Classic Eventing Nation

Monday News & Notes

By on Apr 27, 2026 12:01 am -

One Big Thing: A Kentucky for the History Books

If we’re being honest, there are just too many incredible posts and stories out there from Kentucky this past weekend for us to pick just one to highlight… so instead, here are a collection of just a few of our favorites from the #BestWeekendAllYear.

 

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First, of course, is our traditional Chinch photo op with the winning rider. Chinch feels that Will adequately captured his importance in this photo, and thus requested we highlight the occasion.

Newly-minted 5* winner Will Coleman poses with Chinch.

FLAIR by Achieve Equine presented their own Protect & Perform Awards to the highest-placing horses in both divisions who wore FLAIR strips in both cross-country and show jumping — which ended up being our two winners, Will Coleman & Diabolo and Tamie Smith & Lillet 3. Goes to show that high levels performance requires high levels of care!

Lainey Ashker returned to Kentucky in the CCI4*-S this year for the first time in 10 years since her foray into pure dressage — and looked absolutely fabulous doing it.

 

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We loved watching so many 5* first timers add a completion to their record this weekend, like U21 rider Braden Speck and his positively adorable BSF Liam. Endless congratulations to all the riders who have now reached that dream that so many aspire to — and welcome to 5*.

We all had the honor of wishing a happy retirement to Lauren Nicholson’s Vermiculus (or “Bug”) this weekend.

 

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Corgi on the Corgi. Enough said.

 

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The fan-favorite Pink Pony Club of Team Hail Yeah were back out in full glam this weekend.

 

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Celebrations all around for everyone on show jumping day.

 

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A special full-circle moment with FEI judge Amanda Miller and Bruce Davidson Sr.

And of course, the moment that brought tears to all our eyes: Liz Halliday made it back to Kentucky against all odds and was able to congratulate all her long-time friends, co-competitors, and horses this weekend. #KeepFightingLiz, and we’ll see you at LA2028.

 

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Major International Results

Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5* (USA): [Website] [Scores] [Live Stream Replays] [EN’s Coverage]

Strzegom Spring Open II CCI4*-L (POL): [Website] [Scores] [Live Stream Replays]

Ballindenisk International CCI4*-L (IRL): [Website] [Scores]

US Weekend Results

Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Spring HT (VA): [Website] [Scores]

Horse Park of New Jersey Spring HT (NJ): [Website] [Scores]

Other Links and Reading

Training Tip of the Day

Regardless of the discipline, this statement holds true: the most powerful thing you can train isn’t your horse — it’s your mind. Listen to Barbra Schulte explain her approach to addressing the needs of your nervous system while in the saddle:

Go Eventing

We love our show jumping friends… and we love even more seeing their deer-in-headlights eyes when they walk cross country:

All Presented Pass Defender Kentucky CCI5* Trot-Up; One Withdrawn from CCI4*-S

By on Apr 26, 2026 11:02 am -

Monica Spencer (NZL) and Artist. Photo by Atalya Boyner Photography.

A chilly morning greeted us today at the Kentucky Horse Park for the early final horse inspection for both the CCI5* and CCI4*-S divisions.

We did have a couple of withdrawals overnight:

In the CCI5*, Harry Meade withdrew Graffenacht, who had been equal 11th after cross country but unfortunately lost two shoes during her run and did come out this morning a bit too sore to continue on. Harry expects the 14-year-old mare to be just fine to come back for another run soon.

In the CCI4*-S, Buck Davidson withdrew Cooley Candyman, who was sitting on a top-15 position after cross country. During his cross country ride with Sorocaima in the CCI5* yesterday, Buck unfortunately broke his leg and dislocated his ankle when he hit his leg on the BC element of fence 12, a solid brush corner in the Spring Water, and has had to retire both horses from the competition. Buck is scheduled to have surgery on Tuesday and expects he’ll be back on his feet and in the saddle soon.

Also in the 4*, Skyler Voss withdrew Argyle, who was in 32nd after cross country.

On to the jog itself, all other horses were presented and the drama was fairly low. We did have one horse — Allie Knowles’ P.S. I Love You — sent to the hold box in the CCI4*. P.S. I Love You was subsequently withdrawn from the hold box to save him for another day. In the CCI5*, Jennie Brannigan’s ride FE Lifestyle was sent to the hold box. Afterward, “Foxy” was re-presented and subsequently accepted by the Ground Jury.

We will now move on to show jumping, which begins at 10:30 a.m. for the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S and at 2:20 p.m. for the CCI5*. Between the two, a couple of special occasions: Bruce Davidson Sr. will be doing an autograph signing at 12:30 p.m. at his statue outside of Rolex Stadium, and Lauren Nicholson’s Vermiculus will have a formal retirement ceremony in Rolex Stadium during the lunch break as well.

One last shoutout for the jog report: our top grooms of the weekend have been named for a $1,000 Grooms Award sponsored by Buckeye Nutrition (also, a big shout to the MARS Equestrian team for walking around handing out donuts this morning, you literal lifesavers). In the 4*-S, Ali Kuhn’s groom, Whitney Grabe, took home the honor for her care of Little Hail. For the CCI5*, it was Adam Short who won the award for his care of Tom McEwen’s Brookfield Quality.

EN’s coverage of Defender Kentucky is supported by Kentucky Performance Products, your one-stop shop for all the science-backed nutritional support your horse needs. Learn more about KPP here.

Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event: [Website] [Tickets] [Schedule] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Venue Map] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [Support Our Sponsor: Kentucky Performance Products]

The Art(ist) of Cross Country Day at Defender Kentucky CCI5*

By on Apr 26, 2026 1:37 am -

Monica Spencer and Artist. Photo by Atalya Boytner.

During mixed zone interviews this week over the two days of dressage, one member of the media had one simple question for the riders: Can you sum up eventing in one word?

After cross country on Saturday at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, I think my answer to that question would be: partnership.

One of the things Monica Spencer (NZL) has said frequently over the years when talking about the 15-year-old unraced Thoroughbred gelding, Artist is that he tends to not be the most confident in his own self. It’s grown, to be sure, but what really makes Artist so successful is his partnership with and trust in his rider.

Artist was four when Monica spotted him across the warm-up at a show. He’d been purchased after training at the track and selling well as a yearling with high hopes that he’d be a successful racehorse. That plan didn’t come to fruition as Artist simply wasn’t fast enough (sure was today, though), and Polly McDonald took him on and put the beginning foundations on. Monica’s a lady who knows what she wants, and so she trotted right on up to Polly in that warm-up and asked if she’d sell the horse. The rest was history.

Monica Spencer and Artist. Photo by Atalya Boytner.

In truth, Artist wasn’t even necessarily a horse she identified from the jump as a 5* horse — it is his answering of question after question that’s wound up producing him into one. This is now their second double clear run and their sixth jump penalty-free completion at the level.

“He’s very polite, and he’s not got a lot of his own confidence,” Monica said. “He’s very much like, ‘what’s next mum?’ Which does make it even more special that he does when he does, for me. Coming up the grades, I was like, ‘oh, he’ll be a nice two-star horse for someone,’ And he just keeps giving and keeps trying. He definitely knew it was a big one today…he’s just an out and out good boy.”

And it was that partnership that earned the pair this clear inside the optimum time, allowing them to stay on their personal best dressage score of 22.3 and head into Sunday’s show jumping with one pole in hand and a real chance at that coveted 5* trophy.

At Maryland, Monica told us that she felt like she herself had grown in her own self-belief and riding to where she felt she could unleash Artist’s top speed more intentionally. Previously, she’d gone slower, protecting him more than he really needed and accumulating a bit more time than she would like (though she always tell us it always feels fast, which is honestly really relatable as I also feel the same when I ride a Novice round, until I watch the video). This year, after her dressage test, she expressed confidence that she felt she could repeat her Maryland performance — which she did easily.

Monica Spencer and Artist. Photo by Atalya Boytner.

“It is so nice to be on a good galloper,” Monica said. “[It] allows me to take my time at the jumps and make sure I get it right, and then he just gives me a good gallop after the fences. I did all the numbers I planned to do. It always feels like a bit more desperate than it looks in your head when you’re picturing but [we] got all the numbers. It was between all the flags! For me, the hardest thing is doing it all at speed, because if someone said go out there with Max, being the horse he is, take as long as you want, and get around that course – I’d be like hm, this is a nice time! But the pressure with the minutes is really what makes it that much harder.”

I don’t actually really want to talk about Artist’s show jumping record — mostly because it’s really been talked to death. At the risk of making myself sound really silly, I think that while yes, of course, data and records do matter and tell a story, it would be silly not to account for the intangibles here. How often are we told that the record only tells a part of the story? Again at the risk of sounding silly or downright unintelligent, I think that sometimes we can get ourselves into a narrative that becomes something of a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Listen: it is HARD to do this sport, to put all three phases together at once. I understand that my job here is to be objective, to tell the story and report the facts. But we are Eventing Nation, and we want these humans and horses to succeed JUST as much as the next fan of the sport. So while yes, Artist does not have the strongest record on paper, let’s focus on some positives instead here and put some better energy into the world. Artist HAS jumped a four-fault round before at this level — at Burghley, arguably THE most difficult and tiring course of the (current) six — and a single pole down would still give Monica the win.

And wouldn’t that be something? I think, instead of thinking about records and poles tonight, let’s think about that.

“We don’t get to celebrate very long in this sport,” second-placed Will Coleman (Diabolo – 27.3) said in the press conference on Saturday afternoon. And I think that’s a truly fair point. So, for the next few hours at least, let’s let Monica celebrate the win that was today — the win for Thoroughbreds everywhere. And maybe there will be an even bigger win to write about tomorrow.

Now, don’t get me wrong, part of why I will absolutely not be sleeping tonight is that I am buzzing at how wide open this finish of both divisions is. We are in a special era of once-in-a-lifetime repeat greatness from several horses — the likes of fischerChipmunk FRH, Lordships Graffalo, Ballaghmor Class — but this finish is honestly quite fun to think about.

Will Coleman and Diabolo drop into the Defender Head of the Lake. Photo by Atalya Boytner.

One of those potential storylines is that of Will Coleman. He’s been quite successful in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S here, with two wins to date, and he’s actually poised to potentially take not just one, but two wins on Sunday. He’s second in the 5* with the Diabolo Group’s Diabolo, who made his debut at the level with absolute grand style on Saturday, earning a clear inside the time to move up from fifth, and also second in the 4*-S with Jerome Broussard, Beth Lendrum and Gloria Callen’s Very Dignified.

Again, the theme of the interviews today with Will was partnership. “I think it’s in a good place,” he said of his relationship with Diabolo, who he’s had since the end of the 2022 season. “I think we’ve always thought a lot of the horse. He’s kind of had a few bits of bad luck, but that’s horses, you know, that’s life. We were lucky that we were able to keep working with him and keep making him stronger, keep trying to establish a bit more trust and just make each other better. And I think today’s just a product of that.”

Will knows his horses are prepared well, and while of course one doesn’t truly know if they’ve got a 5* horse until, well, they’ve got a 5* horse, he felt the 14-year-old Holsteiner gelding was in the right place to make good on this freshman effort. “I felt pretty good about where the horse was coming into the event,” he said. “I had to really push a little bit at the end, because I was a few seconds down, but I just didn’t want to stretch him too much in the beginning, because he hasn’t gone this distance ever. And it was warm, you know, it was probably 10 degrees warmer than it was this morning, and the air just seemed to get kind of still. I was just worried — I felt good about his fitness, but I was worried I might find the end of him too soon, but he still had a bit left, and when I jumped through the [Normandy Bank] and kind of said, ‘Come on, let’s go’, he was there for me. I think that’s what you want in a five-star horse — just that ‘dig in’ quality. And you never really know you have it until you ask for it, but he gave it to me today.”

Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake. Photo by Atalya Boytner.

Caroline Pamukcu enjoyed another successful 5* run with her own, Sherrie Martin and Mollie Hoff’s HSH Blake, stopping the clock with just two time to add to move from fourth into second on a two-phase score of 28.6. Any day with her “best friend” is a good one, and for Caroline the success simply just comes down to the trust and partnership (there’s what word again) with the 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding.

“He made it feel easy, I have to say,” Caroline said at the finish line. “He just kind of took me around and gave me such a great feeling. He was foot-perfect even when I wasn’t.”

Caroline’s expressed to us this season that she’s always working on smoothing out her riding, riding “professionally” as she often puts it, and that professionalism showed today with Blake, who was her final ride of three. Her efforts could yield yet another storyline tomorrow if a clear round is achieved and she can really put the pressure on the top two; a podium finish or better is not in any way out of the question.

Guys, ordinarily I’d go much deeper into our cross country results, but since I’ve kept you waiting for so long, I’m going to move to the 4* to wrap up (and to be completely transparent, I do need at least a couple hours of sleep). I am going to try to catch up with Derek di Grazia tomorrow to get his debrief, as the riders all had some great comments about the course and I think it’s more than due a deeper dive. You’ll have to be a little patient with me – I promise I have more stories to tell!

In the meantime, though, here’s a quick look at some stats from Saturday:

A quick update on some incidents from today as well:

  • Mary Bess Davis had a fall today just after the Owl Hole, despite a valiant effort to hang on and right herself aboard Imperio Magic. She was attended to very quickly by the medical team and the course was held for about 15 minutes. Mary Bess reported in that she broke her fibula and has a laceration from a back stud, but she is in good spirits and we’re wishing her the speediest of recoveries.
  • Ema Klugman was pulled up after the Normandy Bank when Chiraz hit the corner on the way out. Ema regrouped, checked on her horse and resumed with the option, and the Ground Jury pulled her up for a vet check before the next fence. I do want to commend the Ground Jury for their rapid response time. Ema was allowed to continue and did go on to complete Chiraz’s first 5* cross country, and this isn’t an assessment of Ema but rather simply a nod of respect to the Ground Jury. Deciding to pull a horse up is NOT an easy or a lightly taken decision, and often we’ve seen the communications and decision-making lag behind the timeline for effectiveness. It is disruptive (just as with any other reason to hold a horse, a loss of rhythm can either help or hurt the score itself) and disappointing when it happens, there is no denying that, however I do think this was a good example of how to look out for our horses in a proactive way.
  • Arden Wildasin pulled up and got off of Sunday Times at the Normandy Bank. She walked him off the course after checking him out for a few minutes, and she did report to us that “Mumbles” should be ok.
  • In the CCI4*-S, there were two horse falls; both horses and both riders are not reported to be injured as of publication.

