Chinch? Ya doing OK there, buddy? Photo via CrossCountryApp.
Here we go ENers! It’s cross country day at Defender Kentucky and first up we have the Cosequin Lexington 4*-S competition.
I’ll be here with you ALL DAY, bringing you every scrap of the action from both the 4* and 5* courses, so settle in for one MASSIVE day celebrating the best sport in the world at The Best Weekend All Year.
Before we turn our attention to all that, here’s a quick look at the 4* leaderboard as it stands after the dressage phase:
1️⃣ 🇺🇸 Will Coleman and Off The Record put down a PB of 21.8 to go straight to the top of the leaderboard.
2️⃣ 🇺🇸 It’s a Dutton double for the rest of the rolling podium, with Phillip Dutton in second place at this point in proceedings with Possante on a score of 23.1.
3️⃣ 🇺🇸 Phillip slid down two places after holding the overnight lead on the first day of dressage with Denim to finish up in third on a score of 25.6.
The action’s due to get underway at 9:34am EST / 3:30pm CEST when Heather Gillette will head out of the startbox with Vincent Chase and take us on our first trip ‘round the track.
A quick update on overnight withdrawals: Lisa Barry and Rosie’s Aventadora were due to be the first to go, but have withdrawn. Will Coleman will not be bringing Very Dignified forward; he will however be going at 11:08 am EST / 5:08 pm CEST with current leader Off The Record. Sarah Cousins has withdrawn Wizzard.
There’s a mammoth field for the 4* with all sorts of exciting combinations set to go. You’ll find the ride times for all of the competitors right here.
As you know, here at EN we just can’t help ourselves but bring you all the deets we can unturf at the big events, happy to risk brain and finger strain to keep our fellow eventing nerds so thoroughly up-to-date that a huge eventing hangover is inevitable as we crawl from our beds on Monday morning to face a day bereft of eventing, until the next time. You’ll find all our love from Defender Kentucky right here. And that’s not all because we’re nothing if not generous in sharing our crazy. Go behind-the-scenes with us on over on our Instagram channel @goeventing – follow along and get involved here.
Whilst we await the first countdown of the day, here’s some links for your perusal:
▶️ Cosequin Lexington 4*-S Dressage Day One
▶️ Cosequin Lexington 4*-S Dressage Day Two
▶️ Live Leaderboard
▶️ Course Map
▶️ EN’s Cross Country Preview
Before we head out on course, a little ‘refresher’ on the no. 1 rule of following EN’s classic live blog: refresh, refresh, refresh – and all will be revealed.
If you’re catching up with this later and are the type to like things in order, scroll ⬇️ and read ⬆️. If going backwards is more your jam, have at it.
Have we go ENers… Let’s go eventing!
Defender Kentucky: [Website] [Tickets] [Official Schedule] [Entries & Ride Times] [Scoring] [XC Maps – Coming Soon] [ClipMyHorse Live Stream] [USEF Network on ClipMyHorse Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Form Guide]
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EN’s coverage of Defender Kentucky is supported by Kentucky Performance Products. To learn more about Kentucky Performance Products’ science-backed nutritional support products, click here.
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12:40pm
SUMMARY OF THE DAY’S SPORT
EN’s classic full round-up report will be with you just as soon as our boots on the ground have managed to process ALL THAT ACTION. Eyes on the website for that landing in the near future.
Until then, here’s a quick re-cap of what went down…
The top of the leaderboard remains unchanged with Will Coleman still out in front with Off The Record and Phillip Dutton in second and third with Possante and Denim respectively.
You’ll find the full leaderboard right here.
But eventing is about so, so much more than the leaderboard. Hopes, dreams, ambitions, partnerships, good days, bad days, great days, moments to cherish and moments to learn. Here’s a sample of what today brought for the 4* competitors:
⚡ Will Coleman had the fastest round of the day with Off The Record, picking up 7.2 time penalties and finishing up still at the top of the leaderboard on 29. Allison Springer was the second-quickest with her exciting mare No May Moon, picking up 7.6 penalties. Jessie Phoenix and Freedom GS were third-fastest, picking up 8 time penalties.
🩷 The matchy award goes to Ali Kuhn and Little Hail who opted for a shocking pink set. They had a lovely time out there and completed clear with time. Ali’s grin as she crossed the line was priceless. What a feel that must have been.
🪜 Leaderboard Climb – Ema Klugman had the biggest leaderboard climb of the day after an impressive round with Chiraz. They were in 30th after the dressage and now sit in =7th on a score of 43.4. They were quick and clear, fourth-fastest of the day, picking up just 9.6 time penalties.
