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.

Stay up to date on the action from the 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. Find information about the event, including a recap from each day of the competition below, and follow links to the full stories.

2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event: Cross-Country Day

Photo by Mary Cage

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.

Read more >>

2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event: Dressage Day Two

Photo by Mary Cage

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.

Read more >>

2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event: Dressage Day One

Photo by Mary Cage

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%). In second for the day is Phillip Dutton (USA) on Possante, a 13-year-old KWPN gelding, with a 28.1. 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.

Read more >>

2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event: All Horses Pass First Horse Inspection

Photo by Mary Cage

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.

Read more >>

2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event: World #1 Harry Meade and #2 Boyd Martin Head Impressive List of 5* Entries

Photo by Mary Cage

World #1 Harry Meade (GBR) and #2 Boyd Martin (USA) head an impressive list of entries for the CCI5*-L division at the 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN (K3DE). Meade, who finished third last year aboard Et Hop Du Matz and fourth aboard Grafennacht, and Martin, who placed second with Commando 3, sixth with Fedarman B, and seventh with Luke 140, will head the field that features 37 total athletes from five nations vying for top honors at the Kentucky Horse Park, April 23-26.

Read more >>

Thanks to CareCredit for our 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event coverage.

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

Lexington, KY – World #1 Harry Meade (GBR) and #2 Boyd Martin (USA) head an impressive list of entries for the CCI5*-L division at the 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN (K3DE). Meade, who finished third last year aboard Et Hop Du Matz and fourth aboard Grafennacht, and Martin, who placed second with Commando 3, sixth with Fedarman B, and seventh with Luke 140, will head the field that features 37 total athletes from five nations vying for top honors at the Kentucky Horse Park, April 23-26.

View the full list of entries here.

Boyd Martin and Commando 3 during their second-place finish at the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. 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. Expanding its world-class offerings, the event also features the Cosequin^® Lexington CCI4*-S, a U.S. Equestrian Open of Eventing Series qualifier, alongside the Kentucky International CSI5* presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. Co-organized with Major League Show Jumping, the CSI5* brings an exciting team-based format to the week, culminating in a highlight Grand Prix. Known as “The Best Weekend All Year,” K3DE draws more than 90,000 attendees annually.

Meade, whose accolades include the team Silver medal at the 2014 World Equestrian Games, has four horses entered in the 2026 K3DE, including his 2025 podium partner, Et Hop Du Matz, and fourth-place finisher, Grafennacht. Et Hop Du Matz was the only horse to finish on his dressage score last year, but Meade and his mounts will still have their work cut out for them as they compete against the likes of World #2 Boyd Martin (USA), World #4 Tim Price (NZL), World #6 Tom McEwen (GBR), World #11 Tom Jackson (GBR), World #15 Austin O’Connor (IRL) and World #20 Will Coleman (USA).

Harry Meade and Et Hop Du Matz, third-place finishers at last year’s Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. Photo by Mary Cage

One of the American favorites, Martin, has extensive championship experience under his belt, having competed in four Olympic Games and three World Equestrian Games. He helped the U.S. earn team Silver at the 2022 World Championships and is a three-time Pan American Games Gold medalist. In Kentucky, he placed second in 2019 and 2025 and fourth in 2021. He also placed second in the Cosequin^® Lexington CCI4*-S in 2024.

Coleman, Martin’s 2022 World Championship teammate, has also competed in the Olympic Games (2012), World Equestrian Games (2018), and podiumed on multiple occasions at the K3DE. He won the Cosequin^® Lexington CCI4*-S in 2024 and 2025 and took third place in 2024.

Additionally, World #36 Caroline Pamukcu (USA), Martin’s 2024 Olympic teammate, will be looking for her first podium at the K3DE. Her résumé includes individual Gold and team Silver at the 2023 Pan American Games. Other familiar faces from the U.S. include Jennie Brannigan, Mia Farley, and Buck Davidson, who placed third in Kentucky in 2014 and was the Highest-Placed Sole Owner/Rider in 2023 and 2024.

Leading the international contingent alongside Meade are Price, O’Connor, and Meade’s fellow Brits, McEwen and Jackson. Alongside his double-Bronze appearance at the 2022 World Championships, Price has competed in three Olympic Games, two World Equestrian Games, and multiple K3DE – earning second place in Kentucky in 2015 and 2021 and third in 2019. Four-time Olympian O’Connor is entered in the 2026 K3DE with his 2022 World Championship mount, Colorado Blue.

McEwen, a three-time Olympic medalist and 2018 World Equestrian Games team Gold medalist, finished in second place at the K3DE in 2023 and 2024. Jackson helped Team Great Britain earn medals in three of his four European Championship appearances.

With so many world-class combinations entered in this year’s Event, Kentucky will celebrate one of its highest-rated fields on record. There are four 5*-winning riders in the lineup: Martin, McEwen, O’Connor and Price, who will be looking for his seventh victory at this level. Price also has the highest-rated horse, Vitali, on the entry list, with both Vitali and Colorado Blue ranked among the world’s top 10 eventing horses.

The post 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event: World #1 Harry Meade and #2 Boyd Martin Head Impressive List of 5* Entries appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.