And here is a look at your top 10 from the 5*:

Alex Conrad and Malibu Preacher are the best rookies of the day, in 18th ahead of show jumping. Photo by Atalya Boytner.

Tamie Smith Poised for Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S Win

Tamie Smith and Lillet 3. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

There was another leaderboard shuffle as Tamie Smith played musical horses with herself as dressage leader Danito and Lillet 3 swapped places. It’s now Lillet 3 poised for another 4* win as she added just 1.6 time penalties for a two-phase score of 31.3 and one rail in hand over Will Coleman and Very Dignified. Initially, Tamie had the lead with Danito, but some unanticipated tension in the start box and trouble on course resulted in her ultimately retiring him to try again another day.

You’ll likely recall Lillet 3 as the most recent winner of the Carolina International 4*-S, which is a well-known set-up event for Kentucky and also shares a cross country designer. This helps with prep in many ways, and for Tamie today was a great example of Lillet’s ever-growing skillset and reliability.

“There was a lot of trouble out there, and it’s always nerve wracking to see how things aren’t riding to plan,” Tamie said. “But she went out, and it was like being on a little race car. So I had a great time! I added in some places, maybe I could have been a little bit closer [to the time], but I thought it was pretty impossible to do it.”

Tamie Smith and Lillet 3. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

“Her and I wouldn’t have seen an atmosphere like this before together,” Tamie described of Lillet 3 who is owned by Molly Duda (also here competing in the 4* this weekend). “And it takes time to build that partnership [there it is again!] and trust. And it’s it’s hard to go out when you’re not sure what they’re going to do and just ride them like you trust them. But she answered all the questions.”

Similar to Monica’s Artist, Tamie describes Lillet as needing to grow in her own self-belief in the early goings of their partnership. “She keeps growing. You know, obviously in horses, you’re hoping that they love their job and they’re comfortable in their job. And when I first got her, she wasn’t always comfortable — I wouldn’t say comfortable — she wasn’t always confident. She was a little worried. And I just haven’t felt that this whole season. She has such a an elegance about her, and just a very sure way of going.”

It’s been a bit of a different path for Tamie with this mare, who is 10 this year. The mare had competed at and won a 4* in Europe with Andreas Dibowski before she came to Tamie, and this was unique in that Tamie, like her peers, tends to prefer producing her horses from the start, or close to it. “I’ve always produced pretty much all my own horses,” she said. “So it’s been definitely a stepping stone on learning how the slow way is the fast way. I spent a lot of time at the three-star level and we actually struggled when we moved up to Advanced. We didn’t quite know each other. I’d move her up to Advanced and then I’d back her off, and coming into Rebecca Farm [last July] I was kind of [unsure], like I don’t know if this is ready because I didn’t trust the partnership. But we got through that and she won and was phenomenal. I grew a ton of trust in her, and pretty much ever since then, we’ve had little blips but not because of trust, but you have to get to know a horse. I think she’s pretty seasoned at the four-star level now.”

Will Coleman and Very Dignified. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Will Coleman did a bit of a different warm-up with Very Dignified, who can get excitable in such environments. This 11-year-old Irish mare is a newer addition to Will’s string, and this is also sort of an example of needing to build a partnership with a horse that’s gone at a higher level with another rider (Robbie Kearns of Ireland). One element of this partnership-building is learning how to best warm up “Dory”. At Morven Park in October, where the mare went on to finish third in the US Open Final CCI4*-L, he actually went straight into the start box after he had some difficulty warming her up — something he hadn’t had to do before. Today wasn’t too different, but he anticipated the excitability and warmed up in an arena instead of in normal cross country warm-up.

“I was a bit late, got it wrong by about five seconds, but she was great,” Will said. “This is her first Advanced run of the year. I’ve only started her out quietly, I tipped around a Preliminary and an Intermediate horse trial, just trying to build her up slow. I’m not 100% sure what I want to do with her this year. I have an idea, but I’m not going to tell you about it now! She’s just a horse that I really, really like. She’s a very strong-minded mare, but I love her — she gave me a great spin.”

Mia Farley and Invictus. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Mia Farley also continues to build up her piggy bank of relationship deposits with Invictus, a 10-year-old Holsteiner/Thoroughbred owned by Karen O’Connor who shaved his time penalties just about in half in this sophomore Cosequin Lexington 4*-S cross country effort. He and Mia will go into Sunday’s show jumping with a score of 37.9, ensuring Will Coleman does not have a rail in hand to secure at least second position.

“I think like a part of our sport, the partnership,” she said about what growth she felt in the last 12 months. “Since he’s been three — we backed him and started him — he’s kind of had the same mindset and same trainability.And so as far as last year versus this year goes, yes I would hope that he is a little bit more experienced, but it was the trust. I think that was mostly what shaved our time, is just having that year under our belt and gaining the trust and kind of sending him into lines more than I would have last year.”

Mia admits that show jumping is something of a complicated thing to her. She’s coming off the back of the fan-favorite OTTB Phelps, who isn’t here competing this year due to an ill-timed injury and despite his incredible talent for cross country is not the strongest show jumper. Despite the fact that “Sammy” is a stronger jumper, Mia is contending with her own mentality and ability to deal with pressure.

“It’s actually interesting for me going into tomorrow,” she said. “I’ve been in a good place before at this table, and I’ve gone into tomorrow with a very open mind, because I was on a wonderful horse that was fabulous on Saturdays. And I’m trying to figure out, for me personally, I’m trying to figure out how to handle this pressure, because I know I’m on something that’s a little bit stronger on Sundays. So I think we’ll see what happens tomorrow. I think whatever happens, it’s going to be mostly how I react to this pressure, I think, because he’s a good horse on Sundays.”

Dan Kreitl and Carmango are in fourth ahead of show jumping after a stellar clear round. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Here’s a look at your top 10 in the 4*-S ahead of show jumping:

We will kick off the final day of Defender Kentucky at 8:30 am EST with the final horse inspection, which should be streamed live on the event’s Facebook page. Then, it’ll be on to show jumping for the CCI4*-S at 10:45, followed by the CCI5* starting at 2 p.m.

And so the ending to this weekend’s story awaits. This weekend, a new champion will be crowned in some fashion. Will it be Monica and the great Thoroughbred who’s stolen our hearts, laying down the round of their lives to seal the deal? Will it be the ultimate ending for Will Coleman, who is extremely well-positioned to win both the 5* and the 4*? Would this be the weekend that Caroline Pamukcu wins her first 5*? Or will we see the star on the rise Lillet 3 keep her stead as a 4* champion? Or…will someone else come from behind and surprise us all?

That’s the thing about sports, no matter which you follow the most, and I despise myself for writing the following words, but they fit: the rest is still unwritten.

I’ll be back with more brain cells and thoughts that don’t involve Natasha Bedingfield songs later today, so until then, Go Eventing, and thanks for your patience.

EN’s coverage of Defender Kentucky is supported by Kentucky Performance Products, your one-stop shop for all the science-backed nutritional support your horse needs. Learn more about KPP here.

Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event: [Website] [Tickets] [Schedule] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Venue Map] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [Support Our Sponsor: Kentucky Performance Products]

Sunday Links

By on Apr 26, 2026 12:01 am -

To ensure you go into show jumping today with all the stats in mind, here are EquiRatings’ predictions after cross country yesterday. We’re beyond excited to crown new Kentucky champions today — watch this space to celebrate with us!

Today at Defender Kentucky

It all comes down to this — today we crown a new Kentucky Champion!

📆 Activities We’re Following Today

🎥 Follow Live

  • CCI4* & 5* Horse Inspection at 8:00 a.m. ET
  • CCI4*-S stadium jumping starts at 10:45 a.m. ET
  • CCI5* stadium jumping starts at 2:00 p.m. ET
  • Make sure to stick around for the awards ceremony at 4:00 p.m. ET
  • Stream on USEF Network (free with USEF or fan membership)
  • Daily schedule
  • Entries & ride times — CCI5*  |  CCI4*-S
  • Live scoring — CCI5*  |  CCI4*-S

📝 Live Updates

📲 Behind the Scenes

  • Stay locked on Eventing Nation for the #BestWeekendAllYear at @goeventing for real-time stories and updates!
  • If you’re on site, download the GooseChase app to take part in the Kentucky Scavenger Hunt

📖 Know Your Competitors

  • Full Kentucky coverage here
  • Meet all the 5* horses and riders in our 2026 KY3DE Form Guide
  • Find all pre-event coverage, updates, rookie profiles, & all other essential info in our Ultimate Guide

Go Eventing!

Major International Events This Weekend

Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5* (USA): [Website] [Tickets] [Schedule] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map] [Venue Map] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Ultimate Guide] [Support Our Sponsor: Kentucky Performance Products]

Ballindenisk International CCI4*-L (IRL): [Website] [Schedule] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [CrossCountry App XC Map]

Strzegom Spring Open II CCI4*-L (POL): [Website] [Schedule] [Entries] [Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map]

US Events This Weekend

Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Spring HT (VA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map]

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

Other Links and Reading

Training Tip of the Day

Struggling with late, crooked, or panicked flying changes? You’re not alone — use these five tips from Amelia Newcomb in your next training session:

Go Eventing

Make sure you wish a happy birthday to our favorite Air Corvett — pinney #19 this weekend and he turns 19 today! Emily has stated that this Kentucky will be Barry’s final 5*, and what a swan song this eleventh 5* for him will be.

 

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Buckle Up for the Big One: CCI5* Cross Country at Defender Kentucky – Live Blog

By on Apr 25, 2026 1:26 pm -

Of course, true diehard eventing fans relish every moment of a three-day, but let’s be totally honest, it’s cross country day that we live for. And that day, my friends, is today.

Yes, the best day of the #BestWeekendAllYear is upon us and I’m here to bring you every scrap of the action from the CCI5* at Defender Kentucky. The field is awesome, the track looks super fun, and my fingertips are primed and ready to gallop across my keyboard so you won’t miss a single beat.

Before we switch gears from dressage to cross country, a quick look at the top of the leaderboard as things stand following the competitors’ efforts in the sandbox, where we saw a veritable smorgasbord of scores, from the very low-20s for the leaders of the pack through to mid-40s for those hoping to climb this afternoon:

1️⃣ 🇳🇿 Top of the class between the white boards were Monica Spencer and Artist who laid it all down and then some in the dressage ring to sit on a PB score of 22.3, just 0.3 penalties ahead of the fellow Kiwis snapping at their heels.

2️⃣ 🇳🇿 Chasing the top spot are Tim Price and Vitali who made light work of the test for a score of 22.6.

3️⃣ 🇬🇧 Rounding out the podium placings after the first phase are Tom McEwen and Brookfield Quality who made their mark on the competition with a score of 25.1.

4️⃣ 🇺🇲 Best of the US is Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake who sit in 4th place on a score of 26.6.

You’ll find the full scoreboard right here.

But we all know that eventing’s not a dressage competition, so no one will be resting on their laurels as they leave the start box this afternoon. With everything to play for, it’s going to be a big one!

Derek di Grazia’s set a real test for both horse and rider for this year’s 5* with lots to do from beginning to end, and it promises to be an exciting day of sport for eventing fans. Sinead Maynard Halpin, who was in the commentary box for the dressage, reckons it’s really big so you’re going to need a scopey horse who’s very, very fit because there’s jumping right ‘til the end. If you just can’t wait to see what’s in store, you’ll find a run down of every fence here, EN’s take on some of the major combinations out on course here, and a quick trip round the track right here.

The field is so hot it’s hard to pick out ones to watch, as it’s basically all of them, but here’s a little taster:

🇬🇧 Tom McEwen and Brookfield Quality were favorites for the win coming into the competition, according to EquiRatings, and didn’t lose their edge after their first phase performance put them in 3rd place. They go at 3:25pm ET / 9:25pm CEST.

🇺🇲 Boyd Martin’s got two decent chances of taking the Kentucky crown. He’s up first with Cooley Nutcracker at 2:25pm ET / 8:25pm CEST and then will be back on track with last year’s runner-up Commando 3 at 3:40pm ET / 9:40pm CEST.

🇳🇿 Tim Price has oodles of 5* wins to his name and there are whispers that this might be Vitali’s time to finally take the podium he’s so nearly bagged on numerous occasions before, but not quite. He’s in 2nd, not a single second of cross country time behind the lead. They go at 3:35pm ET / 9:35pm CEST.

🇺🇲 We wouldn’t usually be touting a 5* debutant horse for the win, but not all horses are Will Coleman’s Diabolo. They won the 4*-S last year, the perfect prep for a step up to the big time. Eyes on this one. He got off on the right hoof with a sub-30 dressage score. They go at 2pm ET / 8pm CEST.

🇬🇧 Never discount David Doel and Galileo Nieuwmoed. They’ve been knocking on the door of a 5* win since like, forever, and are a safe bet for a clear inside the time today. They go at 1:55pm ET / 7:55pm CEST.

🇬🇧 The Brits are out in force and fellow 5* door knocker Harry Meade fancies his chances in the Bluegrass with two of his herd. He’s a man who’s been making a habit of beating the cross country clock recently. Superstition goes at 2:30pm ET / 8:30pm CEST and Grafennacht will be the penultimate horse on course at 3:45pm ET / 9:45pm CEST.

🇳🇿 Monica Spencer and Artist put the three phases together at Maryland and ended up in 2nd spot. They’re in the lead going into today and this Thoroughbred is really fun to watch go across the country. They go at 2:55pm ET / 8:55pm CEST.

🇺🇲 Caroline Pamukcu’s got three rides and will bookend the competition for us today. Her best chance has got to be with HSS Blake, who was 4th at Maryland on his debut at the level. They’re last to go at 3:50pm ET / 9:50pm CEST.

You’ll find ride times for the full field here.

The live blog will begin when the first horse and rider combo leave the start box – that’s Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Tolan King at 1:30pm ET / 7:30pm CEST – so whilst we await that first countdown of the day, here’s some links for your perusal:

▶️ Follow along with all the form and find out the background deets of every horse and rider in the field in EN’s epic Form Guide. You’re very welcome.

