Entries Released for Defender Kentucky CCI5*-L

Eleven Olympians from six nations highlight an impressive list of entries for the event which returns to the Kentucky Horse Park April 24-27.

A man on a bay horse jumping into a water jump on cross-country.

World #1 Tom McEwen (GBR) riding JL Dublin.

By: Horse Sport staff | March 27, 2025

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you're listening to an article from horse sport.com. entries released for defender kentucky cci5*-l by: horse sport staff |. six of the world’s top 12 eventing riders, including world #1 tom mcewen (gbr) and world #2 tim price (nzl), head an impressive list of entries for the 2025 defender kentucky three-day event presented by mars equestrian™. the event will feature 11 olympians and athletes from seven countries when it returns to the kentucky horse park, april 24-27. produced by equestrian events, inc. (eei), a non-profit, charitable organization that supports the development of equestrian sports by staging sporting events at the highest level, the defender kentucky three-day event presented by mars equestrian features one of only seven annual 5* three-day events in the world. known as “the best weekend all year,” 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 the kentucky international csi5* presented by hagyard equine medical institute. mcewen, a two-time british olympic team gold medalist and current world #1, has his sights set on the top of the kentucky podium after finishing second in both 2023 and 2024 with his talented mount, jl dublin. “dubs” will be making his return for the third consecutive year alongside mcewen’s other entry, brookfield quality. advertisement scroll to continue with content also vying for the win are international veterans tim price, world #2, and his wife, jonelle price, who were the first husband-and-wife team to represent new zealand at the olympics. they were teammates on three consecutive teams (2016, 2021, 2024). jonelle also rode on the olympic team in 2012. they are joined at kentucky by world #7 harry meade (gbr); world #10 boyd martin (usa), a four-time olympian; world #11 lara de liedekerke-meier (bel), a two-time olympian; and world #12 michael jung (ger), a four-time olympian and four-time kentucky champion. jung is entered with his 2024 olympic gold medal partner, fischerchipmunk frh, who helped him secure his fourth victory in kentucky in 2022. jung also won at kentucky in 2015, 2016, and 2017. in addition to martin, the star-studded u.s. contingent includes 2016 olympian lauren nicholson, 2024 olympian caroline pamukcu, and seven-time olympian phillip dutton, whose horses are entered in the cosequin® lexington 4*. dutton won the kentucky title in 2008. other olympians entered to compete include two-time olympic veteran clarke johnstone of new zealand and three-time olympic veteran jessica phoenix of canada with fluorescent adolescent. another canadian, lindsay traisnel, will ride bacyrouge. the full list of cci5*-l entries can be found here ; 4* entries will be posted here when available. kentucky 4*-s us equestrian open series qualifier. this year’s cosequin® lexington 4*-s will serve as a us equestrian open eventing series qualifier when the defender kentucky three-day event presented by mars equestrian™ returns to the kentucky horse park, april 24-27. equestrian events, inc. (eei), producer of the world-renowned event, is thrilled to welcome back cosequin® as the title sponsor of the four star competition. introduced in 2021, the cosequin® lexington 4*-s runs concurrently with the defender kentucky three-day event presented by mars equestrian (k3de), one of only seven annual five star three-day events in the world. known as “the best weekend all year,” k3de annually attracts nearly 90,000 spectators who also enjoy extensive shopping, a variety of hospitality experiences and a wide array of demonstrations. the event also features the kentucky international csi5* presented by hagyard equine medical institute. this year, the cosequin® lexington 4*-s is a us equestrian open eventing series qualifier. the inaugural us equestrian open eventing series consists of 20 qualifying events around the country leading into the series final, to be hosted as a cci4*-l at the morven park international in leesburg, va, october 9-12. the series will award $50,000 in prize money to the three highest-placed combinations following the conclusion of the qualifying period, as well as $200,000 in prize money at the final in october. the series was created to further invest in future eventing athletes and showcase the sport to a broader audience. additional information is available here. tickets can be purchased at kentuckythreedayevent.com/tickets. ~ with files from classic communications.

Six of the world’s top 12 eventing riders, including World #1 Tom McEwen (GBR) and World #2 Tim Price (NZL), head an impressive list of entries for the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™. The event will feature 11 Olympians and athletes from seven countries when it returns to the Kentucky Horse Park, April 24-27.

Produced by Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), a non-profit, charitable organization that supports the development of equestrian sports by staging sporting events at the highest level, the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian features one of only seven annual 5* three-day events in the world. Known as “The Best Weekend All Year,” 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 the Kentucky International CSI5* presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute.

McEwen, a two-time British Olympic team gold medalist and current World #1, has his sights set on the top of the Kentucky podium after finishing second in both 2023 and 2024 with his talented mount, JL Dublin. “Dubs” will be making his return for the third consecutive year alongside McEwen’s other entry, Brookfield Quality.

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Also vying for the win are international veterans Tim Price, World #2, and his wife, Jonelle Price, who were the first husband-and-wife team to represent New Zealand at the Olympics. They were teammates on three consecutive teams (2016, 2021, 2024). Jonelle also rode on the Olympic team in 2012. They are joined at Kentucky by World #7 Harry Meade (GBR); World #10 Boyd Martin (USA), a four-time Olympian; World #11 Lara De Liedekerke-Meier (BEL), a two-time Olympian; and World #12 Michael Jung (GER), a four-time Olympian and four-time Kentucky champion. Jung is entered with his 2024 Olympic Gold Medal partner, fischerChipmunk FRH, who helped him secure his fourth victory in Kentucky in 2022. Jung also won at Kentucky in 2015, 2016, and 2017.

In addition to Martin, the star-studded U.S. contingent includes 2016 Olympian Lauren Nicholson, 2024 Olympian Caroline Pamukcu, and seven-time Olympian Phillip Dutton, whose horses are entered in the Cosequin® Lexington 4*. Dutton won the Kentucky title in 2008.

Other Olympians entered to compete include two-time Olympic veteran Clarke Johnstone of New Zealand and three-time Olympic veteran Jessica Phoenix of Canada with Fluorescent Adolescent. Another Canadian, Lindsay Traisnel, will ride Bacyrouge.

The full list of CCI5*-L entries can be found HERE; 4* entries will be posted HERE when available.

Kentucky 4*-S US Equestrian Open Series Qualifier

This year’s Cosequin® Lexington 4*-S will serve as a US Equestrian Open Eventing Series Qualifier when the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ returns to the Kentucky Horse Park, April 24-27. Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), producer of the world-renowned event, is thrilled to welcome back Cosequin® as the Title Sponsor of the Four Star competition.

Introduced in 2021, the Cosequin® Lexington 4*-S runs concurrently with the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian (K3DE), one of only seven annual Five Star three-day events in the world. Known as “The Best Weekend All Year,” K3DE annually attracts nearly 90,000 spectators who also enjoy extensive shopping, a variety of hospitality experiences and a wide array of demonstrations. The event also features the Kentucky International CSI5* presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute.

This year, the Cosequin® Lexington 4*-S is a US Equestrian Open Eventing Series Qualifier. The inaugural US Equestrian Open Eventing Series consists of 20 qualifying events around the country leading into the Series Final, to be hosted as a CCI4*-L at the Morven Park International in Leesburg, VA, October 9-12. The Series will award $50,000 in prize money to the three highest-placed combinations following the conclusion of the qualifying period, as well as $200,000 in prize money at the Final in October. The Series was created to further invest in future eventing athletes and showcase the sport to a broader audience. Additional information is available here.

Tickets can be purchased at kentuckythreedayevent.com/tickets.

~ with files from Classic Communications