3, 2, 1, go! Have a great ride. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
It’s finally here: cross country day for the CCI5* here at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by MARS Equestrian. We’re just about set to get underway with our pathfinders, Buck Davidson and Erroll Gobey, out of the start box at 1:20 p.m.
The optimum time for Derek di Grazia’s track is 11 minutes, 26 seconds — the longest time on this course dating back at least 10 years. It’ll be a grueling test, but the conditions couldn’t be much more perfect with cool temperatures and overcast skies. We got just enough rain this week to make the going perfect, so we are in for an exciting day of sport.
Follow along here and refresh periodically for live updates from the cross country. You can also find information on how to watch live on USEF Network via ClipMyHorse.TV here.
LRK3DE: [Website] [5* Times] [5* Scores] [4* Times] [4* Scores] [Schedule] [Live Stream] [Tickets] [EN’s Form Guide] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Ultimate Guide]
[Click here to catch up on all of EN’s coverage of the 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event]
Want more LRK3DE info each day during competition? Sign up for the free LRK3DE Daily Digest email, which will be sent each day through Monday, May 1. Find all of EN’s latest coverage, sponsor promotions and discounts, chances to win daily giveaways, and much more! Click here to sign up.
4:39 p.m. Update: It looks like Liz’s 15 penalties have been removed, which now moves her and Miks Master C into third place overnight. Updated top 10:
4:20 p.m. And that will finish up a very dramatic day of cross country here at Kentucky! The leaderboard sees quite a shuffle, and we’ll have a U.S. rider in the driver’s seat going into show jumping — though the standings are tight and there is not much room to breathe. Here’s a look at standings after cross country:
You can catch up on the full leaderboard here. We’ll be back with a full report later this evening!
4:19 p.m. All class. Will won’t threaten for the win this weekend, but we’ve got a newly crowned 5* horse, at least now through two phases! What an effort from this lovely young horse, who should only continue to build fitness as he gains experience at these long events.
4:17 p.m. Chin is losing just a bit of steam but is still responding well to Will. He gives him a quiet pat as they clear the brushes at the Normandy Bank. They are definitely down on the clock at this point now, but I don’t know that Will will care too much about the time today for this first effort.
GIF via ClipMyHorse.TV.
4:15 p.m. Impressively, Will is actually just about on the time as he passes the 7-minute marker ahead of fence 15 toward the Head of the Lake. Jennie is finished with just a handful of time.
4:13 p.m. Jennie Saville and FE Lifestyle are clear through the Head of the Lake on scores, though I’ve lost track of them on the monitors so I’m not sure where she is now. Will nicely navigates Pete’s Hollow and will now give Chin a chance to take a breath down this nice big downhill pull. Jennie pushes for the distance at the Cosequin Cove and is kicking for home with Foxy.
4:10 p.m. Chin Tonic HS makes my heart stop at the in to the MARS Sustainability Bay as he very nearly doesn’t get his legs up over the drop, but he recovers well. Will uses all his skill to navigate the Park Question. Clear so far.
4:08 p.m. And here we go: one of the most hotly anticipated 5* debuts I can think of with Will Coleman and Chin Tonic HS. I think Will will be keeping an eye to the future for this one, so I wouldn’t necessarily expect him to push for the time. But anything is possible! Meanwhile, Buck ran into trouble as Carlevo stuttered to a stop at the brush corner out of the Head of the Lake and has opted to retire. Jennie Saville is nearly home with FE Lifestyle.
4:06 p.m. Buck and Carlevo are a little sticky through the Narrow Knolls at 14AB. Doug Payne and Quantum Leap will be a little down on their time but looking good coming to the final fence.
4:04 p.m. Jennie Saville is back with her third and final ride, FE Lifestyle. This is our second to last pair to see today.
4:02 p.m. Buck and Carlevo have probably the nicest ride through the Park Question of anyone today.
4:00 p.m. Hawley Bennett-Awad has called it a day with Jollybo after grinding to a halt in front of 17 at the Head of the Lake.