▶️ Short on time but still crave the stats? We’ve got just the ticket. Here’s everything you need to know ‘At-A-Glance’.

▶️ For absolutely everything Kentucky, including schedules, reports, how to keep up with what’s going on and allsorts more, be sure to bookmark our ‘Ultimate Guide’.

As you know, here at EN we are never happier than when we’re facing the real risk of repetitive strain injury in order to deliver the goods to you, fellow eventing nerds, leaving no turf unturned in our quest to keep you up-to-date with every scrap of weird, wild and wonderful that the #BestWeekendAllYear so kindly gifts to us. You’ll find the fruits of our labor right here.

And that’s not all because we’re nothing if not generous in sharing our crazy. There’s also super fun shenanigans going on over on our Instagram channel @goeventing – follow along here.

▶️ Click here for a teaser.

And if you’re still searching for more, here’s some fun and games from the Horse Park – a round up of the riders creating a total mood with their IG reel music choices. Sound on:

😎 Harry Meade’s been sharing some cheerful Kentucky vibes.

🕺 Watch Imperio Magic daaance.

💞 Will Coleman’s feeling good to Diabolo and Diabolo’s feeling good to him.

🙌 Phillip Dutton wants to take us there – total clubbing mood incoming. Who’d have thought?

💖 Gallileo Nieuwmoed’s feeling good.

💫 Tom Jackson’s not disheartened by his score – he’s only getting started.

🐰 A tongue in cheek offering from Alex Conrad – Malibu Preacher’s a Bad Bunny.

💭 Emily Hamel thinks she’s dreamin’.

🌞 Padraig McCarthy found sunshine when he found Pomp N Circumstance.

🥹 I’m not crying, you’re crying – Boyd Martin and Liz Halliday give us all the feelings.

Before get down to business, a little ‘refresher’ on the no. 1 rule of following EN’s classic live blog: refresh, refresh, refresh – and all will be revealed.

via GIPHY

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.

With all that said, stay tuned – and go eventing!

EN’s coverage of Defender Kentucky is supported by Kentucky Performance Products, your one-stop shop for all the science-backed nutritional support your horse needs. Learn more about KPP here.

Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event: [Website] [Tickets] [Schedule] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map] [Venue Map] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [Support Our Sponsor: Kentucky Performance Products]

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9:38pm

UPDATE on Mary Bess Davis: Mary Bess Davis had a fall today just after the Owl Hole, despite a valiant effort to hang on and right herself aboard Imperio Magic. She was attended to very quickly by the medical team and the course was held for about 15 minutes. Mary Bess reported in that she broke her fibula and has a laceration from a back stud, but she’s in great spirits and we’re wishing her the speediest of recoveries!

4:40pm

UPDATE:

Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake’s flag penalty has been removed and this is how the leaderboard now stands:

1️⃣ 🇳🇿 Leading the pack is Monica Spencer and Artist who stormed round the track clear inside the time to land on their dressage score of 22.3, 5 penalties ahead of the rest of the field – in show jumping terms that’s a fence and 2 seconds.

2️⃣ 🇺🇸 Chasing the top spot is Will Coleman and 5* first-timer Diabolo who really showed his mettle with a clear inside the time and stay on their dressage score of 27.3.

3️⃣ 🇺🇸 Just 1.3 penalties behind second place, rounding out the rolling podium, is Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake who added just 2 time penalties and sit on a score of 28.6.

4️⃣ Which puts David Doel and Galileo Nieuwmoed into 4th, with yet another clear inside the time and still on still on their dressage score of 30.8.

You’ll find the full leaderboard right here.

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4:30pm

And so there we have it. Cross country day at Defender Kentucky has drawn to a close and what a day it’s been at the #BestWeekendAllYear.

This is how the leaderboard looks after an awesome day of sport:

1️⃣ 🇳🇿 Leading the pack is Monica Spencer and Artist who stormed round the track clear inside the time to land on their dressage score of 22.3, 5 penalties ahead of the rest of the field – in show jumping terms that’s a fence and 2 seconds.

2️⃣ 🇺🇸 Chasing the top spot is Will Coleman and 5* first-timer Diabolo who really showed his mettle with a clear inside the time and stay on their dressage score of 27.3.

3️⃣ 🇬🇧 Just 3.5 penalties behind second place, rounding out the rolling podium, is David Doel and Galileo Nieuwmoed who delivered yet another clear inside the time and are still on their dressage score of 30.8.

You’ll find the full leaderboard right here.

Keep it locked onto EN for our classic full report – coming soon.

Until then, here’s a look at some of the action as it happened:

David Doel and Galileo Nieuwmoed streaking along.

Monica Spencer and Artist get their leading round underway.

Braden Speck and BSF Liam are having the time of their lives.

Boyd Martin and Commando 3 squeak a lil’ one in.

Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake playing fast and loose with the flags.

Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow… We’ll find out who’ll take the Defender Kentucky crown.

The show jumping phase for the 5* is due to start at 2pm ET / 8pm CEST.

Thanks for following along with the live blog. I’m off to ice my fingertips.

Until next time ENers – go eventing!

Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event: [Website] [Tickets] [Schedule] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map] [Venue Map] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [Support Our Sponsor: Kentucky Performance Products]

EN’s coverage of Defender Kentucky is supported by Kentucky Performance Products, your one-stop shop for all the science-backed nutritional support your horse needs. Learn more about KPP here.

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4:15pm

We’re left with just Caroline and Blake on course to finish off the day.

They gallop towards the Head of the Lake at 18ab and 19ab. They drop in there nicely and then see a great line through the offset cabins before turning really efficiently to the brush corner on the way out and then kick on. They are very neat and tidy through the Normandy Band combination at 21abc and then gallop on down the hill towards the final water.

Caroline’s very steady into there, over the brush and then down through the water and clearing the bc and d elements. This is a really great round.

They’re almost home now, just the Mighty Moguls at 26ab to go before the final two fences.

Clear through the Moguls.

Over the Kentucky Coffee Bean Table.

They’re over the last.

And over the time.

Blake has jumped superbly.

The flag penalty remains for now, but may be updated. 2.4 time.

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4:10pm

🇺🇸 FINAL COMBINATION OUT ON COURSE: Caroline Pamukcu – HSH Blake

Dressage Score: 26.6
Place: 4

🐴 The youngest horses in the field are all 11 – HSH Blake’s one of them.

Caroline’s been a busy gal with two rides already done. She’s back with Blake to finish things up for us today.

This quality gelding stamped his mark at the top level at Maryland last year when he finished just off the podium on his 5* debut. It’ll be really interesting to see what he thinks of this meaty track.

Caroline and Blake get a great shot over the ditch brush at 10 and Caroline looks to really mean business. The horse is very neat and efficient through the rail ditch brush combination at 4. Blake really stretches over the big corners at 9ab. He was great there. Ooo, they have a moment at the sunken road at 11abc when Blake just leaves a leg but Caroline sits tight. They take the flag at 12bc and it comes up on the scores. That’ll be reviewed.

Boyd is showing as clear through the Head of the Lake but there’s going to be time penalties. And there are – he crosses the line with 6 to add. Boyd looks to have really been through the wringer as he gets off.

Harry’s down on the clock as he jumps the T bar in the ditch at 20. He gallops on up the hill to the Normandy Band at 21abc and then makes his way towards home. He crosses the line with 11.6 time penalties. Not the speedy rounds we’re used to seeing from Harry, but two clear jumping rounds.

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4:05pm

🇬🇧 PENULTIMATE COMBINATION OUT ON COURSE: Harry Meade – Grafennacht

Dressage Score: 28.9
Place: 8

⚡ Ranked by EquiRatings as the joint-second fastest cross country horse in the field.

1️⃣ Harry is currently World No. 1.

Harry’s back with us for the penultimate ride of the day.

This mare’s all grit and guts and is a runner-up at the level from her days with William Fox-Pitt. Harry’s not here for funsies so he’ll be giving it everything with this tough little horse. She’s a ball to watch cross country and tough as old boots 🥾 Enjoy.

We haven’t seen a lot of Harry but we catch up with him at Pete’s Hollow at 14abc. Harry changes his mind and pulls off-line to the alternative. He must’ve felt the mare wasn’t quite with him there.

Boyd has all sorts of trouble at the Head of the Lake. That’ll be tough to judge. Commando’s really strong and they kind of go to the side of the brush corner at 19b but it’s not certain whether they actually presented and he goes round to the alternative. Regardless, a lot of time wasted there.

Ema seems to have picked up another 20 at 23B, the final water complex, but she’s carried on and finished with 40 jumping and 36.8 time.

We see Tim through the Mighty Moguls at 26ab and then kick on for home. They jump the finale and cross the finish line with 9.6 time penalties. Get the maracas out – we have a leaderboard shake up!

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4pm

🇺🇸 NEW COMBINATION OUT ON COURSE: Boyd Martin – Commando 3

Dressage Score: 28.2
Place: 7

❗Ranked by EquiRatings as the second-best cross country jumper in the field.

🏆🏆 Boyd’s a double 5* winner.

2️⃣ Boyd is currently World No. 2.

Commando 3 was a little spicy on the jog strip on Wednesday 🌶️ He had the wind under his tail and was looking for the first fence. The wait’s over, buddy. Time to let loose.

Last year’s runners-up are trying to go one better this year. This horse is a beast cross country and Boyd doesn’t have a fear gland when it comes to hoofing it round the biggest tracks in the world. He’s back with his second ride of the day. Eyes locked on for a bid for the podium 👀

Commando 3 is looking very sharp and strong at the start of the course. Boyd does a great job bringing him back for the rail ditch brush combination at 5. But they’re neat through there and then we see them again through the sunken road where they’re equally neat. Oh boy(d), they put an extra stride into the Spring Water combination at 12 but Commando gets the footwork done and they squeak over.

Tim is a bit down on the clock as he comes to the Head of the Lake at 18ab and 19ab. He goes straight through there and then kicks on very quickly, trying to make up those seconds.

We’re hearing that Ema has been allowed to continue on with Chiraz.

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3:55pm

🇳🇿 NEW COMBINATION OUT ON COURSE: Tim Price – Vitali

Dressage Score: 22.6
Place: 2

❗Ranked by EquiRatings as the top cross country jumper in the field.

👀 Blink and you’ll miss ‘em! This pair are ranked by EquiRatings as amongst the quickest in the field.

✨ Vitali has 8 5* completions on his record, the joint-second most in the field.

🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 Tim is a multiple 5* winner, topping the ultimate podium 6 times!

Only three more combinations to go after Tim and Vitali.

Vitali was characteristically looky on the jog strip on Wednesday, with his cute ears right out on stalks. He had a go at getting a look at the Defender parked alongside and then cantered away towards the cross country course, totally ready for today. He elicited spontaneous applause from the crowd on Friday in his dressage test for his stunning extended trot and then huge cheers at the end in appreciation of an impeccable performance from a very special horse in the first phase. He wasn’t even a single second behind the lead after the first phase. Tim said he’s feeling spring-time spicy 🌶️ but he sure kept that under wraps between the white boards.

In eight 5* starts Vitali hasn’t finished outside the top 10 and has been runner-up at Burghley. Surely he’ll make that nine this week? Tim’s already been out on track earlier with Global Quest so he’s got a fair idea of what it’s like out there. Eyes on for a riding masterclass and a horse who well and truly knows his job 👀

Vitali looks up for the job as he gets stuck right in to the track. Tim really sets up for the rail ditch brush combination at 4 and they make that look incredibly easy. They fly the ditch brush at 10 and then pop straight through the sunken road at 11abc. Vitali at his very best. They’re smooth like butter through the sunken road, says Sinead Maynard Halpin in the commentary box.

Ema’s showing as having picked up a 20 at 21c, up at the Normandy Bank fence. It looks like she’s been pulled up to be checked. We see her walking round on Chiraz. I’ll bring you news as I have it.

Tom has crossed the finish line with Brookfield Quality and has picked up 8 time penalties.

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3:50pm

🇦🇺 NEW COMBINATION OUT ON COURSE: Ema Klugman – Chiraz

Dressage Score: 36.7
Place: 22

⭐ Chiraz’s making his 5* debut at Kentucky this week.

Ema’s really excited about this horse making his 5* debut and we are too. He was 9th in the 4*-S last year so has that good experience in the bank as he makes the step up. He’s one for the gray lovers and very striking with it.

We haven’t seen anything of Ema on the live feed, sorry, but the scoreboard is showing as her being clear through fence 13. Oh, then we catch her at Pete’s Hollow at 14abc, where she opts for the long route and pops through there really nicely. A flag penalty has just shown up for her at 12b but that’ll be reviewed.

Tom’s a fair bit behind the time as he comes down the big step at 15a. This round is just not as smooth as we’re used to from him. They’re good through the owl hole at 16 then crosses the road and jumps the upright gate at 17. They go straight through the Head of the Lake at 18ab and 19ab and kick on towards the final section of the course.

Gabby and Fernhill picked up a 20 at the Head of the Lake, the brush corner in the water at 19b. They’ve crossed the line with 40.8 time penalties. But a cross country completion on their first time at the level.

Update to Padraig McCarthy and Pomp N Circumstance’s score: They did in fact pick up 22 time penalties.

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3:45pm

🇬🇧 NEW COMBINATION OUT ON COURSE: Tom McEwen – Brookfield Quality

Dressage Score: 25.1
Place: 3

🎯 EquiRatings’ favorite for the win coming into today.

👀 Blink and you’ll miss ‘em! This pair are ranked by EquiRatings as amongst the quickest in the field.

🏆 Tom is a 5* winner.

Brookfield Quality looked total quality on the jog strip on Wednesday. So soft and happy – very nice on the eye – and he was equally lovely in the dressage phase on Friday, eliciting big cheers from the crowd for a beautiful performance. Tom’s been runner-up at Kentucky twice with JL Dublin and he sure would love to take the top step on the podium this week. Brookfield Quality’s got what it takes, having podiumed at 5*. Eyes on this one 👀

Tom sees a great shot at the Bourbon Barrel Table at fence 5 and he looks to really mean business. Brookfield Quality has a bit of a conversation with Tom coming into the rail ditch brush combination at 4 and they’re very sticky in over the rails, and then sticky again over the ditch. Tom has to really channel the horse to make it over the angled brush at c, but he’s a superb cross country rider and makes it happen. He’ll want no more of that though.

