Ryan Wood and Cooley Flight. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Happy Sunday! We’ve got a few Defender Kentucky updates for you this morning:
On the CCI5* entries, we’re down two more horses with the recent withdrawals of Buck Davidson and Cooley Candyman as well as Ryan Wood of Australia with Cooley Flight. This whittles our 5* list down to 30 starts after we started with 37. We have confirmed that Buck has opted to put Cooley Candyman into the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S.
Also, our international contingent has arrived! After spending the requisite three-day quarantine handwalking and hanging out, eight horses who’ve traveled over for Kentucky have safely found their home away from home at Kentucky Horse Park. We’ll see five of these horses in the CCI5* and three in the CCI4*-S thanks to the support from GB Rising Lions, a support group organized to provide overseas competition opportunities for developing riders.
Here’s a look at our visitors settling in:
Lastly, here’s a quick preview with two of our hardworking course builders and Samantha Clark ahead of the official unveiling of Derek di Grazia’s 2026 courses, which look to feature a few new fences.
Much more to come from the #BestWeekendAllYear and we’ll see you very soon!
Major International Events This Weekend
Adelaide Equestrian Festival CCI5* & Oceania Championships (AUS): [Website] [Tickets] [Schedule] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring] [CrossCountry App XC Map] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage]
Burnham Market CCI4*-S (GBR): [Website] [Schedule] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [CrossCountry App XC Map] [Live Stream]
Oudkarspel North Holland HT CCI4*-S (NED): [Website] [Schedule] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [CrossCountry App XC Map] [Live Stream]
Ocala International Festival of Eventing CCI4*-S (FL): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map] [Live Stream]
Fair Hill International April HT CCI4*-S (MD): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map]
US Events This Weekend
Sporting Days Farm April HT IV (SC): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]
River Glen Spring HT (TN): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [CrossCountry App XC Map]
Redefined Equestrian HT (CO): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map]
Other Links & Reading
- Confront Sticky Situations for Cross-Country Confidence
- Mary King’s career was full of stories of courage, determination and above all, her smile and positivity, says Mark Phillips
- Hiller and Patterson Claim First USEA Classic Series Victories of the Year at Longleaf Pine H.T.
- 1 Horse Euthanized, 55 Quarantined After EHM Reported At HITS Culpeper
Training Tip of the Day
Build up your arm elasticity with some advice from top coach Bernie Traurig:
Go Eventing
Scenes from an epic day of cross country at the Adelaide Equestrian Festival CCI5*:
