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 American 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, on 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.

The post 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event Results and Recap: Will Coleman & Diabolo Win for USA appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Under idyllic sunny skies with firm ground after a cloudy morning, the 11:05 optimum time turned out to be a challenge to make over Derek di Grazia’s CCI5*-L cross-country course. On the best day of “The Best Weekend All Year,” four horses out of 29 starters made the time with double-clear rounds. 

One of those was Monica Spencer (NZL) aboard the 15-year-old New Zealand-bred Thoroughbred, Artist (aka “Max”). This horse pulls off a rare feat indeed for a Thoroughbred, combining spectacular movement and suspension that put him on top after the dressage phase with an enormous, ground-gobbling racehorse stride on the cross-country course.  

“He felt good; he has such a great gallop that allows me to take my time at the jumps,” said Spencer. When asked about her horse’s chances at winning after all is said and done in the show jumping phase tomorrow, she added, “I’m just happy to be where I am on day two—but the podium’s the dream, so we’ll try to stay there!” 

Monica Spencer (NZL) and Artist went double-clear over the cross-country course to head to show jumping on their dressage score. Photo by Mary Cage

In second place going into the final phase is Will Coleman (USA) on the 14-year-old Holsteiner gelding Diabolo, who had one of the other rare double-clear rounds of the day, moving them up from fifth after dressage. Diabolo is famously known as Coleman’s wife Katie’s favorite horse in the barn, where she pampers him with a pint of blueberries in his feed every day.  

“I thought [Diabolo] was just sensational. I thought he was magical today. It was his first go at this level and I was just overjoyed with him.” Coleman said. Reflecting on how the course rode, he added, “I thought it was a very challenging track when I walked it. I thought the time would be hard enough to get. Everything to me rode as I envisioned it. I thought the horses were having a hard time reading the coffin. It was very hard to get the horses to settle on the line.”

Will Coleman (USA) and Diabolo were one of the few horse-and-rider pairs to go double-clear. Photo by Mary Cage

In third after a nail-biting wait to see if a devastating penalty for hitting a flag would be taken off following the final ride of the day was Caroline Pamukcu (USA) on HSH Blake. Looking full of run, the horse notched just two time penalties. Thanks to having her flag penalty challenge vindicated, Pamukcu moved up one slot from fourth after dressage. She is such a fan of this eye-catching 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding that she named her firstborn daughter Blake after the horse! 

“Blake is, like, my best friend so it’s just great to go out again around another five star,” Pamukcu said. “He was amazing. He was perfect even when I wasn’t.”

Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake moved into third after a strong run on cross-country. Photo by Allen MacMillan/MacMillan Photography

David Doel (GBR) and Galileo Nieuwmoed showed an impressive leap from 12th to fourth place after spotting the very first double-clear round of the day.  

Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S 

In the CCI4*, 42 pairs set out on course, with a much shorter 6-minute optimum time. It must have been a big ask, however, as none of the pairs made the time, even with the perfect weather and firm footing. 

Notching the fewest time faults with just 1.6, Tamra Smith (USA) and Lillet 3 moved up from 3rd into the lead. Smith retired her mount Danito, who was in first after dressage, after some unfortunate difficulty at fence 10C. 

“[Lillet 3] went out and it was like being on a little race car. I had a great time,” Smith said. When asked about how the mare handled the course, Smith continued to praise her. “She was super and answered all the questions great. She has such an elegance about her.”

Tamie Smith and Lillet 3 came away with the lead after cross-country. Photo by Jen Emig/MacMillan Photography

Moving up from seventh to second after cross-country were Will Coleman (USA) and Very Dignified after they added a relatively small 4.4 time penalties to their score.  

Rounding out the Saturday podium, Mia Farley (USA) and Invictus leapt from 11th to third under the difficult optimum time, adding just 5.6 penalties. 

Join us tomorrow to see who can keep the poles in the cups to take home the big checks! 

2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L Standings After Cross-Country

1. Monica Spencer (NZL) and Artist (22.3)
2. Will Coleman (USA) and Diabolo (27.3)
3. Caroline Pamukcu (USA) and HSH Blake (28.6)
4. David Doel (GBR) and Galileo Nieuwmoed (30.8)
5. Tim Price (NZL) and Vitali (31.8)
6. Tom McEwen (GBR) and Brookfield Quality (33.1)
7. Boyd Martin (USA) and Commando 3 (34.2)
8. Harry Meade (GBR) and Superstition (36.2)
9. Sophia Hill (AUS) and Humble Glory (37.1)
10. Phillip Dutton (USA) and Possante (37.7)

2026 Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S Standings After Cross-Country

1. Tamie Smith (USA) and Lillet 3 (31.3)
2. Will Coleman (USA) and Very Dignified (35.8)
3. Mia Farley (USA) and Invictus (37.9)
4. Dan Kreitl (USA) and Carmango (38.4)
5. Sharon White (USA) and Claus 63 (40.1)
6. Katie Lichten (USA) and Hickstead Musterd (40.4)
7. Will Coleman (USA) and Fahrenheit Addict (41.7)
8. Isabelle Cook (GBR) and Cymoon “F” Z (42.5)
9. Jessica Phoenix (CAN) and Fluorescent Adolescent (43.5)
10. Isabelle Bosley (USA) and Conner (44.0)

For complete dressage scores and updates about the event, visit www.kentuckythreedayevent.com.

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.

The post 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event: Cross-Country Day appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The warm temperatures and mostly sunny skies continued on day two of dressage at the 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. Though the weather remained largely the same, the tests in the ring caused some big shake-ups on the leaderboard. Most notably, Monica Spencer (NZL) aboard the New Zealand-bred Thoroughbred Artist marked a 22.3, breaking into the top ten dressage scores ever posted at the Kentucky Three-Day Event — just one year after Michael Jung set a new record of 18.6.

