Another day of brilliant sun made for a lovely picture as the 23 riders remaining in the 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5* division attempted to keep the poles up. The time was very doable, with eight pairs jumping double clear.
It came down to a nail-biter indeed, with 2024’s CCI4*-winning pair, Will Coleman (USA) and 14-year-old Hosteiner gelding Diabolo adding just 0.8 time faults during their show jumping round to guarantee no worse than second on a 28.1.
Overnight leader Monica Spencer (NZL) and the 15-year-old New Zealand-bred Thoroughbred gelding Artist were sitting on a 22.3, with one rail and some time in hand. But it was not to be their day; in the end, three very expensive rails down knocked them to seventh place, ensuring the first Kentucky 5* win for an America since Tamie Smith in 2023. (The winner receives $130,000, while seventh place receives $10,000.)
“This is the event that every American eventing rider wants to win,” said Coleman. “It’s my favorite place to ride in the whole world. I’ve dreamed about it, but now that it’s here, it feels surreal. I’m blessed to ride this horse and have the people who made this possible for someone like me—my family, the owners, coaches. So many people have been a part of this horse’s journey.”
Will Coleman and Diabolo clear the final jump of the 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. Photo by Mary Cage
Coleman became just the second rider to have won both the Cosequin Lexington CCI4* and Defender Kentucky CCI5* — the first having been Tamie Smith earlier in the day when she won the CCI4*. But having won the CCI4* with Diabolo previously, he became the first rider to win both divisions on the same horse.
“It is a surreal feeling, something I think we all dream about,” Coleman said. It’s one of the hardest things to do — certainly one of the hardest in equestrian sport. I sort of feel like we all deserve the win … Today I feel extremely lucky.”
Will Coleman and Diabolo on their victory lap. Photo by Mary Cage
Moving up from third to second was another American rider, Caroline Pamukcu, riding 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding HSH Blake. They went double-clear to finish on a score of 28.6. The pair previously competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics, finishing 36th individually.
“Blake today really helped me a lot — all the kudos goes to him,” Pamukcu said. “He’s such a special horse and really made up everywhere that I lacked.”
Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake had a double-clear round. Photo by Mary Cage
British rider David Doel moved from fourth to third, also with a double-clear round, riding 15-year-old KWPN gelding Galileo Nieuwmoed (sounds like “new mood”). This horse was primed for such a performance, having finished on the podium twice in his 12 previous CCI5* events on both sides of the Atlantic.
“It’s been absolutely magic,” Doel reflected. “I’m very lucky; I’ve got a very cool horse. As a team we came together, learned from past mistakes. He gave me a super ride all three days.”
David Doel and Galileo Nieuwmoed moved up into third after a double-clear round in the show jumping phase. Photo by Mary Cage
Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S
In the final phase of the CCI4*, overnight leader Tamie Smith (USA) entered the arena aboard Lillet 3 with a rail and some time cushion in hand, but as it turned out, she didn’t need it. Smith was the only rider to make the show jumping optimum time out of 31 horses in the division, keeping a cool head under pressure—not surprising, given her history in the CCI5*.
Speaking on the optimum time in the final phase, Smith said, “It didn’t seem achievable, but [Lillet] is so cool. She’s so fast.”
Tamie Smith and Lillet 3 on their way to the CCI4* win. Photo by Mary Cage
This also moves Smith into the lead of the recently launched US Equestrian Open standings, which offers $1 million in prize money across a series of annual events.
“It’s new to our country; I went into it thinking I might have a shot,” she said. “You just hope that it goes your way.”
It’s now just a matter of waiting 361 days until the start of 2027’s “Best Weekend All Year.” We’ll see you there!
2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L Final Results
1. William Coleman (USA) and Diabolo (28.1)
2. Caroline Pamukcu (USA) and HSH Blake (28.6)
3. David Doel (GBR) and Galileo Nieuwmoed (30.8)
4. Tim Price (NZL) and Vitali (33.0)
5. Tom McEwen (GBR) and Brookfield Quality (33.1)
6. Boyd Martin (USA) and Commando 3 (34.2)
7. Monica Spencer (NZL) and Artist (36.7)
8. Phillip Dutton (USA) and Possante (37.7)
9. Emily Hamel (USA) and Corvett (40.9)
10. Sophia Hill (AUS) and Humble Glory (41.1)
2026 Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S Final Results
1. Tamie Smith (USA) and Lillet 3 (31.3)
2. Will Coleman (USA) and Very Dignified (37.4)
3. Mia Farley (USA) and Invictus (38.3)
4. Sharon White (USA) and Claus 63 (41.3)
5. Will Coleman (USA) and Fahrenheit Addict (43.3)
6. Isabelle Bosley (USA) and Conner (44.8)
7. Isabelle Cook (GBR) and Cymoon “F” Z (48.1)
8. Sydney Elliott (USA) and QC Diamantaire (48.7)
9. Dan Kreitl (USA) and Carmango (49.2)
10. Lauren Nicholson (USA) and Landmark’s Jungle’s Gold (50.0)
Find all of our coverage on our 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event landing page.
Thanks to CareCredit for our 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event coverage.
