All 35 horses who 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, following the initial horse inspection on Wednesday. Under puffy clouds and blue skies, the competitors in the CCI5*-L put their best and most fashionable feet forward as they demonstrated their horses’ fitness to begin the competition.
Several of the horses were clearly feeling fit and ready to run as they entertained the crowd with their antics.
Organized by Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian (K3DE) features one of only seven annual Five Star three-day events in the world. The event annually attracts nearly 90,000 spectators who also enjoy extensive shopping, a variety of hospitality experiences and a wide array of demonstrations. In addition to the traditional CCI5*-L, the event also features the Cosequin® Lexington 4* and Kentucky CSI4* Invitational Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute.
K3DE kicks off Thursday morning with the CCI4*-S competition as the first half of the field struts their stuff in the dressage arena. Thursday afternoon, the first half of the CCI5*-L competitors take their turn in the dressage ring. Competition continues with the second half of dressage on Friday, then 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.
Livestream and TV broadcasts
All competitions held as part of the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ – the CCI5*, Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S, and Kentucky CSI4* Invitational Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute – can be watched live on USEF Network powered by ClipMyHorse.TV. The link is also available through the event website at www.kentuckythreedayevent.com. The livestream is available free of charge worldwide to USEF fans and members. Anyone can become a fan and watch the event free by registering as a “Fan” at www.usef.org/fan. ClipMyHorseTV premium subscribers can also watch the event.
US Equestrian and ESPN have teamed up to broadcast the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ on Saturday, May 11, 10:00 am-12:00 pm ET on ESPN2.
Further information about the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™, the Cosequin® Lexington 4*-S, and the Kentucky CSI4* Invitational Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute is available at https://www.kentuckythreedayevent.com/
Press release supplied by event
Image of Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent supplied by Michelle Dunn Photo
