2023 Kentucky Three-Day Event Archives - Horse Illustrated Magazine https://www.horseillustrated.com/tag/2023-kentucky-three-day-event/ Fri, 13 Dec 2024 09:49:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 Next Level: Tamie Smith On the Importance of Dressage https://www.horseillustrated.com/next-level-tamie-smith-importance-of-dressage/ https://www.horseillustrated.com/next-level-tamie-smith-importance-of-dressage/#respond Wed, 16 Aug 2023 12:00:10 +0000 https://www.horseillustrated.com/?p=919958 This past winter, Tamie Smith, winner of the 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*, focused heavily on dressage with winning mount Mai Baum, competing him at the Prix St. George level. “I feel like it helped him with his overall base conditioning,” Tamie says. “He came out much stronger this year than he has […]

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This past winter, Tamie Smith, winner of the 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*, focused heavily on dressage with winning mount Mai Baum, competing him at the Prix St. George level.

Tamie Smith riding Mai Baum in dressage at the 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event
Tamie Smith riding Mai Baum in dressage at the 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*. Photo by Allen MacMillan/MacMillan Photography

“I feel like it helped him with his overall base conditioning,” Tamie says. “He came out much stronger this year than he has in years past. I think of dressage like weightlifting. Dressage horses are more heavyweight builders than marathon runners. It helped him gain more muscle and strength, and I felt like that was such a great exercise for both of us.”

Tamie Smith competed through Grand Prix dressage as a junior, and strongly values the skills and refinement that dressage training brings to her event horses. She says that going back to the dressage ring with 18-year-old German Sport Horse gelding Mai Baum and finessing the refinement in their riding before amping up his fitness and galloping work for the eventing season pays off in their dressage scores.

If you have the chance to get on a dressage horse that already has lots of training, Tamie highly recommends doing so.

“If you get to sit on well-trained dressage horses, you’ll be able to take it over to your personal horse and try to emulate that same feel,” she says.

Tamie adds that learning “feel” is critical to becoming a top rider, and learning dressage is a key part in that.

Tamie Smith riding Mai Baum in dressage at the 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event.
Tamie Smith and Mai Baum scored a 24.2 in dressage at the 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. Photo by Allen MacMillan/MacMillan Photography

She feels the days of being able to do well in the sport of eventing without a heavy focus on dressage are over. This mentality has kept dressage as a strong focus in both her own and her daughter’s riding careers. (Tamie’s oldest child, 27-year-old Kaylawna Smith-Cook, is also a professional rider.)

“When my daughter was growing up, I had her go work for my dressage trainer for three years and learn dressage,” says Tamie. “She rode through the Intermediate level, and you can see that in her foundation when you watch her ride now.”

While impeccable dressage is a requirement to finish at the top at the 5* level, clean and fast jumping is also a must. Tamie’s training program is clearly working, as she and Mai Baum finished on her dressage score of a 24.2 at Land Rover this year, jumping around both cross-country and show jumping clean and within the time. This put her into first place ahead of Tom McEwen (22.6 in dressage, 5.2 time penalties on cross country) and dressage-leader Yasmin Ingham (22.1 in dressage, 20 jump and 20 time penalties on cross-country).

This article about Tamie Smith’s approach to dressage is a web exclusive for Horse Illustrated magazine’s “Next Level” series. Click here to subscribe!

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Next Level: Tamie Smith On Fitness and Conditioning https://www.horseillustrated.com/tamie-smith-fitness-conditioning/ https://www.horseillustrated.com/tamie-smith-fitness-conditioning/#respond Tue, 08 Aug 2023 12:00:20 +0000 https://www.horseillustrated.com/?p=919693 Tamie Smith, winner of the 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5 aboard the 18-year-old German Sport Horse gelding Mai Baum, tailors her fitness and conditioning program to each horse to focus on their specific needs and goals. “Going into a top five star, I would be galloping typically every four to five days,” she […]

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Tamie Smith and Mai Baum's victory lap at the 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event
Tamie Smith and Mai Baum’s victory lap at the 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. Photo by Mary Cage

Tamie Smith, winner of the 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5 aboard the 18-year-old German Sport Horse gelding Mai Baum, tailors her fitness and conditioning program to each horse to focus on their specific needs and goals.

