knows the winning feeling quite well. He’s not been beaten on U.S. soil much — he lost once to Oliver Townend with a devastating pole down on Sunday back in 2018 with fischerRocana FST, and he also beat himself on La Biosthetique Sam with Rocana in 2015 (finishing third and first, respectively). But generally, when Michael comes to the U.S., he comes to win.

This remained true on a warm and sunny Sunday at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by MARS Equestrian. Michael came in with a historic margin of padding after jumping clear with 2.4 time penalties on Saturday to go onto a score of 21.0 aboard fischerChipmunk FRH (Contendro I – Havanna, by Heraldik). This gave him a cushion of three rails over second-placed Boyd Martin and Commando 3 (Connor 48 – R-Adelgunde, by Amigo xx), who were on a two-phase score of 32.0 coming into today. This pair has had a smattering of poles down — sometimes, when it counted the most — in their past, but don’t forget that Michael also competes in pure show jumping nearly more than he events these days. Today, he needed one of those three poles in hand but assured himself a record fifth Kentucky victory. fischerChipmunk FRH is the second horse Michael has won Kentucky with. He sadly did not ever manage to take the crown with the legendary La Biosthetique Sam at the actual Kentucky 5*, but he did win individual gold at the 2010 World Equestrian Games that were held at this venue and came third here in 2015.

While Michael didn’t best his record-setting Kentucky finishing score of 22.0 that he achieved in 2022, he nonetheless finishes on a 25.0. At 17 years old, fischerChipmunk FRH certainly isn’t young by traditional standards, but Michael grins when asked if he thinks the Hanoverian gelding will continue to compete at these top levels. “Badminton may be a little too early,” he joked in the press conference.

Photo by Tilly Berendt.

He’s got a few younger horses that are beginning to step up the levels alongside his show jumping string, but Chipmunk would certainly be top on his list as he looks ahead to both the FEI European Eventing Championships later this year, as well as the FEI World Championships coming up in 2026. To hear Michael speak about the horse without context, you could be forgiven for thinking that he was referring to a younger horse:

“He’s looking super strong, getting older, more experienced,” he said. “So at the moment, I have a really great feeling. Hopefully he stays like this, he has fun like this, and the ears [are] in front when they start the cross country. He’s getting so well-balanced. You can feel that the horse is really motivated [to keep doing] what he’s doing. So I don’t know, but hopefully a few more years.”

Boyd Martin and Commando 3. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

It was a banner weekend for U.S. Olympian Boyd Martin, who delivered three clear rounds, two of which were inside the optimum time, today to finish three horses in the top seven and also take home the prize of USEF National 5* Champion. Yankee Creek Ranch LLC’s Commando 3 was the best finisher of the bunch, retaining his second place on a final score of 32.0 thanks to an all-class clear round inside the time today. Boyd has worked with Olympic gold medalist Peter Wylde for the past few seasons, building such a relationship with Peter that he now even helps him on cross country. Peter’s approach to coaching Boyd has seen him dive head-first into eventing (though we’re still waiting for him to go out and actually do an event himself — we’ll let you know the MOMENT that happens), learning everything he can about the sport so that he can better help his riders.

“I was lucky to cross paths with Peter at the end of his jumping career,” Boyd reflected. “He was fascinated with our sport. His show jumping style translates well to the cross country; he’s sort of an American style show jumper that’s a little bit light in the way they ride. The show jumping training crosses over with how we gallop and ride as eventers, and it’s changed my career. He’s passionate. He’ll do anything to make you better.”

Boyd describes Commando 3 as “not the easiest” to ride and produce, but he liked the look of the horse so much when he first saw him on a shopping trip to Europe that he returned later to make the deal happen.

Photo by Tilly Berendt.

“I wasn’t really sure what I was in for this weekend,” Boyd said. “Last year he was sort of my back-up for the Olympics and he didn’t do a long format three-day. I questioned if he had the the guts and the heart to to get through a competition like this, and after going through this, this very much could be a career changing horse.”

Boyd also finishes sixth and seventh with the Annie Goodwin Syndicate’s Fedarman B (40.6) and the Luke 140 Syndicate’s Luke 140 (44.7), marking a strong weekend in the tack on some horses that are among the best group of horses he’s had at once — an exciting kickoff to Boyd’s 5* season, to be sure. We may see him next at Luhmühlen, to which he’s mentioned taking his Tokyo horse, Tsetserleg, though those plans have yet to be confirmed.

Harry Meade and Et Hop du Matz. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Harry Meade clawed his way up the standings after starting lower than he would have liked to in the dressage with both Et Hop du Matz (Nouma d’Auzay – Prima du Matz, by Easy Star), owned by Mandy Gray, and Grafennacht (Grafenstolz – Nachtigall, by Narew xx), the former William Fox-Pitt 5* podium finisher and near-winner owned by Amanda Gould. Thanks to being the sole rider to catch the time on cross country yesterday, Harry found himself in competitive stead and jumped a double clear with Et Hop du Matz. He lowered one pole, plus had one second of time, on Grafennacht, but retained his placings after cross country.

“I was thrilled with them,” Harry said of his horses. “I’ve had three rides around here now, so not many, and I’ve been fifth, fourth and third. And the horses here were brilliant. I’m just thrilled with their overall performances, and particularly for the younger horse who finished third. He tried his heart out. It’s the reason why we are all here– for the horses. It’s a wonderful feeling when they go really well, aside from the fact that it’s a great competition in a public eye with a terrific platform. But it’s really about the pride you feel in the horses.”

Harry Meade and Grafennacht. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

It’s a real testament to Harry’s relationship-building, particularly with the newer ride, Grafennacht, who he’s really only had for a few months at this point. He expressed disappointment in his dressage with the mare, and even questioned whether or not he should continue on in the competition — but continue, and learn more about this exciting new ride he was entrusted with, he did. It was also something of a coming of age for the 11-year-old Et Hop du Matz, who made it just a short way around the cross country at Maryland 5 Star last fall before parting ways with Harry. This competitive first 5* completion signals a strong future for this one, adding on to an already bursting string of horses competing at the level with Harry.

Tom McEwen and Brookfield Quality. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Tom McEwen (GBR) completes the top five with Chloe & John Perry & Alison Swinburn’s Brookfield Quality (OBOS Quality 004 – Bay Coffey Cavalier, by Cavalier Royale), finishing the weekend on a score of 40.6 and remarking at how much the 16-year-old Irish gelding stepped up to the plate in what would have been an even stiffer challenge than his 5* debut at Pau, where he was third last year. “This is definitely something of the next step up,” Tom said after his show jumping, where he lowered one fence to finish on a score of 40.6, equal with Boyd Martin and Fedarman B. Funnily enough, the tiebreaker for this didn’t come down to the closest to the optimum time, as the two actually also finished in the same amount of time yesterday, and instead went to the lower of the two dressage scores, which was Tom’s. “I’m just really, really pleased with how this week’s gone,” Tom continued. “He’s feeling well, fit and fresh, and we’ve got a really cool five-star horse to add, so it’s very exciting.”

Below is a look at the full final standings. Our top rookie pair of the weekend was Mary Bess Davis and Imperio Magic (Cassander C – Khadija des Hayettes, by Banboula du Thot), who delivered a class double clear today to finish in 16th place, climbing up from 27th after dressage. Mary Bess secured one of seven double clear rounds (a 30% double clear rate, and a 39% clear rate) to finish her first 5* on a true high note.

I did also just want to address one incident on cross country yesterday, in which German rider Calvin Böckmann and The Phantom of the Opera experienced a very hairy moment or two on course, particularly at Pete’s Hollow. “Phanty” fell to his knees after standing off the triple bar at the C element of the combination. Calvin and his horse were also held at the jog this morning, but were passed when they came back to jog again. They then went on to jump a double clear round, after which Calvin was clearly emotional in the prize giving. We gave Calvin the opportunity to speak on his round yesterday:

“It was definitely not the most ideal line I chose to go down there,” he said. “That’s a situation I think not one of us would ever want to be in. But once he got up, I didn’t even have to do anything. He just straight away started cantering again. We’ve been together for so many years, and I straight away felt that he was absolutely fine. Otherwise, I would have never, ever kept going. And then the next jumps, I felt like he jumped even better, so knowing that, for me, that was the thing that told me he also wants to keep going.”

Calvin was not stopped by the Ground Jury, which did pull up another pair, Tim Price and Happy Boy, when they thought there may have been blood on the horse. It’s really not for me to say on whether Calvin should have pulled up or been pulled up, but I do believe that the Ground Jury and the posted veterinarians and officials around the course can and will pull up a horse when they know there is an issue. I believe it’s on all of us, including the riders, to ensure we are always putting the horse first and listening to the feedback both they, and trusted people in our community, give.

So with that, another Kentucky is in the books, and what a great weekend it was.

Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Watching Michael Jung feels a bit like watching the Patriots (or, I guess these days, the Chiefs) win Super Bowl after Super Bowl, or the Celtics or the Lakers win championship after championship. It’s an interesting phenomenon, the idea of the winning formula. Michael likes to say luck is on his side more often than not, but I would disagree with that. The idea of culture comes to mind. If you were to pull back the curtain on a successful program, be it a sports team or a professional rider, I suspect you’d find one strong common denominator: the culture behind the scenes. It’s a bit like Ted Lasso, where, as Ted put it, it wasn’t so much about winning or losing, as it was ensuring that the entire team felt empowered to be the best versions of themselves. Maybe I’m waxing a little poetic here, but I truly believe there is something to that, especially when it comes to the manifestation of consistent success.

“I believe it’s luck,” Michael said. “It’s something special. So many things can go wrong. It happened a few times to me, but I really believe in my horse, in this place. I always had a lot of luck here. I’m very, very thankful for everything — for my supporters, for my owners, for my family, for all the people that work in the background. I sit here and enjoy everything, but this is really a big win for everybody in my team, for all the other horses I can ride and train with, and every person — friends and family — that help me to get up here.”

As the press conference wound down and reporters began to file back to their seats to begin writing, Harry Meade took the mic one last time. “Can I just say one more thing?” he began.

“Michi will be remembered as one of the greats. I’ve followed the sport from the 50s, 60s, 70s — before I was even born, and I think Michi is hands down, without a doubt, the greatest event rider there’s ever been. And I don’t think there will ever be anyone better. I think we are living in a moment with an extraordinary thing; I think often when it’s happening at the time, people don’t appreciate it, but I think he will be remembered in fifty years’ time as the best there ever was.”

And a special horse, in addition. We’ve been lucky enough to witness some incredible moments of sport and more importantly, some incredible horses in the sport of eventing, and fischerChipmunk will also go down as one of the greatest of all times. Enjoy it, savor it, and don’t forget it.

Go Eventing.

Defender Kentucky: [Website] [Tickets] [Official Schedule] [Entries & Ride Times] [Scoring] [ClipMyHorse Live Stream] [USEF Network on ClipMyHorse Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Form Guide]

EN’s coverage of Defender Kentucky is supported by Kentucky Performance Products. To learn more about Kentucky Performance Products’ science-backed nutritional support products, click here.

Fairy Tale Finale for Will Coleman & Off The Record in Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S

By on Apr 27, 2025 6:06 pm -

Will Coleman and Off The Record. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Will Coleman never runs out of favorable words to describe his longtime partner Off The Record, and today was no exception as he sang “Timmy’s” praises after a banner weekend that ended with victory in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S.

Timmy was sourced through Richard Sheane and landed with Will as a 4-year-old. Though somewhat difficult as a youngster, the now 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse blossomed into one of the most consistent campaigners in the sport. He’s delivered some of Will’s most memorable career achievements, including becoming the first-ever U.S. winners at the prestigious CHIO Aachen CCIO4*-S (Germany) and helping the U.S. end a twenty-year dry spell and claim team silver at the FEI World Championships at Pratoni (Italy) as the highest-placed American pair. But there’s no doubt that grabbing a 35th career FEI win in front of thousands of spectators just hits differently.

Will Coleman and Off The Record. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

“It was humble beginnings. He was a pretty hardy young horse, but he always displayed a real knack for cross country — and that kept us going with him. He’s not the most natural in the other phases, but he has an incredible work ethic,” Will said. “As our relationship improved and we found more harmony in our communication, he really started to blossom. It’s been a joy to have him. He has his own style, but his character is what makes him a good horse. He’s a genuine guy, and he honestly has a conscience about trying to do the right thing — especially in competition. That’s a wonderful quality.”

The round finished as a fairytale, but it wasn’t the perfect story at the start. Timmy kicked off with some tension that had him cross-cantering to the first few fences. The packed grandstands sucked in a collective gasp when they knocked the front rail of the Mars two-stride combination, but fortunately for Will, that was their only fault, and they finished on a score of 33.

“I did hear the rail fall and then I said, ‘Oh, now I really have to think about the clock.’ So I hustled a little bit. I knew Timmy was going to try his best. He actually felt like he went in there and just tightened up on me a little bit — missing his leads. And it just makes it hard to ride as smooth a round as you’d envision. But the truth is that the horse has gotten this far in the sport with grit, determination, and try, and he showed all those things to come home with us out in front. I’m just happy for the horse — that I didn’t let him down.”

Phillip Dutton and Possante. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Possante, a 12-year-old KWPN (Namelus — Wedelien, by Otangelo) owned by the Possante Group, takes the next step on the podium in second place with Phillip Dutton.

Phillip had the advantage of riding the course once before with his overnight third-placed Denim and used that insider information to his advantage, jumping clear only one second above the optimum time with Possante to complete the weekend on a score of 33.9.

Phillip Dutton and Denim. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

His first horse, Denim, the 10-year-old Holsteiner (Dinken — Celia II, by Ibisco) owned by Ann Jones, Ann Lapides, Caroline Moran, and Neill Sites, was slightly slower than his stablemate, but otherwise clear. He picked up 1.6 time penalties to drop into fourth place.

“We all earmarked this event early on in the year. This was the one we were all aiming for. It’s kind of a relief to be sitting up here with a good result,” he said.

“It’s a bit ironic — my best jumper is Denim, and he’s the one that moved back down because I was too slow on the cross country. But I couldn’t be more pleased with Possante. Show jumping hasn’t always been easy for us. I have to thank Lauren Hough, who’s been helping me through thick and thin. As you know, improvement isn’t always linear. You have ups and downs.”

The Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S is one of 19 qualifying events on the US Equestrian Open series, of which Phillip is currently the highest-ranked rider, and these second- and fourth-place finishes boost his current score to 215. Competitors earn points at each qualifier, and whoever earns the most points throughout the season will be awarded a $25,000 check.

Jessica Phoenix and Freedom GS. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Just like they did at the Paris Olympics, Jessica Phoenix and Freedom GS delivered a double clear and moved onto the podium in third place. The leggy bay showed just how world-class he is this weekend, migrating up the leaderboard 11 points from start to finish.

After last year’s Olympics, the Canadian eventer knew she wanted to strengthen Charlotte Schickedanz’s 13-year-old Oldenburg/Trakehner (Humble GS — Friedel GS) in the first phase in order to be more competitive, so she looked to Ashley Holzer for help.

“It’s definitely been an amazing spring season for us. Coming away from the Paris Olympics, we really felt we needed to hit the dressage phase harder. We needed the horses stronger — and me stronger, too.
Getting more confident with my body type and figuring out what worked best for my position was the focus. After Paris, I started training with Ashley Holzer, and she has been a real game-changer for me. She understands exactly how to teach me and explain where I need to be to help the horses the most,” Jessica said.

“It really feels like the communication with all my horses has gotten so much better. They’ve always been strong in the show jumping phase, but now the dressage is coming along too. To see the fruits of all the hard work we put in over the winter coming out this spring — seeing the horses so confident and happy — it’s just pure joy.”

Allison Springer and No May Moon. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

The can-do Connemara cross No May Moon earned fifth place with Allison Springer. Owner Nancy Winter, who was short-listed for the 1984 Olympics on a Connemara, bred “Mayzie” (as well as her full sibling, 3* eventer Crystal Crescent Moon) by the British dressage horse Catherston Dazzler and out of Ebony Moon (by Mystic Replica).

Mayzie, who won the Bromont CCI4*-L last season, was gritty and quick to complete double clear on a final result of 40.4.

Mia Farley and Invictus. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Mia Farley piloted Karen O’Connor’s owned and bred Invictus, a 9-year-old Holsteiner/Thoroughbred (Diarado — Sunset Paradise, by Unbridled Jet), to double clear success, finishing her weekend on a score of 42.9.

James Alliston and Nemesis. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

After starting the weekend in 26th place, James Alliston claimed seventh with Alliston Equestrian’s Nemesis, an 11-year-old Canadian Warmblood (Novalis 46 — Maesy).

2023 Kentucky 5* winner Tamie Smith is eighth with the 10-year-old KWPN Kynan (Envoy — Daniel, by Zirocco Blue). Eleventh after the first phase, Kynan added only 17.2 time penalties on Saturday’s cross country, but none today to finish on a score of 46.

Ema Klugman and Chiraz. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Australia’s Ema Klugman and the striking grey Chiraz finished ninth. The 12-year-old Holsteiner (Cayado 3 — Asquetta, by Casall), who has previously been campaigned by both Boyd Martin and Nicola Wilson, lowered one rail and added two seconds to the clock to remain in the top ten.

A clear round with 2.8 time penalties elevated Jan Byyny and Beautiful Storm, a 10-year-old Thoroughbred (Get Stormy — So Beautiful, by Arch) owned by Jan, Jo Ellen, and Richard Byyny, from 16th after cross country to take the final top ten spot at competition end.

After over a dozen riders struggled against the clock, it was Elisa Wallace and Lissavorra Quality who were the first to prove that it was possible to finish this phase double clear. They finished 15th on a score of 53.8.