📉 Not Their Day Today – There were a few early retirements, with the Mighty Moguls taking a few scalps early doors. The pathfinder Heather Gillette set the tone from the start with Vincent Chase, calling it a day at fence 5. Kristi Foresman put her hand up at 4 and Buck Davidson had problems at 4 and 5 before retiring. The Park Question at 6 also proved to be tricky.
⛳ 12b was the fence where the flag was a bit iffy, causing a question for the clubhouse leader Will that hung over his score for a little while. All penalties at 12 were taken off though. The only flag penalty remaining was for Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake, which they picked up at 18b.
😬 Eek – There was a moment for Taren Hoffos and Master Class when the gelding decided that the occasion was just all too much for him today. A spook stopped him in his tracks and Taren ended up out the side door, landing on her feet. A sad end to their Kentucky but neither horse nor rider worse for the experience.
🦆 Oh Duck! Fortunately/unfortunately for my planned pun, no one had a ducking this morning, but we’ve still got the 5* to go.
There were no horse falls and just Taren who hit the deck, but you couldn’t really call that a fall, more of an exit. So a very successful day of sport all round.
Keep it locked onto EN for the full report coming your way and join me back with the live blog in just a little while, when I’ll bring you all of the cross country action from the 5* competition. Reminders set for 1:30pm EST / 7:30pm CEST. See you there!
One huge cross country competition down, one to go. This truly is The Best Weekend All Year. Go eventing!
Defender Kentucky: [Website] [Tickets] [Official Schedule] [Entries & Ride Times] [Scoring] [XC Maps – Coming Soon] [ClipMyHorse Live Stream] [USEF Network on ClipMyHorse Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Form Guide]
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EN’s coverage of Defender Kentucky is supported by Kentucky Performance Products. To learn more about Kentucky Performance Products’ science-backed nutritional support products, click here.
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12:15pm
Wow, what an exciting competition for the Cosequin Lexington 4* at Defender Kentucky! There’s no change at the top of the leaderboard after truly great rides from Will and Phillip:
1️⃣ 🇺🇲 Still leading the pack is Will Coleman and Off The Record who had a smashing ride adding just 7.2 time to sit on a score of 29.
2️⃣ 🇺🇲 Still in second is Phillip Dutton and Possante, who added 10.4 time for a score of 33.5.
3️⃣ 🇺🇲 And still rounding out the top three after cross country is Phillip Dutton and Denim, who are on a score of 37.2.
You’ll find the full leaderboard right here.
Stay tuned (and don’t forget to hit refresh) for a summary of the 4* cross country headed your way right here on the live blog and keep it locked onto the website for EN’s classic full report – coming soon.
I’ll be back live blogging later today when the 5* competitors get their turn out on Derek’s track. It’s due to kick off at 1:30pm EST / 7:30pm CEST. Be there!
Eyes on EN for everything Kentucky.
In a while ENers… Go eventing!
Defender Kentucky: [Website] [Tickets] [Official Schedule] [Entries & Ride Times] [Scoring] [XC Maps – Coming Soon] [ClipMyHorse Live Stream] [USEF Network on ClipMyHorse Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Form Guide]
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EN’s coverage of Defender Kentucky is supported by Kentucky Performance Products. To learn more about Kentucky Performance Products’ science-backed nutritional support products, click here.
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12:08pm
🇺🇸 FINAL COMBINATION OUT ON COURSE: Tamra Smith and Kynan
Dressage Score: 28.8
Place: 11
Tamie gets a confident start to her round and is easily clear through the first half of the course. Tamie’s had some control problems with this guy in the past but that all looks to be well and truly behind them. She looks to be having a great ride out there. It doesn’t look like she’s out to challenge the clock. That time is tiiiiight. She comes right back before the sausage dog at 18 and then the horse bunny hops over the b element. She doesn’t miss a beat though and is quickly through there. She comes into the final water and makes nothing of the fences through the MARS Sustainability Bay at 20 and is almost home now. The Lucky Horseshoe comes up perfectly for them out of their gallop stride and she’s over the finish. Clear jumping. No one inside the time.
Phillip makes the Defender Sunken Road at 14 look like a gymnastic exercise. He gets a massive leap over the sausage dog at 18 – Phillip sits right back and hangs on tight. He’s quickly through there. He’s up on the clock compared to many other riders today. He comes round and jumps the Lucky Horseshoe to finish and comes through the flags clear jumping but with a little time. We’ll see what that does to the scores.