“Going into a top five star, I would be galloping typically every four to five days,” she says. “We have wonderful mountains in our area [Temecula Calif.], so I have access to probably the best gallop that I’ve been able to find in the whole country.”

She explains that having hilly terrain is paramount to being able to get her horses’ heart rates up, especially the non-Thoroughbred horses. The steep inclines test the horses’ hearts and lungs without putting unnecessary wear and tear on them.

For the horses at the lower levels, Tamie does a lot of pole and cavaletti work to get their heart rates up. This works on their rideability, while also improving their endurance.

Once a week, Tamie aims to take her horses for a trot-hack, which she finds extremely beneficial.

“We have all kinds of different types of footing, like a river bed, hard-packed road, uneven slopes, and whatnot,” she says. “I take the horses out and just play and just get them through all the different types of footing. I think that that’s really important for their bones and their tendons and ligaments.”

As far as recovery for the horses coming off of big events, Tamie always gives them ample time off.

“For instance, Mai Baum came home after Kentucky and got three weeks in a field of doing nothing,” she says. “I try to leave them out there to just be horses and let their legs and bodies recoup. During those three weeks, we would go over him to make sure that there’s been no new injuries or anything that might have popped up after a competition—typically if you’re going to have some sort of small injury, it might show up a few weeks after.”

For all of Tamie horses, she tries to give the whole month of November and into the start of December off. The older horses go on hacks to keep muscle and fitness intact, and all of the horses are checked on. Otherwise, they get a chance to just be horses and enjoy some time off.

This article about Tamie Smith’s fitness and conditioning approach is a web exclusive for Horse Illustrated magazine’s “Next Level” series. Click here to subscribe!

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2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event Wrap-Up https://www.horseillustrated.com/2023-land-rover-kentucky-three-day-event-wrap-up/ https://www.horseillustrated.com/2023-land-rover-kentucky-three-day-event-wrap-up/#respond Sun, 30 Apr 2023 22:04:56 +0000 https://www.horseillustrated.com/?p=915739 Under threatening skies, 23,576 fans flocked to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky., as the worst of the winds and rains held off to witness the grand finale of the 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day CCI5*-L Divison It was a nail-biter to the very end after overnight 2nd place […]

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Tamra Smith & Mai Baum
Tamra Smith & Mai Baum (USA) celebrate their win at the 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. Photo by Mary Cage

Under threatening skies, 23,576 fans flocked to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky., as the worst of the winds and rains held off to witness the grand finale of the 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event.

Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day CCI5*-L Divison

It was a nail-biter to the very end after overnight 2nd place Tom McEwen of Great Britain jumped double clear in the show jumping phase on JL Dublin. Overnight 1st place Tamra Smith of California and longtime partner Mai Baum cantered into the stadium with not a rail to spare. 

Since international competitors have won Kentucky Three-Day every year since Phillip Dutton’s victory in 2008, local fans have eagerly cheered for an American to win the event for 15 years now. Some very close calls and last-second rails down have dashed hopes time after time.

The crowd held its collective breath during Smith’s round. Despite a couple of light taps, all the rails stayed in their cups, and the pair came in under the time for a beautiful double-clear round. As soon as the last jump was cleared, the crowd burst into a deafening roar—Smith had finally gotten one for America. (She was also the first woman to win in 12 years, the last being Mary King of Great Britain.)

“It’s like an out of body experience,” Smith said after her Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day win. “In this sport you take a beating, and you hope that one day it pays off. Today it did. I’m honored, elated, and I’m a bit speechless.”

This pair earned a team silver medal at the Eventing World Championships in Pratoni, Italy, last year after an uncharacteristic two rails bumped them out of an individual bronze medal finish down to 9th

“[Prior to that] he hadn’t had a rail in a few years,” says Smith. “I was quite nervous going into the show jumping [today]. It was my job to ride him the right way and it was his job to jump the jumps. He felt healthy and full of himself, and everybody carried me around.”

The 17-year-old German Sport Horse gelding, whose barn name is “Lexus” but also goes affectionately by “The Black Stallion,” is just 33% Thoroughbred, so getting the stamina for the longest cross-country courses was their biggest challenge, even though his dressage scores are notoriously good. 

