Defender Kentucky CCI5* Entry Preview: The Olympic Champion Returns

Michael Jung (GER) wins individual gold at the Paris Olympics with fischerChipmunk FRH (who competed as ‘Chipmunk’ in Paris per FEI regulations on naming). Photo by Tilly Berendt.

It’s high 5* season and we now look ahead to the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, which has revealed its entry list for us to obsessively study. We’ve got a strong field full of Olympians, former winners or podium finishers both here at Kentucky and elsewhere at 5* events, a bursting roster of 5* rookies, and much more to look forward to, so let’s dive right in.

[To view the full CCI5* list, click here]

Entries for the Cosequin Lexington 4*-S will be posted soon; keep an eye on the Kentucky website here!

First, the headlining division of the weekend. Featuring on the list is one Olympic champion (three times over, that is) in Germany’s Michael Jung, who brings forward the 17-year-old fischerChipmunk FRH for another run at 5* glory.

Michael and Chipmunk haven’t been to Kentucky since 2022 (when they set an astonishing record for the lowest-ever finishing 5* score and largest margin of victory at this event on a 20.1, as well as the title of most Kentucky wins for a single rider for Michael), as the Hanoverian gelding was saved for championships in the intervening years. Michael, in all likelihood, has this fall’s FEI European Eventing Championships at Blenheim in mind, as well as potentially the FEI World Championships at Aachen in 2026 with this special horse, and as far as 5*s go, it’s difficult not to think that this run could be one of, if not the, last we’ll see Chipmunk at the level. Of course, this is some speculation on my part, but the point remains: whatever the future may hold, enjoy this incredible era of success, longevity, and consistency.

But it’s not just a shoo-in win for Germany — far from it! We’ve got a big contingent of international entries and a good number of U.S. pairs that will launch their own assault on the top of the podium come Sunday.

Tim Price and Falco. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

That includes Maryland 5 Star runner-up and Paris Olympics sixth-place individual finisher Falco, teamed up with Tim Price (NZL). This 16-year-old Hanoverian owned by Sue Benson for Tim is making his first visit to Kentucky, and if his performance at Maryland is anything to go on, it’s safe to say the U.S. suits him just fine. Tim’s also got a second entry in the 11-year-old Jarillo, who made an impressive debut at soggy, soggy Pau last October for a top 10 finish, and a third in the 13-year-old Blenheim 4*-L winner from 2024, Happy Boy, who has started but been withdrawn from two 5*s and will be looking for what could be a competitive first completion in Kentucky.

Tom McEwen and JL Dublin. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Paris Olympic team gold medalist Tom McEwen (GBR) has cross-entered Kentucky and Badminton with both JL Dublin and Brookfield Quality, and so we should anticipate that at least one of these will travel over for Kentucky. Tom’s come achingly close to the win here at Kentucky as recently as 2024 when he was second with JL Dublin behind Oliver Townend (GBR) and Cooley Rosalent (who are opting for Badminton this year, along with Maryland 5 Star winner Ballaghmor Class).

Harry Meade and Superstition. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Also representing Great Britain is Harry Meade, who’s absolutely flush with 5* horses once more this season with three entered here at Kentucky (and cross-entered at Badminton while he finalizes his plans), as well as some on the waitlist at Badminton. For Kentucky, Harry currently has entered Superstition, Et Hop du Matz, and Graffenacht, a former ride of the now-retired William Fox-Pitt who’s very nearly won at th level a couple of times and is coming off an early-season 4*-L win at Montelibretti in Italy. It remains to be seen exactly which horses from the cross-entered pairs will end up at Kentucky, but we’ll be sure to keep you updated as we see any movement on either Kentucky or Badminton’s entry list.

[View the Badminton entry list here]

Lara de Liedekerke-Meier and Hooney d’Arville. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

We’re also looking forward to welcoming yet another Paris Olympian in Belgium’s Lara de Liedekerke-Meier (whose name, if I’m being honest, is right up there with La Biosthetique Sam’s in terms of my pride in my ability to now spell it without double-checking it), who will be bringing her 2024 Luhmühlen winner Hooney d’Arville for what will be Lara’s first trip to the Bluegrass since she competed at the 2010 World Equestrian Games. Lara’s an bright ball of energy and this mare she’s entered is a particularly special one: Hooney’s dam, Nooney Blue, was Lara’s first big-time horse, taking her to Junior, Young Rider, and Senior Championships, carrying her to a first 4* win, and many more achievements — including the aforementioned WEG, at which Belgium finished sixth as a nation. Nooney recently passed away at the age of 28, making this trip bak to Kentucky an incredibly sentimental one.

Joseph Murphy and Calmaro. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Whew – we aren’t even midway through the plethora of internationals! We’ll also see entries from Calvin Böckmann (GER) and The Phantom of the Opera, who competed at Kentucky in 2024, Jonelle Price (NZL) and her Paris horse Hiarado, and Clarke Johnstone (NZL) with his Paris horse, Menlo Park, Joseph Murphy (IRL) and Calmaro, who return to the 5* level for the first time since they came ninth at Kentucky in 2022. Libussa Lübbeke (GER) and Caramia 34, an exciting young pair out of the Warendorf production system in Germany who finished in the top 20 in their 5* debut at Luhmühlen last year and would have done even better had it not been for a tricky pin activation that resulted in 11 penalties.