Ariel has finished with just those early 20 penalties on her card. That round looked to get better and better as it went along.
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12:05pm
🇺🇸 PENULTIMATE COMBINATION OUT ON COURSE: Phillip Dutton and Possante
Dressage Score: 23.1
Place: 2
Phillip had two in the top-three and was sitting in second coming into cross country with Possante. Will he hold his spot on the podium? Let’s see…
Possante looks so comfortable at the start of the course – galloping and jumping and looking to be relishing the early questions. Phillip brings him back for the Park Question and risks nothing as he makes his way through there. Brilliant. Sinaed in the commentary box says Phillip’s ‘balls to the wall’. He’s wasting not a scrap of time – inside lines all the way, galloping quickly away from the fences. Smooth and slick. He’s clear through 12.
Ariel gets things done at the double of corners at 12 – no question there for them. She’s put that early question well and truly behind her.
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12:01pm
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Ariel Grald and Diara
Dressage Score: 27.3
Place: 5
We’re down to the final three to go now.
Ariel has trouble at the influential combination at 6 – the Park Question – and picks up a 20 at the d element. That’s a shame so early on the course.
There’s more troubles for Nilson who’s decided to call it a day at the double of big corners at 12. Disappointing for him.
Meanwhile Sarah and Mr. Cash are through the finish – they’ve got that flag question but otherwise clear jumping.
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11:58am
🇧🇷 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Nilson Moreira Da Silver and Elmo
Dressage Score: 41.1
Place: 50
Oh dear, early troubles for Nilson with a refusal at 4b – the Mighty Moguls. That’s disappointing for him but he continues on.
Sarah takes a brave line through the corners at 12. There’s a flag question at the b element. Mr. Cash looks a little tired as he jumps through the Cosequin Cove but he’s still jumping cleanly and looks to be enjoying it out there.
Meanwhile Kimmy has come through the finish flags with OS Hermintage clear jumping.
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11:55am
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Sarah Kuhn and Mr. Cash Van De Start
Dressage Score: 28.4
Place: 10
We haven’t seen much of Sarah at the early stages of her course but she’s clear through 10.
Kimmy is clear through 17. She takes her time at the Walnut Bank at 16. Real careful and neat through there.
Wowza! That’s Me Z stands right off the sausage dog at 18 – way, way back – but makes the giant leap. The horse has really got excited about all the fun out there. Tommy has a little word and takes things down a notch. He gallops on the finish and there’s a huge pat for this really exciting young horse.
Jan has also finished with Beautiful Storm – a clear jumping round for them.
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11:51am
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Kimmy Cecere and OS Hermintage
Dressage Score: 32.6
Place: 25
Only five more starters after this pair.
Kimmy’s round appears to have got off to a good start, with no troubles at the Mighty Moguls and clear through the Park Question at 6.
There’s conversations between Jan and Beautiful Storm at the Cosequin Cove at 18 but Jan makes it happen. They can smell home now.
Tommy also has a discussion with his horse as he makes the turn into the first corner at 12 but he picks up the line through there and gallops away.
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11:48am
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Tommy Greengard and That’s Me Z
Dressage Score: 31.6
Place: 22
This is the youngest horse in the field at 8-years-old. We’re not seeing a lot of him but he’s clear through fence 9.
Jan is still riding for her life. She picks up a great outside line to fit four strides between the double of corners at 12. They gallop on but she has to bring him right back for the Defender Sunken Road – the terrain’s tricky through there and she rides it masterfully. It can’t have been easy to channel all that power through there. She’s around 20 seconds down on the clock.
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EN’s coverage of Defender Kentucky is supported by Kentucky Performance Products. To learn more about Kentucky Performance Products’ science-backed nutritional support products, click here.
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11:45am
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Jan Byyny and Beautiful Storm
Dressage Score: 31.1
Place: =19
Beautiful Storm is excellent through the Mighty Moguls at 4, making nothing of that influential combination. Jan is riding fierce and is really determined to do a good job for her lovely Thoroughbred.
Allison has had a 20 at the b element at 12 – the double of corners. She continues on though and is really good through the water at 18, so she must’ve put those problems right behind her. She crosses the finish line for her second completion of the day.
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11:41am
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Allison Springer and Vandyke
Dressage Score: 37.3
Place: 44
Allison had a great ride round earlier and is clear through 10. The livestream is mostly on Chris though.