“I wasn’t always sure he was a 5* horse,” said Smith. “It took us quite a while to get his confidence.” 

She got the ride on Mai Baum from her working student, Alexandra Ahern, although Smith was reluctant at first.

“I remember seeing Alex ride him for the first time to do a jump school at our place, then she came to be a working student for me. I usually don’t ride my working students’ horses because I don’t want them to feel like I’m pressuring them to ride their horse. When she went to college and said, ‘You need this horse—America needs a great horse,’ I tried to talk her out of it for a few months.” Thankfully Smith eventually said yes, because their partnership has been second to none in the years since then.

She also gave a shoutout to the West Coast, where she’s based.

“We have such an amazing camaraderie. The West Coast is kind of foreign looking if you’re not used to it; there’s lots of dirt unlike here in Kentucky. I’ve chosen to stay west to show people you can do it. I’m glad I stayed true to my roots.”

Smith is planning to give Mai Baum a break after their Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day win and then do some show jumping with him in the fall before hopefully targeting the Paris Olympics next year.

“He’s healthy and strong, and he’ll tell me what he wants to do next. He doesn’t owe me anything after something like this. He doesn’t show any signs of throwing in the towel, and today he jumped out of his skin. We’ll give him a well-deserved rest and see what happens from there.”

Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day CCI4*-S Division

In the 4* division, Karl Slezak of Canada held his 1st place overnight position as well, jumping a double-clear round on Hot Bobo to claim a Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day win.

“I was definitely nervous but tried to put as little pressure on myself as possible, and it usually works out that way,” he said after his ride. “I celebrated a little too much last night, so I slept really well!”

His mare exceeded all his expectations and handled the big crowd at Kentucky Three-Day better than he expected. 

“She just wants to work all the time—she wants to please. When mares work for you, they’re amazing, and she works for me real well.”

Smith also held overnight 2nd place in the 4* division and maintained her placing after a double-clear round aboard Solaguayre California. Sydney Elliott moved up from 5th to 3rd with QC Diamantaire after some rails bumped other competitors down. 

Another Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event is in the books — “the best weekend all year.” Now we only have to wait 358 days until the next one!

Follow all our coverage of the 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event here.

CCI5*-L Top 10 Final Results

1. Tamra Smith and Mai Baum (24.2)
2.
Tom McEwen (GBR) and JL Dublin (27.8)
3.
Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp and Miks Master C (28.5)
4.
Sandra Auffarth (GER) and Viamant Du Matz (30.4)
5.
Phillip Dutton and Z (32.3)
6.
Maxime Livio (FRA) and Carouzo Bois Barotin (35.5)
7.
William Coleman and Off the Record (35.6)
8.
David Doel (GBR) and Galileo Nieuwmoed (35.6)
9.
Doug Payne and Quantam Leap (37.3)
10.
Emily Hamel and Corvett (39.5)

CCI4*-S Top 10 Final Results

1. Karl Slezak (CAN) and Hot Bobo (29.3)
2.
Tamra Smith and Solaguayre California (30.0)
3.
Sydney Elliott and QC Diamantaire (34.9)
4.
Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Be Cool (36.3)
5.
Dan Kreitl and Carmango (37.4)
6.
Jacob Fletcher and Fabian (38.1)
7.
Phillip Dutton and Azure (39.8)
8.
James Alliston and Karma (40.0)
9.
Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Nutcracker (40.3)
10.
Tamra Smith and Elliot V (40.4)

This article about the 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event is a web exclusive for Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Cross-Country Day is Complete at the Land Rover Kentucky 3-Day Event https://www.horseillustrated.com/cross-country-day-is-complete-at-the-land-rover-kentucky-3-day-event/ https://www.horseillustrated.com/cross-country-day-is-complete-at-the-land-rover-kentucky-3-day-event/#respond Sat, 29 Apr 2023 22:21:58 +0000 https://www.horseillustrated.com/?p=915668 Cloudy gray skies and sprinkles of rain dotted the landscape at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky., for cross-country day at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event.  Hailed by fans as the “best weekend all year”—and the best day of the best weekend—34,298 people streamed through the gates to catch a glimpse of the […]

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Cloudy gray skies and sprinkles of rain dotted the landscape at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky., for cross-country day at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. 

