The New Zealander and 'Max' were one of just four to go double-clear; Jessica Phoenix and Fluorescent Adolescent bound up the 4* leaderboard.
Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event
The NZ rider's lovely Artist proves that Thoroughbreds can perform brilliant dressage tests; Smith holds onto CCI4*-S lead.
The US rider is closely followed by Phillip Dutton and Possante; Canada is represented in the CCI4*-S by Jessica Phoenix and Fluorescent Adolescent.
This year, Major League Show Jumping brings its team format to the popular show jumping feature at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event.
The impressive list includes world #1 Harry Meade and #2 Boyd Martin; only one Canadian, Jessica Phoenix, is entered.
K3DE is the longest-running 5* event in the Americas; the weekend also features the $340,000 Kentucky International 1.60m Grand Prix.
Germany’s Michael Jung and 'Chipmunk' won the 5*-L, while Canada's Jessica Phoenix and Freedom GS charged from 14th to 3rd in the 4*-S.
The small but mighty contingent of Canadians had a great cross-country day; Jessica Phoenix sits 13th with Fluorescent Adolescent in the CCI5*-L.
Boyd Martin and Tom McEwen take over second and third place in the CCI5*-L; Canada's Jessica Phoenix and Fluorescent Adolescent are 20th.
The German historically does well in this phase, but he broke his own record with an 18.6 pp at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event.