“‘Max’ was super today — had good energy on the test,” Spencer said. “I’m really pleased with him.”

Now 15, Monica has had “Max” since he was four. She spoke to the stereotype surrounding Thoroughbreds in eventing, and why Max is the right mount for her.

“In cross-country, it’s always nice to be on a fast horse. In the dressage, I’m lucky with Max that he’s a beautiful mover and he’s always been very trainable,” Spencer said. “I enjoy riding him in the dressage and I have had a few good Thoroughbreds over the years that have been good at dressage … I am particularly lucky with the way Max moves; he’s quite an expressive horse for a Thoroughbred. He likes to throw his front hooves around and he did that today.”

Monica Spencer and Artist gained the lead with a beautiful 22.3. Photo by Mary Cage

Just barely behind Spencer with a 22.6, World #4 eventing rider Tim Price — previously third overall with Global Quest on the first day of dressage — dazzled the judges with 16-year-old Holsteiner gelding Vitali. Price now enters cross-country day with two horses in the top ten.

“I was really happy with him,” Price said. “He’s such a great craftsman and he’s got such a great body and mind for the job.”

Tim Price and Vitali sit narrowly behind Monica Spencer, scoring a 22.6. Photo by Mary Cage

Top-five finisher in the last three editions of the Kentucky Three-Day Event, including two runner-up finishes, Tom McEwen broke into the top three after dressage with a 25.1 aboard the 17-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Brookfield Quality. McEwen and Brookfield Quality finished fifth in this event last year, and look poised for another top finish.

“I’m delighted with ‘Norris’ as usual,” McEwen said. “He does everything he can and formed another pretty much foot-perfect, sort of “clear round” like we call it. So delighted — thought we put everything out there and he couldn’t have given me more so I’m thrilled.”

Tom McEwen and Brookfield Quality look to continue McEwen’s streak of top finishes at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. Photo by Mary Cage

The final horse-and-rider pair to go, Caroline Pamukcu (USA) and HSH Blake continued the trend of changing the leaderboard. With a 26.6, Pamukcu secured a place in fourth going into cross-country, pushing previous leader Will Coleman (USA, with Diabolo) into fifth.

Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake prove their partnership with a 26.6. Photo by Mary Cage

Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S

While Tamie Smith held onto her early lead in the 4* with Thursday’s 27.0 aboard Danito, this division saw several changes to its leaderboard as well. Fan-favorite duo Sharon White (USA) and Claus 63 moved into second with a beautiful 28.1, and Smith added another horse into a top spot when she scored a 29.7 with Lillet 3. This score tied her for third with young rider Elizabeth Barratt (GBR) riding Ride For Thais Chaman Dumontceau, also a 29.7.

“I’m really thrilled with Claus today,” White said. “He was very relaxed and very mature and well within himself. We’ve been working on that our whole partnership, so I feel like at 14-years-young now, he’s finally coming into his own. I’m super excited about the rest of the weekend. The [cross-country] track looks amazing. As always here, there’s a lot to do, but it looks like something to go get, so excited for that.”

Sharon White celebrates a great test aboard Claus 63. Photo by Mary Cage

Stay tuned tomorrow for cross-country day in both divisions.

2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L Standings After Dressage

1. Monica Spencer (NZL) and Artist (22.3)
2. Tim Price (NZL) and Vitali (22.6)
3. Tom McEwen (GBR) and Brookfield Quality (25.1)
4. Caroline Pamukcu (USA) and HSH Blake (26.6)
5. Will Coleman (USA) and Diabolo (27.3)
6. Phillip Dutton (USA) and Possante (28.1)
7. Boyd Martin (USA) and Commando 3 (28.2)
8. Harry Meade (GBR) and Grafennacht (28.9)
9. Tim Price (NZL) and Global Quest (29.8)
10. Harry Meade (GBR) and Superstition (30.2)

2026 Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S Standings After Dressage

1. Tamie Smith (USA) and Danito (27.0)
2. Sharon  White (USA) and Claus 63 (28.1)
=3. Elizabeth Barratt (GBR) and Ride For Thais Chaman Dumontceau (29.7)
=3. Tamie Smith (USA) and Lillet 3 (29.7)
5. Alyssa Phillips (USA) and Rockett 19 (30.1)
6. Molly Duda (USA) and Carlingfords Hes a Clover (31.1)
=7. Will Coleman (USA) and Very Dignified (32.0)
=7. Tommy Greengard (USA) and That’s Me Z (31.4)
9. Dan Kreitl (USA) and Carmango (32.0)
10. Ema Klugman (AUS) and RF Redfern (32.1)

For complete dressage scores and updates about the event, visit www.kentuckythreedayevent.com.

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.

The post 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event: Dressage Day Two appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

It’s looking like it will be four days of warm, possibly even hot, sun this year at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian. Always a nice change from driving rain and a brief return to winter!

With half of the CCI5*-L dressage tests in the books Thursday, the current leader is William Coleman (USA) with Diabolo, a 14-year-old Holsteiner gelding. The pair presented a smooth and lovely test that stuck on top of today’s leaderboard with a penalty score of 27.3 (72.69%).

“The first time you do a five-star at a place like this, in this kind of atmosphere, you’re never totally sure how your horse is going to cope,” said Coleman. “He got a little excited when he got up here to the ring. Even in my final warm-ups, I didn’t feel like I totally had him, but to his credit, he went in there and really stayed with me and did his job as best he could. I can’t be anything but proud of him — I just really, really adore this horse.”

Will Coleman and Diabolo, early leaders of the Defender Kentucky Three Day Event CCI5*-L after the first day of dressage. Photo by Mary Cage

In second for the day is Phillip Dutton (USA) on Possante, a 13-year-old KWPN gelding, with a 28.1. Dutton is a former winner of this event and a seven-time Olympic veteran with a penchant for accurate and high-scoring dressage tests, so it’s never a surprise to see him at the top of the pack here in Kentucky.