Hailed by fans as the “best weekend all year”—and the best day of the best weekend—34,298 people streamed through the gates to catch a glimpse of the amazing equine athletes and their riders. 

CCI5*-L Division

After an unfortunate runout at the skinny C element on the Park Question (jump 6), overnight leader Yasmin Ingham of Great Britain was knocked out of contention for a top finish.

West Coast rider Tamra Smith and her long-time partner Mai Baum ran double-clear on cross-country, moving from 3rd place up to 1st, poised to try to become the first American winner of the event since Phillip Dutton in 2008—assuming she has a near-perfect stadium jumping round tomorrow.

“That horse is such a fighter,” said Smith after her ride. “These are what dreams are made of. I was a bit disappointed after the dressage scores because I wanted to bring it home.” (Mai Baum is notoriously excellent in the dressage phase.) Well, it looks like she still just might.

Tom McEwan of Great Britain remained in 2nd place after adding 5.2 time penalties to his dressage score.

“The course was magnificent, it presents beautifully,” he said. “We had no runs in Britain this year [due to record rains], but it was a shame to have a few time penalties.”

Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp and Miks Master C had just 1.6 time penalties, moving them from 5th to 3rd.

“I had a plan to try to make the time with him; I planned to go out of box and see how he was tackling the course,” she said after her ride. “He got strong toward the end, and that’s where the couple of time faults came in.”

CCI4*-S Division

The leaderboard in the 4* experienced an even bigger shake-up on cross-country day at Land Rover Kentucky. Karl Slezak of Canada riding Hot Bobo jumped from 7th place after dressage to 1st going into the final phase.

“My horse has had some issues in the past; she was really spooky as a young horse,” he said after his ride. “In the warmup she was spot on, so I just kind of went for it.” 

Slezak told a funny story about how he bought the mare at a sale in Ireland as a resale horse when she was 4, but nobody wanted to buy her. “Cross-country schooling, she acted like she’d never seen a cross-country jump in her life!” 

Confirming the mare stereotype, Slezak says she will pin her ears whenever his working students go in the stall, “but she comes to me for treats and love when I go in.”

Tamra Smith and Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp are currently in the top 3 in this division as well. It’s looking like a good year for the USA!

Stay tuned on Sunday for stadium jumping to see who takes home the $123,000 first-place check in the CCI5*; the winning rider also receives a 12-month lease on a Land Rover Defender. 

Follow all our coverage of the 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event here.

CCI5*-L Top 10 After Cross-Country

1. Tamra Smith and Mai Baum (24.2)
2.
Tom McEwen (GBR) and JL Dublin (27.8)
3.
Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp and Miks Master C (28.5)
4.
Sandra Auffarth (GER) and Viamant du Matz (30.4)
5.
William Coleman and Off the Record (31.2)
6.
Phillip Dutton and Z (32.3)
7.
Maxime Livio (FRA) and Carouzo Bois Marotin (35.5)
8.
David Doel (GBR) and Galileo Nieuwmoed (35.6)
9.
Doug Payne and Quantam Leap (37.3)
10.
Jennie Saville and FE Lifestyle (38.1)

CCI4*-S Top 10 After Cross-Country

1. Karl Slezak (CAN) and Hot Bobo (29.3)
2. Tamra Smith and Solaguayre California (30.0)
3.
Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Be Cool (31.1)
4.
Mia Farley and Phelps (33.0)
5.
Sydney Elliott and QC Diamantaire (34.9)
6.
Phillip Dutton and Azure (35.4)
7.
Hayley Frielick (NZL) and Dunedin Black Watch (36.0)
8.
Dan Kreitl and Carmango (36.2)
9.
Hannah Sue Hollberg and Capitol Him (37.2)
10.
Leah Lang-Gluscic and AP Prime (37.7)

This article about cross-country day at Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event is a web exclusive for Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Second Day of Dressage is Complete at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event https://www.horseillustrated.com/second-day-of-dressage-is-complete-at-the-land-rover-kentucky-three-day-event/ https://www.horseillustrated.com/second-day-of-dressage-is-complete-at-the-land-rover-kentucky-three-day-event/#respond Fri, 28 Apr 2023 21:59:05 +0000 https://www.horseillustrated.com/?p=915606 Under a darkly clouded sky that occasionally gave way to peeks of sun, 13,252 spectators streamed into the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky., to watch the second day of dressage at the Land Rover Kentucky Three Day Event. Notably, this was the best Friday attendance since 2017, pre-pandemic. CCI5*-L Division In the CCI5*, the […]

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Under a darkly clouded sky that occasionally gave way to peeks of sun, 13,252 spectators streamed into the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky., to watch the second day of dressage at the Land Rover Kentucky Three Day Event. Notably, this was the best Friday attendance since 2017, pre-pandemic.