Gabby and Fernhill take the longer route at Pete’s Hollow at 14abc. Things are still looking a little tricky for them.

We see Padraig circling at 23 and he’s showing as having had a 20 at the curving brush in the water at the d element, so he’s coming back round. He continues on to the finish and the live scoreboard is showing that he’s inside the time, despite that 20 and some long routes.

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EN’s coverage of Defender Kentucky is supported by Kentucky Performance Products, your one-stop shop for all the science-backed nutritional support your horse needs. Learn more about KPP here.

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3:40pm

🇺🇸 NEW COMBINATION OUT ON COURSE: Gabby Dickerson – Traditionally Fernhill

Dressage Score: 37.6
Place: 25

⭐⭐ Rookie Combo! Gabby and Traditionally Fernhill are making their 5* debut at Kentucky this week.

This pair may be having their first go in the 5* but they’re no strangers to the Horse Park having contested the 4*-S last year. They’ve spent some time in the UK since then, soaking up eventing experience on the other side of the Pond. Gabby’ll be looking to build on that today and really set this guy up for his future at the top of the sport. Fun fact – A 12-year-old Gabby helped US Olympian Kim Severson at Kentucky back in the day.

They have a bit of a conversation when Gabby asks Fernhill to come back for the rail ditch brush combination at 4 but Gabby’s sat back and they go clear through there. Gabby’s having to work quite hard. Fernhill’s a little sticky and she’s having to really give him confidence. She opts to go straight through the water at 12abc and they gallop on.

Pomp really tries for Padraig at Pete’s Hollow and they make things happen. They’re back on track for the EEI Root Cellar at 15abc. We see them take the long route through the Head of the Lake at 18ab and 19ab. It’s the horse’s first 5* and so far it’s been a really honest round.

Jennie and “Foxy” have crossed the finish line with a superb clear jumping round. They looked quick but actually picked up 6.4 time penalties.

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3:35pm

🇮🇪 NEW COMBINATION OUT ON COURSE: Padraig McCarthy – Pomp N Circumstance

Dressage Score: 33
Place: 13

⭐ Pomp N Circumstance’s making his 5* debut at Kentucky this week.

Pomp N Circumstance (henceforth referred to as Pomp, sorry but I’m having to type quick) looks like a really good guy. He was very polite on the jog strip on Wednesday and really caught my eye as one I’ll be interested to follow as he gets going in his 5* career. He was a total pro in the dressage phase and looked right at home in the Horse Park which must have Padraig really keen for a great ride today.

They flirt with the frangible device on the rails at the rail ditch brush complex at 7 but this horse is so athletic and they pat their way through there. They’re exactly on time as they jump the ditch brush at 10 at the 4 minute marker. There’s a change of plan at the water complex at 12abc and Padraig pulls to go long. They’re through there clear though.

We see Jennie through the owl hole at 16 and looking to be having an absolute peach of a ride. They head on towards the Head of the Lake. “Foxy” is fabulous through there, really listening when Jennie asks him to wait and patting the ground to get the steps in there. Jennie crouches low and off they go.

We’re hearing that Sunday Times is fine, they did have a 20 and Arden got off when she put her hand up.

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3:30pm

🇺🇸 NEW COMBINATION OUT ON COURSE: Jennie Brannigan – FE Lifestyle

Dressage Score: 35.2
Place: 18

✨ FE Lifestyle has 8 5* completions on his record, the joint-second most in the field.

This guy’s here for his sixth go around Kentucky and scored a top-10 result in 2024. Last year there was early disappointment so we’ve got everything crossed that this game horse gets to add another completion to his card this time around. Fun fact – We’re used to seeing doggos going eventing, but birds is a new one on us. Yup, Jennie’s brought her pal Stitch along for the ride.

“Foxy” is flying in the early stages of his round. He’s bold and honest through the rail ditch brush combination at 7 and really does look great in the Kentucky sunshine. He’s really good through the sunken road at 11abc, very neat and tidy.

Arden and Sunday times are clear through the T Bar in the ditch at 20 but then sadly we see Arden leading Sunday Times round at the Normandy Bank fence at 21. Not sure what’s happened but they’re showing as having had a refusal there. That’s a shame.

Meanwhile, Braden has crossed the finish line with BSF Liam. Sadly we didn’t see it, I bet the celebration was awesome. Clear jumping and 34 time penalties and an excellent cross country completion at their first 5*.

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3:25pm

🇺🇸 NEW COMBINATION OUT ON COURSE: Arden Wildasin – Sunday Times

Dressage Score: 45.4
Place: 29

🐴 At 19, Sunday Times is the joint-oldest horse in the field.

We’re into the final 10 rounds of the day now.

This game guy made his 5* debut here at Kentucky last year as an 18-year-old and then impressed at Maryland round a track that took a fair few high-profile scalps in the fall. He’s a true eventing horse – brave and bold and full of love for the job. A real fun one to watch 👀

Sunday Times is great through the Spring Water at 12abc. Arden opts to go long at Pete’s Hollow at 14abc but Sunday Times is jumping really well and galloping on.

Braden and BSF Liam are still having a ball out there. They get a great shot through the owl hole at 16, just past the halfway point on their first 5* track. We watch them through the Head of the Lake, circling between the two related fences there in a figure 8. The crowd cheers, he punches the air – that’s surely his trademark now after doing the same in the dressage ring. This is such a big deal for him and he’s having a blast. His connie cross looks like so much fun.

MONICA SPENCER AND ARTIST ARE CLEAR INSIDE THE TIME and CLUBHOUSE LEADERS GOING INTO SHOW JUMPING.

Monica says the high point was “the finish flags”. She’s in tears being interviewed. Relief and joy, for sure.

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3:20pm

🇺🇸 NEW COMBINATION OUT ON COURSE: Braden Speck – BSF Liam

Dressage Score: 41.4
Place: 27

❗Ranked by EquiRatings as the third best cross country jumper in the field.

⭐⭐ Rookie Combo! Braden and BSF Liam are making their 5* debut at Kentucky this week.

We’ve got a cracking field at Kentucky but this stunning gelding was the one that really stood out from the crowd for me on the jog strip on Wednesday. He is g-o-r-g-e-o-u-s 😍 Those dapples down his rump! And those eyes! Seriously. Stunning. And I have to shout out his groom for the super neat braids he was sporting in his mane and tail for the dressage phase. Braden was delighted to get his first 5* underway on Friday, with massive double-armed punches of the air as he finished his test. Bottle that feeling Braden – it’s Kentucky 5* and you’re part of it.

This pair have total trust in each other so it’ll be cool to watch this partnership in action as they take on the biggest track of their lives together. Liam’s a Connie cross so we’re in for a gutsy round with pony footwork, which’ll stand them in good stead in the tricky combinations.

BSF Liam is really having a lovely time when we get a brief glimpse of him on screen going straight and clear through the Spring Water at 12abcd.

Monica is still bringing Artist back for the fences but is really galloping on when she can. She comes down to the Head of the Lake and angles the toll in to get a great line through the two offset cabins and then straight over the brush corner. Superb. But perhaps not the fastest. He’s brushing through the brushes as he comes through the Cosequin Cove complex at 23abcd but this horse can do that. They’re clear through the Mighty Moguls at 26ab and can smell the finish line.

Woodge Fulton and Cash Point have crossed the finish line clear with 39.2 time penalties. So a steady clear for the horse’s first time at the level.

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3:15pm

🇳🇿 NEW COMBINATION OUT ON COURSE: Monica Spencer – Artist

Dressage Score: 22.3
Place: 1

🎯 EquiRatings’ second favorite for the win coming into today.

🏇 We love an OTTB and Artist is one of them, although he’s unraced.

Last year’s Maryland runners-up, Monica will be hoping to add another 5* podium to this fan-favorite’s record. Artist absolutely proved that Thoroughbreds can do dressage with a stunning performance on Friday in the sandbox. Monica had a huge grin on her face, Artist got huge pats – including from the Pony Clubbers ringside – and there were huge cheers from the stands in appreciation of the brilliance they’d just witnessed. They’re in the lead going into today, but don’t even have a single second in hand over Tim Price and Vitali. Squeaky bum time!

I’d never noticed before, but this horse has got really big feet. All the better for galloping with 😉 It’s always so great to see this Thoroughbred running across the country. Eyes on this one 👀

The clubhouse leaders are off and running. Artist really looks positive as he gallops along the first part of the course. They skip through the first combination at 4abc and waste not a second. He stretches out on the long gallop uphill to the big oxer at 8. They cheers are following them round the course. Monica brings Artist right back for the back-to-back combinations at 11 and 12, totally safe and secure through there, before putting her foot down for the long gallop to the top of the course. They skip through Pete’s Hollow at 14abc, Artist really had his eyes on the flags through there.

We haven’t seen anything of Woodge and Cash Point, sorry, but she’s showing as clear through the Head of the Lake at 18ab and 19ab.

Meanwhile, Alex is through the finish line, clear jumping with 30.8 time penalties. A 5* cross country completion for this rookie pairing.

A tearful Emily Hamel tells us what an incredible horse “Barry” is. 11 5* runs and 11 5* clears. What an amazing horse.

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EN’s coverage of Defender Kentucky is supported by Kentucky Performance Products, your one-stop shop for all the science-backed nutritional support your horse needs. Learn more about KPP here.

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3:10pm

🇺🇸 NEW COMBINATION OUT ON COURSE: Woodge Fulton – Cash Point

Dressage Score: 39.9
Place: 26

🐴 The youngest horses in the field are all 11 – Cash Point’s one of them.

⭐ Cash Point’s making his 5* debut at Kentucky this week.

It may be Cash Point’s first time at the level but Woodge is an experienced 5* rider. They’ve been round the 4*-S at Kentucky a couple of times so the Horse Park isn’t unfamiliar to the gelding. He was caught on camera having a munch of a tree branch at the jog on Wednesday and seemed very chilled about the whole 5* thing. Woodge worked with Olympian Dirk Schrade over in Germany who said she’s going to do something big with this horse, so we’re witnessing the beginning of that big thing here today. Woodge says he’s far from a finished horse and credits the gelding’s owner with allowing her to really take her time producing him. Good things are worth the wait and we look forward to watching their journey. For now though, it’s go time at Kentucky. Let’s see what he makes of his first 5* track.

We catch up with Woodge as she flies the ditch brush at 10 and then brings Cash Point back for the sunken road at 11 and they pop through there really neatly. They look to be having a great round thus far on their first go at the level.

We catch up with Alex and Malibu Preacher at Pete’s Hollow. He gets a little deep to the a element and opts to take the long route there. The horse is quite sticky down the big step at 15a but Alex nudges him on and they make it through the combination well enough. Alex brings him right back for the owl hole tat 16 and then they gallop across the road to the upright gate at 17. They swing around and take a longer route at the Head of the Lake, taking his time but a jumping clear is his aim here with this debut horse.

Emily and “Barry” are flying for home. They cross the line 10 seconds over, just 4 time penalties added for them. What a superb end to his Kentucky cross country career. Good boy “Barry”.

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3:05pm

🇺🇸 NEW COMBINATION OUT ON COURSE: Alex Conrad – Malibu Preacher

Dressage Score: 42.9
Place: 28

🏇 We love an OTTB and Malibu Preacher is one of them, with 15 racing starts to his name.

⭐⭐ Rookie Combo! Alex and Malibu Preacher are making their 5* debut at Kentucky this week.

I watched this guy on the jog strip on Wednesday with anticipation, given he’s infamous for his hind-end antics. He was totally demure, until he wasn’t. Broncs galore came as he got to the end of the strip, prompting the watching crowd to back right off as he continued his performance all down the chute. He’s a quirky kind of guy. Alex got a little lost in the sandbox on Friday, let’s hope he’s got his eyes on the flags today.

They’re very neat through the rail ditch brush combination at 7. We see them come over the ditch brush at 10 and then steady up for the sunken road at 11 where they’re very neat.

Emily and Corvett are 10 seconds up on the time at the big step at 15a. They gallop up the hill towards the owl hole at 16 and Emily ducks low through there. They get close to the upright gate at 17 but all good there and they go on towards the Head of the Lake. They obviously take the straight route and the huge crowd there really appreciate their efforts with a massive cheer. It’s all for you “Barry”!

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3pm

🇺🇸 NEW COMBINATION OUT ON COURSE: Emily Hamel – Corvett

Dressage Score: 36.5
Place: 21

🐴 At 19, Corvett is the joint-oldest horse in the field.

✨ Corvett has a whopping 10 5* completions on his record, the most of all the horses in the field.

Corvett was so white on the jog strip on Wednesday you needed sunglasses to look at him. For sure his is the whitest tail I’ve ever seen. Huge shout out to all the grooms for their work, not just at the events but all year long. He’s looking absolutely fabulous – props also to the team who’ve kept this guy on the road for all these years. He sure put his best hoof forward at his final ever Kentucky on Friday, staying lovely and rideable as he tracked his way round the dressage ring at the Horse Park for the last time 🥲 Emily says this guy “truly is a horse of a lifetime” and her plan is to simply enjoy the ride 💖

Let’s enjoy this one and marvel at a horse who has been an absolute warrior in the sport and given people so much joy. There’s been a call out for extra cheers for the extraordinary “Barry”, so join us, whether you’re at the Horse Park or at home, in celebrating this truly special horse.

Corvett Airlines incoming ✈️

Woah! Corvett is really living up to his reputation. The crowd are ooing and ahhing him around the course. He looks to be having a ball out there. He flies the oxer at 8 and then goes right up and down over the huge corners at 9ab. It’s Corvett’s birthday tomorrow by the way! He’s barrelling along with a grin on his face, and Emily’s got a matching one on hers. They’re absolutely great through the sunken road at 11 and then kick on through the Spring Water at 12abc. So joyful.

Harry’s quite a bit down on the time after having to take a couple of long routes with how things have gone out there today for them. He jumps The Pinnacle finale fence and comes through the flags. Clear jumping, 6 time penalties.

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2:55pm

🇺🇸 NEW COMBINATION OUT ON COURSE: Caroline Pamukcu – She’s The One

Dressage Score: 35.1
Place: 17

🐴 The youngest horses in the field are all 11 – She’s The One’s one of them.

