Thursday News & Notes

One Big Thing: A Look Back for Dressage Day 1 at Kentucky!

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A post shared by William Fox-Pitt (@william.foxpitt)

Go back in time with 5* master William Fox-Pitt as he reminisces on his many highlights at the Kentucky Three-Day Event over the years. As a three-time winner and fourteen-time finisher, we think it’s safe to bet that William may just know more about Kentucky than any other rider out there! We have no doubt he’ll be watching this weekend as Harry Meade pilots Fox-Pitt’s former ride — and 2025 fourth-place finisher — Grafennacht around the bluegrass once again.

And for another fun Dressage Day history lesson: how much do you know about the history of Kentucky? [Take Practical Horseman’s quiz to find out!]

Today at Defender Kentucky

Following yesterday’s jog, the Defender Kentucky Three-Day has officially begun! Here’s everything you need to know for today:

📆 Activities We’re Following Today

USEA Adult Rider Course Walk: Derek di Grazia — Thu, April 23 @ 8:30 a.m. | 5* Start Box
Autograph Signing: Hannah Sue Hollberg — Thu, April 23 @ 1:00 p.m. | SynNutra Equine Booth #163
Autograph Signing: Ema Klugman — Thu, April 23 @ 1:30 p.m. | SynNutra Equine Booth #163
Meet & Greet: Vermiculus “Bug” — Thu, April 23 @ 3:00 p.m. | The Hill
Autograph Signing: Alyssa Phillips — Thu, April 23 @ 4:00 p.m. | Cowboy Magic Booth #306
Off Site: New Vocations 9th Annual Open Barn & BBQ — Thu, April 23 @ 4:30 p.m. | New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program, Lexington

🎥 Follow Live

CCI4*-S dressage will kick off at 8:30 a.m. ET this morning
CCI5* dressage begins at 1:30 p.m. ET
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

Cross country is open to riders for walking following yesterday’s horse inspection
Guided course preview + CCI5* and CCI4*-S maps also available on the CrossCountryApp

📲 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]