CCI5*-L Division

In the CCI5*, the leaderboard saw a notable reshuffle of the first-place spot on the final day of dressage. To no one’s surprise, 25-year-old Yasmin Ingham of Great Britain dropped a beautiful, accurate test aboard Banzai Du Loir to post a 22.1, good enough to keep the lead after the day was said and done.

Ingham took Kentucky a bit by surprise last year by finishing second to multiple Olympic gold medalist Michael Jung of Germany. After that, she defeated all takers to take individual gold at the World Eventing Championships in Pratoni, Italy, also aboard Banzai Du Loir.

“Coming here last year, I was a bit of a rookie, still finding my way in my first 5-star with Banzai,” said Ingham. “This year there is more pressure and expectation.”

Asked how she felt about tackling Derek DiGrazia’s marathon cross-country course tomorrow, she is excited, but not taking anything for granted.

“I love the terrain here. Banzai’s got such a huge stride and really covers the ground quite well. [Last year I] never upset his rhythm or felt like I was never interfering with the way that he was going … It will be nice to get the coffin under our belt at fence 6. There are four waters, and I love the Head of the Lake. There’s so much cheering and clapping, it gives Banzai a little boost. I will probably watch my round back from Pratoni in the morning to give me confidence going into the cross-country.”

Asked to describe her mount in three words, she gave a rave review.

“He is very kind and gentle, very funny—he gives everyone a good laugh at the stables—and handsome. He’s gorgeous!”

The next best score to come in today was Will Coleman (USA) aboard Chin Tonic, now in 4th place on a 25.0 after a stunning test. Coleman first rode the 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding when he was only 3, taking the ride on him full-time right after he was gelded as a 5-year-old.

“He’s always been an extremely gifted mover. We get to see how he copes with highest level of our sport. This is a big step and we’re excited to see how it goes.”

Coleman’s main concern for the cross-country test ahead is the 11 minute and 26 second length.

“Both horses [Chin Tonic and Off the Record] need to be attentive. Stamina is the biggest question for both horses—they’re not Thoroughbreds.”

 

CCI4*-S Division

Earlier Friday morning, Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp (USA) was almost able to best her own score from yesterday of 24.5, dropping a 25.5 aboard Cooley Be Cool, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding.

“He’s extremely arrogant and very brave, really professional. [But] I know to stay in his good books in the warmup because he’s quite cheeky. He could be a team horse. I’m excited about his future!”

dressage Kentucky Land Rover
Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp & Cooley Be Cool (USA). Photo by Allen MacMillan/MacMillan Photography

Follow all of our 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event coverage here.

CCI5*-L Top 10 After Day 2 of Dressage:

  1. Yasmin Ingham and Banzai Du Loir (22.1)
  2. Tom McEwen and JL Dublin (22.6)
  3. Tamra Smith and Mai Baum (24.2)
  4. William Coleman and Chin Tonic (25.0)
  5. Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp and Miks Master C (26.9)
  6. Boyd Martin and Tsetseleg (28.3)
  7. Bruce (Buck) Davidson Jr. and Carlevo (28.4)
  8. Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp and Deniro Z (29.0)
  9. Sandra Auffarth and Viamant Du Matz (30.4)
  10. Woods Baughman and C’est La Vie 135 (30.6)

CCI4*-S Top 10 After Day 2 of Dressage:

1. Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Nutcracker (24.5)
2. Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Be Cool (25.5)
3. Tamra Smith and Solaguayre California (27.6)
=4. Sara Kozumplik and Rock Phantom (28.4)
=4. Tamra Smith and Elliot V (28.4)
6. Colleen Loach and FE Golden Eye (29.2)
7. Karl Slezak and Hot Bobo (29.3)
8. Colleen Loach and Vermont (29.8)
9. Alexandra Knowles and Business Class (30.0)
=10. Jacob Fletcher and Fabian (30.5)
=10. Sydney Elliott and QC Diamantaire (30.5)

