Cross country day at the Defender Kentucky Three Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian is a highlight for spectators that travel to the Bluegrass from across the nation. More than 50 athlete-and-horse combinations will gallop through the Kentucky Horse Park, tackling imposing fences, water complexes, and technical terrain in the CCI4*-S and CCI5*-L. With crowds lining the lanes to watch their favorite combination soar over the famed Ditch Brush or splash into the Head of the Lake, safety, for both combinations and spectators, remains a top priority.
That’s where Arbor Lane’s Lily and rider Leslie van der Wal play an essential role. The duo will return this year as part of the cross-country day outrider team, providing safety information and guidance for everyone involved, both four legged and two legged alike.
2026 marks van der Wal and Lily’s third consecutive year stewarding the cross-country phase at the event. Van der Wal explains that volunteer outriders provide a vital presence throughout Saturday’s competition.
“Our role as outriders is to act as safety eyes, help crowd control, and to provide emergency assistance if something happens to a horse or rider on course,” she said. “We make sure that the galloping lanes are kept clear of dogs and children and warn spectators when a horse is coming.”
Beyond their safety responsibilities, outriders serve as welcoming ambassadors for the event. “We want everyone to feel comfortable and have a great experience,” she said. “People tend to come up to us with questions because we’re easy to spot as we’re all on horseback.”
Lily’s journey to becoming an outrider mount began after she suffered a career-ending injury in 2020. The buckskin Connemara-Thoroughbred cross could no longer compete, and van der Wal needed to find another way to keep her active and engaged. As a longtime volunteer at the Kentucky Three Day Event, transitioning Lily into the outrider role felt like a natural fit.
“Lily is incredibly levelheaded and not at all frazzled or fazed by noise or galloping horses,” van der Wal said. “Her breed’s sensible nature means she stays focused and calm when perhaps a larger, more high-strung horse might get overwhelmed.”
Serving as an outrider requires patience and stamina. Lily must stand and ‘work’ until the last horse crosses the finish. While she isn’t running the course herself, van der Wal emphasizes the importance of keeping Lily mentally and physically prepared.
“She spends most of her year relaxing in the field,” van der Wal said. “But starting March 1, I put her into bootcamp. That means daily 45-minute walks to make sure she is fit enough to carry me for up to four hours straight.”
When it comes to the demands of cross-country day, van der Wal has her own strategies. “I swear by my sheepskin saddle cover,” she laughed. “And interacting with friends and spectators helps keep both our spirits high.”
Given Kentucky’s unpredictable spring weather, proper attire is key. LeMieux is supplying a full set of coordinated gear, including horse bonnets, saddle pads, waterproof jackets, show shirts, and helmet covers. It’s a complete package that supports both performance and presentation – keeping riders protected from the elements while also creating a clean, cohesive look across the grounds. According to van der Wal, looking the part helps reinforce the already strong sense of camaraderie among the riders and respect from spectators.
“We all meet up the night before to collect our gear and go over the plan for the next day,” she said. “You meet people from all walks of life with horses of all different backgrounds; some even travel from pretty far away. It’s nice to connect with everyone and you can tell there’s a ton of excitement in the barn.”
True to her Connemara roots, Lily is incredibly smart and loves interacting with people. “Her favorite part of the whole day is definitely getting lots of attention from spectators,” van der Wal said. “She’s a total crowd-pleaser! Because she’s so friendly and approachable, she draws spectators of all ages. And if you aren’t careful, she’ll try to get right in your pocket looking for a treat!”
The duo will return to the cross-country course April 25th, cheering on combinations and engaging with fans throughout the day. Van der Wal is already looking ahead with anticipation. “I am looking forward to, hopefully, good weather and seeing all our American riders finish,” she said.
For those attending the Kentucky Three Day and looking to get even more involved, volunteering offers a unique way to experience the action up close. Opportunities are available throughout the event, ranging from course decorations day and event prep, to day-of roles such as decorators, cross country guards, and more.
Interested individuals can view open positions and sign up here.