Two-time Olympic veteran and World #2 Kent Farrington (USA) is set to defend his title against an impressive field of entries representing 14 countries in the Kentucky International CSI5* presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. Farrington, who has placed sixth (2019) and eighth (2022) in Kentucky alongside his 2025 victory, will have to face many international stars, including 15 of the world’s top 30 riders and two Olympic champions.
The Kentucky International CSI5* is hosted as part of the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN™ (K3DE), April 23-26 at the Kentucky Horse Park. The Event is 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. EEI is dedicated to creating opportunities for riders, horses, and equine organizations while advancing the United States’ strength and competitiveness on the international stage.
K3DE features one of only seven annual 5* three-day events in the world. K3DE is the largest and longest-running Five Star event in the Americas, and as the United States’ premier event, it also serves as the Defender/USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Championship presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN™ for the U.S. athletes. Expanding its world-class offerings, the event also features the Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S, a US Equestrian Open of Eventing Series qualifier, alongside the Kentucky International CSI5* presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. Co-organized with Major League Show Jumping, the CSI5* brings an exciting team-based format to the week, culminating in a highlight Grand Prix. Known as “The Best Weekend All Year,” K3DE draws more than 90,000 attendees annually.
Introduced at the 2018 K3DE as a CSI3*, the Kentucky International CSI5* has annually taken place to the cheers of a packed stadium of fans. This year, it also serves as Leg 8 of the Major League Show Jumping (MLSJ) Season 5 schedule – the final stop before the tour heads to its season finals in Monterrey, Mexico. The show jumping event kicks off Thursday, April 23, with the $62,500 1.55m Qualifier; Friday features the $200,000 1.50m MLSJ Team Competition; and Saturday features the $32,000 1.45m Power & Speed before culminating in the main event, the $340,000 1.60m Kentucky International Grand Prix.
Farrington’s consistency at the highest levels of the sport truly shone in 2025; he claimed the #1 spot on the Longines FEI World Jumping Rankings in May 2025 following his win in Kentucky and held that position through January 2026, taking victory in 28 grand prix classes from the 3* to 5* levels along the way. Still, he has his work cut out for him at this year’s Kentucky International with the likes of Olympic champions Ben Maher (GBR) and Christian Kukuk (GER) hot on his tail.
Maher has five successful Olympic Games on his record, including the 2012 team Gold and 2021 individual Gold medals. He currently sits at #4 on the World Rankings ahead of Kukuk, a two-time Olympic veteran and current World #9. Kukuk blazed to the Olympic individual Gold medal in 2024.
Joining Farrington from the U.S. contingent are four-time Olympian, Show Jumping Hall of Famer and World #10 Laura Kraut; six-time Olympian and World #12 McLain Ward, who placed sixth in Kentucky in 2023; 2024 Olympian and World #18 Karl Cook; World #25 Aaron Vale; World #28 Lillie Keenan; and Olympic team Silver medalists Lucy Davis Kennedy (2016) and Jessica Springsteen (2021).
Other familiar American faces at the Kentucky Horse Park will include Mimi Gochman, who placed third in 2025; Charlotte Jacobs, who placed 12th in 2023, third in 2024, and ninth in 2025; McKayla Langmeier, who placed seventh in 2024; and Alex Matz, who placed eighth in 2023 and fourth in 2024.
Additionally, Farrington is not the only Kentucky CSI champion on the 2026 roster. Three-time Olympian and World #14 Daniel Bluman (ISR) is also set to return, aiming to replicate his 2023 Kentucky victory.
More top athletes from the international circuit include 2024 Olympian and World #3 Richard Vogel (GER); World #6 Nina Mallevaey (FRA); two-time Olympian and World #7 Shane Sweetnam, who placed 10th in Kentucky in 2019, sixth in 2022, third in 2023, and second in 2025; 2024 Olympian and World #15 Daniel Coyle (IRL), who placed sixth in 2018 and seventh in 2019; 2016 Olympian and World #16 Nicola Philippaerts (BEL); and 2021 Olympian and World #20 Abdel Saïd (BEL). They will be joined by their fellow Olympic veterans Erynn Ballard (CAN); Mario Deslauriers (CAN); Thaisa Erwin (AUS), who placed sixth in 2025; Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN); Uma O’Neill (NZL); Eduardo Pereira de Menezes (BRA); Cassio Rivetti (BRA); and Roberto Teran Tafur (COL), who placed ninth in 2023.
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