This recap of the second day of dressage at Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event is a web exclusive for Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event https://www.horseillustrated.com/2023-land-rover-kentucky-three-day-event/ https://www.horseillustrated.com/2023-land-rover-kentucky-three-day-event/#respond Fri, 28 Apr 2023 21:56:23 +0000 https://www.horseillustrated.com/?p=915628 Catch up on the action from the 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. See a recap from each day of the competition below, and follow links to the full stories. 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event Wrap-Up Under threatening skies, 23,576 fans flocked to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky., as the worst of […]

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Catch up on the action from the 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. See a recap from each day of the competition below, and follow links to the full stories.

2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event Wrap-Up

Tamra Smith celebrates a win at Kentucky Land Rover Three-Day Event

Under threatening skies, 23,576 fans flocked to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky., as the worst of the winds and rains held off to witness the grand finale of the 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event.

It was a nail-biter to the very end after overnight 2nd place Tom McEwen of Great Britain jumped double clear in the show jumping phase on JL Dublin. Overnight 1st place Tamra Smith of California and longtime partner Mai Baum cantered into the stadium with not a rail to spare. 

Since international competitors have won every year since Phillip Dutton’s victory in 2008, local fans have eagerly cheered for an American to win the event for 15 years now. Some very close calls and last-second rails down have dashed hopes time after time.

The crowd held its collective breath during Smith’s round. Despite a couple of light taps, all the rails stayed in their cups, and the pair came in under the time for a beautiful double-clear round. As soon as the last jump was cleared, the crowd burst into a deafening roar—Smith had finally gotten one for America. (She was also the first woman to win in 12 years, the last being Mary King of Great Britain.)

Read more >>

Cross-Country Day is Complete at the Land Rover Kentucky 3-Day Event

Tamra Smith

Cloudy gray skies and sprinkles of rain dotted the landscape at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky., for cross-country day at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event.

Hailed by fans as the “best weekend all year”—and the best day of the best weekend—34,298 people streamed through the gates to catch a glimpse of the amazing equine athletes and their riders.

After an unfortunate runout at the skinny C element on the Park Question (jump 6), overnight leader Yasmin Ingham of Great Britain was knocked out of contention for a top finish.

West Coast rider Tamra Smith and her long-time partner Mai Baum ran double-clear on cross-country, moving from 3rd place up to 1st, poised to try to become the first American winner of the event since Phillip Dutton in 2008—assuming she has a near-perfect stadium jumping round tomorrow.

Read more >>

Second Day of Dressage is Complete at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event

2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Yasmin Ingham & Banzai Du Loir

Under a darkly clouded sky that occasionally gave way to peeks of sun, 13,252 spectators streamed into the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky., to watch the second day of dressage at the Land Rover Kentucky Three Day Event. Notably, this was the best Friday attendance since 2017, pre-pandemic.

In the CCI5*, the leaderboard saw a notable reshuffle of the first-place spot on the final day of dressage. To no one’s surprise, 25-year-old Yasmin Ingham of Great Britain dropped a beautiful, accurate test aboard Banzai Du Loir to post a 22.1, good enough to keep the lead after the day was said and done.

Read more >>

First Day of Dressage is Complete at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event

2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day - Tom McEwen during first day of dressage

At the end of the first day of dressage at the 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L, the leaderboard is competitively stacked, with only 12 points between first place and tenth. 

Tom McEwen (GBR), aboard JL Dublin, is sitting in first on a 22.6. Tamra Smith (USA) and Mai Baum trail closely behind on a 24.2, and Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp (USA) and Deniro Z received a 29, putting them in third. 

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First Day of Dressage is Complete at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event https://www.horseillustrated.com/first-day-dressage-kentucky-three-day-event-2023/ https://www.horseillustrated.com/first-day-dressage-kentucky-three-day-event-2023/#respond Thu, 27 Apr 2023 23:05:49 +0000 https://www.horseillustrated.com/?p=915564 At the end of the first day of dressage at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L, the leaderboard is competitively stacked, with only 12 points between first place and tenth.  Tom McEwen (GBR), aboard JL Dublin, is sitting in first on a 22.6. Tamra Smith (USA) and Mai Baum trail closely behind on a […]

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At the end of the first day of dressage at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L, the leaderboard is competitively stacked, with only 12 points between first place and tenth. 