“Dressage comes reasonably easy for the horse, so it’s more a case of keeping it in,” said Dutton after his ride.

Phillip Dutton and Possante scored a 28.1 Photo by Mary Cage

Third overall today on a 29.8 is Tim Price of New Zealand on Global Quest, a 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse. Price is the World #4 ranked eventing rider and finished in second at this event in 2021 and third in 2019.

Tim Price and Global Quest were an early top score with a 29.8. Photo by Mary Cage

Today’s fourth place rider is World #1, Harry Meade of Great Britain, and 17-year-old BHHS gelding Superstition with a 30.2. This seasoned rider has overcome some intense injuries to shine at the top of the sport, which is always great to see.

Rounding out today’s top five on a score of 30.7 is crowd favorite and World #2 Boyd Martin (USA) with Cooley Nutcracker, a 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding.

In the CCI4*-S division, pairs looking for a shorter cross-country course on Saturday to perhaps prepare their horses for an eventual step up to a CCI5*-L, 22 pairs competed in the dressage ring on Thursday morning. Tamie Smith (USA), the 2023 CCI5* winner, topped the leaderboard on Danito, a 17-year-old Hanoverian gelding, with a 27.0 in this division after the first day of dressage.

Tamie Smith and Danito, leaders in the CCI4*-S after the first day of dressage. Photo by Allen MacMillan/MacMillan Photography

Stay tuned tomorrow for the second half of the dressage rides in both divisions.

2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L Standings After Dressage Day One

1. Will Coleman (USA) and Diabolo (27.3)
2. Phillip Dutton (USA) and Possante (28.1)
3. Tim Price (NZL) and Global Quest (29.8)
4. Harry Meade (GBR) and Superstition (30.2)
5. Boyd Martin (USA) and Cooley Nutcracker (30.7)
6. David Doel (GBR) and Galileo Nieuwmoed (30.8)
7. Karen O’Neal (USA) and Clooney 14 (33.1)
8. Caroline Pamukcu (USA) and HSH Tolan King (33.5)
9. Mary Bess Davis (USA) and Imperio Magic (33.9)
10. Caroline Pamukcu (USA) and She’s the One (35.1)

2026 Cosequin® Lexington 4*-S Standings After Dressage Day One

1. Tamie Smith (USA) and Danito (27.0)
2. Tommy Greengard (USA) and That’s Me Z (31.4)
3. Dan Kreitl (USA) and Carmango (32.0)
4. Tamie Smith (USA) and Kynan (33.0)
5. Lauren Nicholson (USA) and Landmark’s Jungle Gold (33.2)
6. Will Coleman (USA) and Fahrenheit Addict (33.3)
7. Katie Lichten (USA) and Hickstead Musterd (33.6)
8. Elisa Wallace (USA) and Lissavorra Quality (34.5)
9. Laine Ashker (USA) and Lovedance (34.8)
10. James Alliston (USA) and HMR Rolan (35.1)

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.

The post 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event: Dressage Day One appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Lexington, Ky. — The first horse inspection was blessedly drama free as all 29 horses presented to the ground jury at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian (K3DE) will be moving on to the first phase of competition, the dressage. Under blue skies and the occasional gust of wind, the competitors in the CCI5*-L competition put their best and most fashionable foot forward as they demonstrated their horses’ fitness to begin the competition.

No horses were held for re-inspection, all passed at first presentation.

Boyd Martin and Cooley Nutcracker. Photo by Mary Cage

The Event is produced by Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), a non-profit, charitable organization that supports the development of equestrian sports by staging sporting events at the highest level. EEI is dedicated to creating opportunities for riders, horses, and equine organizations while advancing the United States’ strength and competitiveness on the international stage.

K3DE features one of only seven annual 5* three-day events in the world. K3DE is the largest and longest-running Five Star event in the Americas, and as the United States’ premier event, it also serves as the Defender/USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Championship presented by MARS Equestrian for the U.S. athletes. Known as “The Best Weekend All Year,” the event annually attracts over 90,000 spectators who also enjoy extensive shopping, a variety of hospitality experiences and a wide array of entertainment activities. Additionally, K3DE features the Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S, a U.S. Equestrian Open of Eventing Series qualifying event, and the Kentucky International CSI5* Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute.

Dressage kicks off Thursday morning with the CCI4*-S in the morning, followed by the CCI5*-L in the afternoon. Four of the top six riders in the world are competing for the top prize this weekend, including World #1 Harry Meade of Great Britain, who will be competing on Superstition and Grafennacht, World #2 Boyd Martin from the USA who also brings forward two mounts, Cooley Nutcracker and Commando 3, World #4 Tim Price from New Zealand, also with two horses, Global Quest and Vitali, and World #6, Tom McEwen of Great Britain with Brookfield Quality.

— Edited Press Release | Source: Kentucky Three-Day Event

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.

The post 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event: All Horses Pass First Horse Inspection appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Kentucky skies were finally blessed with bright sunshine all day for the conclusion of the Defender Kentucky Three Day Event CCI5*-L. With two rails in hand for the show jumping phase, Michael Jung (GER) and Fischerchipmunk FRH dropped only one to finish on a score of 25.0, granting Jung a record fifth Kentucky 5* win—the others came in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2022.

Always modest and soft-spoken, Jung refused to tout his obvious and spectacular talent.

“It’s definitely luck,” he said afterward. “So many things can go wrong. I believe in my horse and this place, and I always have a lot of luck here. We had a pole down very early and had a long way to go. I gave him more balance it worked very well.”

Michael Jung and FischerChipmunk FRH on their way to winning the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. Photo by Mary Cage

Asked about his 17-year-old horse’s future, Jung was very positive.

“He’s looking super strong and getting better and better. Hopefully he stays like this, ears in front when cross-country starts. He loves jumping, and you can feel the horse is motivated in what he’s doing. Hopefully a few more years!”