This young mare made her 5* debut here last year but was withdrawn before cross country, so she’s getting her first look at the track today. Not so for Caroline though, who was our trailblazer earlier and will wrap things up later. Busy gal.

We haven’t seen Caroline but she’s showing on the live scoring as having had a 20 at 9b and doesn’t look to have continued on.

Boyd and Cooley Nutcracker are at the final fence and galloping through the finish flags. They’re still carrying that 20, which will be reviewed so watch this space, and 4 time penalties.

Harry opts for a different route altogether at the Head of the Lake at 18ab and 19ab. He loops round picking out the elements to help the horse out. Time added there but they’re clear and through on their way.

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2:50pm

🇬🇧 NEW COMBINATION OUT ON COURSE: Harry Meade – Superstition

Dressage Score: 30.2
Place: 10

1️⃣ Harry is currently World No. 1.

Superstition was very chilled on Wednesday at the jog, lagging behind while Harry was like, C’mo mate. This guy’s seen it all before. He looks keener today though. He was “Slinky” by name, slinky by nature on Thursday in the dressage ring, putting in an incredibly smooth and professional test. Amazingly this horse hasn’t been to a single event since Badminton last spring. Harry’s found this sensitive chap much prefers to do all his prep at home and just come out for the big stuff, and so far that system has worked very well, with great 5* results racking up on his card.

Superstition’s had five 5* starts and been inside the time in all but one of them, the only time he didn’t was after having had a season out on the sidelines. Fast horse, stylish and smooth rider – will we see a clear inside the time? Maybe 👀

Harry’s got another ride coming up later too when he’ll be the penultimate competitor on course.

Wow, we catch up with Harry as he’s well up on the time at the Spring Water at 18abc. Superstition catches the back of the jump and loses his footing on landing over the bc element in the water. Harry absolutely wins the save of the day. No mortal would have stayed in the plate there. Goodness me, hang on Harry!

Oh no, Boyd and Cooley Nutcracker have run into troubles at Pete’s Hollow. They don’t quite make it to the c element in the right spot and Cooley Nutcracker tries to make it but they kind of slither over. It’ll be interesting to see how that’s judged. Right now it’s showing as a 20. They go straight through the Head of the Lake at 18 and 19 and the crowd give a big cheer. Boyd’s crouched low and kicking on.

Shannon and Eindhoven Garette hunt their way through the Mighty Moguls at 26ab, the final combination on course. The cross the finish line with 20 penalties and 18.8 time.

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2:45pm

🇺🇸 NEW COMBINATION OUT ON COURSE: Boyd Martin – Cooley Nutcracker

Dressage Score: 30.7
Place: 11

🏆🏆Boyd is a two-time 5* winner.

2️⃣ He’s currently World No. 2.

Boyd and Cooley Nutcracker have had a full season together now so I’m keen to see this pair really have a good crack at the course today. The horse made his debut here at Kentucky in 2024 with Liz Halliday and finished 8th and he’s surely got a great shot at another excellent placing – or perhaps even the podium – this week. Safe to say there’ll be tears all round on Sunday should that be the case – we’ve already had the tissues out in the dressage phase where Liz was watching on from the stands, giving her guy the thumbs up and Boyd waving to her and pointing to her horse 🥹 Boyd’s here with two rides, we’ll see him again later as we start to wrap things up for the day.

Boyd gets a really smooth ride through the first combination at Sustainability Bay. This pair are really starting to look like a solid partnership. They’re beautiful through the rail ditch brush combination, Cooley Nutcracker really listened to Boyd there.

Shannon ducks through the owl hole at 16 and goes on to the Head of the Lake at 18 and 19. Eindhoven Garette is still totally full of running as he nears the end of the course. She’s showing as having had a 20 at 15a, the big step down at the EEI Root Cellar, but we didn’t see that on screen.

Tom’s carrying a flag penalty at 19a, the Head of the Lake. He’s crossed the finish line with that 20 from earlier plus time.

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EN’s coverage of Defender Kentucky is supported by Kentucky Performance Products, your one-stop shop for all the science-backed nutritional support your horse needs. Learn more about KPP here.

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2:40pm

🇺🇸 NEW COMBINATION OUT ON COURSE: Shannon Lilley – Eindhoven Garette

Dressage Score: 35.7
Place: 20

This guy really is a trooper and it’s so nice to see him galloping and jumping and getting on with the job. He made his debut here last year so it’ll be interesting to see how he goes this time around having banked further 5* experience at Maryland last fall. Shannon’s really done a wonderful job with this big hulking guy, particularly in the first phase where commentator Sinead Maynard Halpin likened him to a footballer turned somewhat ballerina. Don’t be fooled by this guy’s appearance, he can be incredibly cat-like on cross country.

Eindhoven looks well keen for it today. He’s really galloping on and looks quite strong. He absolutely flies the ditch brush at 10. She slips her reins and kicks on. He’s really having quite a conversation with Shannon and she’s really showing her relationship with this guy in how well they manage the combination at 12abc. He’s still pulling at Pete’s Hollow but he jumps nicely through and Shannon gives him a huge pat.

We catch Tom going through Pete’s Hollow at 14abc. Plot Twist drifts between the b and c elements and Tom obviously feels like he hasn’t made it through the flags at c. He decides to be completely safe and comes back round to take the fence again. That incurs 20 penalties but he’d have been eliminated if he continued and was deemed not to have jumped the fence.

Meanwhile, Phillip and Possante have crossed the finish line. Clear jumping and 9.6 time penalties. A good first 5* effort for this exciting horse.

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2:35pm

🇬🇧 NEW COMBINATION OUT ON COURSE: Tom Jackson – Plot Twist B

Dressage Score: 37.1
Place: =23

🐴 The youngest horses in the field are all 11 – Plot Twist B’s one of them.

A super exciting addition to the entry list, last year’s Pau runner-up Plot Twist B has been flown halfway across the world to contest Kentucky for a reason. Eyes very firmly locked on to this one. Tom’s looking for a leaderboard climb with a quick clear round 👀

We see them through the rail ditch brush combination at 4, really athletic through there. A good start for them. We don’t see much of him, sorry, but he’s showing as clear through fence 13.

Phillip opts to go long at Pete’s Hollow at 14abc, taking a long sweeping line that actually won’t waste as much time as it could. He steadies for the step down at 15a and the horse is straight as a die through the brush shoulders at b and c. They’re neat through the owl hole at 16 and then take a breath as they gallop down the hill. They’re about 10 seconds down at this point. He opts to go straight through the two related combination fences at Defender Head of the Lake at 18ab and 19ab and Possante really answers those tough questions there. The horse looks great as he comes through the Normandy Bank at 21abc and is nearing home now. He’s still full of run and jump and has his ears pricked, really looking like he’s enjoying himself.

Will Coleman “couldn’t be more happy” with Diabolo’s clear inside the time.

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2:30pm

🇺🇸 NEW COMBINATION OUT ON COURSE: Phillip Dutton – Possante

Dressage Score: 28.1
Place: 6

👀 Blink and you’ll miss ‘em! This pair are ranked by EquiRatings as amongst the quickest in the field.

⭐ Possante’s making his 5* debut at Kentucky this week.

🏆 Phillip is a Kentucky winner.

Another exciting – and interesting – debutant. There’s a lot of quality in this horse and I’m excited to see how he steps up to the level 👀

Possante has a really great expression on his face as he gets going and they make easy work of the first fences. But wow, Phillip shows us every scrap of his experience through the rail ditch brush combination at 7abc. The horse goes to go out the side, Phillip throws his weight over and the horse responds, they make it over and the horse squirrels through the couple of strides and twists over the c element, Phillip hangs on and then kicks on. That was amazing to watch and I’m very envious of Phillips core strength.

Will Coleman’s on it for the time – and he is! Clear inside the time. What a fabulously talented horse this is.

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2:25pm

🇺🇸 NEW COMBINATION OUT ON COURSE: Karen O Neal – Clooney 14

Dressage Score: 33.1
Place: 14

⭐⭐ Rookie Combo! Karen and Clooney 14 are making their 5* debut at Kentucky this week.

Clooney is a strapping lad who sure cuts a striking figure. I’m so excited to see him bounding along the cross country track. Karen says that success looks like getting to show jumping on Sunday with a happy horse, an approach we can all get behind, for sure. She’s had to wait a long time for this debut and the big cheer after this pair’s dressage test is testament to her inspirational story – keep plugging away and keep dreaming.

Sadly we see Karen as she’s walking home. A tricky start to their round with a frangible penalty at fence 3 and then a 20 at 4b. Hand up for this time around. That’s a real shame.

David’s showing as having a flag penalty from the Normandy Bank at 21c. That’ll be reviewed though so I’ll keep you posted. He crosses the line inside the time and the penalties have been removed. That’s our second clear inside the time of the day.

Will continues his classy round with the super talented Diabolo. They are smooth as silk through the EEI Root Cellar at 15abc – the big step and two brush shoulders. They have a great ride through the Normandy Bank complex. Will is really giving this horse a great ride, giving this rookie horse time at the complicated fences but really pushing up through the gears on the galloping stretches.

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2:20pm

🇺🇸 NEW COMBINATION OUT ON COURSE: Will Coleman – Diabolo

Dressage Score: 27.3
Place: 5

🎯 EquiRatings’ third-favorite for the win coming into today.

⚡Ranked by EquiRatings as the joint-second fastest cross country horse in the field.

⭐ Diabolo’s making his 5* debut at Kentucky this week.

Now this is an exciting debutant. He won the 4*-S here last year and honestly, is well capable of being right up there when all’s said and done this weekend despite this being his first time at the level. He was beautifully soft in the sandbox on Thursday and this pair really showed a total partnership, making the test look very easy. Will says he’s going to have to ride his best today round this tricky track. Eyes on this one 👀

Diabolo seems to find it short through the rail ditch brush combination at 7abcs but he’s cat-like with his feet and so athletic. They get a great shot over the ditch brush at 10 and Diabolo really looks to be really enjoying his time out on track. They’re beautiful through the sunken road, very easy for the horse there. Looking very good for them thus far.

David gets a lovely sweeping line through the two brush shoulders after the step at 15abc – magic. We see him over the T Bar in the ditch at 20 and apparently he went straight through the Head of the Lake – he’s going for the time for sure.

Sophia Hill says that Humble Glory sped up when he heard the cheers. The scoreboard is showing them as clear inside the time. Cheer powered brilliance!

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2:15pm

🇬🇧 NEW COMBINATION OUT ON COURSE: David Doel – Galileo Nieuwmoed

Dressage Score: 30.8
Place: 12

⚡ Ranked by EquiRatings as the fastest cross country horse in the field – they’ve beat the clock at 5* SEVEN times (!!!) across five different events.

✨ Galileo Nieuwmoed has 8 5* completions on his record, the joint-second most in the field.

This stunning horse has been on the 5* podium twice. He jumped clear inside the time here at Kentucky in 2023 and finished on his dressage score. He looked tremendous on Wednesday on the jog strip, so much so that I was persuaded to change my Eventing Manager team. Hope I haven’t jinxed him… 😬🤞 He was super athletic in the dressage and very nearly squeaked a sub-30 score, which just goes to show he is definitely feeling it in the Bluegrass. Eyes on this pair – try not to blink or you’ll miss ‘em 👀

David gives Galileo a pat as he gallops the first couple of fences. Galileo is eating up the track in the early stages and looks very keen for the job. He squeezes through the rails ditch brush combination at 7. Smooth and very much on his game. He makes nothing of the huge corner combination up at 9ab. He truly looks amazing in the Kentucky sunshine. They don’t look to be rushing but this horse is naturally so, so quick. They come to the sunken road at 11abc and make that bounce to the b element look simple. The next fence is a combination too, this is the most intense section of the course, and Galileo hops and skips through the Spring Water at 12abc. He’s up on the clock.

Sophia and Humble Glory are through the flags and it looks to have been a quick round. I’ll update you once I know.

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EN’s coverage of Defender Kentucky is supported by Kentucky Performance Products, your one-stop shop for all the science-backed nutritional support your horse needs. Learn more about KPP here.

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2:10pm

We’re back underway and Sophia Hill and Humble Glory have been restarted.

It’s not easy to be held on course but they made a really great job through Pete’s Hollow at 14abc and then make very light work of the big step down at the EEI Root Cellar at 15abc. They’re past the halfway point now.

We see them through the owl hole at 16 and then across the road to the upright gate at 17 on the way to the Head of the Lake.

They’re positive on the drop in at 18b and then are really bold through the straight route, the first to attempt that today. A huge cheer from the big crowd in appreciation of a really super ride through there. The horse actually looks better settled since being held. They’re equally good through the Normandy Bank combination at 21abc and are running for home now. They’re headed downhill now, running on and take the wide cabin at 22 in their stride.

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1:55pm

There’s a hold on course while Mary Bess is attended to.

Sophia Hill and Humble Glory are being held.

The start has been held.

The live blog will continue when the course is restarted.

In the meantime, an update on the finishers:

Caroline and Tolan King picked up 12.8 time penalties.

Tim Price and Global Quest had 21.2 time and 11 for a broken frangible device.

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1:50am

🇦🇺 NEW COMBINATION OUT ON COURSE: Sophia Hill – Humble Glory

Dressage Score: 37.1
Place: =23

👀 Blink and you’ll miss ‘em! This pair are ranked by EquiRatings as amongst the quickest in the field.

🏇 We love an OTTB and Humble Glory is one of them, with 3 racing starts to his name.

Sophia’s fresh from Down Under where she contested the 4* at Adelaide. She’s been clocking up the air miles going back and to between the States and Oz while Humble Glory’s been staying with fellow Kentucky competitor Monica Spencer. A trip round the cross country will whisk away any jet lag, for sure.

Sophia’s having a great round as we catch up with her at the big corners at 9am. Humble Glory looks to be really enjoying himself out there. He looks out to the side a little but Sophia’s got him with her. Things aren’t looking quite as easy as we’re used to, the gelding looks very strong and there are a couple of hairy moments.

Mary Bess is at the drop at 15. Oh my. Deja vu. Imperio Magic stops. There’s steps backward and 20 penalties. That’s super disappointing. They make it down and Mary Bess does a great job of getting things back together to make it through the rest of the combination.