Chris is having the ride of his life. He’s flying along with Marco Polo and making this course look like Pony Club. He’s clear through the final water, skipping through there, adding a stride, and heading for home. The horse looks a little tired and Chris seems to have taken the pedal off. It’s a young horse and Chris is taking care of him. He comes through the flags with clear jumping.
Tracey has completed with Venezuelan River, who gets a big pat as they cross the line. Clear jumping for them.
Taren has also completed Regalla, carrying some penalties but through the finish flags.
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11:38am
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Chris Talley and FE Marco Polo
Dressage Score: 26.8
Place: 4
We’re into the final ten combinations to go in the 4* today.
Chris was just 1.2 penalties behind a podium place coming into today’s cross country. Will he still be up there after this..? He could go into the lead as things stand if he’s clear inside the time.
He gets off to a confident and smooth start. He’s clear through the tricky combination at 6 that proved influential early on and then slices straight through the two cabins at the Fox’s Den fence at 7 and 8. He’s going so quick. He’s totally going for this.
He sets up beautifully for the Rolex Crossing at 10. A beautiful ride through there.
Unfortunately Taren has another 20 at 18b – the chevron triple brush in the middle of the Cosequin Cove treble.
Tracey is clear through 17 but we’re not seeing a lot of her round now Chris is on course, sorry.
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11:35am
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Tracey Bienemann and Venezuelan River
Dressage Score: 35.8
Place: 37
Tracey has made a good start to her Kentucky and is clear through fence 9.
Taren’s mark is jumping beautifully. She popped in an extra stride through the Defender Sunken Road but is really quick on her feet – so neat and tidy.
Jessie stops the clock on 6.57 and is the second-fastest of the day. That puts her in 4th in the clubhouse.
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11:33am
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Taren Hoffos and Regalla
Dressage Score: 34
Place: 31
We haven’t seen much of Taren but it seems she’s had a 20 at 6a. They continued on though and are clear through 12.
Mia and Invictus are through the finish and actually are relatively quick on a day where the time has proved to be so tight so far.
Jessie and Freedom GS have a great ride through the Walnut Bank fence at 16ab. The mare really came back for Jessie. Jessie makes it happen through the Cosequin Cove at 18.
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11:30am
🇨🇦 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Jessica Phoenix and Freedom GS
Dressage Score: 30
Place: 14
Jessie is neat through the Rolex Crossing at 10 and looks to mean business as she gets into her round. There’s Maple Leafs in the crowd waving for this pair.
Mia is still having conversations with Invictus but she’s making it happen and they’re clear to the Cosequin Cove. We see them through there, Mia brings him right back to get the line through the water and over the skinny, then manages to get all that power round the turn for the c element.
Dana’s ecstatic as she clears the last. That was a great, great round.
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11:26am
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Mia Farley and Invictus
Dressage Score: 29.3
Place: 12
Invictus is a big strong guy and a real different ride for Mia than her 5* partner Phelps. She’s doing a great job though and they’re clear through the Rolex Crossing at 10.
There’s a flag question for Dana at 12b. That flag just keeps coming down. She’s clear through 17. We see Dana through the Cosequin Cove and she’s riding out of her skin. Quatro is loving it out there and hunting the finish flags.
Meanwhile Hayley’s finished clear.
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11:23am
🇨🇦 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Dana Cook and FE Quatro
Dressage Score: 28.3
Place: 9
This combination is EquiRatings’ third-favorite for the win, they’ve got a little catching up to do if the math is going to add up. They sure look good and confident as they start their course and are clear all the way through fence 9.
Arden has come through through the finish flags, carrying quite a few penalties but with a cross country completion.
Meanwhile Hayley’s clear through 16. We see her through the Cosequin Cove at 18 and the horse is fabulous through there. Still totally full of run and jumping for joy.
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11:20am
🇳🇿 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Hayley Frielick and Sportsfield Lumiere
Dressage Score: 31
Place: 18
Hayley’s clear through fence 8 but the livestream is showing an interview with the clubhouse leader Will Coleman so we’re not seeing a lot of horses right now.
The live scoreboard is showing problems for Arden, with a 20 at the double brush in the middle of the Rolex Crossing at 10 and another one at the narrow table at the a element of the Walnut Bank at 16. They continue on though.
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EN’s coverage of Defender Kentucky is supported by Kentucky Performance Products. To learn more about Kentucky Performance Products’ science-backed nutritional support products, click here.
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11:19am
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Arden Wildasin and Billy Beaufort
Dressage Score: 35.6
Place: 36
Arden is clear through 10 and then we see her through the Rolex Crossing – things are looking a little sticky but they’re happening.