Finishing in second after a double-clear round on a score of 32.8 was Boyd Martin (USA) on Commando 3. His other two 5* mounts, Fedarman B and Luke 140, finished in sixth and seventh, respectively. As the highest-place rider for the U.S., Martin was named USEF 5* National Champion for a fourth time.

“I’m very blessed at the moment to have a group of incredible horses,”said Martin. “Michael [Jung] is an inspiration to my riding; I watch videos and try to copy him in my riding. He’ll be remembered as one of the greatest-ever eventing riders. I was just hoping for second place.”

Boyd Martin and Commando 3 complete a double-clear round. Photo by Mary Cage

For a little background on Commando 3, Martin told an interesting story of how he found him.

“I tried him when I went to a friend of [Jung’s] in Germany to try another horse and liked the other horse, who turned out to be a lemon! Six months later, [Commando] was still for sale. He hasn’t been easy—he’s spooky and sharp, but he has amazing quality and plenty of Thoroughbred and I knew right from the get-go that he was a special horse. He took a while to get there, but he’s arrived now.”

Boyd Martin accepts the award for the USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Championship. Photo by Mary Cage

Finishing in third and fourth was Harry Meade of Great Britain, finishing on a 34.2 with Et Hop du Matz and 39.6 on Grafennacht.

“The horses here have been brilliant,” said Mead. “It’s a wonderful feeling when they go well. It’s really about the pride you feel in the horses.”

Harry Meade and Et Hop du Matz jump double-clear. Photo by Mary Cage

He wrapped the press conference with some very kind words about Jung, calling him the greatest eventing rider that ever lived—a statement that is indeed hard to refute for someone with four Olympic gold medals (three as an individual), three World Championship gold medals, and seven European Championship gold medals.

Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S

In the 4* division, Will Coleman (USA) and Off The Record dropped one rail but stayed in the lead, finishing on a score of 33.0. He won the 4* here last year, too.

“[The rail down] made me think a little more about the time allowed, but I stuck to my plan,” said Coleman. “He kept the last three jumps up—I got a bit lucky there. He’s always displayed a real knack for cross-country; that’s why we kept going with him. He’s not the most natural in the other two phases. He has his own style; his character is what makes him a good horse. He has a conscience about him, trying to do the right thing, especially in competition.”

Finishing in second place was Phillip Dutton (USA) and Possante, who wrapped the day on a score of 33.9. Dutton also finished in fourth with Denim on a 38.8.

“We all earmark this event early in the year,” said Dutton. “It’s a relief to be sitting up here and have a good result. It’s ironic, my best jumper is Denim!”

Phillip Dutton and Possante. Photo by Sarah Miller/MacMillan Photography

Rounding out the top three was Jessica Phoenix (CAN) and Freedom GS, her Paris 2024 Olympic mount. The pair went double clear around the tricky show jumping course and finished on a 38.0.

“It’s been an amazing spring season,” she said. “I came away from Paris feeling I needed to get the horses stronger and get more confident with where I need to sit with my body type. [Freedom] has always been strong in the jumping phases, but I’ve had to work more with her dressage. It’s pure joy to go out with her and see the fruits of our hard work all winter.”

Jessica Phoenix and Freedom GS. Photo by Sarah Miller/MacMillan Photography

Join us again next year for more coverage of “The Best Weekend All Year!”

2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L Final Results

1. Michael Jung (GER) and FischerChipmunk FRH (25.0)
2. Boyd Martin (USA) and Commando 3 (32.8)
3. Harry Meade (GBR) and Et Hop du Matz (34.2)
4. Harry Meade (GBR) and Grafennacht (39.6)
5. Tom McEwen (GBR) and Brookfield Quality (40.6)
6. Boyd Martin (USA) and Fedarman B (40.6)
7. Boyd Martin (USA) and Luke 140 (44.7)
8. Monica Spencer (NZL) and Artist (50.9)
9. James Alliston (USA) and Karma (50.9)
9. James Alliston (USA) and Karma (50.9)
10. Libussa Lübbeke (GER) and Caramia 34 (53.1)

2025 Cosequin® Lexington 4*-S Final Results

1. Will Coleman (USA) and Off The Record (33.0)
2. Phillip Dutton (USA) and Possante (33.9)
3. Jessica Phoenix (CAN) and Freedom GS (38.0)
4. Phillip Dutton (USA) and Denim (38.8)
5. Allison Springer (USA) and No May Moon (40.4)
6. Mia Farley (USA) and Invictus (42.9)
7. James Alliston (USA) and Nemesis (44.3)
8. Tamie Smith (USA) and Kynan (46.0)
9. Ema Klugman (AUS) and Chiraz (48.2)
9. Jan Byyny (USA) and Beautiful Storm (49.9)

Find all of our coverage on our 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event landing page.

Thanks to CareCredit for our 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event coverage.

The post 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event Recap and Results appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

After a day of deluges on Friday, cross-country day dawned dry, gray, and very cold for late April, with a “feels like” temperature of 45 degrees that persisted all day. The ground was still holding a lot of water, which turned out to be very deep and tiring for the horses, with scads of time penalties in both the 4* and 5* divisions.

Defender Kentucky Three Day Event CCI5*-L

Reigning Paris Olympic Champion and four-time winner of this event, Michael Jung (GER) rode his Paris mount, FischerChipmunk FRH, to an exceptionally fast round, with just 2.4 time penalties to stay in a comfortable lead. In fact, he has now set a 5* record for biggest lead margins after dressage and cross-country.

“I had a super ride,” said Jung at the press conference after cross-country. “He’s an amazing horse in the cross-country—he’s full of energy with very big strides, very honest. I can trust him. We get better together. We’re still learning, but a great partnership is very important for the cross-country. He felt a bit tired some places. I knew I was behind the time, but he kept galloping to the end of the course. He was really fit.”