Unfortunately we’re hearing that Mary Bess has had a fall. The horse continued on up the track. I’ll update you as I know more.

Tim and Global Quest are through the finish. They picked up a fair few time penalties along the way.

Update on Caroline and Tolan King’s score – the 9 penalties for the flag have been taken away.

Tim’s heading

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1:45pm

🇺🇸 NEW COMBINATION OUT ON COURSE: Mary Bess Davis – Imperio Magic

Dressage Score: 33.9
Place: 16

Imperio Magic was very sweet on the jog strip on Wednesday, head down and just going about his business. He’s looking more pumped today for the really fun bit. This pair are back at Kentucky for a second spin, so they know their way around the Horse Park. Imperio Magic said nu-uh to being asked to drop off the big step at Pete’s Hollow last year, and it’s even bigger this year, so maybe Mary Bess will be getting her fierce soccer mom growl out when they get round to that point – listen out for that!

Mary Bess makes a great job of the Care Credit Question at 7abcd, that’ll give her confidence for the rest of the track. She’s up on the clock at this point. Imperio Magic is really jumping with huge scope and Mary Bess is doing a great job of containing things.

Tim gets a great ride through Pete’s Hollow and then has a really lovely line through the EEI Root Cellar at 15abc. Tim’s really giving this horse a peach of a ride and helping the gelding out. Tim opts for the longer route between the two related fences at the Head of the Lake.

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1:40pm

🇳🇿 THIRD COMBINATION OUT ON COURSE: Tim Price – Global Quest

Dressage Score: 29.8
Place: 9

Tim’s here with two rides. First up, Global Quest. This pairing have had a little more time together now than when the horse made his 5* debut at Pau last year. Tim obviously thinks the Kentucky track will suit this guy, having flown him halfway across the world to be here. He was super chilled coming out of the sandbox after his test, hanging loose with no stirrups. It’ll be an interesting watch, this one 👀

Sadly Tim’s had an early frangible device, at the Care Credit Question at 7a, the rails going into the rail ditch brush combination. He continues on positively though. Global Quest really hangs up in the air over the massive corner at 9a which makes hard work for Tim to get to the b element. All good though and they gallop on towards the back-to-back combinations at 11 and 12. He’s looking good on the time. He decides to go long at the Spring Water at 12.

Buck’s decided to call it a day. Probably a sensible decision if the horse isn’t attacking like this track demands.

We catch up with Caroline as she comes to the finale. There’s a couple of longer routes in there, not full on long routes but more looping lines within combinations, so we’ll keep an eye on her time. A clear jumping round though, which is great. There’s a flag question at 21c though, the Normandy Bank fence.

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1:35pm

🇺🇸 SECOND COMBINATION OUT ON COURSE: Buck Davidson – Sorocaima

Dressage Score: 35.6
Place: 19

🏇 We love an OTTB and Sorocaima is one of them – he made an impressive 43 racing starts!

This pair have been 6th here at Kentucky. Sorocaima really is striking out on cross country – a real eventer’s eventer for sure.

Buck had an incredibly efficient line through Sustainability Bay – he’s really going for it and Sorocaima answers. We see them through the sunken road at 11abc and things look a little sticky. The horse is a bit backwards going into the water at 12a and it doesn’t come up for them at the b element and they scootch off to the side. 20 penalties there for them.

Caroline opts for the alternate c option at Pete’s Hollow at 14abc. There’s lots of choices there for the riders. She’s good on the clock. We catch up with her at the Head of the Lake at 18ab. She takes an interesting line through the related Head of the Lake fence at 19ab. She goes direct at the a element but then loops round for the alternate b route. Tolan King looks to be getting stronger as the course goes on.

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1:30pm

🇺🇸 FIRST COMBINATION OUT ON COURSE: Caroline Pamukcu – HSH Tolan King

Dressage Score: 33.5
Place: 15

And we’re off! Trailblazers Caroline and HSH Tolan King are out on course!

This guy made his debut at the level last year and Caroline will be looking to build on that experience here today. She’s got a busy afternoon ahead of her with three rides and will wrap things up for us later on when she takes to the course as the last to go.

They get off to a great start really getting up to scope and power over the big first fences before they come to the first combination at 4abc at MARS Sustainability Bay. The crowd is massive there but Tolan King doesn’t notice, he’s locked onto the fences. They make easy work of the tricky combination at 7, the Credit Care Question, popping through that rail ditch brush complex with no trouble.

Caroline gives the horse a positive ride through the enormous corners at 9ab. Tolan King gets right up in the air and Caroline has to push on. The horse answers though. They’re very smooth through the sunken road at 11 and then come through the big water at 12abc, the Spring Water. Caroline sees a good one, she really trusted the horse there. Then she’s crouched low and kicking on up the long gallop to the top of the course.

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EN’s coverage of Defender Kentucky is supported by Kentucky Performance Products, your one-stop shop for all the science-backed nutritional support your horse needs. Learn more about KPP here.

Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event: [Website] [Tickets] [Schedule] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map] [Venue Map] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [Support Our Sponsor: Kentucky Performance Products]

Saturday Links

By on Apr 25, 2026 12:01 am -

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jennie Brannigan (@branniganeventing)

We all can agree that grooms deserve unending recognition in this sport, and Jennie Brannigan agrees. Thanks to her generosity, not only will every 5* groom at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event receive a $100 donation contribution, but every 4* groom will now also be recognized thanks to Chewy and SmartEquine matching Jennie’s donations.

As Jennie says: “There is no version of this sport without grooms. They know every horse inside and out. They’re there before anyone else and long after the day is done. They are everything. I’m so glad to get to recognize them like this, on a weekend that wouldn’t run without them.”

Today at Defender Kentucky

It’s the best day of the Best Weekend All Year. Are you ready??

📆 Activities We’re Following Today

🎥 Follow Live

  • CCI4*-S cross country starts at 9:00 a.m. ET
  • CCI5* cross country starts at 1:30 p.m. ET
  • CSI5* $340,000 1.60m Grand Prix begins at 7:00 p.m.
  • Stream on USEF Network (free with USEF or fan membership)
  • Daily schedule
  • Entries & ride times — CCI5*  |  CCI4*-S
  • Live scoring — CCI5*  |  CCI4*-S

📍 On Course

  • Guided course preview + CCI5* and CCI4*-S maps also available on the CrossCountryApp

📝 Live Updates

📲 Behind the Scenes

  • Stay locked on Eventing Nation for the #BestWeekendAllYear at @goeventing for real-time stories and updates!
  • BTS photos, polls, prompts, and links dropping all week on our Instagram broadcast channel — sign up to stay in the loop
  • If you’re on site, download the GooseChase app to take part in the Kentucky Scavenger Hunt

📖 Know Your Competitors

  • Full Kentucky coverage here
  • Meet all the 5* horses and riders in our 2026 KY3DE Form Guide
  • Find all pre-event coverage, updates, rookie profiles, & all other essential info in our Ultimate Guide
  • Join EN’s Eventing Manager league here with code PCTD

Go Eventing!

Major International Events This Weekend

Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5* (USA): [Website] [Tickets] [Schedule] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map] [Venue Map] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Ultimate Guide] [Support Our Sponsor: Kentucky Performance Products]

Ballindenisk International CCI4*-L (IRL): [Website] [Schedule] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [CrossCountry App XC Map]

Strzegom Spring Open II CCI4*-L (POL): [Website] [Schedule] [Entries] [Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map]

US Events This Weekend

Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Spring HT (VA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map]

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

Other Links and Reading

Training Tip of the Day

Jon Holling explains how certain fences on course require a different approach:

Go Eventing

The difference between 4*-S and 5*-L is a lot more than height — it’s in how the questions are built and how long they keep coming. Commentator John Kyle explains the juxtaposition here:


An Exercise In Trust: Preview Derek di Grazia’s 2026 Defender Kentucky CCI5* Cross Country Course

By on Apr 24, 2026 11:22 pm -

The final fence on course is a newly-built design that really feels like a homage to Kentucky. Photo by Sally Spickard.

It’s 2026 and while many things in our lives may seem uncertain, theres one thing that is constant like the rising of the sun: Derek di Grazia is going to make one beautiful cross country course for the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event.

After spending some time cruising around with Derek and chatting with him a bit about this year’s cross country, I have some thoughts.

If I had to choose a theme for this year’s course I would say it is trust. Derek’s courses always reward bold, forward riding but this year Derek has also put more of an emphasis on quiet careful distances in which the rider must trust their horse to make the right decision and more importantly, wait for them to make it.

Harry Meade himself says, when asked his thoughts on the course going into Saturday, “I didn’t think there were as many bold attacking questions on forward distances…there are perhaps some more blind turns on slightly quiet distances.” With combinations on steep angles and corners on blind turns, any rider inclined to get ahead of the motion is poised for runouts. That isn’t to say riders can pull to every jump (which is a shame, I would really love that) but careful footwork and quiet, patient riding will reward the riders.

For some of these combinations, riders will have to put the clock completely out of their minds and instead focus on impulsive, bouncy canters that will set their horse up for success. Oh, but don’t worry there’s plenty of chances for riders to make up time on some of the course’s many gallop sections.

“Right in the beginning of the course,” Derek says when asked when riders can make up time, “[The riders] want to try not to be late at the third minute but after that you have to be able to take advantage of the places you do have to gallop.”

Let’s take a closer look at some of the interesting combinations on Derek DiGrazia’s course this year.

MARS Sustainability Bay 4ABC

Fence photos below via CrossCountry App

The first combination for the horse and rider pairs will come early in the course, only four jumps in, they will have to navigate a combination through the first water, getting their feet wet both literally and figuratively.

Derek did not want to catch any riders out at the first combination, there are no alternate routes as Derek anticipates everyone will be going well by this point. A straightforward cabin will need a confident ride but the horses won’t be dropping into water this early. A simple crossing through the water and out over a narrow cabin to an even narrower stump will let the horses know this is a serious event but for the green horses a successful navigation of the water will put some money in the confidence bank going into the rest of this course.

Care Credit Question 7ABCD

The coffin question also comes up early on the course, which Derek says was on purpose “it’s either going to come early or it’s going to come late” (a true Derek-ism, if there ever was one).

The direct line is pretty straightforward, in over rails, one stride to a ditch and two strides out over the double brush. Derek wants riders to emphasize a correct coffin canter so that horses don’t have the first fence down (as it is on MIMs clips): “If a horse drags its hind legs on the rail, the rail will come down, so the riders really want to make sure they ride this with the right canter.”

As per usual, Derek doesn’t want riders to struggle too much and the Care Credit Question has numerous alternate options for those that might need them. “There are a few ways for them to bail themselves out if they need to,” he said. “We really don’t want them to have a bad fence, so we’d rather give them time and have them jump an easier fence even though it’s going to take a little bit of time.”

This combination, to me, sets the tone for the course. For success at this coffin the riders cannot be worried about the time. They have to let their horse jump carefully and correctly to find the best success and I think horses will gain confidence after navigating a coffin so early but it’s up to the riders to give them the ride they need.

Opposing Corners 9AB

For this year, Derek really went all out on the corners. “We went back to the drawing board,” he said. “You’ll probably notice each one of these corners is up on a little hill. We raised the ground a little bit and makes it a bigger fence.” Which is totally fine, Derek, you’re right. Last year I thought the corners were so teeny tiny you had no choice but to make them bigger. No, they aren’t massive at all. Child’s play.

Accuracy plays a key role in this question and riders will have to “accept the angle and make sure they have their line.” This combination feels more like a typical Derek question as it emphasizes bold and decisive riding. Riders have to get the horses across these massive corners so they cannot have a weak pace. “I think the distance won’t be difficult to make, but they don’t want to get there weak,” he said.

Pete’s Hollow 14ABC

“It’s quite steep going down that slope,” Derek says, pointing to a hill that looks like a small mountain at the start of Pete’s Hollow. Riders will, of course, have to be accurate, but Derek emphasized that riders will “have to trust their horses, so they just have to be patient” as they navigate the terrain.

No horse handles terrain exactly the same so it will be up to the riders to know their horse and make sure they set them up for success. Oh don’t worry guys, it’s not just steep going into the Hollow. It’s also steep going out. That steepness is going to absolutely suck all of the power out of the horse’s canter and riders will have to make up for that by being there with their leg.

The jump out is “every bit of a meter 45” so riders cannot be lazy going up the hill (which we all know is a classic problem with 5* riders, they’re just so lazy all of the time).

EEI Root Cellar 15ABC

“We actually increased the drop this year,” says Derek, out of his mind with power. Riders will drop off of what really looks like a sheer canyon to the first brush and will have to “maintain control” after the first brush to make the turn to the second.

Control will be a necessity because these aren’t very wide jumps at all and will require absolute accuracy. “The faces on those brushes aren’t that big,” Derek admits. “Riders will have to make sure they don’t slip on by one.” Personally, bouncing off a jump would be the least of my worries after dropping from orbit and hitting terminal velocity before I hit the ground, but to each their own.

Also you’re not reading this incorrectly, it is back to back combinations for the horse and rider pairs. This drop comes right after the Hollow, making this section of the course (the sixth minute) the most intense on course. Fortunately, the seventh minute is the least intense. This carousel from CrossCountry App has this stat and more:

Owl Hole at the Mounds 16

Gang, I don’t want to talk about this fence. I thought these crazy owl holes would only haunt me at the Maryland 5 Star but they have followed me like a spectre of doom to Kentucky (which I had previously considered a safe place).

“This is one of their straightforward jumping fences,” says Derek, seemingly unaware that he has cursed this land with a demon. Sure, it’s not in combination with anything, and sure this owl hole doesn’t have eyes (wow what a gift) but it also has a TAIL which, while an impressive feat of topiary, is terrifying.

“To make it a little more interesting,” (ok Derek), “I made them have to go over the mound” (OK DEREK) “to then jump this…they’re going to have to make sure they keep the horses organized so they have a nice ride forward to this.”

It’s not a particularly large fence, which I suppose we just have to be grateful for in the grand scheme of things. You won’t catch me within 200 yards of this fence so ya’ll let me know how it goes.