Tom McEwen during first day of dressage at Kentucky Three-Day
Tom McEwen & JL Dublin (GBR) lead after the first day of dressage at the Kentucky Three-Day Event. Photo by Allen MacMillan/MacMillan Photography

Tom McEwen (GBR), aboard JL Dublin, is sitting in first on a 22.6. Tamra Smith (USA) and Mai Baum trail closely behind on a 24.2, and Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp (USA) and Deniro Z received a 29, putting them in third. 

McEwan recently took over the ride on JL Dublin, after a lengthy partnership with Nicola Wilson. “Over the winter we’ve built a partnership and are getting to know each other and it has really shown today. There’s still a little more polishing to be done between the two of us,” McEwan said. 

When asked what McEwan was told about Lexington prior to his arrival, he stated “racehorses, bourbon, and tobacco.” 

“It’s been a pleasure to be able to come… everyone is so super friendly… I was told to enjoy every minute, and we are for sure doing that.”

Tom McEwen
Tom McEwen & JL Dublin (GBR). Photo by Allen MacMillan/MacMillan Photography

Tamra Smith is currently sitting in second in both the CCI4*-S and the CCI5*-L.

“I think it was one of his best tests to date. We’ve been working on getting him stronger and in self carriage and being more in front of my leg… I really couldn’t have asked him to be better.”

Tamra Smith first day dressage Kentucky Three-Day
Tamra Smith & Mai Baum (USA). Photo by Allen MacMillan/MacMillan Photography

Smith described her relationship with Mai Baum as “hand-in-glove.”

“With any horse, as time goes on, you hope to develop a very good trusting partnership. His confidence and strength for both of us has grown.” 

“He’s actually really weird. He’s a weirdo— in a good way,” she added.

For cross country day on Saturday, her goal is to “try to go double clear and stay in the saddle.”

Tamra Smith
Tamra Smith & Mai Baum (USA). Photo by Allen MacMillan/MacMillan Photography

Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp has an exceptionally busy weekend, competing three horses in the CCI4*-S and two in the CCI5*-L.

“I’m just not stopping if I’m really honest. I’ve done nothing but ride and walk today and I have a great group of girls that are helping me out,” Halliday-Sharp said.

Liz Halliday-Sharp & Deniro Z first day dressage Kentucky Three-Day
Liz Halliday-Sharp & Deniro Z (USA). Photo by Allen MacMillan/MacMillan Photography

She is also very happy with Deniro Z’s changes today. “I owe a lot of that to the training I’ve done with Shelly Francis lately.” She said he is definitely still learning, but is thrilled with his progress. 

Liz Halliday-Sharp
Liz Halliday Sharp & Deniro Z (USA). Photo by Allen MacMillan/MacMillan Photography

The second half of horses and riders will complete their dressage tests tomorrow for both the CCI4*-S and CCI5*-L.

CCI5*-L Top 10 After Day 1 of Dressage:

1. Tom McEwen and JL Dublin (22.6)
2. Tamra Smith and Mai Baum (24.2)
3. Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp and Deniro Z (29.0)
4.
Sandra Auffarth and Viamant Du Matz (30.4)
5.
Woods Baughman and C’est La Vie 135 (30.6)
6.
Alina Dibowski and Barbados 26 (30.7)
7.
Kirsty Chabert and Classic VI (30.8)
8.
Phillip Dutton and Z (31.9)
9.
Zara Tindall and Class Affair (32.6)
10.
Lauren Nicholson and Landmark’s Monte Carlo (34.6)

CCI4*-S Top 10 After Day 1 of Dressage:

1. Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Nutcracker (24.5)
2. Tamra Smith and Solaguayre California (27.6)
3.
Colleen Loach and Vermont (29.8)
4.
Alexandra Knowles and Business Class (30.0)
5.
Jenny Caras and Trendy Fernhill (30.5)
5T.
Sydney Elliott and QC Diamantaire (30.5)
7.
Dan Kreitl and Carmango (31.0)
8.
Mia Farley and Phelps (31.4)
9.
Doug Payne and Camarillo (31.6)
10. Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan (32.7) 

