He’s only gone and done it again; set a brand new record. He did it back in 2022, when he and Chipmunk took the top spot AND set the record for the lowest ever finishing score at 5*, with a score of 20.1
Now they are back to reclaim the winning trophy, and their campaign has got off to a record breaking start; their score of 18.6 is now the lowest dressage score ever recorded at Kentucky, a record that previously belonged to another great German, Bettina Hoy, who scored 19.2 with Ringwood Cockatoo back in 2009.
Michi is streets ahead already of the rest of the pack already, will anyone catch him on this second day of dressage? Probs not is the short answer. But it ain’t over til the fat lady sings (or at least until the jumping phases have finished) so we could still see a very different leaderboard come Sunday night.
But no one can take that record from Michi and Chipmunk, that is for sure.
U.S. Weekend Preview
Defender Kentucky (KY): [Website] [Tickets] [Official Schedule] [Entries & Ride Times] [Scoring] [XC Maps] [ClipMyHorse Live Stream] [USEF Network on ClipMyHorse Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [Ultimate Guide] [Form Guide]
Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Spring H.T. (VA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Horse Park of New Jersey Spring H.T. (NJ): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]
Major International Events
Ballindensik International Horse Trials: [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]
Today at Defender Kentucky
Hello and welcome to Day 3 of the Defender Kentucky Horse Trials, where our team on the ground will be bringing all of the action as it unfolds – and some more besides! Make sure that you are following us on either Instgram @goeventing and/or on Facebook – and sign up to our broadcast channel too, for the very best fun from behind the scenes!
Meanwhile, over in the UK, Cheg will be keeping you updated with all of the dancing and prancing taking place in the main arena, as the second day of dressage gets underway.
The Cosequin CCI4*-S will resume at 8AM EST/2PM CET, while the final 20 5* competitors will flick their toes between 1 PM and 3:50 PM EST/7-9.50PM CET. Follow along with Cheg’s live updates here (as with yesterday, this link WILL NOT go live until the first of our 5* competitiors enters the arena, so please bear this in mind!).
Official ride times and scoring can be found on the official Kentucky site, and you can watch the livestream over on USEF Network (free with your USEF membership or a free fan membership), or on ClipMyHorse if you are outside of the U.S.
If you have been living under a rock (or indeed, have another, perfectly reasonable excuse) and have yet to see all of the best – and worst – “lewks” from Wednesday’s jog, you can find out all that you need to know right here.
Both the 4* and 5* course maps are up to view on the CrossCountryApp, and there is also a guided 5* course preview on there too.
If you need anything else – including a comprehensive guide to all of this year’s competitors – you can find all of Kentucky coverage right here with links and guides to all the essential information. We will be updating the site regularly, so do keep checking in to see what’s new – now buckle up and let’s Go Eventing!
Defender Kentucky (KY): [Website] [Tickets] [Official Schedule] [Entries & Ride Times] [Scoring] [XC Maps] [ClipMyHorse Live Stream] [USEF Network on ClipMyHorse Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [Ultimate Guide] [Form Guide]
News & Reading
If you still have room in your brain for further facts and figures on all of the key players in the Defender Kentucky 5* this weekend, then you are in luck. Our friends over at EquiRatings have produced a comprehensive form guide with all of the stats that you could ever need – and some more besides. They’ve produced one for the Cosequin 4*-S, too, so you’re clued up on all of the action taking place at Kentucky Horse Park this weekend.
Speaking of EquiRatings – and Kentucky for that matter – they have done a deep dive into one of the key contenders for the 5* title, Mr Michi Jung, and his Paris Gold medal winner, fischerChipmunk FRH. He’s currently t== hands down favourite to win, according to the EquiRatings Prediction Centre, and Ali Barrett has broken down all the facts and figures, to explain exactly why that is – and what has to be done to beat the indomitable German, who is chasing down an incredible sixth Kentucky title.
It may be hard to look beyond this weekend, or think about anything other than 5* eventing, what with both Adelaide and Badminton just around the corner, too. But there is further excitement ahead – this time from the world of showjumping, with the upcoming premier of Big Star: The Nick Skelton Story documenting the fairytale partnership of the 2016 Olympic Champions, Nick Skelton and Big Star. Charting the highs and lows that culminated in that historic win, the documentary will premier in London on Friday 9th May, before being released in cinemas across the UK. There is no news yet as to when it will be available elsewhere, though it is only a matter of time before we can all take a trip down memory lane with Nick and Big Star.
For a little extra behind the scenes intel from Kentucky this week, take a look at the Team Price homepage. The superb Jacky Green keeps their blog updated regularly, and it is worth a follow at any time of the year – and especially so during a major event! From insider info on all of the Team Price horses, to silly stories and anecdotes, it will make you chuckle if nothing else.
Sponsor Corner: Stable View
Want to try something new this fall? Why not enter the Stable View Aiken Trailblazer race (no horse required!), happening October 25. Click here to view the full calendar of things coming up at this happening Aiken venue.
Video Break
He’s due to go up the centre line with Brookfield Quality today at 1.48PM EST/7.48PM CET, so what better time to find out a little more about “Norris,” and Tom’s hopes for this weekend?