Defender Head of the Lake 18AB & 19AB

I won’t lie, this year the Head of the Lake is a doozy. Riders will have to drop in (the drop is the height of a full grown man by the way) and quickly navigate 7 strides to two offset cabins that ride in 3 strides on an angle.

It looks impossible, but Derek was clever. The two cabins are not, in fact, a combination themselves. “If they do decide they don’t want to jump the direct offset they can make circles,” he describes, which honestly, was pretty chill of Derek to include. Especially considering after the second cabin (19A) riders will have only 4 strides to make it to a massive corner on a blind right turn (though Derek doesn’t consider this a blind turn. I do. It comes up fast and horses are not going to see it unless the riders are extremely diligent in showing them the way).

This, in my opinion, will probably one of the most challenging combinations on course. Riders will have to be “on” the entire time and navigate their horses deftly without getting in their way.

Normandy Bank 21ABC

For our last combination of the article we will take a look at the Normandy Bank. This year instead of bouncing in, riders will have to navigate the bank to an open oxer which “will come up quite quickly and [the riders] will have to make sure they’re quite accurate.”

This combination comes up pretty late in the course and Derek wants riders who are going well “to keep going well” but they’ll have to work for it. They’ll have to get right to the base of the oxer to make their job to the corner out easier (relatively, none of this is easy).

“It’s really important to make sure the horses are in a good balance here and when you land keep the control.” There is an alternate route here but it is pretty far away and will add some significant time penalties. Riders that want to make the time will have to go direct but do it carefully.

So what do you think? Obviously this is no walk in the park but I will be extremely interested to see how the riders handle the balance of patience, trust, and chasing the clock. There’s going to be some quick thinking and even quicker footwork. I admire Derek’s ability to keep things fresh every year and this course is no different. Good luck to all the combinations! Lock in!

To view the full course with guidance from Derek himself, click here to visit CrossCountry App. We’ll also drop a video preview below. The first horse in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S (view that course here) will be out of the start box at 9:30 a.m., and you can view full scores here.

EN’s coverage of Defender Kentucky is supported by Kentucky Performance Products, your one-stop shop for all the science-backed nutritional support your horse needs. Learn more about KPP here.

Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event: [Website] [Tickets] [Schedule] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map] [Venue Map] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [Support Our Sponsor: Kentucky Performance Products]

Monica Spencer and Artist Set Sail in Defender Kentucky CCI5*; Sharon White Best of CCI4*-S on Friday

By on Apr 24, 2026 7:50 pm -

Monica Spencer and Artist. Photo by Atalya Boytner Photography.

The art of dressage is a multi-faceted one. Perhaps chief among the challenges of this first phase of eventing is the unending pursuit of improvement. It’s just as much mental as it is skill — that fine balance of constantly pushing, experimenting, testing, validating with the knowledge and timing of when to accept the current status.

“I’ve worked on dressage a lot over the years, because it’s something I can keep improving,” Friday night and dressage leader Monica Spencer (NZL) said of her work with the 15-year-old Thoroughbred gelding Artist (Guillotine – Maxamore). That continued work paid off in a big way today as the 2022 World Championships team bronze medalist pair earned their CCI5* personal best in six starts (seven, if you count the 5* phases of a World Championships) with a 22.3. This takes just a tick off their previous PB — a 23.7 — scored at the Maryland 5 Star in 2025, where they went on to finish second overall.

There isn’t much of a margin between Monica and second-placed fellow Kiwi Tim Price and Vitali (Contender – Noble Lady I), who go forward to cross country tomorrow with a score of 22.6.

So where did Monica’s edge, razor-thin as it may be at the end of the day today, come from? I took a dive into the scores and also chased down Andrew Bennie (NZL), who’s heading up this year’s Ground Jury for the CCI5*.

Monica Spencer and Artist. Photo by Atalya Boytner Photography.

With .3 penalty points separating the two, it was worth a look at the individual movement scores. Interestingly, Tim actually received more 9s — the highest mark either rider received from the three judges — with a total of 10 earned, in comparison to Monica’s seven 10s. Interestingly, it seems that Monica was simply just a touch more consistently in the 75%-80% range throughout her test, never falling below a 6.5 for any one movement — and she only received two of those 6.5s as her lowest marks. In contrast to Tim’s scores, he fell as low as a 5.0 on movement #17, the extended canter into the collected canter, from judge at C Andrew Bennie. Tim also received three 6.5s, and so collectively while he did earn more high marks, the overall average wound up with Monica on top. Additionally of note, both riders received two 9s on their collective Harmony mark.

“Monica’s horse and her riding is very, very accurate,” Andrew Bennie told me today. “The horse has got good paces, but he is a Thoroughbred. Tim’s horse, I believe, is a warmblood, so he’s probably just that little bit more expressive than Monica’s horse, but with that they also get the difficulty of keeping the balance and the control. Tim’s did just have one little tiny blip, whereas Monica’s was extremely consistent and the horse was extremely reliable. He’s been around the block a few times, and he’s a super horse — and so’s Tim’s horse. Being a New Zealander and marking the New Zealanders up, I kept thinking, ‘I hope the other judges are marking them up as well!'” (Spoiler alert: they were)

Monica Spencer and Artist. Photo by Atalya Boytner Photography.

For Monica, the success she finds in this phase comes more from keeping “Max” happy, loose and supple in his body. He knows the movements, she says, so drilling them and constantly practicing the dressage isn’t always the recipe. Earlier today, Monica was on Max in jump tack, loosely trotting and cantering around the warm-up for just 10 or 15 minutes, never asking for much in the way of collection but simple getting the horse relaxed.

“I get the dressage out of the way early in the week, when I do the arena familiarization,” Monica elaborated. “And then the rest of the week has just been flushing out the nerves for him. So I just spend my time in the jump saddle, just trotting and cantering around, just like little and often, like twice a day, just to keep him fresh in his body, not tired on those dressage muscles, so that he can go out and do his best.”

Tim Price and Vitali. Photo by Atalya Boytner Photography.

Tim Price rode after Monica, so he knew exactly what was needed to put the pressure on — and he was on a horse who’s set a record in this phase before, earning an 18.7 at Burghley in 2023 — and while he didn’t quite catch Monica, Joseph and Alexander Giannamore’s Vitali is another veteran at this level who’s become a dependable horse for a competitive score on the flat. In debriefing his test, Tim remarked that he did push for a few bigger marks, but as Andrew Bennie noted earlier, sometimes that can affect the balance of the horse.

“The experienced ones have a lot of good balance, I think, that converts to something [the judges] can throw marks at,” Tim said. “But it’s also quite risky, because you’re going and asking for more. I don’t think I’ve ever asked for changes out of such a big canter — the last two changes — I’ve always been a bit conservative and a bit together, and I was like ‘he’s got his changes, come on, this might be the difference!’ But I was really happy with him. He’s just such a craftsman, and he’s got a great body and mind for the job.”

Tim Price and Vitali. Photo by Atalya Boytner Photography.

Vitali is 16 this year, and Tim notes, similar to Monica, that it’s more of a priority now that “it’s my job to have him in a place that he can give as much as he wants. So that’s been a big part of the plan this time, and you’re always fiddling, always tinkering. I think I’m getting better year by year, a little bit — another half-percent each year improvement in the way I can train and compete horses, and it all slightly adds up. It’s just working them in a way — look, I don’t drill my horses in any way, shape or form. I don’t target one-day events. I want them to be with me, in front of me, supple, and if you go down that road long enough, I think they just get healthier and healthier in their bodies. They want to do everything we’re asking. It’s our job to ask the right questions and for them to have the ability to answer the questions — and it’s got to be a fair question. So the more he’s feeling strong and ready, the more he can answer — provided I ask the right question.”

Tom McEwen and Brookfield Quality. Photo by Atalya Boytner Photography.

Third overnight on our newly international leaderboard will be Great Britain’s Tom McEwen, who’s brought John and Chloe Perry and Alice Swindon’s Brookfield Quality (OBOS Quality 004 – Bay Coffey Cavalier) back to Kentucky seeking an even more competitive finish than their fifth place earned in 2025. Tom, two-time team gold medalist and 2020 individual silver medalist for Great Britain, joked that he and “Norris” are pretty good for a 25 in any given scenario (his 5* average is closer to a 26.6), and their 25.1 is actually a 5* personal best, bettering their previous low mark of 25.8 earned at Pau in 2024.

“As per usual, Norris does everything he can and performed another pretty much foot-perfect clear round, like we call it,” Tom said after his ride. “So I’m delighted, I thought we put everything out there, you couldn’t have given me more, so I’m thrilled. He knows absolutely everything, so it’s just getting it right on the day. He’s feeling really good — probably the fittest he’s ever been, so it was a little different this morning to how he can be on dressage morning. He’s pretty awesome, to be honest. Once he gets in there, he’s an old boy who knows exactly what he’s up to, so it’s just for me to try and get the rhythm, the balance and try and show as good a performance as possible.”

Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake. Photo by Atalya Boytner Photography.

Our whole top four has been refreshed with newcomers this evening, and it was the final pair of the day to slot into that fourth spot in Paris Olympians Caroline Pamukcu and her own, Mollie Hoff and Sherrie Martin’s HSH Blake (Tolan R – Doughiska Lass). This pair earned one of the best scores of their FEI career to date, with a 26.6 coming in from the judges to go ahead of Thursday leaders Will Coleman and Diabolo. HSH Blake did his first CCI5* last fall at Maryland, and Caroline noted that the timing — fall versus spring — of the two events makes a notable difference in the prep work.

“This is a little bit different animal, Kentucky,” Caroline explained. “I know everyone said Maryland was extremely hard — the terrain is hard — but you also forget that they had the whole season. You kind of keep going all season and then they have a good baseline when they get to Maryland, and last year I didn’t do a spring three-day because I wasn’t really fit enough and so we kept all the horses ticking and then they kind of did their finale without a big break. After Maryland, we give them six weeks off and put them in a field to get furry and feral, so you hope they have some residual fitness, but it’s still April and there’s a lot to do out there.”

Caroline’s husband, Deniz, and her daughter, Blake, look on during her test. Photo by Atalya Boytner Photography.

Similar to Monica’s approach, Caroline opted to just get Blake out in his jump tack for his pre-rides ahead of today, focusing on keeping the relaxation rather than drilling the movements he knows quite well with his extensive experience. “Since I’ve been here, I’ve done all my work in a jump saddle,” she continued. “I did do arena familiarization, only for a few minutes, in a dressage saddle, but all the other rides have been in a jump saddle and cavalettis. I’ve tried to stay out of the dressage arena because he knows his job and then I get a little nervous and ride him a little too backwards, so when I ride in a jump saddle and over cavaletti, I ride the horse and not get so stressed about everything else. He doesn’t need a ton of warm-up, just a little to get his back soft and get him into the movements and that’s about it.”

Sharon White Best of the Bunch on Day Two of Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S

Sharon White and Claus 63. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Apologies that I couldn’t get this Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S report out earlier, but here we are. It was a great day for West Virginia-based Sharon White, who’s opted for the 4* this weekend although Claus 63 has done the CCI5* here before. For Sharon, this weekend is about regaining form that’s been a bit lost over the last few months, revisiting the foundations before she moves back up to the next level again. A 28.1 is one of their most competitive scores at the level, and was good enough to slide into second place behind untouched Thursday leaders Tamie Smith and Danito (27.0).

“Claus was really quite good,” Sharon said after her test. “We were really quite present together and it’s really nice, because it doesn’t always happen so it was very satisfying. If your plans aren’t going quite the way you want, you have to regroup and do what’s best for your horse, and that’s what I’m doing right now with Claus. I lost form a little bit, so that’s why he’s not in the five-star, and we need to put the solid foundation back in.”

Sharon White and Claus 63. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

The pursuit of presence has been something of a theme thread in Sharon’s life over the last few seasons, and with a horse like Claus who, as she puts it, is “the most mentally challenging” with his large personality and athleticism, it’s always a work in progress. “Just the constant, day to day, just ‘be with me buddy, put a little work in, it’s no big deal’ and not make it so exciting all the time,” she explained. “Just a little repetition of constant throughness, connection, be with me, do your job — good job!”

Sharon observed that Derek di Grazia’s CCI4*-S cross country track is “exactly what I need for Claus. If the universe could have put right what I needed, it’s right there, so I’m really grateful for Derek.”

Elizabeth Barratt and Ride for Thaïs Chaman Dumontceau. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Two other newcomers making up the top three, with both Elizabeth Barratt (GBR) and Ride for Thaïs Chaman Dumontceau and Tamie Smith with Lillet 3 tying for third on equal scores of 29.7. Elizabeth, part of the GB Rising Lions squad sent over here for some international experience thanks to an exciting new funding initiative, has only been teamed up with “Chaman” — who earned a team silver medal at the Paris Olympics in 2024 with Stéphane Landois (FRA) — for about 18 months, but they’ve made good on their partnership already with some great experience under their belts to date.

“I took over the ride on him last season, so we spent last season doing three-stars and Young Rider classes and stepped up to four-star at the end of the season,” Elizabeth said of her history with Chaman Dumontceau. “It’s been really good to get to know each other, and I feel like he’s come out this year and we’ve got a really strong partnership.”

“I was really pleased with my horse this morning,” Elizabeth said of her test today. “He’s always one to rise to the occasion — he loves a crowd and an atmosphere, so he went into the stadium and just absolutely loved the attention. It was definitely our best test as a combination. He was really on it, he was listening to me, he was forward and it felt like we had a great ride together.”

This is a horse with a heartbreakingly special history: Chaman Dumontceau’s former rider, Thaïs Meheust, who passed away in a cross country accident in 2019. Though Thaïs sadly never realized her own dream of competing at the Olympics, Stéphane Landois was able to realize this dream in tribute at the Paris Olympics, where they finished 14th individually and in silver as a team for France.

Stephane Landois and Chaman Dumontceau ride for Thaïs in Paris. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

“I’m full of emotion for it,” Stéphane told me in Paris after his first phase of competition with this horse. “It’s probably given me more strength to come out and perform well, knowing the history of all this and his rider.”

Another bonus from today: Will Coleman took a turn with the Pony Club Le Mieux-supported volunteers during dressage today. Photo by Atalya Boytner Photography.