3:59 p.m. Doug Payne and Quantum Leap are now with us and make neat work of the Park Question. Hawley Bennett-Awad and Jollybo are clear so far through 14. Zach Brandt does get the job done, with the two jumping problems, and David Doel finishes in the fastest time of the day — 11:07.
3:55 p.m. David is, I think, the first one to take the wider turn at the Head of the Lake, opting for the right-hand side upright rails at 17.
3:53 p.m. Meghan O’Donoghue picked up just 2.4 time penalties. Canada’s Hawley Bennett-Awad and Jollybo are now on course.
3:51 p.m. Liz Halliday-Sharp has been assessed 15 penalties for a missed flag. My guess would maybe be at the Park Question. Buck has also been assessed additional penalties for a missed flag. Not sure where that would have been. Zach picks up an issue now at Pete’s Hollow.
3:50 p.m. Looks like Zach has had a bit of trouble at the BC element of the Rolex Grand Slam. David Doel reallyyyyyy works to make the Park Question happen.
GIF via ClipMyHorse.TV.
3:47 p.m. Meghan O’Donoghue is having a heck of a ride, clear so far through the Head of the Lake. Nothing runs like a Thoroughbred!
3:46 p.m. Cornelia Dorr and Daytona Beach 8 nearly have a similar issue at the B element of the Cosequin Cove but they’re able to get over safely. Zach Brandt takes the long option at the Park Question and is clear there. We also welcome British rider David Doel and Galileo Nieuwmoed.
3:43 p.m. James Alliston is home with Nemesis as we’re getting ready to welcome Zach Brandt and Direct Advance seeking their first 5* cross country completion today.
3:41 p.m. James Alliston picked up 20 penalties at fence 21, the second angled brush after the Normandy Bank.
3:40 p.m. Meghan O’Donoghue and OTTB Palm Crescent will be our next to see and are on their way out of the startbox.
3:38 p.m. Ahhhh no. Sydney Solomon and Early Review CBF come to grief at the Cosequin Cove and have a pretty scary looking fall. Luckily Sydney looks to be right back up and they are both going to fight another day. Cornelia Dorr has had trouble at the Park Question.
3:36 p.m. Next out will be Cornelia Dorr and Daytona Beach 8. Liz Halliday-Sharp is 4.6 seconds over and will go onto a score of 28.5.
3:33 p.m. Hang on gal! Sydney Solomon gets in the back seat as Early Review CBF takes a huge leap at the Rolex Grand Slam BC element.
3:32 p.m. We’re now joined by James Alliston and Nemesis, who was third in the Lexington CCI4*-S here in 2022.
3:31 p.m. Wow! Early Review CBF ducks a little right before the C element of the Park Question, but Sydney does an excellent job to keep her on task.
GIF via ClipMyHorse.TV.
3:29 p.m. A look at Liz holding her line through the C and D elements of the tricky Park Question:
GIF via ClipMyHorse.TV.
3:28 p.m. Liz is clear through the Equestrian Events Trifecta now, and now we’re joined by Sydney Solomon and Early Review CBF. This is a very cool moment for Laurie Cameron, who bred both Miks Master C as well as Early Review CBF. As the sole remaining rookie rider, Sydney is also in line to win the newly created trophy in honor of Jim Wofford for the best-placed first-timer.
3:25 p.m. Liz Halliday and Miks Master C are neatly through the first combination at 4ABC.
3:23 p.m. Next to see will be a very exciting pair, Liz Halliday-Sharp with Miks Master C, currently sitting on a score of 26.9 and fifth after dressage.
3:22 p.m. Boyd has made the smart decision to pull Thomas up after that trouble at MARS Sustainability Bay. No point in pushing this very experienced horse — we’ll see where Boyd reroutes next.
3:21 p.m. Boyd has donned his live cam once again. It looks like Colleen’s trouble came at the Equestrian Events Trifecta at 8. And Boyd has had a shocking runout at the C element of the MARS Sustainability Bay.