“She’s really green, but she feeds off of that environment in there. She can be a tough mare because she’s Irish and she’s got her own opinion, but she helps you out when you need it. I tried to stay out of her way and she helped me out when I needed it,” Elisa said.

This four-star has once again proven to be one of the toughest in the country, if not the world, and gives horses and riders the opportunity to test their mettle in a world-class atmosphere. Congratulations to all competitors for a job well done.

Defender Kentucky: [Website] [Tickets] [Official Schedule] [Entries & Ride Times] [Scoring] [XC Maps] [ClipMyHorse Live Stream] [USEF Network on ClipMyHorse Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Form Guide]

EN’s coverage of Defender Kentucky is supported by Kentucky Performance Products. To learn more about Kentucky Performance Products’ science-backed nutritional support products, click here.

Jumping for the Kentucky Crown – Live Blog from the 5* Show Jumping at Defender Kentucky

By on Apr 27, 2025 2:30 pm -

Boyd Martin and Commando 3 lead the USEF National 5* Championship and sit in second coming into the show jumping. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Here. We. Go. The finale of the 5* competition at Defender Kentucky is upon us and we don’t have long to wait now ‘til we find out who’ll take the 2025 Kentucky Crown. There’s just the small matter of keeping the poles in the cups first…

We’ve been treated to an exceptional display of talent thus far, created over many years and involving meticulous planning of programs to get things just right for these formidable equine athletes – hopes and dreams, ambitions and disappointments – it all culminates here, in the final phase of a 5*.

The competitors will be jumping in reverse order, so last to go will be Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH, the pair that have led the charge right from the first day when they put down a record-breaking dressage score to give themselves a healthy buffer over the rest of the field. They used up a little of that time out on cross country, but others added too and Michael comes into today having extended his lead to 11.8 points clear of his nearest rival Boyd Martin with Commando 3. That gives him the comfort of two fences in hand, but not three. Should Chipmunk inexplicably have two down, he can be three seconds over the time and still win, but not four.

All of this is academic though, for now. We’ll get more into the nitty gritty as things progress this afternoon. I’ll be bringing you live updates from each round as it happens. Lock on ENers. To paraphrase: It’s not over ‘til the chipmunk jumps 🐿️

Here’s a look at the top of the leaderboard as we head into the final phase:

1️⃣ 🇩🇪 Way out in front are Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH who are siting pretty with plenty in hand on a score of 21.

2️⃣ 🇺🇸 In second spot are Boyd Martin and Commando 3 who are leading the USEF National 5* Championship. They’re on a score of 32.8, less than 2 points clear of third place.

3️⃣ 🇬🇧 With two excellent rounds inside the time yesterday – the only rider to beat the clock – Harry Meade sits in third with Et Hop Du Matz on a score of 34.2, and fourth with Grafennacht on a score of 35.2. Will Harry end up with two ‘finish on his dressage’ results? Perhaps.

You’ll find the full leaderboard right here.

There will be some jumping out of order, unless Harry opts to ride Roman-style, which would certainly add a new dimension to the show jumping phase, and with three rides in the top 8, Boyd will also be doing a bit of a juggling act. Their top-placed horses – Et Hop Du Matz in 3rd and Commando 3 in 2nd, respectively – will go in order. Boyd’s set to come forward as first to jump today on Luke 140, coming into this in 8th place on 44.7.

There are two withdrawals and a retirement to catch you up with: Tim Price and Jarillo, who were in =7th place and Ema Klugman and Bronte Beach, who were in 18th, both withdrew before this morning’s horse inspection, where Tim was sent to the hold box with Falco and opted to retire from there; they had been sitting in 15th. Tim will however being going on Happy Boy, who’s currently 22nd.

If you want to follow along with the form as things proceed, you’re in need of EN’s new-look Form Guide – here you go – and you can keep track with the scores via the live leaderboard here.

As you know, here at EN we happily renounce sleep (and sanity), taking on the real risks of repetitive strain injury and blood-soaked fingers to bring you, eventing superfans, every single scrap of the action that unfolds at these huge events. You’ll find all our Defender Kentucky awesomeness right here. And that’s not all because, well, we’re overachievers who unapologetically take it all on and more. There’s also super fun behind-the-scenes shenanigans happening over on our Instagram channel @goeventing – follow along and get involved here.

Whilst we await the finale, catch up with all that went down to lead us to this point:

▶️ Dressage Day One – Test-by-test Analysis
▶️ Dressage Day One – Full Report
▶️ Dressage Day Two – Test-by-test Analysis
▶️ Dressage Day Two – Full Report
▶️ Round-by-round Cross Country Updates
▶️ Cross Country Report

Before we embark on our final live blog of the competition, a ‘refresher’ on the no. 1 rule of following EN’s classic live blog: refresh, refresh, refresh – and all will be revealed.

If you’re catching up with this later and are the type to like things in order, scroll ⬇️ and read ⬆️. If going backwards is more your jam, have at it.

This is it. The Kentucky crown awaits. Go eventing!

Defender Kentucky: [Website] [Tickets] [Official Schedule] [Entries & Ride Times] [Scoring] [XC Maps – Coming Soon] [ClipMyHorse Live Stream] [USEF Network on ClipMyHorse Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Form Guide]

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EN’s coverage of Defender Kentucky is supported by Kentucky Performance Products. To learn more about Kentucky Performance Products’ science-backed nutritional support products, click here.

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And that’s it. Defender Kentucky is done and we’ve had The Best Weekend All Year. In case you missed it, here’s the top 3:

1️⃣ 🇩🇪 Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk.

2️⃣ 🇺🇲 Boyd Martin and Commando 3.

3️⃣ 🇬🇧 Harry Meade and Et Hop Du Matz.

You’ll find the final scoreboard right here.

Stay tuned for EN’s full round-up of all that went down in today’s finale.

From me though, it’s over and out.

Thanks for coming along for the live blog ride!

Go eventing!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Defender Kentucky: [Website] [Tickets] [Official Schedule] [Entries & Ride Times] [Scoring] [XC Maps – Coming Soon] [ClipMyHorse Live Stream] [USEF Network on ClipMyHorse Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Form Guide]

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EN’s coverage of Defender Kentucky is supported by Kentucky Performance Products. To learn more about Kentucky Performance Products’ science-backed nutritional support products, click here.

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🏆 ONCE MORE – THE WINNER OF DEFENDER KENTUCKY IS MICHAEL JUNG AND FISCHERCHIPMUNK FRH🏆

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🇺🇸 USEF NATIONAL 5* CHAMPIONS – BOYD MARTIN AND COMMANDO 3 🇺🇸

🥈 Boyd Martin and Fedarman B 🥈

🥉Boyd Martin and Luke 140 🥉

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🥉THIRD – HARRY MEADE AND ET HOP DU MATZ🥉

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🥈 RUNNER UP – BOYD MARTIN AND COMMANDO 3🥈

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👏 LET’S HEAR IT FOR OUR KENTUCKY CHAMPION MICHAEL JUNG👏

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🐴 LET’S HEAR IT FOR OUR KENTUCKY CHAMPION FISCHERCHIPMUNK FRH🐴

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🏆 THE WINNER OF DEFENDER KENTUCKY IS MICHAEL JUNG AND FISCHERCHIPMUNK FRH🏆

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🇩🇪 Michael Jung and FischerChipmunk FRH

Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH. Photo by Alex Jeffery.

Dressage: 18.6
Cross Country: 0 + 2.4
Score: 21
Place: 1

OK. This. Is. It.

Will Michael win his 5th Kentucky? Will Chip win his 2nd?

They’re clear over the first. And the second. But not the third! Chip just doesn’t get high enough. He’s learned from that though and is right up over the fourth. Clear 5. Good through the double at 6. Clear 7 but he’s not giving these fences a lot of room. It’s a bit edge of your seat. He’s clear over the Rolex Rails at 9. And then through the treble at 11. One to go. Clear over that. One down. But he had a huge buffer. THE WINNER.

Michael Jung and FischerChipmunk FRH finish on a score of 25.

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🇺🇸 Boyd Martin and Commando 3

Boyd Martin and Commando 3. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Dressage: 26
Cross Country: 0 + 6.8
Score: 32.8
Place: 2

EYES ON! Will Boyd stay in second? Or rise to the top? Breath is being held.

It’s a great start as they fly the first and then get a great shot over the second. Looking good thus far. Boyd’s making tight turns and the horse is showing off all his scope. This is very confident. They’re fabulous through the double at 6. Boyd’s really pushing on. They’re really good over the Rolex Rails at 9. They rub the first part of the treble at 11, but it stays. And they’ve done it! Clear over the last. CLEAR INSIDE THE TIME! No worse than second for Boyd.

Boyd Martin wins the USEF National 5* Championship!
And takes second and third place too.

Boyd Martin and Commando 3 finish on a score of XX.

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🇬🇧 Harry Meade and Et Hop Du Matz

Harry Meade and Et Hop du Matz. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Dressage: 34.2
Cross Country: 0 + 0
Score: 34.2
Place: 3
WE’RE INTO THE TOP 3!