Michael Jung and FischerChipmunk FRH continue to lead the way after cross-country. Photo by Mary Cage

Holding on to second place with 6.8 time penalties was Boyd Martin (USA) on Commando 3, one of his three mounts in the 5* division. Always one to provide entertainment, Martin spoke at the press conference with his baby on his lap (who didn’t want to stay in the back with Mom), and his older son briefly joined them on the stage as well.

“It was a bloody tiring day, every ride I was huffing and puffing!” said Martin. “I went quick on [Commando]—he’s young and fit and gave me a great round, but the ground was a bit tiring.”

Boyd Martin and Commando 3 make their way through the Defender Head of the Lake complex, an iconic part of the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event cross-country course. Photo by Mary Cage

Harry Meade of Great Britain made an eye-popping climb up the leaderboard with the day’s only two double-clear rides (no jumping or time penalties), moving from 17th to third with ET Hop du Matz and 18th to fourth with Grafennacht. Meade is ranked No. 4 in the world eventing standings.

“I was confident they were fit,” he said. “I thought I’d get out there and see how they felt. The first horse [ET Hop du Matz] I know really well, and hoped he’d be a good 5* horse. He’s very adjustable and has a long stride. The mare, Grafennacht, I don’t know as well; I had this spring to get to know her and wasn’t thinking about coming here. Then she won an event by 24 points, so it was a no-brainer to bring her here. I was disappointed with her dressage test; she got a bit tight in the atmosphere—it was her first time in [a big crowd]. I was questioning whether to run her [cross-country] at 11:30 or 12 today, then thought I’d just start out and see how she goes.” Apparently, the answer was VERY well!

Course designer Derek di Grazia was pleased with the safety of the course this year.

“You never know at the beginning the day what’s going to happen,” he said. “You hope it’s going to provide a good competition. I’m happy every horse walked home—there were only two rider falls in the 4* and one in the 5* class—beyond that, there were some great rides that were really enjoyable to watch. Their time management is so good; at the end they are right where they need to be. We had lots of little runouts here and there all over the course, but it provided a good competition.”

Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S

Holding first place aboard Off the Record with the least time penalties in the division (7.2) was Olympic veteran and defending Kentucky 4* champion, Will Coleman (USA). Optimum time was 6 minutes and 37 seconds, compared to the 5*-L division at 11 minutes and 20 seconds.

“The roping and way the [jumps] were strung together made it tough to get the speed needed for time allowed,” he said. “It wasn’t surprising at all that nobody got close to it.”

As far as how his mount handled the course, he gives him all the credit it the world.

“When you have an older horse and they come out inspired to do it, it’s a rewarding feeling. I have nothing but admiration for that horse.”

Will Coleman and Off the Record continue to hold the lead in the 4* after cross-country. Photo by Allen MacMillan/MacMillan Photograhy

Remaining in second and third with Possante (10.4 time penalties) and Denim (11.6 time penalties), respectively, was Phillip Dutton (USA).

“I feel a bit relieved,” he laughed. “It was a lot of hard work. I tried to have a crack at it. They both tried hard and will come out of it better.”

Climbing from 14th to fourth with just 8 time penalties was Canadian Olympian Jessica Phoenix.

“Freedom GS is pure class,” she said of her mount. “She’s a fun horse to ride cross-country. She looks for the flags. The way they roped it, she was fast and efficient. She was pretty green when we took her to the Olympics. The first time she did the 4* was last season, but she was unaffected by the crowds. At Paris [2024 Olympic Games] it would’ve been nice to have one more year of experience under her belt, because this year she feels so confident.”

Jessica Phoenix and Freedom GS. Photo by Allen MacMillan/MacMillan Photography

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s show jumping phase to see who takes tops the final standings in both prestigious divisions.

2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L Standings After Cross-Country

1. Michael Jung (GER) and FischerChipmunk FRH (21.0)
2. Boyd Martin (USA) and Commando 3 (32.8)
3. Harry Meade (GBR) and Et Hop du Matz (34.2)
4. Harry Meade (GBR) and Grafennacht (35.2)
5. Tom McEwen (GBR) and Brookfield Quality (36.6)
6. Tim Price (NZL) and Jarillo (40.0)
7. Monica Spencer (NZL) and Artist (41.7)
8. Boyd Martin (USA) and Luke 140 (44.7)
9. Libussa Lübbeke (GER) and Caramia 34 (49.1)
10. Emily Hamel (USA) and Corvett (49.4)

2025 Cosequin® Lexington 4*-S Standings After Cross-Country

1. Will Coleman (USA) and Off The Record (29.0)
2. Phillip Dutton (USA) and Possante (33.5)
3. Phillip Dutton (USA) and Denim (37.2)
4. Jessica Phoenix (CAN) and Freedom GS (38.0)
5. Allison Springer (USA) and No May Moon (40.4)
6. Mia Farley (USA) and Invictus (42.9)
=7. Alexander O’Neal (USA) and Redtail Penumbra (43.4)
=7. Ema Klugman (AUS) and Chiraz (43.4)
9. James Alliston (USA) and Nemesis (44.3)
10. Dana Cooke (CAN) and FE Quatro (45.1)

For complete dressage scores and updates about the event, visit www.kentuckythreedayevent.com.

Find all of our coverage on our 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event landing page.

Thanks to CareCredit for our 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event coverage.

The post 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event: Cross-Country Day appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Under threatening skies that provided on and off downpours and even some lightning, nobody could catch Germany’s Michael Jung on the second day of dressage at the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three Day Event CCI5*-L at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky.

Jung has four Olympic gold medals and four Kentucky 5* titles. He continued his almost super-human roll by breaking his own record yesterday with an all-time event low score of 18.6 in the dressage aboard FischerChipmunk FRH, his individual gold medal-winning 2024 Paris Olympics mount.

It was the last rider to go, Boyd Martin (USA) on Commando 3 who bore the brunt of a downpour that had held off for the rest of the 5* riders—yet he scored the best mark of the day from the judges, a 26.0, putting them into second place going into cross-country day.