Monica Spencer and Artist. Photo by Sally Spickard.

U.S.-based Kiwi pair, Monica Spencer and Artist, make a return to Kentucky after finishing seventh last year and 11th at Burghley later on in the year. This full Thoroughbred gelding is inarguably one to watch this weekend, and he’s coming off two strong prep runs at the Stirling Venture Capital Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce’s Field and Carolina International, where an annoying pin penalty held them from claiming the 4*-S win.  Monica’s based herself in Virginia for the next few seasons, with several young horses currently progressing through the 2* and 3* levels. It’s just Monica, her husband Andrew, and her son Gus running the ship with this growing string of horses — a true family effort.

Boyd Martin and Fedarman B. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Next up, the North Americans, and there are certainly some pairs here who will be a serious threat to the podium. Boyd Martin has three horses entered, including his Paris horse, Fedarman B, and his direct reserve horse, Commando 3. Boyd finished within sight of the podium in Paris as the top-placed U.S. rider with “Bruno” (5th) and as he was targeted toward Paris previously, this will actually be his first 5* run at Kentucky. Boyd noted last year that he had used strategy with this horse, who he took the reins for on behalf of the late Annie Goodwin, targeting Luhmühlen and Pau as his first 5*s because of their potential similarity to the Paris cross country. He’s run Fedarman B in the 4* here (4th – 2024), and this will be an exciting third 5* endeavor for a fan-favorite pair.

Boyd Martin and Commando 3. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Commando 3 was poised for a competitive debut at Maryland last fall, but the attempt ended early after he parted ways with Boyd early on cross country. The fall wasn’t a cause for concern, and he’d come second in the 4*-S at Kentucky earlier in the year after laying down a 28.9 in the dressage and accumulating just three seconds of time on cross country. So we know he handled the terrain at the shorter distance just fine, and he’s coming off of a 22.6 dressage score in the 3*-S at Carolina earlier this month. Should all things go to plan, this could easily be a podium pair and hopefully the first of a string of success at this top level.

Boyd Martin and Luke 140. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Luke 140 also makes a return to the 5* level after a slightly longer hiatus than his stablemates as he was sidelined for the majority of last year. He finished fourth in his 5* debut at Luhmühlen in 2023 and is another horse well capable of going sub-30 on the flat. That gives Boyd three potential aces to make a strong run for that coveted 5* win.

We’ve also got several North American (or at least, based in North America) pairs who are some serious leaderboard climber threats that would be great additions to your Eventing Manager team.

Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Double Sixteen. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Among those are HSH Double Sixteen, ridden by U.S. Olympian Caroline Pamukcu in his 5* debut. “Six” is a 10-year-old full Thoroughbred gelding who won his 4*-S prep outing at Bouckaert Equestrian in early March. While he’s not likely to pull a sub-30 at this stage, he is quick-footed and can deliver a clear round on show jumping day at a long format.

Ema Klugman and Bronte Beach Z. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Another to keep an eye on will be Australia’s Ema Klugman with Bronte Beach Z, who finished fourth at Carolina (contributing to a whole haul of US Equestrian Open points for Ema, resulting in her sitting second on the leaderboard behind Phillip Dutton) after starting the weekend in 13th. Ema and Bronte were 21st in the 13-year-old Zangersheide mare’s 5* debut last year and were well on their way to another strong performance at Maryland when they unluckily parted ways at the MARS Sustainability Bay water late on course (and not for a lack of effort to stay together!).

Jennie Brannigan and Twilightslastgleam. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Jennie Brannigan has been off to a cracking start this year, winning the Carolina 4*-S with FE Lifestyle, who’s cross-entered at Kentucky but will most likely be heading to Badminton instead. She will have the full Thoroughbred, Twilightslastgleam, with her in Kentucky as another big threat to make some moves up in the standings. He was 16th at Kentucky last year and fifth at Maryland in the fall.

Julie Wolfert and SSH Playboy. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Morven Park 4*-L winner Julie Wolfert is another climber, taking the victory in Leesburg after starting about mid-pack following dressage with SSH Playboy. This is an exciting — and long-awaited — 5* debut for Julie, whose Rookie profile we’ll have coming your way soon!

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

Speaking of rookies, we’ve got quite the class this year! Let’s welcome the following to the 5* ranks:

• Arden Wildasin and Sunday Times
• Brooke Burchianti and Cooley Space Gray
• Cassie Sanger and Redfield Fyre
• Julie Wolfert and SSH Playboy
• Lucienne Bellissimo and Dyri
• Mary Bess Davis and Imperio Magic
• Shannon Lilley and Eindhoven Garette

A warm welcome back to the 5* level to Matt Brown, who returns with a debut horse in Alderwood after last competing at the level at Kentucky in 2017 with Super Socks BCF. Photo by Sally Spickard.

While somehow this preview has ballooned to 1700 words, believe it or not there are still some pairs I didn’t dive into, but we’ll have much more information on each competitor in our Form Guide, coming the week of Kentucky. In the meantime, here’s a look at the full entries:

Defender Kentucky: [Website] [Tickets] [Schedule] [EN’s Coverage]

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