Harry’s cool, calm and collected as he waits for the bell. This horse was seriously impressive out on the cross country yesterday, climbing 14 places up the leaderboard to sit in 3rd coming into today. They get off to a stylish start and are neat and tidy round the loop taking in fences 2 and 3. They stretch over the big oxer at 4 and they’re making this look easy. Everything’s really correct. The double at 6 is no trouble and the horse looks very confident in his job. They’re spot on through the treble at 11 and there’s just two to go now. CLEAR INSIDE THE TIME! They finish on their dressage, with a secure podium place.

Harry Meade and Et Hop Du Matz finish on a score of 34.2.

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🇬🇧 Tom McEwen and Brookfield Quality

Tom McEwen and Brookfield Quality. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Dressage: 26.2
Cross Country: 0 + 10.4
Score: 36.6
Place: 5

World No. 1 Tom comes into the ring to a big cheer. He’s been second at Kentucky twice. He’d love another podium spot. He’s got to jump clear for a chance of that, surely. This is a very good jumper, usually. They’re good over the first but then take the second with his front legs. That could be expensive. They get a super shot over the water tray at 4 and then are quality through the double at 6. The elbows are going at fence 7 and Tom’s making this happen. The horse is jumping really carefully after that early mistake. The treble’s no trouble and they give the last plenty of room. One down.

Tom McEwen and Brookfield Quality finish on a score of 40.6.

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🇳🇿 Monica Spencer and Artist

Monica Spencer and Artist. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Dressage: 29.3
Cross Country: 0 + 12.4
Score: 41.7
Place: 7

Artist is pretty as a picture in the Kentucky sunshine as he waits for the bell. They get off to a good start but isn’t giving them much air. He clears the water tray at 4 and Monica really navigates the double at 6 well with this Thoroughbred. Oh, a miscommunication at 8 and Artist jumps right through the fence. They get things straight back together for the Rolex Rails at 9 but then have the middle part of the treble down. They clear the last three and Monica gives Artist a pat. Two down, 1.2 time.

Monica Spencer and Artist finish on a score of 50.9.

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🇩🇪 Libusse Lübbeke and Caramia 34

Libussa Lubekke and Caramia 34. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Dressage: 27.1
Cross Country: 0 + 22
Score: 49.1
Place: 9

Libusse’s here on her family homebred, which is cool. They’re great over the first and then very strong over the second. They make the vertical at 3 and then are bold over the water tray at 4. The mare’s really standing off the fences but she’s got so much scope and power she’s making nothing of them. This is a super round. Oh dear, she loses the horse’s attention round the turn into the treble at 11 and have the first element down. That’ll drop her a place. They finish off their round clear. A top 10 finish for them, so great overall. One down.

Libusse Lübbeke and Caramia finish on a score of 53.1.

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🇺🇸 Emily Hamel and Corvett

Emily Hamel and Corvette. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Dressage: 38.6
Cross Country: 0 + 10.8
Score: 49.4
Place: 10

Let’s watch ‘Barry’ fly! His jumping style has become iconic. He’s fun to watch and loves his job. They’re a really lovely partnership. He’s huge over the first and then even bigger over the second. You can hear the gasps from the crowd. They’re clear over the third and Barry says, ‘Let me at ‘em’. Emily’s riding really well, it can’t be easy. They have a huge moment at fence 7. Emily’s out of the tack and Barry’s running off. Sit tight. She does. They’re back together. Phew. And continue on. They’ve been give 4 penalties for that though as Emily had to turn back to the fence. There’s time to add. They finish the course clear. 4 jumping, 6.8 time.

Emily Hamel and Corvett finish on a score of 60.2.

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🇺🇸 James Alliston and Karma

James Alliston and Karma. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Dressage: 37.3
Cross Country: 0 + 13.2
Score: 50.5
Place: 11

This is a really elegant mare and she’s really bouncy as she trots round waiting for the bell. She looks keen for the job. They get a great shot over the first and Karma’s still bouncy as she turns for the second. She’s really taking James forward to the fences. Boy she loves this phase. They’re clear through the double at 6, really great through there. They take on the Rolex Rails and really show their scope and power. They have a little conversation before the water tray at 10 and then rattle the first part of the treble at 11. They’re close on the time. They clear the last. A smidge over. 0.4 time penalties.

James Alliston and Karma finish on a score of 50.9.

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🇨🇦 Jessica Phoenix and Fluorescent Adolescent

Jessie Phoenix and Fluorescent Adolescent. Photo by Abby Powell.

Dressage: 36.8
Cross Country: 0 + 14.4
Score: 51.2
Place: 12

The spotty pony clears the first and then the second. She’s not giving them much air. The third is good but then they have a rail at the 4th, then take the 5th with her hind. They’re OK over 6a but then have the b element. They’re clear over the Rolex Rails at 9 and then swing back and take the water tray at 10 really well. The treble comes up their way at 11. They clear the next two but then gets underneath the last and take that down. Four down.

Jessica Phoenix and Fluorescent Adolescent finish on a score of 67.2.

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🇩🇪 Calvin Böckmann and The Phantom of the Opera

Calvin Böckmann and The Phantom of the Opera. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Dressage: 30.2
Cross Country: 15 + 10
Score: 55.2
Place: 13

Calvin and Phantom get their round off to a good start with a neat jump over the first. They come quickly round the the second and this horse is really taking his rider into the jumps. He’s quick in this phase too. The horse is jumping really nicely and they’re clear through the first half of the course, have no trouble at the Rolex Rails at 9 and the treble at 11 is very good. They come to the last clear, and jump that. A really fast, clear round. CLEAR INSIDE THE TIME!

Calvin Böckmann and The Phantom of the Opera finish on a score of 55.2.

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🚜 We’ve got a short pause for the arena drag 🚜

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🇬🇧 Harry Meade and Grafennacht

Harry Meade and Grafennacht. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Dressage: 35.2
Cross Country: 0 + 0
Score: 35.2
Place: 4

This pair were so impressive on the cross country yesterday. The mare has been known to have a rail, or more, though. They are clean over the first and then again over the second. They come round the turn to the third smoothly and Harry looks to be taking hist time. The mare’s jumping really well. Interestingly she’s in a hackamore, perhaps to help her in this phase. They’re clear through the double and then get a great shot into the Rolex Rails at 9. Oh, the middle part of the treble at 11 is on the ground again. But they finish up with just that down. That’s a good round from this mare. They hold their 4th place. One down, 0.4 time.

Harry Meade and Grafennacht finish on a score of 39.6.

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🇺🇸 Boyd Martin and Fedarman B

Boyd Martin and Fedarman B. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Dressage: 29.8
Cross Country: 0 + 10.4
Score: 40.2
Place: 6

Bruno looks beautiful and bouncy as he trots round waiting for the bell. They give the first plenty of space and the second is easy. They get a smooth turn back to the third and then get a massive leap over the water tray at 4. And another big one at 5. Bruno’s jumping his socks off. He’s very neat and tidy over the next two and then are brilliant over the Rolex Rails at 9. The treble is like a Pony Club exercise for them. They continue on jumping clear, but the time’s tight… Just over. Oh. That could potentially drop them down a place. 0.4 time.

Boyd Martin and Fedarman B finish on a score of 40.6.

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🇺🇸 Buck Davidson Jr. and Sorocaima

Buck Davidson and Sorocaima. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Dressage: 42.1
Cross Country: 0 + 19.6
Score: 61.7
Place:14

This horse is a pure Thoroughbred and had a successful career on the track before becoming an eventer. He can find this phase difficult, but things have been steadily improving for the pair. They clear the first and look good over the second. Buck makes a sharp turn round for the third, he’s definitely aware of the clock. The horse is jumping really well. They navigate the double at 6 and the gelding’s getting a little strong and poking his nose in the air a bit into the approach. It doesn’t look easy but they’re clear so far. Until… The middle part of the treble goes again, they really kick that out. They clear the final three though. The horse tried really hard and did a good job overall. One down, 0.8 time.

Buck Davidson and Sorocaima finish on a score of 66.5.

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🇺🇸 Cassie Sanger and Redfield Fyre

Cassie Sanger and Redfield Fyre. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Dressage: 38.6
Cross Country: 15 + 14
Score: 67.6
Place: 15

And we have another first-timer! These guys done great at Kentucky!

They clear the first but unfortunately have the second down. This horse isn’t the easiest in this phase and Cassie does a good job with him. They’re clear through the double at 6 and the horse is trying really hard. But then they have the rail at 8. They make the Rolex Rails at 9 but then, that middle part of the treble at 11 causes bother again. He kind of jumps through that. They jump the final three clear. A 5* completion for them. Three down, 0.4 time.

Cassie Sanger and Redfield Fyre finish on a score of 80.

