Jung Remains Leader at Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event

While the top position of the leaderboard remained unchanged at the end of Friday’s dressage phase at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ (K3DE), the rest of the top placings were shuffled around. Germany’s Michael Jung still leads after his record-breaking score of 18.6 went unchallenged throughout the day, but slotting into the other top spots were the USA’s Boyd Martin and Commando 3 in second (26.0) and Great Britain’s Tom McEwen and Brookfield Quality in third (26.2). Kentucky newcomer Libussa Lübbeke (GER) and Caramia 34 are just behind them in fourth (27.1). (Canada’s Jessica Phoenix and Fluorescent Adolescent are currently 20th with 36.8pp.)

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.

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Jung has more than a seven-point lead over Martin, who had the misfortune to ride in the heaviest downpour of the day. The four-time U.S. Olympian and current World #10 showed off Commando’s rideability as he admirably worked through the stormy conditions.

“It might have helped me, actually, made him put his head down a bit further,” Martin joked. “I was glancing up at the sky in the warmup, and thinking ‘this is not looking good,’ but some things you’ve got no control over. It was like a Louisiana typhoon, but I tried to stay in the moment. Commando is a champion horse, and he stayed focused. He can be spooky but maybe it distracted him a bit. I was thrilled with him.”

The 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Yankee Creek Ranch, LLC, is one of three horses Martin is competing with over the weekend. He currently stands sixth on Luke 140 (27.9) and 11th on Fedarman B (29.8). As the highest-placed American entry, he and Commando currently lead the Defender/USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Championship presented by MARS Equestrian.

“I’ve got three good horses here, and it’s maybe the best group of 5* horses I’ve had,” Martin said. “We’ve been working hard with the dressage. They are quality horses, and to have all of them in the 20s is a huge amount of work, not just from me but from my wife [dressage rider Silva Martin] who rides them when I’m away. It’s a relief to deliver good tests.”

McEwen is the #1 ranked rider in the world and a two-time Olympic team gold medalist, and the 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Alison Swinburn and John and Chloe Perry is no stranger to the 5* level, having finished third at Pau in France in October 2024.

“‘Norris’ is an awesome horse; he tries as hard as he can,” McEwen said. “He’s a lovely fellow, and I’m delighted with him today. He felt fantastic, and coming down the center line, he didn’t even look up. He was nice and smooth and really listening. There were a few little mistakes, but we’re not too far away from [Jung].”

Lübbeke’s experience in Kentucky is a family affair, as the 15-year-old Hanoverian mare is bred and owned by her parents, Annelie and Martin Lübbeke. This is the pair’s second CCI5*-L, after they finished 19th at Luhmühlen, Germany, in 2024.

“It is really special to be here,” she said. “She was listening and trying her best, like she always does. She was just great.”

With the first phase of competition completed, all eyes now turn to Saturday’s cross-country phase and course designer Derek di Grazia’s test.

“I think it looks amazing. It’s a bit different to European courses, but all the technical questions are clear, and it’s a course to ride forward,” said Lübbeke.

“There’s plenty to do, but at the same time, it’s very clear for the horses,” said McEwen, who placed second at Kentucky in 2023 and 2024. “It’s a positive track, typical from Derek — if you aren’t riding, [the questions] will catch plenty of people out. You must be on your ‘A’ game.”

“It’s a good course, big and challenging,” agreed Martin. “It’s a test of endurance and the rider pacing the horse in the beginning to make sure there is plenty of juice left for the Cosequin® Cove at the end. It’s not going to be a dressage show and should be an exciting contest tomorrow.”

Coleman takes the lead in the Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S

Will Coleman (USA) and Off The Record are one of the most experienced pairs in the Cosequin® Lexington 4*, and they used every ounce of that experience to lay down a flowing, accurate test that launched them to the top of the leaderboard with a score of 21.8.

“‘Timmy,’ he’s … at the tail end of his career, at 16 years old, but I think he’s like me — he’s the kind of horse who thrives on progress and trying to get a little bit better,” Coleman said of the Thoroughbred gelding owned by the Off The Record Syndicate. “Even at 16, he has a remarkable work ethic and has proven to be remarkably trainable.

“He was just awesome today,” continued Coleman, who won the 2024 event with Diabolo. “He was really excited to be here and get into the arena today, and I couldn’t be prouder of him.”

Phillip Dutton (USA) had led after the first day of dressage with Denim, and he beat himself aboard his second horse, Possante, to stand second and third at the end of Friday’s dressage testing. Possante, the 12-year-old Dutch-bred gelding owned by the Possante Group, showed off powerful movement to score 23.1 and stand just ahead of Denim (25.6).

“I’m very pleased [with Possante]; he’s a pretty stunning horse, and I’m lucky to have him,” Dutton said. “I don’t have too much to do in the dressage. He kind of does it all for me; it’s just about getting him to relax. He surprised me a bit in the warmup as he was a bit on edge, but in the last few minutes, he took a deep breath and held it together. He’s a good horse and has a ton of potential, hopefully for years to come.”

Chris Talley (USA) and FE Marco Polo danced into fourth (26.8) with a test that highlighted the 9-year-old Oldenburg gelding’s balance and movement. The horse’s owner, Allison Pratt, brought the horse to Talley just over two years ago, and he’s moved up quickly from Training level to the 4*.

“He’s incredibly special, but he struggles with his confidence and can be quite emotional, kind of like me,” Talley said with a laugh. “I wasn’t sure how he would be in there today; it’s his first Kentucky and my second, so we felt a little bit of pressure. But he’s so special, and being so young, he has all the makings to be a top horse. With time, he will get better and better. I knew if I did my job and coached him well, he would reward me. I didn’t expect to be up here, but I’m very pleased.”

(In the CCI4*-S, Canada’s Dana Cooke and FE Quatro sit 9th on 28.3pp; Jessica Phoenix and Freedom GS are 14th with 30.0pp.)

On Saturday, the competition moves into the heart of eventing, the cross-country. The CCI4*-S horses go first, with the first on course at 9:30 a.m. The CCI5*-L division runs in the afternoon, with the first horse scheduled at 1:30 p.m.

All competitions held as part of the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ – the CCI5*, Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*, and Kentucky International CSI5* presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute – can be watched live on USEF Network powered by ClipMyHorse.TV. The link is also available through the event website at www.kentuckythreedayevent.com. The livestream is available free of charge worldwide to USEF fans and members. Anyone can become a fan and watch the event free by registering as a “Fan” at www.usef.org/fan. ClipMyHorse.TV premium subscribers can also watch the event. All phases of the CCI5* (dressage, cross country and jumping) will also be shown live on ESPN3.

Start lists and ride times here; live results here.