Ema has had another 20 at 14b but this is an educational round now after those early penalties. She continues on and completes with Chiraz.
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1:14am
🇦🇺 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Ema Klugman and RF Redfern
Dressage Score: 30.3
Place: =16
Well, it looks as though Ema’s had a 20 at the first, but we didn’t see it as the livestream is on Will’s round.
Will is really positive into the Cosequin Cove – they’re smooth and easy through there. Timmy knows his job, he’s a total pro and he’s delivering the goods for sure.
Although, there’s a flag question for Will at 12b. I’ll keep you updated on that. From the replay it looked like he had no worries there. The flag obviously goes but they look to be inside. We’ll have to wait and see what happens there.
For every other fence though, no troubles at all. He’s quick but not inside the time. And the flag question has been removed. An excellent round for the clubhouse leader.
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11:10am
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: William Coleman and Off The Record
Dressage Score: 21.8
Place: 1
This combination are EquiRatings’ second-favorite for the win here this weekend although they’re proving the math guys wrong thus far and go off onto the cross country course in top spot. They have the highest ELO rating in the field and ‘Timmy’ is one of the fastest horses we’ll see out on course today. Eyes on 👀
Will takes a similar line to Phillip Dutton through the Mighty Moguls at 4 – it’s been an influential fence but is no worry at all for this very experienced pairing. Timmy’s got his ears pricked and looks so confident at the start of this course. He makes the Park Question look no more than a little query and then slices over the cabins at 7 and 8 as though they’re not there. This horse and rider are on fire.
James and Nemesis home now and so is Alex with Redtail Penumbra. The livestream is obviously focusing on Will as the leader.
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11:07am
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: James Alliston and Nemesis
Dressage Score: 32.7
Place: 17
We’re not seeing much of James, sadly, but he’s clear through fence 12.
Alex is really having to work when we see him at 16, but he knows his horse really well and is taking care of him. They’re over half-way through the course now though. They’re sticky out of the final water at 20.
Meanwhile Emily is through the finish flags. A really careful round for them – clear.
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11:05am
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Alexander O’Neal and Redtail Penumbra
Dressage Score: 31.8
Place: 24
We haven’t really seen Alex sorry, but he’s clear through fence 10 – the Rolex Crossing.
Elisa sits back over the sausage dog at 18 and makes things happen to navigate her way through the combination. They gallop on and have a great jump over the Lucky Horseshoe to finish their round. Elisa’s already patting her horse while they’re in the air.
Meanwhile Emily adds strides between the two corners at 12ab – the horse is really bouncy and gets five strides in there.
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11:02am
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Emily Mastervich and Rio De Janeiro
Dressage Score: 31.1
Place: =19
According to the math geeks at EquiRatings, this horse is amongst the fastest in the field 👀 They shoot out of the box and are clear through fence the stick pile at 9. They’re making these big jumps look small. Really impressive start for them.
Elisa is very neat through the double of corners at 12, making that difficult line look easy. She’s having a smashing ride. This pair are making it look like such fun.
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10:59am
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Elisa Wallace and Lissavorra Quality
Dressage Score: 30.2
Place: 15
Elisa has a great ride through the influential combination at 4 – the Mighty Moguls. Really secure and on point. That’ll give Elisa confidence. She sets up for the coffin complex at 6 and really makes things happen. Impressive. They slice across the two cabins at 7 and 8 – they’re on a related distance but there’s no need to circle for Elisa. They look to be having a great time together.
Savannah continues to have a great round and is clear through 13. She makes a great job through the doggy pond – the Cosequin Cove at 18. Really smooth and easy.
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10:57
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Savannah Fulton and Cash Point
Dressage Score: 36.8
Place: =40
Savannah’s clear through the Fox’s Den fences at 7 and 8. All’s looking solid for them at the start of their ride.
Colin and Baymax are through the finish carrying 20 penalties and with a flag question for fence 12b.
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EN’s coverage of Defender Kentucky is supported by Kentucky Performance Products. To learn more about Kentucky Performance Products’ science-backed nutritional support products, click here.
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10:54
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Buck Davidson and Cooley Candyman
Dressage Score: 31.3
Place: 21
There’s early trouble at the Mighty Moguls for Buck and he picks up a 20 at the b element. The troubles continue at the Hillside Oxer at 5 and he puts his hand up.
Meanwhile things are still looking a little wild for Colin. The horse jumps right to the bottom of the drop over the sausage dog. Ooo, that was a moment. They continue on though.
