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We all can agree that grooms deserve unending recognition in this sport, and Jennie Brannigan agrees. Thanks to her generosity, not only will every 5* groom at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event receive a $100 donation contribution, but every 4* groom will now also be recognized thanks to Chewy and SmartEquine matching Jennie’s donations.
As Jennie says: “There is no version of this sport without grooms. They know every horse inside and out. They’re there before anyone else and long after the day is done. They are everything. I’m so glad to get to recognize them like this, on a weekend that wouldn’t run without them.”
Today at Defender Kentucky
It’s the best day of the Best Weekend All Year. Are you ready??
📆 Activities We’re Following Today
- Autograph Signing: Boyd Martin — Sat, Apr 25 @ 10:30 a.m. | LeMieux Booth #305
- Autograph Signing: Boyd & Silva Martin — Sat, Apr 25 @ 11:00 a.m. | Stübben Booth #10
- Autograph Signing: Tamie Smith — Sat, Apr 25 @ 11:00 a.m. | MagnaWave Booth #319
- Autograph Signing: Sharon White — Sat, Apr 25 @ 4:30 p.m. | Sentinel Horse Nutrition Booth #25
- Autograph Signing: Boyd Martin — Sat, Apr 25 @ 5:00 p.m. | Majyk Equipe Booth #17
- Autograph Signing: Boyd Martin — Sat, Apr 25 @ 5:30 p.m. | Ariat Booth #12
- Special Ceremony: Olympic rider recognition with Bruce Davidson Sr. — Sat, Apr 25 @ 6:15 p.m. | Rolex Stadium
🎥 Follow Live
- CCI4*-S cross country starts at 9:00 a.m. ET
- CCI5* cross country starts at 1:30 p.m. ET
- CSI5* $340,000 1.60m Grand Prix begins at 7:00 p.m.
- Stream on USEF Network (free with USEF or fan membership)
- Daily schedule
- Entries & ride times — CCI5* | CCI4*-S
- Live scoring — CCI5* | CCI4*-S
📍 On Course
- Guided course preview + CCI5* and CCI4*-S maps also available on the CrossCountryApp
📝 Live Updates
- Cheg Darlington has you covered for 5* cross country — click here for today’s live blog!
📲 Behind the Scenes
- Stay locked on Eventing Nation for the #BestWeekendAllYear at @goeventing for real-time stories and updates!
- BTS photos, polls, prompts, and links dropping all week on our Instagram broadcast channel — sign up to stay in the loop
- If you’re on site, download the GooseChase app to take part in the Kentucky Scavenger Hunt
📖 Know Your Competitors
- Full Kentucky coverage here
- Meet all the 5* horses and riders in our 2026 KY3DE Form Guide
- Find all pre-event coverage, updates, rookie profiles, & all other essential info in our Ultimate Guide
- Join EN’s Eventing Manager league here with code PCTD
Go Eventing!
Major International Events This Weekend
Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5* (USA): [Website] [Tickets] [Schedule] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map] [Venue Map] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Ultimate Guide] [Support Our Sponsor: Kentucky Performance Products]
Ballindenisk International CCI4*-L (IRL): [Website] [Schedule] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [CrossCountry App XC Map]
Strzegom Spring Open II CCI4*-L (POL): [Website] [Schedule] [Entries] [Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map]
US Events This Weekend
Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Spring HT (VA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map]
Horse Park of New Jersey Spring HT (NJ): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]
Other Links and Reading
- Defender Kentucky: The Most Meaningful Fan In The Stands
- Four new British Eventing leagues – worth £1,500 each – to support and reward young horses
- Dangerous David Doel: Don’t miss him on Saturday
- The Hidden Cause of Most Injuries (It’s Not One Bad Step)
Training Tip of the Day
Jon Holling explains how certain fences on course require a different approach:
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Go Eventing
The difference between 4*-S and 5*-L is a lot more than height — it’s in how the questions are built and how long they keep coming. Commentator John Kyle explains the juxtaposition here:
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