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🇺🇸 Shannon Lilley and Eindhoven Garette

Shannon Lilley and Eindhoven Garette. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Dressage: 39.8
Cross Country: 0 + 30.8
Score: 70.6
Place: 16

Shannon takes her time before crossing the line. They’re focused as they clear the first and the horse is ears pricked over the second. He pulls his knees right up over the rails at 3 and really jumps high over the fourth. This is a sweet round so far. Ah, sadly they have the b element of 6 down. That’s a shame. It drops them a place. They continue on and seem to have got things back together but then have the middle of the treble at 11 down. That’s facing towards the in-gate. They clear the rest. 5* completion for them, good job. Two down, 0.8 time.

Shannon Lilley and Eindhoven Garette finish on a score of 79.4.

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🇳🇿 Jonelle Price and Hiarado

Jonelle Price and Hiarado. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Dressage: 30
Cross Country: 20 + 24
Score: 74
Place: 17

Jonelle didn’t have the day she’d have hoped yesterday, but she’ll have put that to the back of her mind to focus on today. They jump the first neatly and then make a smooth swing round to the second. Hiarado pokes her nose in the air on the approach to the third and then goes a bit up and down over the fourth. Jonelle’s a master though and is helping her mare out all the way. They’re clear over the tricky Rolex Rails at 9. And then they’re very neat through the treble at 11. Two to jump. The approach to the last is a little ropey, but they clear it. CLEAR INSIDE THE TIME!

Jonelle Price and Hiarado finish on a score of 74.

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🇺🇸 Mary Bess Davis and Imperio Magic

Mary Bess Davis and Imperio Magic. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Dressage: 39.8
Cross Country: 20 + 15.2
Score: 75
Place: 18

This is another debutant pair about to complete their first 5* and they get off to a strong start, easily clearing the first through and looking very confident in there. They get a little deep into the double at 6 but this horse is so agile he makes nothing of it. He’s jumping for fun as he carries on clear and then they’re very neat through the treble at 11. They continue clear, and are over the last. CLEAR INSIDE THE TIME!

Mary Bess Davis and Imperio Magic finish on a score of 75.

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🇺🇸 Brooke Burchianti and Cooley Space Grey

Brooke Burchianti and Cooley Space Grey. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Dressage: 46.3
Cross Country: 20 + 26
Score: 92.3
Place: 19

Another rookie pair are in the ring looking for their 5* completion. They get off to a quick start but unfortunately have the second down. They put it behind them and carry on confidently. They’re good through the double at 6 and then look great coming across the ring over 7 and 8. They get in close to the water tray at 10 but it stays up. Then they have the middle part of the treble at 11. They clear the last few and secure their 5* completion inside the top 20. Two down.

Booke Burchianti and Cooley Space Grey finish on a score of 100.3.

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🇺🇸 Arden Wildasin and Sunday Times

Arden Wildasin and Sunday Times. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Dressage: 43.3
Cross Country: 20 + 37.6
Score: 100.9
Place: 20

It’s so cool to see this pair jumping towards a 5* completion today on their debut. This is a game little horse who’s fun to watch.

They clear the first two easily and then the horse pats the ground to neatly jump the rails at 3. They rattle the poles over the water tray at 4 but it stays up. They’re bold through the double at 6 and then see a massive one over fence 8. Woah! They’re going really quick but the horse is jumping fabulously. Ah, they have the middle of the treble down, but go on to clear the last few. A huge cheer for these debutants who’ve just had a 5* completion, guaranteed to be in the top 20. Go get your ice cream Arden. One down, 0.8 time.

Arden Wildasin and Sunday Times finish on a score of 105.7.

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🇦🇺 Rebecca Braitling and Caravaggio II

Bec Braitling and Caravaggio II. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Dressage: 40.2
Cross Country: 20 + 55.2
Score: 115.4
Place: 22

This big horse looks fabulous after his efforts yesterday. He’s a powerful guy, really impressive. He makes the first fence look small and then comes round and clears the second. Oh no, they have the back rail over the water tray at 4. She gets a little deep into the double at 6 but make it through clear. They have a little stutter before the Rolex rails at 9, the horse just looked at the crowd, but Bec’s bold and they clear it. They continue on really confidently. A shame about that rail. One down.

Rebecca Braitling and Caravaggio II finish on a score of 119.4.

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🇳🇿 Tim Price and Happy Boy

Tim Price and Happy Boy. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Dressage: 29.1
Cross Country: 40 + 11 + 35.2
Score: 115.3
Place: 21

Happy Boy looks happy to be in the ring this afternoon. He’s clear over the first two fences and picks up nicely over the vertical at 3. He makes a lovely shape over the water tray at 4 and comes through the double at 6 really neatly. This round is very smooth, but they have a really lucky moment at the Rolex rails at 9 – it stays up. Tim’s riding inside all the lines to save seconds. They continue on jumping clear all the way. CLEAR INSIDE THE TIME!

Tim Price and Happy Boy finish on a score of 115.3.

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🇺🇸 Katherine Coleman and Monbeg Senna

Katherine Coleman and Monbeg Senna. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Dressage: 38.2
Cross Country: 20 + 75.6
Score: 133.8
Place: 23

They get a good shot over the first and Monbeg Senna is stylish over the fences. They loop round to fence 3 and then turn back to the water tray at 4. They’re making this track look easy. They pop through the double at 6 and then get a good shot over the oxer at 7. Oh, the have the Rolex Oxer at 9. That’s going straight into the crowd there, tricky. They put things back together and continue on clear, until the last. They’re a bit deep and it comes down. 2 down and 0.4 time.

Katherine Coleman and Monbeg Senna finish on a score of 142.2.

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🇺🇸 Boyd Martin and Luke 140

Boyd Martin and Luke 140. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Dressage: 27.9
Cross Country: 0 + 16.8
Score: 44.7
Place: 8

Boyd is in the ring!

Luke’s looking great as he canters round waiting for the bell.

They take their time coming round to the start after the bell and get a great shot over the first. The second is huge and Luke flies it. He’s careful over the third and then stretches over the big parallel at 5. He gets the perfect shot through the double at 6. He’s really getting up in the air and Boyd’s taking the turns really efficiently. This is a very smooth and professional round from Luke. He makes it through the treble at 11 clear and then comes round to the final two. CLEAR INSIDE THE TIME!

Boyd Martin and Luke 140 finish on a score of 44.7.

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Defender Kentucky: [Website] [Tickets] [Official Schedule] [Entries & Ride Times] [Scoring] [XC Maps – Coming Soon] [ClipMyHorse Live Stream] [USEF Network on ClipMyHorse Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Form Guide]

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EN’s coverage of Defender Kentucky is supported by Kentucky Performance Products. To learn more about Kentucky Performance Products’ science-backed nutritional support products, click here.

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Two Held, One Withdrawn: 23 Move Forward to the Final Phase of the Defender Kentucky Three Day Event

By on Apr 27, 2025 10:28 am -
Photo by Tilly Berendt. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Even when it comes to horse inspections, Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH are leading the way at the Defender Kentucky Three Day Event — the current leader of the CCI5* was the first to present, and successfully so, in this morning’s second horse inspection. Our top five remain unchanged heading into the final phase.

We do find ourselves moving forward to the show jumping phase with a slightly smaller field than we ended with yesterday afternoon. Ema Klugman’s Bronte Beach (eighteenth after cross-country) and Tim Price’s Jarillo (sixth after cross-country) were withdrawn from competition overnight and did not present at this morning’s horse inspection. During the course of proceedings, two horses were asked to re-present: Calvin Bockmann and The Phantom of the Opera, who sit thirteenth after yesterday’s influential phase, and Tim Price and Falco, who were 15th despite a frustrating late 20. Tim chose to retire Falco from the competition while in the hold box and did not present the experienced 16-year-old Hanoverian gelding again.

Calvin, on the other hand, trotted down the strip for a second time and was accepted to a round of cheers from the crowd. “Phanty” and Calvin had a dramatic save on cross country yesterday, after a long leap in Pete’s Hollow that caused the horse to lose his footing upon landing. Calvin stayed in the saddle, Phanty regained his balance, and the pair galloped forward to finish the course. After being inspected by veterinarians and the Ground Jury, the 14-year-old gelding has been found to be sound and healthy and will continue on to show jumping today.

While it was a bit of a tough jog for the Europeans, the US-based contingent of the CCI5* field sailed through with nary a problem. Show jumping kicks off at 10:30 this morning with the Taren Hoffos and Regalla trailblazing in the CCI4*-S, which remains in the hands of Will Coleman and Off The Record overnight. The five-star riders will begin the final phase of competition at 2:30 this afternoon.

Will Coleman and Off the Record, leaders of the CCI4*-S, work the crowd at the second horse inspection.

Defender Kentucky: [Website] [Tickets] [Official Schedule] [Entries & Ride Times] [Scoring] [ClipMyHorse Live Stream] [USEF Network on ClipMyHorse Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Form Guide]

EN’s coverage of Defender Kentucky is supported by Kentucky Performance Products. To learn more about Kentucky Performance Products’ science-backed nutritional support products, click here.

