Lexington, Ky. – The dressage phase of the 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L presented by MARS Equestrian™ concluded on Friday, April 24 with Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake finishing as the highest-placed U.S. combination to be the overnight leaders in the Defender/USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Championship. The duo is currently in fourth place overall on a dressage score of 26.6. Tamie Smith and Danito maintain their lead in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S, atop the leaderboard on their unbeatable dressage score of 27.0 from Thursday’s session.

Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian CCI5*-L

Monica Spencer (NZL) and Artist currently sit as the overall lead in the CCI5*-L after an impressive dressage test, earning them a score of 22.3, but it is Caroline Pamukcu (Springtown, Pa.) and HSH Blake, a 2015 Irish Sport Horse gelding (Tolan R x Doughiska Lass) owned by Mollie Hoff, Sherrie Martin, Caroline and Deniz Pamukcu, who lead the U.S. field of competitors after two days of dressage competition. 

Pamukcu was effusive about her partnership with the 11-year-old “Blake,” describing him as a horse who gives everything every time he enters the ring. "Every time I get to ride him, he's unreal," she said. "He gives me 200% every time I go in the ring." She added that the atmosphere only seems to bring out the best in him. "As soon as they start cheering, he kind of goes into this next gear, which is great."  

When it comes to tailoring her warm-up to suit HSH Blake at this stage of his career, Pamukcu has been keeping things minimal and purposeful. "He doesn't need a ton of warm up, just enough to get his back soft and get him into the movements," she said. Notably, she has done the bulk of her preparation work this week in a jump saddle rather than a dressage saddle. "If I have a jump saddle and cavalettis or poles to focus on, it helps me focus on riding the horse and not get so stressed about everything else," she explained. "He knows his job — he's been doing this since he was eight."  

Building on a successful five-star debut at Maryland last fall, Pamukcu acknowledged the track at Kentucky will always present its own unique challenges. "When you do your first five-star with a horse, you have that confidence that they can do it," she said, "but it's still April, and it's a lot to do out there." She described the course for tomorrow as one which will demand focus from start to finish. "You can't really switch it off," she said. "That's 11 minutes of hard, intense mental work." 

Tim Price (NZL) and Vitali currently hold second place overall in the CCI5*-L division on a dressage score of 22.6, hot on Spencer’s heels, while Tom McEwen (GBR) and Brookefield Quality round out the top three on a score of 25.1.

Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S

The dressage phase of the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S concluded today with Tamie Smith (Murrieta, Calif.) and Danito, a 2009 Hanoverian gelding (Dancier x Wie Musik), owned by Ruth Bley, holding firm at the top of the leaderboard on their dressage score of 27.0. Fellow American combination, Sharon White (Summit Point, W. Va.) and Claus 63, her own 2012 Holsteiner gelding (Catoo x Tina II), delivered an impressive test to go into Saturday’s cross-country phase on 28.1, and moves into second place overnight.  

Smith, who heads into cross-country day with multiple horses near the top of the leaderboard, spoke about the challenge ahead. "I think time is super influential, but I think the course is very good and very fair," she said. "There's definitely some serious accuracy questions and you’ve got to make sure you're focused and on your game." 

Managing three very different horses across the first two days of competition, Smith acknowledged that each ride requires a complete mental reset. "They're completely opposite of each other," she said, "so I'm happy to have enough time to get off one and then refocus and get on the next." 

For White and Claus 63, their strong dressage result is the product of patient, consistent work. White described her approach with “Claus” as focused and keeping things simple and steady. "Just the constant day-to-day, [I say] ‘just be with me, buddy,’" she said. "And a little repetition of constant throughness and connection.’" 

White also gave a candid glimpse into Claus 63's larger-than-life personality. "He is probably the most athletic horse I've ever sat on, and the most mentally challenging," she said. "So, it's been really fun to figure that out, and finally, I think in his 14th year, he is starting to take a breath sometimes which is really exciting." As for the cross-country course, White is enthusiastic. "The footing looks amazing; it looks exactly what I need for Claus. If the universe could have put right what I needed, it's right there, so I'm really grateful." 

All eyes now turn to cross-country day, where Smith and White will look to carry their top of the leaderboard momentum forward.

Competition Information

The exciting cross-country phase over course designer, Derek di Grazia’s (USA) course will kick off tomorrow morning beginning with CCI4*-S combinations at 9:30 a.m. ET . CCI5*-L athletes-and-horses will begin leaving the start box at 1:30 p.m. ET. The competition will conclude Sunday, April 26, with the final phase of show jumping to ultimately decide the winners of the 2026 K3DE, alongside the 2026 Defender/USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Championship presented by MARS Equestrian™, for the highest-placed U.S. combination in the CCI5*-L division. 

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