“I glanced up at the skies in the warmup, and it wasn’t looking good,” said Martin at the press conference after his ride. “It was like a Louisiana typhoon!”

Despite a torrential downpour during their test, Boyd Martin and Commando 3 scored a 26.0 to move into second. Photo by Mary Cage

Admitting weather is something eventers have no control over, he thought the rain may have actually helped the horse keep his head low, even if it was an added distraction. When asked how he felt after his ride, he said, “Relieved that I could put some dry underwear on!”

All three of Martin’s 5* mounts had excellent scores below 30 (Luke 140 with 27.9 for sixth place, and Fedarman B with 29.8 for eleventh).

“I’ve been working hard with their dressage,” he said. “To have three horses in the 20s been a huge amount of work—not just for me, but my wife [dressage rider Silva Martin], who rides them when I’m away.”

In third place after a strong ride today going into cross-country was Great Britain’s Tom McEwen, who rode Brookfield Quality to a 26.2. McEwen won Olympic team gold medals at both Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.

Tom McEwen rode Brookfield Quality to a 26.2. Photo by Mary Cage

Kentucky first-timer Libussa Lübbeke (GER) finished fourth after dressage on Caramia 34 with a score of 27.1 on Friday.

“The horse is bred by my parents,” she said. “It was wonderful to ride in that arena. She was listening and trying her best.”

Libussa Lübbeke and Caramia 34 had a beautiful test, scoring a 27.1. Photo by Mary Cage

Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S

Sitting in the lead in the Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S after dressage is Will Coleman (USA) riding Off the Record, who scored a 21.8—a new Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S record.

“He’s at the tail end of his career at 16 years old,” said Coleman after the day wrapped. “He’s kind of like me—he thrives on progress and trying to get a little bit better. He still has remarkable work ethic and has proven to be a very trainable horse, even at this ‘old dog’ age.”

Will Coleman and Off the Record. Photo by Cindy Lee/MacMillan Photography

Coleman plans to see how he feels after this weekend with the possibility of targeting a 5* in the future.

In both second and third place after two days of dressage is Phillip Dutton (USA), who rode Possante today to a 23.1 and Denim yesterday to a 25.6.

“[Possante is] a pretty stunning horse to have,” said Dutton. “There’s not too much to do in the dressage; he does it all for me. I was pleased with the way he settled during the last few minutes of the warmup. He took a deep breath and held it all together. He has tons of potential for years to come.”

Phillip Dutton and Possante. Photo by Cindy Lee/MacMillan Photography

In fourth place going into cross-country is Chris Talley (USA) riding FE Marco Polo. The pair scored a 26.8, placing them above dozens of more experienced riders. Talley gives all the credit to this special horse.

“My horse is 9,” said Talley. “His owner sent him to me just over two years ago. He went from Training to 4* in just over a year. He’s incredibly special, [and also] kind of emotional like me. This is his first time at Kentucky, [although] I came in 2019. There’s a little bit of pressure with him being young. I was hoping he’d reward me, and he did. I wasn’t expecting to be sitting up here!”

Chris Talley and FE Marco Polo. Photo by Cindy Lee/MacMillan Photography

2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L Standings After Dressage

1. Michael Jung (GER) and FischerChipmunk FRH (18.6)
2. Boyd Martin (USA) and Commando 3 (26.0)
3. Tom McEwen (GBR) and Brookfield Quality (26.2)
4. Libussa Lübbeke (GER) and Caramia 34 (27.1)
5. Tim Price (NZL) and Falco (27.8 )
6. Boyd Martin (USA) and Luke 140 (27.9)
=7. Clarke Johnstone (NZL) and Menlo Park (28.4)
=7. Tim Price (NZL) and Jarillo (28.4)
9. Tim Price (NZL) and Happy Boy (29.1)
10. Monica Spencer (NZL) and Artist (29.3)

2025 Cosequin® Lexington 4*-S Standings After Dressage

1. Will Coleman (USA) and Off The Record (21.8)
2. Phillip Dutton (USA) and Possante (23.1)
3. Phillip Dutton (USA) and Denim (25.6)
4. Chris Talley (USA) and FE Marco Polo (26.8)
5. Ariel Grald (USA) and Diara (27.3)
6. Molly Duda (USA) and Disco Traveler (27.7)
7. Caroline Pamukcu (USA) and HSH Blake (27.9)
8. Will Coleman (USA) and Very Dignified (28.0)
9. Dana Cooke (CAN) and FE Quatro (28.3)
10. Sarah Kuhn (USA) and Mr. Cash van de Start (28.4)

For complete dressage scores and updates about the event, visit www.kentuckythreedayevent.com.

Find all of our coverage on our 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event landing page.

Thanks to CareCredit for our 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event coverage.

The post 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event: Dressage Day Two appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Day one of the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L kicked off today at the Kentucky Horse Park in picturesque Lexington, Ky. with the first day of dressage tests. Under mostly cloudy skies—apart from a handful of short-lived, light rain showers—many of the top horses and riders in the world took to Rolex Stadium for the first phase of the event.

A Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event dressage record was broken when reigning Paris 2024 Olympic gold medalists Michael Jung (GER) and FischerChipmunk FRH effortlessly danced across the ring to score a remarkably low 18.6. In doing so, Jung eclipsed his own standing record from 2022.

“I’m very happy to be here again,” Jung said. “I really love this place, this show. . . I had a great feeling with FischerChipmunk. Everything went well; I’m super happy.”

Michael Jung and FischerChimpunk FRH break Jung’s own record. Photo by Mary Cage

New Zealand riders rounded out the rest of the top four. Tied for second after the first dressage session are Clarke Johnstone (NZL) aboard Menlo Park, and Tim Price (NZL) aboard Jarillo. Both scored a 28.4.