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10:51am
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Colin Gaffney and Baymax
Dressage Score: 36.8
Place: =40
Colin sets off and things look a little hairy at times. They come into 10 not quite on the same page and the horse stops. Colin’s pitched out of the tack but rights himself.
It’s the fastest round of the day for Allison Springer and No May Moon! Excellent work from this pair.
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10:48am
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Olivia Dutton and Sea Of Clouds
Dressage Score: 32.8
Place: =27
Olivia gets off to a great start but then Sea of Clouds takes the widest part of the corner at 12a and catches it on the way down tipping Olivia out the side door. That’s so frustrating. She’s straight up and Sea of Clouds looks like he’s wondering what happened and wanting to get on with the job.
Boy, Allison is flying round the track with No May Moon. She’s on the inside track the whole way and gaining on the clock – the start of the course is slow and she’s making up time. This is really exciting.
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10:43am
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Allison Springer and No May Moon
Dressage Score: 32.8
Place: =27
This talented mare is one of the fastest in the field today. Eyes peeled, you won’t want to miss this one 👀
They take a huge leap over the corner at 4b, up and down but over and onward. This mare’s got Connie in her breeding. So cool. Wow, she’s jumping out of her skin! There’s another huge leap over the c element of the Park Question. Goodness this girl can jump. Doesn’t look super comfortable for Allison though.
Meanwhile Allie and Morswood are good through 19 but sadly, things finish for them with a refusal at the MARS Sustainability Bay – 20c. Such a shame for them. They walk off the course together and Morswood looks pleased with his efforts. Disappointing for Allie.
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10:40am
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Alexandra Knowles and Morswood
Dressage Score: 30.3
Place: =16
Allie gets off to an exciting start, so confident and Morswood looks to be really keen. They’re super through the tricky Mighty Moguls but then the frangible pin goes on the Hillside Oxer at 5. They didn’t miss a beat though and gallop on.
Morswood is ears forward but not necessarily making Allie’s job easy. He knows his job and is being a little opinionated on the approach sometimes. He’s taking Allie forward into the fences and is really enjoying himself. But all that comes to a head the Rolex Crossing at 10b and he gets in too close to the double brush at b. Allie quickly brings him back round and they continue with their day no worse for wear.
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10:36am
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Kristi Foresman and Kingston Reuvekamps
Dressage Score: 39.9
Place: 47
Sophie Click seems to not be going Tarantino 54 so we move on to Kristi and Kingston Reuvekamps, but unfortunately they have an early end to their competition when they run into problems at the b element of the Mighty Moguls which has already proved to be so influential. They come back round but it’s not happening for them and she puts her hand up.
Molly and Disco Traveler are through the finish with that early 20 on their card. The rest of the round was textbook. So annoying to have that early mistake, but lessons learned and experience gained.
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10:31am
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Molly Duda and Disco Traveler
Dressage Score: 27.7
Place: 6
Disco Traveler is locked on as he gallops out of the start box but then there’s a sad penalty at the Mighty Moguls at 4b, what a shame for Molly after sitting in such a good spot after the dressage. They continue on and clear the Rolex Crossing at 10abc really easily. They look to have got things together now. They’re incredibly smooth round the tricky turn between the double of corners at 12. It all looks very neat and tidy for this pair. Molly gives her horse a pat after clearing the Defender Sunken Road at 14.
Meanwhile Robin continues his great ride. He’s clear through 17 and coming to the Cosequin Cove. He’s riding by the seat of his pants. This horse isn’t always thinking forward and Robin’s really pushing on and motivating him. They’re sticky over the sausage dog at 18a and Robin wisely decides to go the longer route through there. They’re clear though.
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🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Robin Walker and SBT Barolo
Dressage Score: 29.8
Place: 13
Robin’s got the course to himself for the start of his round and clears the first 9, up to the Rolex Crossing at 10. It doesn’t look to be the quickest round but this horse has got a really big, long galloping stride and is having a smooth round thus far.
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🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Tracey Bienemann and Menlo Park
Dressage Score: 36.1
Place: 39
It’s just Tracey out on course and there’s early troubles. A 20 at 4b. They have a sticky jump at a and then it looks like the horse just doesn’t see the right-handed corner at b. They come round though and get through there, only to have more problems at 6a – the parallel rails going into the Park Question. They continue on but those early mistakes take their toll and she puts her hand up at 7.
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EN’s coverage of Defender Kentucky is supported by Kentucky Performance Products. To learn more about Kentucky Performance Products’ science-backed nutritional support products, click here.