I’d love to stay and write more words, but unfortunately I now need to move on to course previewing as it’s nearly TIME for the big show tomorrow on cross country day. While I work away on Sydney Steverson’s preview of Derek’s track, you can view a video preview in the video below. We’ll be back with you tomorrow with a cross country live blog from Cheg Darlington, so get some sleep everyone and Go Eventing!

EN’s coverage of Defender Kentucky is supported by Kentucky Performance Products, your one-stop shop for all the science-backed nutritional support your horse needs. Learn more about KPP here.

Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event: [Website] [Tickets] [Schedule] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map] [Venue Map] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [Support Our Sponsor: Kentucky Performance Products]

Friday News & Notes from Stable View

By on Apr 24, 2026 12:01 am -

One Big Thing: SEE You in Kentucky!

EN Columnist, Bringer of Humor, and Social Takeover Queen Sydney Steverson will be co-hosting the SEE You in Kentucky 5* cross-country highlight walk today at 4:00 p.m. ET alongside 5* rider Sara Kozumplik on behalf of Strides for Equality Equestrian, offering insight, perspective, and an inclusive space to learn together in one of the most iconic settings in the sport. A reception will follow at 5:30 p.m. at the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation Pavilion (behind the on-site ticket booth), where you can grab a bite, a drink, and enter a raffle to win a personal 5* stadium jumping course walk on Sunday! [Click here to register and reserve your spot]

Today at Defender Kentucky

It’s Dressage Day 2, and here’s everything you need to know for today:

📆 Activities We’re Following Today

🎥 Follow Live

  • CCI4*-S dressage resumes at 8:00 a.m. ET
  • CCI5* dressage resumes at 1:00 p.m. ET
  • CSI5* $200,000 Grand Prix begins at 7:00 p.m.
  • Stream on USEF Network (free with USEF or fan membership)
  • Daily schedule
  • Entries & ride times — CCI5*  |  CCI4*-S
  • Live scoring — CCI5*  |  CCI4*-S

📍 On Course

  • Guided course preview + CCI5* and CCI4*-S maps also available on the CrossCountryApp

📝 Live Updates

📲 Behind the Scenes

  • Stay locked on Eventing Nation for the #BestWeekendAllYear at @goeventing for real-time stories and updates!
  • If you’re on site, download the GooseChase app to take part in the Kentucky Scavenger Hunt

📖 Know Your Competitors

  • Full Kentucky coverage here
  • Meet all the 5* horses and riders in our 2026 KY3DE Form Guide
  • Find all pre-event coverage, updates, rookie profiles, & all other essential info in our Ultimate Guide
  • Join EN’s Eventing Manager league here with code PCTD

Go Eventing!

Major International Events This Weekend

Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5* (USA): [Website] [Tickets] [Schedule] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map] [Venue Map] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Ultimate Guide] [Support Our Sponsor: Kentucky Performance Products]

Ballindenisk International CCI4*-L (IRL): [Website] [Schedule] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [CrossCountry App XC Map]

Strzegom Spring Open II CCI4*-L (POL): [Website] [Schedule] [Entries] [Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map]

US Events This Weekend

Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Spring HT (VA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map]

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

Other Links and Reading

Sponsor Corner: Stable View

 

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Have you seen those incredible videos cycling around social media of riders (often dressed in skirts and hats) cantering their horse one-handed through what seems like an extreme trail course with jumps, lances, gates, and bridges? Have you ever wanted to try it out yourself? Well now you can!

Stable View is pleased to introduce one of the fastest-growing equestrian discipline: Working Equitation! This dynamic sport showcases the partnership between horse and rider through dressage, ease of handling, and speed. Whether you’re new to Working Equitation and or an experienced competitor, we have something for everyone! All ages, all breeds, all riders – Working Equitation is fun at every level!

Join us for two upcoming shows in the South Eastern Working Equitation Buckle Series:
📅 June 13–14
📅 August 15–16

Curious to give it a try? Limited spots are available on June 12th for a special introductory day—perfect for exposing your horse and experiencing the sport firsthand. Whether you’re looking to learn or compete, entries are now open on EventEntries.com. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this exciting addition at Stable View!

Training Tip of the Day

Tomorrow is cross-country day — do you know what a “fly fence” is? Learn about common mistakes, fixes, exercises, and tips for success with Bonnie Mosser:

[Read the article here]

Go Eventing

Let’s be real, we’re all here for the dogs of Kentucky — and Mary Bess Davis’s pup Dash is bringing us his personal Kentucky experience:


Lay It on the Line: Will Coleman and Diabolo Take Day One Lead in Defender Kentucky CCI5*

By on Apr 23, 2026 6:37 pm -

Will Coleman and Diabolo. Photo by Atalya Boytner Photography.

Despite the fact Will Coleman admitted he felt he didn’t have things completely perfect in his final warm-up ahead of Diabolo‘s first CCI5* dressage test at Defender Kentucky, the efforts made between the boards today were plenty for a Thursday lead. Will and the 14-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by the Diabolo Group earned a 27.3 (with two penalties added for an error for halting at the wrong letter to end the test), a pleasing result in any scenario but certainly one to build off of at the 5* level.

“The first time you do a five-star at a place like this — this kind of atmosphere — you’re never totally sure how your horse is going to cope,” Will commented after his ride. “Diabolo got a little excited. Even my final warm-ups, I didn’t feel like I totally had him. But to his credit, he went in there, and he really stayed with me, and he did his job as best he could. There’s little things I’d love to clean up, but I can’t be anything but proud of him and I just really, really adore this horse.”

It’s been a slow build to this point with “Dab”, who was brought up from Australia at the end of the 2022 season after starting his career with Gemma Tinney. It was actually Will’s wife, Katie, who saw the video of Diabolo (Diarado – Roulett M) first and put the bug in Will’s ear. Will and his dad traveled to Australia for a whirlwind trip to try the horse, and soon enough he was on a plane to the States.

Dabs for “Dab”? Photo by Atalya Boytner Photography.

Some health issues acclimating to life in the Northern Hemisphere and other niggling things cropped up, as they do with horses, and truthfully Will’s always been more of the patient type — especially with a horse that had already competed to the 4* level with another rider. That means more time building a partnership — it’s certainly not a scenario in which a rider can or should just get on and kick on with a horse that’s competed at a high level.

That patience has paid off over the years, resulting in a win in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S that runs alongside the CCI5* here in 2024 and a podium finish in the pair’s first 4*-L together at TerraNova in 2023.

“[It was a] very good program there with the Tinneys, but a different program, probably, to what he has here,” Will elaborated. “And I think it takes time for him to adjust to that, and for us to learn him and learn what he needs from us. I would say now you’re sort of seeing it come to fruition a little bit, but the weekend’s still not done, and we’ve got to see how the rest of the event goes. But happy with today and happy with this horse. He’s trying for me, that’s all I can ask for.”

Phillip Dutton and Possante. Photo by Atalya Boytner Photography.

Phillip Dutton didn’t quite have the fall season he was hoping for with the now-13-year-old KWPN gelding Possante (Namelus R – Wendelien), but that’s all behind him now and he’s full-steam ahead with this new slate, earning a 28.1 from the Ground Jury today for second place overnight. Our Ground Jury in the CCI5* is headed up by Andrew Bennie of New Zealand; he’s joined by Seppo Laine (FIN) and Valerie Pride (USA).

“He’s a great horse on the flat, and I think the best is still ahead of him, which is exciting,” Phillip said. “We started off not that great, we spooked in the corner so it wasn’t the best way to start off, but I thought he was very good from then on. Dressage comes reasonably easy for the horse, so it’s more just a case of keeping him calm and me riding well, and then it usually goes well.”

Phillip admits he’s had to be patient with the production of this horse as well. He was first produced to the 4* level by Great Britain’s Emily King, showing his promise by finishing fifth in the famous future-star spotlight 8/9-year-old CCI4*-S at Blenheim in 2022 before transferring to Phillip and the Possante Group.

Phillip Dutton and Possante. Photo by Atalya Boytner Photography.

“I mean, we’ve taken it slow,” Phillip said. “Actually, we struggled a little bit when I first got him, so I’ve had him for quite a few years now, but he’s starting to come together. He’s a kind horse — he wants to do the right thing, and he’s not trying to get out of things. It’s just he’s a bit bigger, and it’s taken a while to get him a bit quicker-footed and secure in what he does.”

Phillip as well as fourth-placed Harry Meade (GBR) noted that this test — FEI CCI5* Test A — is rather horse-friendly in the way it’s written, but nonetheless still a proper test of your training.

“Certainly doing the shoulder-in on the quarter line is a little bit more of a test, you don’t have the boards to hold you there, and then to half-pass right across the arena takes a bit more education from your horse as well. The first two changes are out of the counter-canter, so I think it does test the education and your training of the horse. I think it’s a pretty nice test — maybe one of the easier ones at the five-star.”

Tim Price and Global Quest. Photo by Atalya Boytner Photography.

Tim Price (NZL) rounds out the top three with Global Quest (Metropole – Broadford Star), a horse formerly ridden by the late and loved Georgie Campbell, earning a 29.8 for third place overnight. “He’s not God’s gift to dressage,” Tim laughed. “He’s quite a big horse, and he finds it all quite difficult, but I think the recipe was good this time. He was relaxed and giving as much of himself as he could, and it was quite fun.”

Tim credits the great footing in the dressage with some of effect to allow Global Quest to relax and give through his body. “It’s always nice at these big events, especially the ones when you’ve got such premium surfaces all the way through — horses that are natural, big, flamboyant movers, they can be in mud, they can be in grass. But the ones that are really working at their maximum in terms of the movements and pushing through their bodies the right way — I just love the fact we’ve got such consistent surfaces all the way through to the main ring.”

“I ride him in her honor,” Tim said of Georgie, who passed away after a cross country accident at Bicton in May of 2024. “She’d done, I think, a four-Long with him and she was targeting Luhmühlen when that happened. So I did a couple of four-Longs with him, built up to Pau last year, and then his owners, Dinah and Lance [Morish], and I just kept talking about Kentucky. It’s such a great stepping stone to the five-stars back in the UK that will always be there. And it’s great for the owners to come here, they have such a great time, so we thought it would be a fun thing to do.”

Harry Meade and Superstition. Photo by Atalya Boytner Photography.

Fourth overnight will be World #1 Harry Meade, who’s armed with two horses with an equal shot at a podium finish. The first of those was his own and Mandy Gray’s Superstition (Satisfaction FRH – Calendula), who at 17 truly has his own way of doing things at this point in his career – and both Harry and Mandy are happy to make life the simplest it can be for him. This means light, light scheduling — in fact, the 17-year-old British Hanoverian gelding hasn’t run an event yet this season, and his last start as a fifth-place finish at MARS Badminton last May. For Harry, the prep is done at home — the horse’s experience certainly helps here, as he’s already done five CCI5*s and never finished outside of the top 7 — and it’s more important to mind Superstition’s mental health more than drill the techniques.

“He’s quite intense horse to work,” Harry explained. “He’s very sort of fractious in his mind, gets very stressed at competitions. He’s done nothing since Badminton up to here, and it’s not what I would choose for every horse. But for me, it was the balance of what, actually, do the prep runs do for him, and the benefit — does that outweigh the tension? And I felt that it probably made him a less secure person in his own mind. So a lot of it’s just about keeping him feeling very comfortable and confident and happy and enjoying it and not under the spotlight, and then bring him out to a big one. I’m well aware that it’s unorthodox, and if I go and fall off at fence five, people might be quick to put two and two together, make seven and say, ‘Oh, it’s because the horse wasn’t prepared.’ But he’s been a very well proven, secure, five-star horse who’s demonstrated, hopefully, a partnership and real competence, and he feels just as prepared. This year we’ve done it at home.”

Harry Meade and Superstition. Photo by Atalya Boytner Photography.

To be honest, I think it’s a respectable approach. Of course, it remains to be seen how this “unorthodox” prep will pay off on Saturday and Sunday, but Harry is nothing if not a consummate horseman — and he’s fortunate to have a supporter like Mandy Gray, who agreed that there was no reason to push for more results. One three-day a year, when most others would do two, is not a common approach, but isn’t it better to think of what sets the horse up for success?

The 30.2 earned by Harry and Superstition today isn’t their CCI5* personal best, but Harry echoed Phillip’s thoughts that this test was rather horse-friendly.

“I think it’s quite a horse-friendly test in the fact that you start opening them up in the medium and have a little bit of quite forward lateral work, and then another extended,” Harry elaborated. “And it’s that way throughout both the trot and the canter in that it’s not a backwards test. It encourages the horse to keep thinking forward and is quite rewarding for horses to execute.”

Boyd Martin and Cooley Nutcracker. Photo by Atalya Boytner Photography.

Boyd Martin had a very special guest in the stands today: Liz Halliday made her first public appearance this afternoon just in time for her Olympic horse, Cooley Nutcracker (owned by Liz’s Nutcrackers — yes, that is the owner group’s name and we’re very here for it), to go down centerline. Liz, who continues her incredible recovery from a traumatic brain injury sustained in a fall in August of 2024, recently obtained her para dressage certification (LA28 BABY) and will be in attendance all week at Kentucky to cheer on Boyd and “Bali” as well as all of her friends and teammates competing this week.

“I heard Liz might be coming when I finished, I looked up in the stands, and there she was, just in the seating with all the gang,” Boyd smiled. “So I’m about to go over and say hello to her. I hope she’s proud of her horse — hope she was happy with this. It’s great to see her here.”

Welcome back, Liz! Photo by Atalya Boytner Photography.

Boyd would’ve loved a score in the 20s as is more Cooley Nutcracker’s MO, but a 30.7 is good for fifth overnight and certainly something to climb from in the jumping phases.

“I’m still getting to know him,” Boyd said of his test with Bali, who is by Tolan R and out of Ballyshan Cleopatra. “He’s a fantastic horse, and he’s not my normal type of ride. Usually I’m quite on hot, spicy horses, but he’s got that sort of laid back aura about him, and so I’ve got to ride him every step of the way. So all in all, I was pretty pleased with it.”

We’ll be back with you tomorrow in the CCI5* at 1:00 p.m. EST, and of course the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S dressage wraps up first (you can read our morning report from today here), beginning at 8:00 a.m. EST tomorrow. You can find full scores, live stream info and more in the links below.

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