The Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event (LRK3DE),the nation’s premier eventing competition, has received the new Five Star status from the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the international governing body of equestrian sport. The new status, along with its respective requirements and rules, will take effect January 1, 2019. The Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L, returns to the Kentucky Horse Park, April 25-28, 2019.
Now in its 41st year, the LRK3DE is a thrilling competition featuring Olympic-level riders and horses from across the nation and around the world in what can best be described as an equestrian triathlon. Since 1998, the event has been a Four Star event – the pinnacle of the FEI’s system and on par with the Olympics – one of only six annual Four Star three-day events in the world, and the only one in the Western Hemisphere.
The proposition to alter the star system, accepted at the FEI General Assembly in 2017 but not effective until 2019, states that CCI competitions will now be referred to as CCI-L (for long) while CIC competitions will become CCI-S (for short). The existing levels are being increased by a single star – the existing One Star level becomes the Two Star level, the Two Star becomes the Three Star, the Three Star becomes the Four Star, and the CCI4* becomes the CCI5*-L.
LRK3DE will now be one of only six annual Five Star three-day events in the world along with Badminton and Burghley in England; Luhmuhlen in Germany; Pau in France; and Adelaide in Australia. LRK3DE remains the only one in the Western Hemisphere.
“It’s an honor to be recognized by the FEI as one of the world’s elite events with the new Five Star status,” said Stewart Perry, president of Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), organizer of the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. “It solidifies our longstanding position as one of the world’s leading equestrian events. A distinction we work hard to deliver on every year.”
“Since 2010, when the Land Rover brand’s involvement with the Kentucky Three-Day event began, we have been committed to helping raise the quality, participation and reputation of this event,” said Kim McCullough, Vice President, Marketing, Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC. “We are proud to be a partner of the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event and congratulate them on the new five star status.”
Known as “The Best Weekend All Year,” the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event is a multi-day highly-competitive event in which the world’s best horses and riders vie for their share of $400,000 in prize money, as well as a shot at the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing, which is awarded to any rider who wins the Land Rover Kentucky, Mitsubishi Motors Badminton and Land Rover Burghley Five Star Events in succession. As the nation’s premier event, it also serves as the Land Rover/USEF National CCI5*-L Championship for the American riders.
Tickets
Single-Day and Multi-Day tickets for the 2019 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event are now on sale. All grounds admission tickets to the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event include general parking and admission to the Kentucky Horse Park and International Trade Fair, but do not include access to Rolex Stadium. Reserved grandstand seating is sold separately from grounds admission; traditionally the best seats sell out, so everyone is encouraged to place orders as early as possible. For a unique world-class Kentucky experience, special Ringside Hospitality packages are also available.
Cross-Country day draws massive crowds to the Kentucky Horse Park and those interested in a reserved tailgating spot along the course for the increasingly popular Land Rover Tailgate are urged to reserve their spaces early. Premium spots generally sell out quickly.
Tickets for the 2019 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event can be ordered online at KentuckyThreeDayEvent.com/tickets or over the phone (859-254-8123). Further information on the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event is available at KentuckyThreeDayEvent.com.
Land Rover Tailgating on Cross-Country Day
Experience the excitement of the thrilling Cross-Country day on Saturday, April 27, from your own tailgate spot along the course! You may bring your own food and beverages subject to the tailgating rules and there will also be concessions near the tailgating area. Platinum and Premium Spots have an unobstructed view of the course. Premium spots generally sell out quickly, so book early. For more information visit: kentuckythreedayevent.com/land-rover-tailgating
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