This recap of the first day of dressage at the 2023 Kentucky Three-Day Event is a web exclusive for Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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38 Horse-and-Rider Combinations Moving Forward at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN™ https://www.horseillustrated.com/first-horse-inspection-2023-kentucky-three-day-event/ https://www.horseillustrated.com/first-horse-inspection-2023-kentucky-three-day-event/#respond Wed, 26 Apr 2023 21:57:35 +0000 https://www.horseillustrated.com/?p=915501 Lexington, KY—April 26, 2023— All 38 horses who presented to the ground jury at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN™ will be moving on to the first phase of competition, the dressage, following Wednesday’s first horse inspection. Under warm blue skies, the competitors in the CCI5*-L put their best and most […]

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Lexington, KY—April 26, 2023— All 38 horses who presented to the ground jury at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN™ will be moving on to the first phase of competition, the dressage, following Wednesday’s first horse inspection. Under warm blue skies, the competitors in the CCI5*-L put their best and most fashionable foot forward as they demonstrated their horses’ fitness to begin the competition.

One competitor, Andrew McConnan (USA) and Ferrie’s Cello, withdrew shortly before the jog time, but all those who presented passed without issue. Several of the horses were clearly feeling fit and ready to run as they entertained the crowd with their antics.

The Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ kicks off Thursday morning with dressage as the first half of the Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S entries strut their stuff in the Rolex Stadium. Then in the afternoon, the first half of the CCI5*-L competitors take their turn in the ring.

Competition continues with the second half of dressage on Friday, followed by the heart of eventing, the cross-country test, on Saturday. Everything culminates on Sunday with another horse inspection followed by the show jumping phase to determine the winners.

Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™

The Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event is a thrilling multi-day competition featuring Olympic-level riders and horses in what can best be described as an equestrian triathlon. Horse and rider pairs compete in three phases of the competition – Dressage, Cross-Country and Show Jumping – for $375,000 in prize money to those competing at the CCI5*-L level. LRK3DE is the largest and longest-running Five Star event in the Americas, and as the United States’ premier event, it also serves as the Land Rover/USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Championship presented by MARS Equestrian for the U.S. athletes. It also includes the Dubarry Nations Team Challenge. Rolex is the Official Timepiece and Event Partner.

Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S

Introduced in 2021, the Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S runs concurrently with the CCI5*-L competition, featuring the three phases of eventing – dressage, cross country and show jumping. The Cosequin® Lexington 4*-S offers $25,000 prize money. Tickets for viewing the Cosequin® Lexington 4*-S are included when purchasing the LRK3DE tickets.

Kentucky CSI3* Invitational Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute

The $226,000 Kentucky CSI3* Invitational Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute will take place on Saturday afternoon, April 29, after the cross-country portion of the LRK3DE. As part of the competition, there will also be a $38,700 Welcome Speed Cup Ranking Class on Friday in the Rolex Stadium after the day’s LRK3DE dressage competition. No stadium seat ticket is required for Friday’s Ranking Class. For more Grand Prix information, please visit https://kentuckythreedayevent.com/grand-prix/.

Livestream

All competitions held as part of the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ – the CCI5*, Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S, and Kentucky CSI3* Invitational Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute – can be watched live on USEF Network powered by ClipMyHorse.TV, available through the event website at www.kentuckythreedayevent.com.

Further information about the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™, the Cosequin® Lexington 4*-S, and the Kentucky CSI3* Invitational Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute is available at www.kentuckythreedayevent.com.

— Edited Press Release

Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI) is a non-profit charitable Kentucky corporation that was established initially to produce the 1978 World Three-Day Event Championships at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the success of those championships, EEI established an annual event that evolved into the world-renowned Kentucky Three-Day Event, which draws more than 80,000 spectators to the Kentucky Horse Park each year. EEI added the Kentucky CSI3* Invitational Grand Prix in 2018, the Lexington CCI4*-S in 2021, and also produces other events. EEI supports several local and equine charities and has donated more than $725,000 to various charities since 2011. For more information, please visit www.eq-events.com.

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