Sunday Links

By on Apr 27, 2025 12:01 am -

He won’t break his own record for the lowest finishing score at 5* (20.1), but Michael Jung has held onto his lead, following a cross country day that saw the leaderboard change almost beyond recognition. Except for the top spot that is…

Today, we shift back into the main arena for the grand finale of this year’s Defender Kentucky Horse Trials, and with two fences in hand over Boyd Martin and Commando 3, Michi is tantalisingly close to an incredible fifth Kentucky win. Will he manage it, or will Boyd bring home the spoils for the USA? We will soon find out…

First though, there is the 5* trot up, which will take place at 7.30pm EST/12.30pm CET. Next up will be the Cosequin CCI-4* show jumping (10.45AM-12.45PMEST/3.45PM-5.45PM CET) – can Will Coleman lift the trophy for a second consecutive year? Watch it all as it happens over on the USEF live stream (or here if you are outside of the U.S).

If your nerves can stand it, then keep watching for the 5* showjumping, which starts at 2.15PM EST/7.15 CET.

Whatever the outcome, it’s going to be a nail biter of a day! As always, Cheg Darlington is doing us all a solid, and bringing us her phenomenal live blogs – check back here at Eventing Nation as soon as the showjumping starts for the live links.

In the mean time, catch up with all of the current standings over at the official Kentucky website here and for all of our coverage of the weekend, including a full report of all of the action in both the 4* and 5* thus far, check out our very own Kentucky Hub.

We’re still bringing you lots of behind the scenes fun too; follow along and join in with the madness over on our broadcast channel .

Now folks, for one last day at the Lexington Horse Park, let’s GO EVENTING!

U.S. Weekend Preview

Defender Kentucky (KY): [Website] [Tickets] [Official Schedule] [Entries & Ride Times] [Scoring] [XC Maps – Coming Soon] [ClipMyHorse Live Stream] [USEF Network on ClipMyHorse Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [Ultimate Guide] [Form Guide]

Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Spring H.T. (VA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Horse Park of New Jersey Spring H.T. (NJ): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Major International Events

Ballindensik International Horse Trials: [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]

Links & Reading

What a time to be alive! There’s a new app in town, developed especially for this year’s Mars Badminton Horse Trials. Find out more, and how to download right here.

She had a great day out on course in the Cosequin CCI4*-S yesterday – find out more about Gabby Dickerson’s journey to Kentucky, almost a life’s work!

It’s not all about eventing at Kentucky this weekend (lol, it is really). The show jumpers have been doing their thing too – find out who took the top spoils in the $75,000 CSI5* Welcome Grand Prix Qualifier here.

Yesterday, we shared the news that Ros Canter would be taking on the London Marathon today – and she’s not the only eventer pounding the pavements for a good cause. Find out who else is off for a jog around London Town – and why – here..

Morning Viewing

There were just two clears inside the time in the 5* at Kentucky, and they were both from this man, Harry Meade. But there was no luck involved, just sheer talent – and maybe a champagne cork…(!)

Michael Jung Remains Unbeatable on Cross Country Day at Defender Kentucky CCI5*

By on Apr 26, 2025 7:44 pm -

Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

We always come into a 5* cross country day with some of the same goals in mind, no matter which event it is. We want to see influence from the course, but in a way that doesn’t trap or confuse horses, and in a way that puts safety first, competitiveness second. Derek di Grazia has built (literally) a reputation for himself as a designer that thinks through the horses’ eyes. He’s clever as he sets his track, paying close attention to the ground and what part it could play in each question he asks of competitors. He strategically places roping and decoration to oblige riders into thinking as they ride. We also want to see influence exerted around the course as a whole, rather than heavily concentrated at one specific question, driving further home the point that every course has a cumulative effect, and should be viewed through the lens of a big picture in terms of how each piece integrates into the whole puzzle.

I believe this was accomplished today on cross country at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by MARS Equestrian.

The 5* ran in the afternoon, as is tradition since the inclusion of the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S beginning in 2021. The day seemed to pass in the blink of a crinkling eye, and with the appearance of Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH (Contendro I – Havanna, by Heraldik) as just the sixth to see on the day, we knew it was a possibility that we’d know the overnight leader very early on in the going.

And so it went. Once more, the German reigning Olympic champions remained unthreatened today, and will take their lead forward into tomorrow. Michael came into today with the largest margin ever seen ahead of cross country at a 5* event, according to EquiRatings, and he needed some of his 18+ second cushion but stopped the clock with six seconds of time to go onto a two-phase score of 21.0. That will put him over his record finishing score of 20.1 achieved here in 2022 when he took the win, but he will have two rails in hand tomorrow over second-placed Boyd Martin and Commando 3 going into show jumping.

But Michael himself says (claims?) he isn’t altogether concerned with records and statistics. For him, it’s about enjoying yet another special partnership with a horse that’s helped him accomplish so much. “Honestly, I don’t think about the records too much,” Michael expressed. “I’m focused on each competition and each horse. Of course, it’s nice when the results are good, but my goal today was just to give my horse the best round possible — not to chase any particular record. I’m very happy with how it went, even with a few time penalties.”

Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

“It’s been a long time since I rode such a tough course, but I really believe in my horse,” he said just after his round today. As we reported yesterday, Michael spent the spring primarily competing in show jumping with this horse. In fact, besides schooling and galloping, Chipmunk had not run cross country since the Olympics, which happened last July. But, trust comes into play here. “I trust him completely. He’s a good runner, has so much scope, and he’s very experienced — he’s 17 years old now. I’m very, very lucky to have him.”

The softer ground from the moisture accumulated yesterday could have hampered Michael’s efforts to get home inside the time. Michael noted it was softer going than he anticipated (and truly, aside from some muddier spots where the crossing lanes were designated, the ground did feel fairly firm this morning), and that his horse did feel like he got somewhat tired. “I still get better and better with him together, still learning, but I think we had a great partnership, and that’s very important for the cross country,” he said. “He felt a bit tired on some places, so I give him the time, and I know I was behind the time, but he was really, really good galloping to the end of the course. So in the end, he was really fit to make it. And I’m very happy about today.”

As for Chipmunk’s show jumping, he’s both won and lost in this phase in the past. It’s difficult to imagine a scenario in which the horse does not do enough tomorrow to seal the win with two poles in hand; he’s not had more than one down in FEI competition since the World Championships in 2022. While he could lower one rail, it’d be rather surprising to see more than that. Of course, anything can happen at any time, but if you were a betting person, this one could be a fairly safe one. Should he take the win tomorrow, it will be his fifth here at Kentucky, not including the individual gold won at the World Equestrian Games held here in 2010.

Boyd Martin and Commando 3. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Boyd Martin jumped an absolute all-class clear with Yankee Creek Ranch LLC’s Commando 3 (Connor 48 – R-Adelgunde, by Amigo xx) — that’s three clears on the day for Boyd, who will be thrilled with the efforts of these incredible horses. Commando 3 was potentially the most impressive of the bunch and was rewarded for his efforts to remain in USEF National 5* Champion position for tomorrow. Boyd didn’t catch the time on any of his horses, but “Connor” came closest, picking up just 6.8 penalties to go onto a score of 32.8.

“It was a bloody tiring day!” Boyd said. “Me and Tim Price were out there every ride sort of huffing and puffing away. But I had a good, strong day. I was probably a little bit cautious on Luke, and then I thought, ‘Come on, Boydie, you gotta toughen up a bit.’ And I went pretty quick on Connor. He’s a young, fit Holsteiner and he gave me a great round. It was a challenging course — the ground, I thought was a bit tiring, but I’m very pleased with the day.”

Boyd Martin and Luke 140. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

The Annie Goodwin Syndicate’s Fedarman B (Eurocommerce Washington – Paulien B, by Fedor) also jumped clear (he was initially given 15 penalties for a missed flag on course, but the penalty was later removed); Boyd noted that “Bruno” seemed to tire on course, but “I have so much admiration for him. Even when he got tired, he just kept pushing and kept trying — he never once looked like he wanted to give up or run out.” Bruno is in seventh tonight on a score of 40.2. Boyd also jumped clear on the Luke 140 Syndicate’s Luke 140 (Landos I – Omega VI, by Limbus), who returns to the 5* level for the first time since 2023 and will be in ninth ahead of tomorrow, picking up 16.8 time penalties but otherwise delivering a strong clear for Boyd as he ramps back up from his hiatus from the level. This puts all three of Boyd’s rides into the top 10 going into show jumping.

Harry Meade and Et Hop du Matz. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Third overnight is Great Britain’s Harry Meade, who secured the sole clears inside the time today with both Et Hop du Matz (Nouma d’Auzay – Prima du Matz, by Easy Star), who climbed all the way from 17th after dressage, and Amanda Gould’s Grafennacht (Grafenstolz – Nachtigall, by Narew xx), who also leapt from 18th into 4th after an uncharacteristically high dressage mark yesterday that was well above her average — enough, Harry admits, that he considered not running the mare today up until about 11:30 this morning.

