Land Rover Kentucky Entry Update: Overseas Entries Have Arrived [Updated 3/24]

The look of the eagles – or of a small mare standing on tiptoes to check out her fans. Classic Moet, Jonelle Price, and Trisha Rickards – the new Destiny’s Child? Photo by Tilly Berendt.

After a massive fundraising effort bolstered by the donations of thousands of eventing riders, fans and supporters, and after the announcement that Badminton would not run this year, the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian and the sole five-star event of the spring season is full-steam ahead. Joining in on the fun are several overseas entries that have just populated the list – and we’re likely to see a few more pairs trickle in after today’s closing date. Word on the street is that we just might be seeing some additional UK-based pairs hopping on a plane next month.

With the pandemic still affecting millions globally and impacting travel, the CDC is requiring presentation of a negative COVID test within three days of travel into the U.S. US Equestrian is also working with athletes and support staff for travel waivers.

Jesse Campbell and Diachello, who Jesse owns with Kent Gardner, are the first of a three-rider, six-horse strong contingent representing New Zealand. The 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding will make his CCI5* debut in Kentucky; Jesse is also making his first trip to Kentucky, though he’s got a handful of five-star trips under his belt already.

Bringing forward three horses between the two, fellow Kiwis Jonelle and Tim Price will also make the trip over to Kentucky. This will be Jonelle’s second trip stateside; she last competed in Kentucky in 2013, finishing 18th aboard The Deputy. Jonelle will bring three horses: Grappa Nera (The Grape Syndicate and Jonelle Price), Grovine De Reve (owned by Therese Miller and Jonelle Price), and Jonelle’s partner for her 2018 Badminton win, Classic Moet (owned by Trisha Rickards, Jacky Green and Jonelle Price).

Tim Price enjoyed a stellar trip to Kentucky in 2019, finishing third with Xavier Faer, owned by Trisha Rickards, Tim Price and Nigella Hall, who will make a return trip here in 2021. He’ll be joined by Bango (owned by The Numero Uno Syndicate), with whom Tim finished fifth at Burghley in 2019.

The sole entry from Germany this year, Anna Siemer and Dr. Volker Steinkraus’s FRH Butts Avondale will make their CCI5* debut in Kentucky. Anna had a successful junior career, earning multiple championship medals during her time as a pony rider. She has since produced several horses through the four-star level and has been partnered with the 14-year-old Hanoverian mare FRH Butts Avondale, who is still owned by her breeder, Dr. Steinkraus, since the beginning of her international career.

Also added this morning is Great Britain’s Richard Coney and his own Mermus R Diamonds. This pair most recently finished inside the top 10 at Pau in 2020, their debut at the five-star level. Also getting his start with success on ponies, Richard eventually moved up to horses and has represented Britain on Nations Cup teams, including a third place finish at Houghton in 2020 aboard his first upper-level partner, Kananaskis.

Will we see an Oliver Townend/Cooley Master Class hat-trick? Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Update as of 1:00 p.m. EST: We’ve just gotten a slew of additional overseas entries – hang on to your hats, EN, this entry list is on fire! Just added:

  • William Fox Pitt and Little Fire (owned by Jennifer Dowling and William Fox-Pitt)
    • William and Little Fire finished ninth at Badminton in the now 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding’s CCI5* debut. William has won Kentucky three times (2010, 2012, 2014) and is returning to the event for the first time since finishing fourth with Bay My Hero in 2015.
  • Harry Meade and Superstition (owned by  Mandy Gray and Harry Meade)
    • The 10-year-old British Hanoverian gelding will make his five-star debut with the very experienced Harry Meade, who is making his first trip to compete at Kentucky.
  • Kevin McNab and Scuderia 1918 Don Quidam (owned by Scuderia 1918 and Emma McNab)
    • This pair finished 20th in the horse’s five-star debut at Pau in 2020; Kevin will make his first trip to Kentucky as well.
  • Oliver Townend with:
    • Tregilder (owned by The Hazeldines & Mitchell Fox Group), making his five-star debut
    • 2018 and 2019 Kentucky winner Cooley Master Class (owned by Angela Hislop)
    • 2017 Burghley winner Ballaghmor Class (owned by Karyn Shuter, Angela Hislop and Val Ryan)

We’ve also seen several additions to the North America-based contingent of riders, including representatives from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Great Britain and Mexico, bringing the current total five-star entries to 74. Newly added to the five-star list since our last update are:

  • Daniel Clasing and MW Gangster’s Game (Daniel Clasing)
  • Phillip Dutton and Z (The Z Partnership of: Thomas A Tierney, Ann Jones, Caroline Moran, Simon Roosevelt, Suzanne Lucy)
  • Sydney Elliot and QC Diamantaire (Carol Stephens)
  • Matt Flynn and Wizzerd (A. Patrick and Kathleen Flynn and Merry Go Round Farm)
  • Clayton Fredericks (AUS) with:
    • FE Stormstrooper (Kingfisher Park)
    • Ophelia (FE Ophelia Syndicate LLC)
    • FE Always In Time (Clayton Fredericks)
  • Emily Hamel and Corvett (Black Flag Option, LLC)
  • Holly Jacks-Smither (CAN) and More Inspiration (Holly Jacks-Smither)
  • Leah Lang-Gluscic and AP Prime (CML Horses Inc)
  • Leslie Law (GBR) and Voltaire de Trè (Trè Book)
  • Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous (Jacqueline Mars, Phoebe and Michael Manders)
  • Colleen Loach (CAN) and Qorry Blue D’Argouges (Peter Barry)
  • Daniela Moguel (MEX) and Cecelia (Jorge Martínez Castrejón)
  • Nilson Moreira da Silva (BRA) and Magnum’s Martini (MM Syndicate)
  • Meghan O’Donoghue and Palm Crescent (Meghan O’Donoghue)
  • Karl Slezak and Fernhill Wishes (Kirk Hoppner and Karl Slezak)
  • Sharon White and Cooley On Show (Sharon White)
  • Valerie Vizcarrondo Pride and Favian (Valerie Vizcarrondo Pride)

Also of note on the U.S. entries is Phillip Dutton’s decision to withdraw the 10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding Sea of Clouds, aiming instead for the CCI4*-L at Jersey Fresh in May to keep the horse’s best interests in mind:

Today officially marks one month until the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event! After consulting with everyone…

Posted by Phillip Dutton Eventing on Monday, March 22, 2021

[Kentucky CCI5* Entry List]

[Kentucky CCI4*-S Entry List]

The event’s omnibus listing states a cap of 80 horses for the CCI5*. Oversubscription will cause riders with multiple horses to choose a maximum of two to bring, and spots will be allotted based on FEI World Eventing Athlete ranking points. A Wait List will be used in the event of oversubscription, with riders moving up to take sports in order of points ranking as withdrawals occur. Entries for the CCI4*-S may also be limited as the list for the CCI5* continues to grow. Click here to view the omnibus listing.

We may see a few more names appearing in the coming days – and stay tuned for the kickoff of our annual Land Rover Rookies profiles! Go Eventing.