Lexington, Ky. – The 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event (K3DE) is set to begin following the conclusion of the first horse inspection with the first day of dressage starting tomorrow, April 23. The field of 29 horse-and-athlete combinations representing five countries will compete in this year’s CCI5*-L. The competition will play host to the 2026 Defender/USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Championship presented by MARS Equestrian™. The highest placed U.S. combination in the CCI5*-L competition will earn the national championship title, presented alongside the Roger Haller Trophy. The Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S will also take place this weekend, returning as a qualifier for the US Equestrian Open Eventing Series.
Among the weekend’s entries, 11 women and 12 men will contest the CCI5*-L. Three-time CCI5*-L national champion Boyd Martin (Cochranville, Pa.) returns to defend the title with three different mounts in Cooley Nutcracker, a 2014 Irish Sport Horse gelding (BMC Tolan R x Ballyshan Cleopatra) owned by Liz's Nutcrackers, and Commando 3, a 2013 Holsteiner gelding (Conner x R-Adelgunde) owned by Yankee Creek Ranch, LLC.
Last year’s Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S winners, Will Coleman (Ocala, Fla.) and Diabolo, a 2012 Holsteiner gelding (Diarado x Roulett M.) owned by the Diabolo Group, LLC, will also return, but this time stepping up to the CCI5*-L for the first time together. Phillip Dutton (West Grove, Pa.), who is no stranger at Kentucky, will debut his talented CCI4*-S ride from last year in the CCI5*-L. Possante, a 2013 KWPN gelding (Namelus R x Wendlien), owned by The Possante Group, who finished in second place in last year’s 4*-S, will step up to the next level for the first time this weekend.
Other Kentucky “first timers” include Karen O’Neal (North Bend, Wash.) and Clooney 14, a 2014 Westphalian gelding (Captain Jack 44 x Zauberfee), owned by Annika Aisling. Braden Speck (Kennett Square, Pa.) is set to make his CCI5* debut aboard his own horse, BSF Liam, a 2013 Connemara/Thoroughbred gelding (Ballywhim An Luan x Rumor Risky), as well as Alexander Conrad (Peabody, Mass.) and his own, Malibu Preacher, a 2012 Thoroughbred gelding (Malibu Moon x Preach It). Gabby Dickerson (Gordonsville, Va.) with Traditionally Fernhill, a 2014 Irish Sport Horse gelding (Killinick Bouncer x Church Lady) owned by Roland Millican will also ride down the centerline for the first time in a CCI5*-L.
Competition Information
The highly anticipated K3DE begins Thursday, April 23, with the first day of dressage. The CCI4*-S dressage phase will begin at 8:00 a.m. ET, while the CCI5*-L is set to get underway at 1:30 p.m. ET. The second day of dressage will take place on Friday starting at 8:00 a.m. ET, before combinations will contest Derek di Grazia’s (USA) cross-country course on Saturday starting at 9:00 a.m. ET before an excited crowd. The competition ends on Sunday, April 26, at 10:45 a.m. ET with Guilherme Jorge’s (BRA) stadium course, which will ultimately decide the winners of the 2026 K3DE, alongside the 2026 Defender/USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Championship presented by MARS Equestrian™.
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Event website | Schedule | Ride Times
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