2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event: Dressage Day One

Dressage is halfway complete at the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day event CCI5*-L.

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Currently in first is Yasmin Ingham of Great Britain and 2011 Selle Français gelding Banzai Du Loir set the bar high with a 26.1, securing her a 5-point lead.

Yasmin Ingham and Banzai du Loir. Photo by y Allen MacMillan.

Yasmin Ingham smiles as she pats Banzai du Lour on their way out of the dressage ring at the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. Photo by Mary Cage

“His test overall had some really nice highlights overall. We’ve been working on getting more expression in the trot… he has so much presence,” Ingham said.

She added, “His first centerline could have been a little straighter, I think. That’s something I’ll go home and work on.”

Kirsty Chabert, also from Great Britain, sits in second on a 30 riding Classic IV, a 2009 Anglo European mare.

“At 15 years old, she’s improving. Hopefully she’s a really nice bottle of red wine and just keeps maturing with age,” Chabert said of Classic IV.

Kirsty Chabert and Classic VI. Photo by Allen MacMillan

Kirsty Chabert and Classic VI. Photo by Mary Cage

When asked about how she feels about the remainder of the weekend and her competition, she added that no matter how the final results settle, “I’ve got my own goals that I’d like to achieve.”

Only 0.1 point behind is German rider Malin Hansen-Hotopp and 2012 Holsteiner gelding Carlitos Quidditch K. A 30.1 puts her in third.

Malin Hansen-Hotopp and Carlitos Quidditch K. Photo by Mary Cage

“I got him from a friend as a 5-year-old and she asked me to ride him for a young horse competition,” Hansen-Hotopp said.

After some hesitation with having other horses to ride and young kids, she agreed to give it a go. “He was really grumpy, bucking all the time… but he did a great job when he was jumping.”

With her husband’s support she bought him and since then their partnership has gone “up and up and up.”

In the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S, Boyd Martin and Commando 3 sit in first on a 28.9. William Coleman holds both second and third with a 29.9 on Diabolo and a 30.1 with Off the Record.

Boyd Martin and Commando 3. Photo by Allen MacMillan

Find all of our coverage on our 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day event landing page.

Thanks to CareCredit for our spring and summer equestrian coverage.

This article about the first day of dressage at the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event is a web exclusive for Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

7 months ago

Shoshana Rudski

Shoshana is a rider, trainer, and instructor in Lexington, KY. She has been involved with Horse Illustrated and Young Rider magazines for nearly a decade, spending time as an assistant editor, freelancer (during her riding full time and barn management escapades), and now is part of the sales and editorial team. She competes her own sport ponies, Izzy and Bonnie, in dressage and also dabbles in eventing. Her dogs, Knox and Ari, and her cats, Skunk and Earl, complete her herd.