“It’s been a very long time that I was here at the World Championships in 2010 and I’ve really wanted to come back,” Johnstone said. “It’s really the most beautiful setting and people are all so welcoming and wonderful. It’s great to be back here after all these years.”

Clarke Johnstone and Menlo Park. Photo by Mary Cage

Price, currently second in the world, also sits fourth with 13-year-old KWPN gelding Happy Boy. One of the last horses to go Thursday, Happy Boy and Price landed a 29.1 to give Price two horses in the top four so far.

“It was a good day with my two horses,” Price said. “Happy Boy tried really hard; same for [Jarillo]. We really want them to come and do their best and show what they’re capable of doing.”

2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L Standings After Dressage Day One

1. Michael Jung (GER) and FischerChipmunk FRH (18.6)
=2. Clarke Johnstone (NZL) and Menlo Park (28.4)
=2. Tim Price (NZL) and Jarillo (28.4)
4. Tim Price (NZL) and Happy Boy (29.1)
5. Boyd Martin (USA) and Fedarman B (29.8)
6. Jonelle Price (NZL) and Hiarado (30.0)
7. Calvin Böckmann (GER) and Phantom of the Opera (30.2)
8. Sharon White (USA) and Claus 63 (32.3)
9. Jennie Brannigan (USA) and FE Lifestyle (34.0)
10. Harry Meade (GBR) and Et Hop du Matz (34.2)

2025 Cosequin® Lexington 4*-S Standings After Dressage Day One

During the first half of the day, Cosequin® Lexington 4*-S competitors took to the dressage ring under beautiful, sunny morning skies. The competitive field of horses and riders, featuring several Olympians, did not disappoint. After the first day of dressage, these are the current standings in the Cosequin® Lexington 4*-S:

1. Phillip Dutton (USA) and Denim (25.6)
2. Molly Duda (USA) and Disco Traveler (27.7)
3. Caroline Pamukcu (USA) and HSH Blake (27.9)
4. William Coleman (USA) and Very Dignified (28.0)
5. Robin Walker (USA) and SBT Barolo (29.8)
6. Alexandra Knowles (USA) and Morswood (30.3)
7. Bruce (Buck) Davidson Jr (USA) and Cooley Candyman (31.3)
8. Hannah Sue Hollberg (USA) and Carsonstown (31.7)
=9. Allison Springer (USA) and No May Moon (32.8)
=9. Olivia Dutton (USA) and Sea of Clouds (32.8)

Find all of our coverage on our 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event landing page.

Thanks to CareCredit for our 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event coverage.

The post 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event: Dressage Day One appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Based in Temecula, Calif., out of her Next Level Eventing barn, Tamie became the first American rider in 15 years to win the Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI 5* when she claimed victory aboard Mai Baum in 2023. Held the last weekend in April every year, the Kentucky 5* represents the highest level of eventing, with only seven 5* competitions held per year in the entire world.

She accomplished this feat aboard her long-time partner, a then-18-year-old German Sport Horse gelding named Mai Baum, owned by Ellen Ahearn, Eric Markell, and their daughter, Alex Ahearn. Tamie was also the first woman since 2011 to win this internationally prestigious event.

Tamie Smith and Mai Baum make easy work of the log drop into the Head of the Lake on their way to winning the 2023 Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI 5*. Photo by Sarah Miller/MacMillan Photography

The eventing world has had a keen eye on Tamie and Mai Baum for years as their eye-popping dressage scores and top finishes at major events gained notice. The pair won eventing team gold at the 2019 PanAm games in Lima, Peru, team silver at the 2022 FEI World Championships, and they were selected as reserves for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games (held in 2021).

We sat down with Tamie to learn more about what keeps her motivated, the perks of being a mother in the horse world, and the horse that made the big win possible.

Tamie and Mai Baum display a stellar talent in the dressage ring, and often come out of the first phase of competition at the top of the leaderboard. Photo by Allen MacMillan/MacMillan Photography

On Mai Baum

Mai Baum, or “Lexus” as he’s known around the barn, started off as Alex Ahearn’s ride when she took a post as one of Tamie’s working students. Alex had imported Lexus from Munich, Germany.

“I’m not certain if everybody thought that he would be what he is today,” says Tamie.

Alex Ahearn and Mai Baum after Tamie’s big win at Kentucky. Alex was Tamie’s working student before giving her the ride on “Lexus.” Photo by Shannon Brinkman

Alex competed Lexus through his first Intermediate (3’9″) before coming to ride with Tamie.

“She’d had trouble at Lexus’s first Intermediate, and we worked her through that,” says Tamie. “We got her competing well at [that] level. She was winning.”

After competing Lexus at the 3* event at Fair Hill in Maryland and making the U25 list (a selective list of upcoming young American riders aged 25 and under), Alex decided she wanted to pursue further academic education instead of continuing her riding career.

“After a training session that winter, I remember her coming to me and saying, ‘I want to meet you for dinner and talk,’” Tamie recalls. “She said, ‘I want you to take the ride on Lexus.’ I remember being a little surprised. I said, ‘No, you don’t. You don’t know what you’re saying. You have to do this.’”

Despite Tamie trying to talk Alex out of it, she insisted that Tamie was the right rider for Lexus.

“I remember her saying, ‘America needs a good horse. And you need a good horse,’” Tamie says. “And it was quite emotional, because I knew what she was saying.”

For a while, Tamie thought that Alex might decide to take Lexus back and start riding him again herself.

“I thought I would start riding him, and a few months later she would say, ‘I’m just kidding, I want to ride him,’” Tamie remembers. “But here we are eight years later, and it’s been so incredible to see her vision and what she wanted for me and Lexus actually come to fruition.”

At 20, Lexus is still going strong. Tamie isn’t sure if or when he will be ready to slow down, but thinks he will tell her when that time comes.