3:20 p.m. Boyd and Thomas are away as Yasmin comes through the finish flags. She’ll be devastated with the trouble. It looks like Colleen has had trouble on course but I’m not sure exactly where. They’ve called it a day.
3:18 p.m. Boyd Martin and his Tokyo Olympic partner Tsetserleg TSF are close to leaving the box.
3:16 p.m. Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights are now underway. I think Colleen may have fallen from “CR” in the warm-up, as I saw a horse that looked to be him loose.
3:13 p.m. Lots of drama now, as Yasmin now takes the long route at the Rolex Grand Slam. I’m not sure if they’ll call that a 20 at the BC, but she may have pulled off the line in time. Meanwhile, Booli Selmayr has fallen from Millfield Lancando at the MARS Sustainability Bay jumping into the water. They both appear to be fine, but Booli will be wanting some dry clothes.
3:11 p.m. And Tamie Smith WILL hold the lead now as Yasmin Ingham has just had a runout at the Park Question. A true shocker here, but this will drop this pair down out of contention and a real heartbreaker. Will Coleman also went inside the time with Off the Record, as did Emily Hamel and Corvett.
3:09 p.m. Here we go! Overnight leaders Yasmin Ingham and Banzai du Loir are underway.
GIF via ClipMyHorse.TV.
3:07 p.m. Maxime Livio has to work to get Carouzo Bois Marotin — who is quite fresh and keen — over the C element of Pete’s Hollow.
GIF via ClipMyHorse.TV.
3:04 p.m. Emily Hamel and Corvett are neatly through the Angled Trakehners at the end of the course and are home clear! We will next see reigning World Champions Yasmin Ingham and Banzai du Loir, looking to hold their lead over a hard-charging Tamie Smith.
3:02 p.m. We are getting a fair bit of rain now, but it shouldn’t affect the going too much at this point.
3:01 p.m. Will Coleman and Off the Record have been restarted at the Lincoln Lodge. He’s nearly home now so should have plenty of run after that hold.
2:59 p.m. It looks like Stella Artois has been safely loaded into the ambulance, and they’ll be taking her off course now. I’ll keep you updated though I know we won’t hear anything for awhile. We’ll be getting back underway soon.
2:48 p.m. The horse ambulance has been pulled out to the fence Jennie and Stella are at. We won’t have any further information on what happened for awhile, but we’ll keep you updated on what we know as we find out.
2:46 p.m. We’re going to go into a hold now, as Will Coleman has been pulled up and Yasmin Ingham is held at the start. Emily Hamel and Corvett are also being held after the Head of the Lake. Maxime will also be held.
2:43 p.m. Maxime Livio and his impressive Carouzo Bois Marotin are underway as Will Coleman navigates the Head of the Lake safely with Off the Record.
GIF via ClipMyHorse.TV.
2:40 p.m. Buck stops the clock about 40 seconds over the time. Jennie is clear through the head of the Lake with Stella, and we’re also joined on course by Emily Hamel and her jumping bean, Corvett. Coleman is clear at Pete’s Hollow at fence 12, the very topmost point of the course.
2:38 p.m. Buck has a runout at the third element of the Normandy Bank at 21, but is clear on second attempt and starting to make his way toward home.
2:37 p.m. Will Coleman and his Aachen winner, Off the Record, are away and clear through the water at fence 4.
2:36 p.m. Zara Tindall is going to collect 30 or so seconds of time but is home clear with Class Affair. Buck and Sorocaima are clear through the Head of the lake, and Jennie has to ride for it at the Rolex Grand Slam but she and Stella are clear there too.
2:34 p.m. Buck Davidson and Sorocaima (another OTTB!) are now on course. Zara Tindall is clear through the Cosequin Cove.
2:33 p.m. Jessie Phoenix came home clear in a time of 11:31 to collect just a few time. Jennie Saville is now back out with us on Stella Artois.
2:31 p.m. “Right at the end, I think I was more tired than him just telling him every stride “bigger, faster!”. He’s not got a lot of Thoroughbred in him, but he’s got a heart the size of Kentucky.” — Tamie Smith on Mai Baum’s efforts today. Tom McEwen and JL Dublin actually did have some time, as his time is listed as 11:39 on the scores, meaning Tamie will now move into second at worst overnight.