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10:22am
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Taron Hofos and Master Class
Dressage Score: 41.9
Place: 51
Oh dear. Taron’s on the floor as we first see her. Wow, the horse spooks suddenly on the way into the Park Question and just says, nope, not today. Taron kind of jumped out the side door. That’s sad and frustrating. But it’s a huge atmosphere out there and a lot of these horses won’t have seen anything like the crowds there are at Kentucky.
The cheers are following Ali round the track. What a great day she’s having. The ups and downs of eventing, hey. But those highs and high, high, high. She’s delighted as she crosses the finish. Hugs all round and huge grins. Great to see.
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10:19am
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Chris Newton and Noble Discovery
Dressage Score: 40.8
Place: 49
Oh boy. Early troubles for Chris with a 20 at 4b and then deciding to call it a day at the Park Question at 6.
Ali’s really having a ball out there. She really sets up at the sausage dog at 18a and ends up on the buckle as she drops into the water. She makes it happen though. That was a great ride.
Meanwhile Hannah’s through the finish with Carsonstown after what looked to be a great round after that early mistake. Quite a bit of time added due to that refusal.
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10:16am
]🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Ali Kuhn and Little Hail
Dressage Score: 35.9
Place: 38
Ali and Little Hail have gone full matchy matchy in shocking pink. They look confident as they get their round underway. They’re clear through the related distance Fox’s Den fences at 7 and 8.
Hannah’s really giving her horse an excellent ride. They’re super through the double of corners at 12. He’s a real strong horse to keep together but Hannah’s really showing us how it’s done.
Meanwhile, Briggs and Corture are through the finish. They picked up that 20 and have had a fair whack of time, but the little mare has completed this really tough track.
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10:14am
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Hannah Sue Hollberg and Carsonstown
Dressage Score: 31.7
Place: 23
Unfortunately Hannah’s had a 20 at the Mighty Moguls – 4b. This is looking to be an influential fence at the early part of the competition. They continue on though.
Corture continues on her merry way and is up at MARS Sustainability Bay at 20.
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10:11am
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Briggs Surratt and Corture
Dressage Score: 35.5
Place: 35
Briggs and the diminutive Corture (she’s 14.3hh) have an early 20 at 4b – the second element at the Mighty Moguls. They continue on though and are up at the parallel rails at 13.
Meanwhile Phillip continues his great round and is through the finish line.
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10:07am
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Phillip Dutton and Denim
Dressage Score: 25.6
Place: 3
They led the dressage after the first day and slid down into third after the second day. Will the slide stop there? Or will they climb? The sure set out meaning business.
Oh, there’s a squeaky moment for them at the Park Question. He takes the bark of the rails at a. That’s frangible. It doesn’t go though. Phillip makes it happen through the rest of the combination, albeit sat at the back of the tack. He gets Denim back focused quickly though and Denim really seems to settle into his round. He gets an easy three strides through the double of corners at 12ab. Really confident.
Jennie flies the Lucky Horseshoe and comes across the line. A great, positive ride from her to set her up nicely for the 5*.
We’re seeing on the live leaderboard that Hayley seems to have been eliminated at 10a but we didn’t see it on the livestream.
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10:04am
🇳🇿 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Hayley Frielick and Dunedin Black Watch
Dressage Score: 39.4
Place: 46
This horse is one of the fastest in the field according to the math guys at EquiRatings 👀
Hayley unfortunately has a 20 at 6a – the rails going into the Park Question. She comes round and takes an alternative route through there though and continues on.
Jennie’s really good through the Defender Sunken Road at 14ab – a great ride through there. She’s clear through the Cedar Table at 19.
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10am
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Jennie Brannigan and Connory
Dressage Score: 34.8
Place: 33
Jennie’s not having the easiest ride at the start of the course, she’s having to have a bit of a conversation with Connory. She’s making it happen though and they’re clear through the difficult Park Question at 6. Connory settles as he gets going. He looks strong but he’s reacting immediately to Jennie’s cues.
Alex continues his great ride with Malibu Preacher and comes through the finish flags clear.
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9:55am
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Alexander Conrad and Malibu Preacher
Dressage Score: 36.8
Place: =40
Alex does a great job through the EEI Opposing Corners, balancing down the hill and making the line through there look really smooth. He tackles the tricky terrain at the Defender Sunken Road – 14 – seem easy. Smooth is the word being thrown around in the commentary box and it just is. Really easy to watch.
Ema’s having a super ride round here. Chiraz is eating it up and looks to be relishing the challenge. They’re clear through the Cosequin Cove at 18. They come through the finish flags with the fastest round so far.
Gabby and Traditionally Fernhill are through the finish clear with just over a minute time. That was a sound round from them.
We’re hearing Caroline has been given flag penalties at 18b.
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EN’s coverage of Defender Kentucky is supported by Kentucky Performance Products. To learn more about Kentucky Performance Products’ science-backed nutritional support products, click here.
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9:52am
🇦🇺 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Ema Klugman and Chiraz
Dressage Score: 33.8
Place: 30
The live stream is flicking between the combinations real quick so we’re just having flashes of each ride. Ema’s clear through 10, the Rolex Crossing.
James and Cora fly the Lucky Horseshoe and gallop through the finish flags. They had a bold round.
Gabby is clear to 19. She’s having a steady round but is really giving her horse a confidence building ride.
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9:49am
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Gabby Dickerson and Traditionally Fernhill
Dressage Score: 40.3
Place: 48
We don’t get to see a lot of Gabby but she’s clear up to the furthest point on the course up at fence 11.
Skyeler comes across the finish a minute over but she’s had a great round on her cool cross country horse. Good job.
Cora’s putting in some trot steps here and there as she organises her feet. Clever pony.
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9:45am
🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: James Alliston and Cora
Dressage Score: 35.1
Place: 34
James has a bit of a slip on the turn at the Rolex Crossing at 10abc but he gathers Cora together and they head through there with no problems.
We see Skyeler through the Defender Sunken Road at 14ab. She loses her stirrup on the way out but that’s no problem for her. Argyle looks like he’s really enjoying his trip round Kentucky. He’s in a lovely rhythm, not super speedy but he looks really rideable and they’re having a smooth ride. They’re really good through the MARS Sustainability Bay at 20 abc. What a lovely genuine horse this is.
Caroline’s near to home now. She’s not going to make the time. She comes up to the Lucky Horseshoe and is over easy and through the finish. That time is going to be tough to catch.
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9:42am
🇺🇸 THIRD COMBINATION OUT ON COURSE: Skyeler Voss and Argyle
Dressage Score: 37
Place: 43
They set off and clear the first 8 fences but unfortunately we don’t get to see much of them on the live stream, which is focusing on Caroline and Blake.
Caroline’s a little down on the clock as she comes through the Defender Sunken Road at 14ab but she’s in a great rhythm and really making nothing of this track.
Oh, there’s a moment at the Cosequin Cove at 18. She takes the flag and it looks like a close call. She thinks she’s inside and continues on.
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9:39am
🇺🇸 SECOND COMBINATION OUT ON COURSE: Caroline Pamukcu and HSS Blake
Dressage Score: 27.9
Place: 7
This pair are EquiRatings’ favorite for the win although they’ve got a little catching up to do as they come into cross country in 7th spot after the dressage. ‘Blake’ is one of the fastest horses in the field today – blink and you’ll miss em 👀
Caroline gets off to a great start and Blake sure seems to be on his game. They make the Mighty Moguls at 4ab look easy. The perfect stride through there.
They come into the Park Question at 6. Historically this is an influential fence. But Blake hops through there, straight over the rails at a, neatly over the ditch at b and then right on the two strides into the cabin at c. Beautiful.
They come into the Rolex Crossing at 10abc and again, make nothing of these really tricky fences. All looking good for them so far.
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9:34am
🇺🇸 FIRST COMBINATION OUT ON COURSE: Heather Gillette and Vincent Chase
Dressage Score: 38.3
Place: 45
And we’re off! Heather gets a neat jump over the first and she heads out onto the course. It’s perfect weather for cross country right now, not too hot, not raining.
Oh, early troubles unfortunately. She comes into the big brush at the Mighty Moguls – 4a – and grinds to a halt. She comes back round and gets through that tricky combination but that wasn’t the start she would have wanted. Vincent Chase just wasn’t really moving forward.
Oh dear. It’s the same story at the Hillside Oxer at 5 – it’s a set of big rails. Vincent Chase was ears forward and looking where he was going but gets drawn into the bottom of the fence and puts on the brakes. That’s a sad end to their Kentucky. But there’s another competition for this pair, on another day.
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Defender Kentucky: [Website] [Tickets] [Official Schedule] [Entries & Ride Times] [Scoring] [XC Maps – Coming Soon] [ClipMyHorse Live Stream] [USEF Network on ClipMyHorse Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Form Guide]
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EN’s coverage of Defender Kentucky is supported by Kentucky Performance Products. To learn more about Kentucky Performance Products’ science-backed nutritional support products, click here.
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