“I was confident they were fit,” Harry said. “I thought I’d just get out there and see. The first horse [Et Hop du Matz] I know really well. I always felt he’d be a really good country horse, and I hoped to be a really good five-star horse. And he was. He was great, very adjustable. The time could be tighter, the course could be longer, the going even softer, and he would have coped well with it. So we’re really happy with him.”

Harry Meade and Grafennacht. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

“I don’t really know [Grafennacht] very well,” he continued about his second ride. “We’ve only really, I guess, had this spring to get to know each other, and we had what we had run out in Italy to qualify to come here. I wasn’t even thinking about coming here. I thought I’d go out and do that event and then reflect afterwards. And she won it by quite a big margin of 24 penalties, and I sort of thought, well, it’s a bit of a no brainer to bring her here.”

Despite those plans, though, Harry had little chance to actually cross country school the 13-year-old Oldenburg mare due to ground conditions and other factors. Harry knew that “Lillie” didn’t prefer to get too close of a distance to the fences, so he focused on allowing her to stand off from them a bit more and gave her “a bunch of space” to get the job done. He opted to go long at the Defender Head of the Lake, knowing he was up on the clock at that point just over halfway around the track. “I had to work super hard to get back up on the clock [after that],” Harry said.

Tom McEwen and Brookfield Quality. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

British Olympic gold medalist Tom McEwen moved into fifth with Brookfield Quality (OBOS Quality 004 – Bay Coffey Cavalier, by Cavalier Royale), who jumped clear and added 10.4 time to yield some placings from his initial third place after dressage, but nonetheless still landing in the top five ahead of show jumping. “Norris was actually class,” Tom said of the 16-year-old Irish gelding owned by Chloe & John Perry & Alison Swinburn. “He’s unique in every way — as straight as the day is long — and he’ll do absolutely anything for you. He really sorts his legs out well.”

Tom set out determined to catch the time, though it wasn’t quite meant to be. “I was absolutely determined to make the time and be as smooth as I could,” he said. “Just like I imagine Harry was. I saw [Michael] trying as well. Sometimes you just have to react quickly when something happens in front of you. The only thing I might second-guess about my ride is the decision at the last combination. Maybe I should have gone straight through it. He was starting to feel a little tired at that point, and even though I know he probably could have made three strides there — because it was long, too — I just thought maybe we were slightly under-prepared to ask that much from him at that moment. So I thought, ‘you know what? He’s tried hard enough. Let’s give him a nice, smooth journey home.’ And honestly, he jumped brilliantly on the way back anyway. He was absolutely fantastic. There were some individual moments that were just brilliant.”

Tim Price and Jarillo. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

It was a mixed-bag day for New Zealand’s Tim Price, whose first ride, Jarillo (Dantos – Fiorilla, by Alicante), will be the top-placed of his three tonight, sitting in sixth on a score of 40.0 after jumping a strong clear as the pathfinder on the day. This horse is contesting his second 5* after finishing in the top 10 at Pau last year. “He’s really gaining the ability to dig himself out of a few green moments, and that’s definitely what he did today,” he said. “I thought he actually stayed really brave, trying to keep going even when things got a bit tricky. He’s just going to take so much away from this experience. It’s going to set him up really well for the future. I’m really proud of him.”

Tim’s second ride, Happy Boy (Indoctro – W. Amelusina 17, by Odermus R), was pulled up on course after the Ground Jury thought they may have seen some blood on the horse. It was assessed and determined that there was no blood, and Tim was allowed to carry on, but he expressed some frustration at the events. “I had just jumped through cleanly through the [Cosequin Cove] when they waved me down,” he said. “It was a bit unreasonable, honestly — they thought they saw some blood, but it turned out to be nothing, so they let us carry on. Anyway, he got a lot out of it.” Happy Boy also activated a frangible pin at fence 11 and went on to have two other refusals on course, but he did complete, and this marks his first 5* cross country completion after two previous attempts from which he was withdrawn before he could run cross country.

Then came the turn of Falco (Cardenio 2 – Witta, by Weinberg), Tim’s Olympic partner, who had a bit of a surprising 20 at the C element of the Cosequin Cove after he slightly pecked on landing after the B element. “[We were up] on the time, everything was going well, but unfortunately at that same water, the ground had shifted slightly lower where we landed off the first element,” Tim explained. “Being such a deliberate and careful jumper — not like an old-school eventer that would just throw themselves over no matter what — he just got caught at a half-stride and put in a little stop. We came back, re-approached, and he jumped it beautifully the second time.”

Shannon Lilley and Eindhoven Garette. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Our top-placed rookie of the day is Cassie Sanger with Redfield Fyre, who did miss a flag at the Normandy Bank but will be in 17th after cross country. Shannon Lilley was the sole rookie to go jump penalty-free on cross country, taking her time and picking up some 30 time but nonetheless making a great and long-awaited debut at the level with Eindhoven Garette (Iowa 960 – Rose Rouge Garette, by Manillon Rouge). She is in 19th after today.

It was an intense day of cross country, with problems frankly popping up all over Derek di Grazia’s 11 minute, 20 second track. We saw everyone from vastly experienced pairs to more unproven competitors having trouble all over. We knew Derek had thrown a good amount of narrow, skinny fences on, and the trouble showed up in no less than three riders collecting missed flag penalties worth 15 points each.

Emily Hamel and Corvett. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Runout/refusal penalties were assessed at multiple fences, but a handful proved to be the most influential in terms of problems. Fence 14, Pete’s Hollow at the highest point of the course, caught out four pairs, primarily at the C element off an aggressive right turn from one a skinny triple bar to another. Three pairs had runouts here, and one other, Jennie Brannigan and FE Lifestyle, opted to retire at the A element. Fence 20, the Normandy Bank, also exerted its influence with three 20-penalty problems occurring at the C element, a severely angled brush off the direct route from the bank and cabin elements on top of the complex. Another pair, rookie competitor Cassie Sanger with Redfield Fyre, picked up 15 at the C element for a missed flag. Fence 22, the Cosequin Cove, saw four pairs encounter trouble, with two pairs picking up 20 at the B element and two others having trouble with the C element, both of which were skinny brush arrowheads.

In terms of time, just two pairs, both piloted by Harry Meade, flew home to catch the time. Et Hop du Matz was the first to do it, in a time of 11:18, while the former William Fox-Pitt ride, Grafennecht, finished in 11:19. Michael was the next fastest with his 2.4 time penalties, and Boyd Martin also collected fewer than 10 time penalties (6.8) with Commando 3, but all other pairs accumulated over 10 time penalties. The time at any 5* is always difficult to make, but today the course certainly exerted its influence on the clock. This year’s track had a 6% clear inside the time rate — the same as 2024’s course, which also saw just two riders go inside the time. 48% of the field jumped clear, and the course saw a total 78% completion rate, which is a tick down from the 2024 81% and change completion rate (but it’s a little deceiving, as the 2024 course also saw 26 completions, with one less starter than today’s 33).

Libussa Lübekke and Caramia 34 are 10th after cross country. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

And truly, in many ways (and on paper, at least), the course was as influential as any — but safety reigned supreme. We had zero horse falls (though, okay, to be fair a couple came close) and just one rider fall in the 5*; rather, the influence came from the clock (which was likely affected in some ways by the ground, which some riders described as a little soft and holding, but not sloppy or slick after yesterday’s downpour and some additional watering that was done earlier in the week, and the questions that caused trouble in the form of runouts or refusals. It’s the type of influence we love to see on these tracks, and it’s a great example of smart designing and good decision-making on the part of the riders.

Derek di Grazia agreed. “I’m particularly satisfied,” he said. “You never know at the beginning of the day, obviously, what’s going to happen. And you put together a course, and you hope it’s going to provide a good competition. And I think that the first thing I always am happy about it was the fact that horses walked home today. Everybody walked home. We only had two rider falls in the four-star class. We had one in the five-star class. And to me, that’s a good day. Lots of little run outs here and there on the courses, different in lots of different places. So to me, overall, I think that it provided good competition.”

Boyd Martin and Fedarman B. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

I thought Boyd summed up the mental game that is eventing — particularly on cross country day — quite well, and I’ll end with his thoughts:

“I don’t sleep that build the night before. I’m trying to go through the course and trying to make sure that I understand how I want to jump each jump. And as you get closer and closer, for me, you’ve got to sort of make a deal with yourself that you’re going to have a crack at it, because it’s very easy to sort of talk yourself out of not going for it. And I find leading up to the cross country, I’m always saying, ‘What the hell am I doing this for?’ And then when you finish it, you’re like, ‘Okay, where’s the next one?’ It’s an emotional roller coaster. And I think the last thing I’d say is you’ve got to become a good loser in this sport, because you’ll lose a lot more times than you win. And like these two other guys said, we all get into this sport all because we love horses. So we love competition, and your career is so long and strung out — many athletes would be well retired by the time they’re our age, and it’s a long process. Finding enjoyment in not just the contest, it’s the building the horses up and bringing them to this level that’s a real feel of satisfaction that you’ve trained your horse to get to this place.”

True words indeed, and a reminder for us all. We’ll see you tomorrow bright and early for the final trot-up at 8 a.m., which will begin with an inspection of the 4* horses, followed by the 5* horses. Thanks for following along, and Go Eventing.

Defender Kentucky: [Website] [Tickets] [Official Schedule] [Entries & Ride Times] [Scoring] [XC Maps] [ClipMyHorse Live Stream] [USEF Network on ClipMyHorse Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Form Guide]

EN’s coverage of Defender Kentucky is supported by Kentucky Performance Products. To learn more about Kentucky Performance Products’ science-backed nutritional support products, click here.

Off The Record Delivers for Will Coleman in Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S Cross Country

By on Apr 26, 2025 7:05 pm -

Will Coleman and Off The Record. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Where some wore the challenges of Derek di Grazia’s cross country course in their knitted brows and gritted teeth, dressage leader Off The Record barely had a bead of sweat to wipe from his forehead as he and Will Coleman maintained control of the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S.

“Timmy” is a stalwart in Will’s program. At 16, the Off The Record Syndicate’s Irish Sport Horse has been at this level for six seasons, and like a fine wine, he seems to get better with age. After earning the lowest international dressage score of his career on Friday, Timmy sailed around the Kentucky Horse Park cross-country like it was a training exercise—straight as a pin through the Mighty Moguls and steady as the rain through the Park Question coffin.

“He was great… I’m just tickled. When you have an older horse, and they come out and they just feel that inspired to go out and do it–it’s just a really rewarding feeling, and it makes you just feel very satisfied. He gave me everything he could today, and he just enjoyed every second. I have nothing but admiration for that horse and everything he stands for,” Will said.

Will Coleman and Off The Record. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Although they were 18 seconds over the clock, these two remained the fastest pair of the day, picking up 7.2 time penalties for a two-day score of 29.

“When I walked the course, I wasn’t sure anybody was going to be able to get the time. It was a fantastic track — extremely challenging — but the roping and the way the questions were strung together just made it very difficult for you to maintain the necessary average speed to get the time allowed. I don’t think that necessarily takes away from the competition in any way, shape or form, but it just wasn’t surprising to me at all that nobody really got close,” he said. 

Looking ahead to the final phase, this combination is certainly capable of a clear show jumping test. But just for a little extra wiggle room, Will has given himself one rail in hand–just in case.

Will withdrew his second ride, Very Dignified, who was eighth after dressage. He explained that since the partnership is so new, he didn’t think the two of them as a pair were quite ready to face the challenge of the 4.5* cross country here in Kentucky, considering they’ve so far only done two Intermediate horse trials.

Phillip Dutton and Possante. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Phillip Dutton dug deep with both his horses to keep ahold of second place with Possante and third place with Denim.

First up was Ann Jones, Ann Lapides, Caroline Moran and Neill Sites’ Denim. The 10-year-old Holsteiner (Dinken – Celia II,by Ibisco) leaned into Phillip’s experience early on in the course, especially through the four-part coffin, but he kept showing up the whole way around, adding 10.4 time penalties to remain in second place on score of 33.5.

Taking insights from his ride with Denim, Phillip delivered a polished presentation with Possante, a 12-year-old KWPN (Namelus — Wedelien, by Otangelo) owned by the Possante Group. This pair is third after 11.6 time penalties on 37.2 points.

Phillip Dutton and Denim. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

“It was a lot of hard work, but certainly rewarding. We knew it was a strong track, and then the conditions, the crowd, everything—it takes a little bit of practice to go quick at this level. I was trying to have a crack at it, but I didn’t go quite as fast as I was hoping. Still, the horses tried hard, and I think we’ll come out of it better for what we did today,” he said. 

As for the future with these two horses, Phillip said, “I’m always aiming for something bigger. This is a good experience and probably the strongest course they’ve jumped, so I haven’t got any immediate plans, but I think they are ready to find a five-star.”

Jessica Phoenix and Freedom GS. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Canada’s Jessica Phoenix had the third-fastest round of the day with her Paris Olympics partner Freedom GS. Coming home 20 seconds above the optimum time, Charlotte Schickendaz’s 13-year-old leapt from 14th to sit just beside the podium in fourth place.

“Freedom GS was just pure class out there today,” Jessica said. “She’s just such a fun horse to ride cross-country — she loves to gallop, and she’s so attentive to the questions. She looks for the flags. But exactly like Will was saying, the way they set the course, you knew the time was going to be really tough to make.”

Allison Springer and No May Moon. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Another major climber, Allison Springer, saw her ride, No May Moon, go from 27th to 5th after laying down the second-fastest ride of the day.

The clever 11-year-old Connemara cross (Catherston Dazzler — Ebony Moon, by Mystic Replica), who was bred by her owner, Nancy Winter, zipped around cleanly with 7.6 time penalties added for a current score of 40.4. Allison has carefully produced this mare to the top of the sport, honoring that she’s been a late bloomer, and now that former careful persistence has allowed Allison the opportunity to put the pressure on to let this diamond shine.

“I’m super grateful for the rain yesterday because the ground was not hard, but it wasn’t super fast either. I think some horses got tired, but both of mine galloped great. They really were super,” Allison said. “Maizey was just her unbelievable self. The course didn’t ride quite according to plan, and I think that was partly the footing, but she’s just such a clever pony. She loves this job so much, and she was still full of gas at the end… It feels like such a privilege to be galloping around this beautiful place at Kentucky.”

Despite the 22-rung climb, Allison and “Maizey” still aren’t the day’s biggest movers; that recognition was earned by Australia’s Ema Klugman and Chiraz, who launched 23 spots to ultimately land in a tie for seventh place.

Mia Farley and Invictus. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Mia Farley is sixth with Invictus, a 9-year-old Holsteiner/Thoroughbred (Diarado — Sunset Paradise, by Unbridled Jet) who is bred and owned by Karen O’Connor. Mia shares a lengthy partnership with “Sammy,” who she backed herself and has been riding since he was four. Today, 13.6 time penalties moved them from 12th to sixth on a score of 42.9.

“It was so hard — but it felt so good. Derek really set up the questions to challenge the horses, but he also gave us opportunities to put them in the right place and have them fully understand. It was nice to feel like I was able to do that in most places. There were a few times where Sammy saved my butt, but it was really great to feel like we could hunt the flags at the end of the course,” she said.

“In the past, I’ve actually gotten into a little bit of trouble toward the end of courses with him. He’s big and young, so I’ve sometimes lost a bit of rideability at the end. But it was really cool to feel, at this course, because he’s so talented, he actually had to work pretty hard — and by the end, he was like, ‘Hey, what do you want?’ And I was like, ‘Yes! It’s there!'”

In his first trip to the Kentucky Three-Day Event, Alex O’Neal had his work cut out for him with the green Redtail Penumbra (Kevin Z — True Dynamite, by Yes It’s True). This challenge was only the third start at the four-star level for the 13-year-old DSP, who is a homebred of Alex and his wife, Ellie O’Neal, but Alex thoughtfully showed her the way, giving the mare both an educational and proficient run. Their 11.6 time penalties have them in a shared tie with Ema and Chiraz on a score of 43.4.

The Chiraz Syndicate and Ema Klugman’s Chiraz, a 12-year-old Holsteiner (Cayado 3 — Asquetta, by Casall), who has previously been campaigned by both Boyd Martin and Nicola Wilson, showed off his enthusiastic demeanor and mammoth step to add 9.6 time penalties.

California-based James Alliston moved Alliston Equestrian’s Nemesis, an 11-year-old Canadian Warmblood (Novalis 46 — Maesy), into the top ten on a score of 45.1 with 11.6 time penalties added.

Canada’s Dana Cooke actually dropped one placing after dressage, from 9th to 10th, after picking up 16.8 time penalties with FE Quattro.

The optimum time was every competitor’s biggest nemesis, with no combinations managing to beat the clock. Of the jumping efforts, the Mighty Moguls were the most influential, coming early in the course with a massive brush table to corner at Fence 4AB. Eight riders picked up 20 penalties here, with the second most influential combination being the coffin (Park Question) at 6ABCDE.

Of the 48 starters, 38 finished the course. More than half of those who completed did so without jumping penalties, leaving time penalties to deliver most of the placings.

Though this is not a long format, the four-star competitors will present their horses a second time for the Ground Jury Sunday morning, beginning at 7:30 a.m., followed by the show jumping finale at 10:45 a.m.

Stay tuned for more from Kentucky, including a complete deep dive into the mammoth five-star cross-country report.

Defender Kentucky: [Website] [Tickets] [Official Schedule] [Entries & Ride Times] [Scoring] [XC Maps] [ClipMyHorse Live Stream] [USEF Network on ClipMyHorse Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Form Guide]

EN’s coverage of Defender Kentucky is supported by Kentucky Performance Products. To learn more about Kentucky Performance Products’ science-backed nutritional support products, click here.