2:29 p.m. I haven’t seen much of Jessie Phoenix and Wabbit, but I believe they’re clear through the Cosequin Cove.
2:25 p.m. A look at Tom McEwen and JL Dublin into the Head of the Lake.
GIF via ClipMyHorse.TV.
2:24 p.m. Now away are 2006 World Champion rider Zara Tindall and Class Affair.
2:22 p.m. JL Dublin is looking smooth as silk about halfway through this long track. If they can keep this flow, the time should be getable for this pair.
2:20 p.m. Tom McEwen and JL Dublin are clear through the Rolex Grand Slam as we’re joined by Jessie Phoenix and OTTB Wabbit.
2:16 p.m. 11:24 is Tamie’s time — she’ll be on her dressage score heading into tomorrow, no worse than third depending on the outcome of the rest of the day!
2:15 p.m. I THINK Tamie just made the time….will confirm. Tom McEwen and JL Dublin are set to get underway.
2:14 p.m. Tamie is really going to have to push to get home close to the time. Mai Baum hasn’t lost his jump, but he’s definitely digging deep to get this job done.
2:13 p.m. Just kidding, Lauren Nicholson and Landmark’s Monte Carlo have withdrawn and did not start. Tamie threads the needle at the Cosequin Cove but they’re still clear.
2:12 p.m. Sandra came home 6 seconds under time.
2:11 p.m. Tamie is clear through the Head of the Lake with Mai Baum. He gave plenty of air to the Narrow Knolls at 14. I think Sandra Auffarth just made the time.
GIF via ClipMyHorse.TV.
2:10 p.m. Kirsty Chabert has had an issue at the Park Question, she’s clear on the long route now.
2:09 p.m. Also away are Lauren Nicholson and Landmark’s Monte Carlo.
2:08 p.m. Great Britain’s Kirsty Chabert and her #supermare Classic VI are away! Tamie is clear through the Rolex Grand Slam and en route to Pete’s Hollow.
2:06 p.m. The pin stays up at the Park Question! Tamie takes the right flag at the brush at C, but they should be safely clear.
2:05 p.m. Sandra and Viamant du Matz look really quick here. She’s through the Hollow. Tamie is clear through the MARS Sustainability Bay.
2:03 p.m. Tamie Smith and Mai Baum will leave the start box shortly.
2:02 p.m. Viamant du Matz peeks at the ditch at the Park Question, but once again Sandra says “you gotta do this
2:01 p.m. Sandra shows her experience with a very keen Viamant du Matz and is clean through the MARS Sustainability Bay.
2:00 p.m. 2014 World Champion Sandra Auffarth is out of the box with Viamant du Matz. She’ll have the course to herself for the time being.
1:59 p.m. Liz is going to do her darndest to get close to the time, but I think she’s going to get into some penalties.
1:57 p.m. Deniro Z looks to be looking a little bit of steam as they head to the Normandy Bank. Woods Baughman has run into trouble early at the MARS Sustainability Bay, grinding to a halt at the B element. He’s going to call it a day here.
1:55 p.m. Here’s a look at Boyd’s live cam on Contessa through the brushes at the Normandy Bank. This is a really impressive round from this rookie horse.
GIF via ClipMyHorse.TV.
1:54 p.m. Another 20 now at the Park Question for Alina Dibowski. I think she’s going to go ahead and put her hand up here. What a bummer.
1:53 p.m. Alina Dibowski and Barbados 26 have run into trouble early with a runout at the angled brush C element of fence 4 (MARS Sustainability Bay).
1:51 p.m. Phillip says he’s going to appeal his time penalty. Boyd and Contessa have navigated the Head of the Lake, and Erin Kanara has finished a clear round with Campground.
1:49 p.m. Liz and Deniro Z take the right flag at the out of the MARS Sustainability Bay but they’re through and on their way.
