Horse Illustrated Magazine

Stay up to date on the action from the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. Find information about the event, including a recap from each day of the competition below, and follow links to the full stories.

2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event Recap

Thanks to a rail down by overnight leader Tom McEwen (GBR) on the 13-year-old German Warmblood gelding JL Dublin, a clean trip over the show jumps bumped Oliver Townend (GBR) to the ultimate win at the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L. Jumping in reverse order of standing, Townend’s clear trip aboard the 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse Mare Cooley Rosalent left him in prime position as the final two to jump had rails down. This was Townend’s fourth win at the Kentucky 5*, tying him with Michael Jung of Germany. Only Bruce Davidson, Sr., has more wins, with five between 1983 and1993. Overnight 2^nd, reigning World Champion Yasmin Ingham of Great Britain riding the 13-year-old Selle Francais gelding Banzai Du Loir, had one rail down, dropping them to 3^rd.

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Cross-Country Day Recap

In a day of heat, then rain, followed by blazing sun, the sun indeed shone brightest on the British riders as they claimed the top three spots after cross-country at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L. Tom McEwen (GBR) and 13-year-old German Warmblood gelding JL Dublin had 4 time faults, but enough of a head start to maintain their overnight lead. Yasmin Ingham (GBR) and 13-year-old Selle Francais gelding Banzai Du Loir had 5.6 time faults but maintained 2nd place. Oliver Townend (GBR) and 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare Cooley Rosalent moved up from 8th into 3rd with just 0.4 time faults.

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Dressage Day Two Recap

Tom McEwen of Great Britain had a big day under beautiful skies at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky., nailing the dressage test at the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L. McEwen rode a steady and accurate test aboard the 13-year-old German Warmblood gelding JL Dublin for a score of 24.6, bumping fellow countryman Yasmin Ingham (GBR) and Banzai Du Loir’s leading score of 26.1 from yesterday down to 2nd place going into Saturday’s cross-country phase.

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Dressage Day One Recap

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

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2024 Kentucky Three-Day Event Preview

Three of the world’s four top-ranked riders and defending champion Tamie Smith (USA) head an impressive list of entries for the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™. Olympians and World Champions highlight the list of riders from nine countries entered to compete when the event returns to the Kentucky Horse Park, April 25-28. With many riders’ sights set on the Paris Olympics this summer, both the CCI5*-L and the Cosequin® Lexington 4* will be thrilling to watch.

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