“I am really careful every time I get on,” she says. “I feel like I have a good gut instinct and know my horses. It’s a possibility that he could just drop down a level. He absolutely loves the crowd. After he’s done at the top level, maybe Alex could take him and compete him again. It would be an icing-on-the-cake kind of thing.”

Of course, if Lexus tells Tamie that he needs to stop competing, she will happily retire him.

“If he needs to be fully retired, he will be,” she says. “But I don’t know that he’ll want to just stand in a field.”

On Being a Mother

In addition to raising sport horses, Tamie has also raised two children, son Tyler, 21, and daughter Kaylawna, 29.

“[Being a mother] definitely has its struggles,” she says. “You go through guilt because you’re spending time doing something [not family-related] that you have a goal towards. When I travel, it’s been hard to cope with being away and missing a water polo or basketball game for my kids. That was not always easy.”

Tamie’s daughter, Kaylawna, is also a high-level eventing rider with a coaching business and a young daughter of her own. Photo by Shannon Brinkman

However, Tamie feels the guilt she and other riders might experience as mothers isn’t specific to her sport.

“Any woman or man in high level careers—doctors, lawyers, and elite athletes—all battle the same struggles,” she says.

To help with any guilt, Tamie tries to look at her time away from her family as a way of setting an example to her kids to go after what they want and to have big goals and expectations of themselves, even if it gets in the way of what tradition might want them to focus on.

In addition to being a mother, Tamie is now a grandmother. When her daughter, Kaylawna, married several years ago and then had a daughter of her own, Tamie says Kaylawna also struggled with her confidence and guilt. Of course, mom was there to help coach her through it. Other professional riders who became mothers have also turned to Tamie for advice on how to keep a healthy balance.

When it comes to coaching her clients and training the horses, Tamie says that she views being a parent as an advantage.

“I feel like being a mother helps with your level of compassion and your level of empathy,” she says.

On Managing Goals

Tamie says that she initially planned to also take Dutch Warmblood gelding Elliot V to the 5* at Kentucky in 2023—the division that Mai Baum ended up winning. She felt he was on track to meet that goal, but in their last preparatory competition, she decided to rethink her game plan, since he didn’t feel quite ready.

“I’ve learned throughout the years that you can never keep a goal set in stone,” she says. “The slow way is always the fast way, and you only get one good shot at doing this at the top level. I’ve learned that if it doesn’t seem ideal—if I’m going into a 5* and don’t feel like I’ve done absolutely everything I possibly could to prepare for it, or any competition for that matter—I typically err on the side of caution.”

Left to right: Tamie Smith, Doug Payne, Lynn Symanski, and Boyd Martin won team gold at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. Photo by Shannon Brinkman

She moves her horses up the levels at the rate she feels is best by staying true to her morals and trusting her program.

“I have a pretty solid opinion about what I think horses are ready to do [and] when,” Tamie says. “I don’t feel like taking a 5-year-old Preliminary [3’7″] is appropriate. I have had 5-year-olds that are probably ready—they’re bored at Training level [3’3″]—but I don’t feel like it’s always in the best interest of their overall development and their minds, and to me it always ends up catching up [to you], so I try to keep things more on a conservative basis.”

On Being a West-Coaster

Tamie says that living in Southern California also helps her to not be influenced by others’ timelines.

“It’s a different atmosphere out here than it is on the East Coast, where everything is showcased in the public eye, whatever you do,” she says. “[Here] I leave the barn and never see anyone that I know, and I’ve found that I really like it that way. Once I leave the barn, I’m just Tamie, and not Tamie Smith-who-is-doing-this-or-that.”

However, sometimes Tamie’s competitive nature does make things a little tricky.

“It’s difficult sometimes to see what other people are doing and then not get caught up,” she says. “But it’s been nice to be focused on my program, believing in it, and then making sure that I’m doing the right thing by my horses.”

On Education

“I’m a big supporter of going to [college],” says Tamie. “I think it’s super important. I know that there are a lot of top riders that don’t believe it’s necessary, so my answer might be a bit controversial. Education is super important for learning how to communicate, navigate through life, and deal with conflict.”

She says that her formal education has helped her navigate relationships with her horses’ owners and all of the different personalities she meets.

“[My education has] enabled me to learn how to communicate and to understand what it’s like in the real world, and working in corporate America,” she says.

Before turning to horses as her full-time profession, Tamie worked in the intake department of a mental health facility.

“I have always been intrigued by mental health,” she shares. “My original plan was to get my degree in psychology.”

However, a mentor encouraged Tamie to pursue other avenues toward her goal of helping people when the flaws of the healthcare system began to wear on her.

Initially, she was a little “bummed about that, because I thought if I went down that avenue [I could] help people navigate through their trials and tribulations.”

Tamie decided that she would strive to help people in other ways, no matter what career path she went down. Now, as a professional rider and coach, Tamie says that her time working in mental health has given her a unique perspective.

“It gave me a different perspective as far as learning what works for different types of people when I’m coaching,” she says. “I bring in an old-school approach where I think it’s very important to be empathetic to your horses. I mean, they don’t choose to do what we ask them to do. They do it because they love us.  They love the sport as well, but they would be fine and happy to be eating grass in a field, too.”

Tamie doesn’t have a lot of tolerance for impatient riders.

“That’s something that all of us have to learn as we grow in the sport,” she says. “It can be frustrating, especially where we have to master three different disciplines. You have to treat your horse with respect, the way you would want to be treated.”

From a competitive standpoint, Tamie adds that the mental element is almost more important than physical talent, and that a lot of counseling goes into producing good riders and horses.

Clearly her background has been perfect preparation for reaching the top of her sport. It takes nerves of steel to put the pressure aside and perform at your best at a 5* event like Kentucky, but Tamie showed the world she is more than capable.

More Tamie Smith Content

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• Our “Next Level” Series with Tamie Smith

This article about Tamie Smith was the cover story of the August 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Tamie Smith: Taking It To The Next Level appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.