1:48 p.m. Phillip’s time has been updated to 11:27, so he’ll pick up .4 time. Erin Kanara and Campground are through the Head of the Lake. Leaving the box now are Liz Halliday-Sharp and Deniro Z.
1:47 p.m. Boyd growls at Contessa to get her some gumption through the Park Question. He’s actually wearing a live helmet cam for this — pretty cool!
1:45 p.m. Allie Knowles and Morswood have fallen at the second of the angled brushes, fence 21 after the Normandy Bank. They’re both immediately up and look to be ok.
1:44 p.m. A big fist pump from Phillip and a hug from Evie Dutton at the finish. He’s thrilled, rightfully so, with Z. They made it look a walk in the park.
1:43 p.m. Phillip’s time should be fairly good, I think he’s going to get it — 11:26 easily. Boyd and his debutant, Contessa, are away.
1:42 p.m. Campground makes neat work of the Park Question. Z is just about home, heading to the Trakehners at 27.
1:40 p.m. Erin Kanara and Campground are away – another Thoroughbred to add to the roster. I believe Will stopped the clock with about 10 seconds of time.
1:39 p.m. Will is pushing for the clock here and is safely home now.
1:38 p.m. Allie has made it safe through the Park Question as Phillip heads to the Lake with Z. Mama’s Magic Way is looking full of run as they head for home.
1:37 p.m. Looking good through the angled brushes at the Normandy Bank for Will and Mama’s Magic Way.
1:36 p.m. We’re now joined by Allie Knowles and Morswood.
1:36 p.m. 11:54 looks to be Jennie’s finishing time.
1:35 p.m. Twillightslastgleam is still galloping really well as he makes his way to the final combination at the Angled Trakehners. They’ve just got one more to jump. We’ll see what their time looks like, but they are carrying 11 penalties.
1:33 p.m. Will and Mama’s Magic Way have to work to get out of the Hollow clean, but they’re through. Phillip is clear through 4.
1:32 p.m. Tokyo Olympians Phillip Dutton and Z are out of the box.
1:32 p.m. Gosh what a horse. Twilightslastgleam jumps very intelligently up the bank and out over the big corner out of the Head of the Lake. Mama’s Magic Way is coming to the Rolex Grand Slam, he’s clear there.
1:31 p.m. Twilightslastgleam hops up the mound to make a neat footwork job out of the Narrow Knolls at 14. She now heads to the iconic Head of the Lake.
1:30 p.m. “Mason” is catty and cool through the Park Question – he’s set the standard early on!
1:30 p.m. Jennie is clear and bold through Pete’s Hollow at 12.
1:29 p.m. Mama’s Magic Way leaves a bit of a leg at the in to the MARS Sustainability Bay at 4 but keeps his feet and Will is strong in the saddle to keep going and they’re clear through.
1:28 p.m. Will Faudree and Mama’s Magic Way now join us on course.
1:26 p.m. Ah! Twilightslastgleam has the MIM rail down at the Park Question, but she kicks on and makes the B, C and D elements work.
GIF via ClipMyHorse.TV.
1:26 p.m. Jennie makes quick, direct work of the MARS Sustainability Bay at 4. Love a Thoroughbred on a day like today!
1:24 p.m. Buck now picks up at 20 at the open corner at 8. He’s going long now and he’s putting his hand up. A good decision as Gobey never really seemed to get into any sort of rhythm. A bummer early on. Meanwhile, we’ve got Jennie Saville and Twilightslastgleam out of the box.
1:22 p.m. Gobey slithers over the rails into the Park Question at 6 and then has no power or gumption to make it to the arrowheads at C and D. He swings around for the long route and is clear there.
1:21 p.m. Buck opts to swing wide and give Erroll Gobey plenty of time to see the angled brush at C at the MARS Sustainability Bay at 4 after a difficult jump at the B. A wise decision to inject some confidence and attention into this 13-year-old gelding early on.
1:20 p.m. Andddd – here we go! Buck Davidson and Erroll Gobey are away, and they’re looking for a good run here as pathfinders.
