It’s time to take a peek behind the curtain and see the fruits of the labors of the top-notch course designing and building team at Kentucky! In just over a week’s time, we’ll be heading out for cross country at the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, and Samantha Clark went out for an early preview with designer in residence Derek di Grazia.
The direction of the course has been reversed again this year, which sees some combinations like the coffin coming early in the going at fence 6, and Pete’s Hollow tackled before riders head to the iconic Head of the Lake. There’s certainly plenty to do, and while this preview only touches on some of the major combinations on course there will be many more challenges — both in terms of fences as well as terrain — on this approximately 11 minute, 20 second track (official optimum time has yet to be confirmed).
You can catch up on more Kentucky content, including the latest Behind the Barn interviews, on the event’s YouTube channel here.
EN’s coverage of Defender Kentucky is supported by Kentucky Performance Products. To learn more about Kentucky Performance Products’ science-backed nutritional support products, click here.
